Abstract:

The Third Plenary Session in 1978 was the new beginning of the construction of socialist
literature and art. In 1981, according to the last wish of Mao Dun, Chinese Writers Association established the
Mao Dun Literature Prize for novels. Facing the national literature award, the views on artistic reality of literary
editors played decisive roles in the publication of the works. The first three prize-winning works embodied
the requirement of the literary editors on living reality and artistic reality in the subject, and also reflected the
people’s standpoint and the persistent introspection and thought of them in the theme. The foresight, the
courage and the tenacity of the editors contributed to the publication of the works and their crafting helped the
works get the honor.