SARS e poesia

Abstract

The essay takes into consideration the articles published between April and June 2003, while in China SARS epidemic was spreading, in the following newspapers: Guangming Ribao, Beijing Ribao, Zuojia wenzhai e Yiwen kongjian, and it analyses the official description of the Chinese atmosphere of the times. In particular, the description focuses on characters, the use of the language, the combination of city/country, the intervention of political propaganda, and finally, the idealistic element. The analysis includes the exam, through a close reading, of some poems written in the same period that show how literature continues in China, as by tradition, to play for the Communist Party a pragmatic role. On this special occasion, it plays a role of encouragement for everyone towards a demonstration of solidarity and communal commitment.