3 Body Problem
This article contains spoilers for 3 Body Problem .
Summary
In the first scene of Netflix ’s new sci - fi series,3 Body Problem , audiences are introduced to the Chinese Cultural Revolution , which not only had major force on the event of the fictional television serial publication , but also , was a real historic situation that had important shock on China and the world . First and foremost,3 Body Problemis a sci - fi show base on a novel of the same name by Liu Cixin . The story follow two timelines : in the sixties , Ye Wenjie see her beginner belt down by communistic officers , while in the present day , a group of scientists notice strange phenomena .
3 Body Problemmerges reality and history with scientific discipline fictionin various ways . The show includes many aspects of substantial history , including the Chinese Cultural Revolution , but intermingles these moment with more unbelievable detail , such as scientist Auggie Salazar sustain a gold countdown in her vision that no one else can see . But in the conclusion , both the existent history and the science fiction are every bit significant for3 Body Problem’sendand beginning . While thescience fiction succeeds at keeping the game movingforward , thehistory grounds audiences in the settingand the important themes of the serial .
Netflix ’s ambitious Modern series 3 Body Problem brings Liu Cixin ’s heady sci - fi estimate to the diminished screen , and now it return for time of year 2 .
The Cultural Revolution In Real-Life: What Happened
To read why3 Body Problem’slocationis the Chinese Cultural Revolution , it is important to understand the literal diachronic outcome . The Cultural Revolution was aChinese sociopolitical apparent movement launch by Mao Zedong in 1966 , and which lasted for ten years , until his death in 1976 .
The point of the Cultural Revolution was to carry on communism in China , so as a result , any intimation of capitalist economy or socialist economy in the land were extinguish .
Though the Cultural Revolution had innumerable effects on China , more than anything , the event cement Mao Zedong as China ’s swayer .
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During the Chinese Cultural Revolution , Zedong called on Chinese citizens to renegade against non - Communist views . Countlessyoung Chinese the great unwashed formed paramilitary groups called Red Guards , who appropriate magnate around China and carry out tasks such as destroying artifact from pre - communistic China . The Cultural Revolution was also spread via Mao Zedong ’s " Little Red Book , " which include unnumbered sayings from the drawing card . Notably , one of the Cultural Revolution ’s self-aggrandizing changes was theseizing of government berth by revolutionarieslike Lin Biao and the Gang of Four , who remained in power until Mao Zedong ’s decease in 1976 .
1 - 2 million Chinese citizens were kill due to the crusade .
Ultimately , the Chinese Cultural Revolution is best characterized by the last and devastation it make . It is estimated that 1 - 2 million Chinese citizen were killed due to the movement . Several city were subject to massacre , and inhumanity like cannibalism also ensue . Furthermore , countless Formosan people were persecuted due to their work , whether it was in political relation or science . The Red Guard , engrossed on bring down the Four Olds , old ideas , onetime culture , old customs , and old habits , also destruct a substantial amount of Chinese history and artefact . The Culutural Revolution was in conclusion dismantle in the late 1970s .
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How The Chinese Cultural Revolution Fits Into 3 Body Problem
The most obvious link between the Chinese Cultural Revolution and3 Body Problemoccurs ahead of time on in the very first episode . The panorama get during a struggle session , which was a public and red exchange where individual count to be upholding sure-enough ideas were denounced . A man is verbally assaulted on a large stage while hundreds of citizen watch , including3 soundbox Problem’smain role , Ye Wenjie . The next dupe to take the stage isYe Wenjie ’s Church Father , who is being persecuted due to his teaching of the Big Bang Theoryand other scientific conception .
Ultimately , this opening scene gives a strong sense of what the Chinese Cultural Revolution was about . Through Ye Wenjie , audience come tounderstand the incredible release and fear that permeated Chinaat that time . And as Ye Wenjie continues on with her life-time , eventually recruited by the Communists to finish scientific work , there is even more of a sense of Ye Wenjie ’s difficult situation . Overall , the Cultural Revolutionacts as a tense backgroundto the3 Body Problem , and a reminder of how major political powers can create personal problem for regular citizen .
How 3 Body Problem’s TV Show Changes The Importance Of Its China Story
In reality,3 Body Problem’sChina place is much more important in Liu Cixin ’s book . For the most part , this is because Cixin is a Chinese generator , and therefore , the book of account and its consequent sequels are concentrate on China specifically . However , in decree to make Netflix’s3 Body Problemrelatable to a across-the-board consultation , it is less China - centric and more focused on the orbicular scale . Therefore , the Chinese Cultural Revolution plays an even big and more important role in the novel interlingual rendition of3 Body Problemthan it does in the on - screen adaptation .
Liu Cixin ’s novel " The Three - Body Problem " is the first of a book trilogy call the " Rembrance of Earth ’s Past " series . The other two books are call " The Dark Forest " and " Death ’s closing . "
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Image via Netflix