ABSTRACT
The relationship between literature and politics surrounding Mao Zedong's Talks at the Yan'an Forum of Literature and Art has been discussed for many times over the past three decades in the academic world and literature and art circles in China. The common understanding for literature and art is that it specifically includes literature, drama, movie, TV, music, fine arts, sculpture, dance, handwriting, acrobatics and other artistic categories that meet people's aesthetic needs. The relationship between literature and politics is always very close, and this was recognized by literary theorists in the past dynasties. Arguments of aestheticism, art for art's sake already existed in history. Works are not surely popular among readers due to their correct, progressive and even revolutionary political inclination. Potboilers will be discarded by readers due to lack of aesthetic feeling. Social division of labor was rare due to low productivity at that time, and the function of ideological superstructure was often executed by a tribal chief.
