To Rebel is Justified [Hardcover]

Shaorong Huang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0761804188 | ISBN-13: 978-0761804185

Differentiating from other studies on China's cultural revolution movement (CRM) which mostly have focused on the infra-party power struggle, the hypnotizing power of the cult of the individual, or the cruelty of man-made class struggle, this book describes, examines, and evaluates the major rhetorical theme of the movement which is summarized in the slogan, 'rebellion is justified'. The orienting model for this criticism is William R. Brown's theory of social intervention. The three sub-systems of Brown's model, needs, power, and attention-switching, are used to explain respectively the growth and development of Mao's needs for change, the people's response to Mao's call for rebellion, and the rhetorical strategies employed by Mao and Maoists to shape the symbolic realities of the audience. This is the first book to analyze the CRM rhetoric using communication theories.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...contains many insights into the Cultural Revolution's remarkable political culture.>>>> (Ringo Ma The China Quarterly )

Dr. Shaorong Huang's expertise in rhetorical criticism and first-hand experience in the Cultural Revolution have made this book very insightful and meaningful.>>>> (Ringo Ma )

Dr. Shaorong Huang's expertise in rhetorical criticism and first-hand experience in the Cultural Revolution have made this book very insightful and meaningful. (Ringo Ma )

...contains many insights into the Cultural Revolution's remarkable political culture. (Ringo Ma The China Quarterly )

About the Author

Shaorong Huang is Instructor and Program Chair of the English/Communication, General Education Division at Ivy State College in Muncie, Indiana.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (August 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761804188
• ISBN-13: 978-0761804185
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,570,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Rhetorical Analysis, November 17, 2000

By 

Benjamin Cline (Hays, KS US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Rebel is Justified (Hardcover)

Not only is this a must-read for anyone with an interest in Sinology and social movements, any scholar of rhetoric must read this book. I have not seen a more thorough use of William Brown's theory of the rhetoric of social intervention anywhere. I believe that Shaorong Huang explains Brown better than Brown does himself. This is to say nothing of the excellent research done regarding this particular social movement. Some people would be satisfied with an analysis of the documents. Some people would be happy with a criticism of the interviews. Others would be satisfied with the simple "lived experience." Shaorong Huang shows true scholarship by taking all of these into his rhetorical analysis of that movement. This is brilliant work.