use the past to criticize the present
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to criticize the present by discussing the past; to use historical analogy for veiled criticism
literaryA rhetorical device, often used in literature, essays, or political commentary to indirectly critique contemporary people, policies, or social conditions without explicit mention, thus avoiding direct confrontation.
Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhāng章
biǎo表
miàn面
zài在
fēn分
xī析
Qín秦
cháo朝
bào暴
zhèng政
，
shí实
zé则
shì是
jiè借
gǔ古
fěng讽
jīn今
。
This article ostensibly analyzes the tyranny of the Qin dynasty, but in reality, it uses the past to criticize the present.
Tā他
zài在
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
zhōng中
jiè借
gǔ古
fěng讽
jīn今
，
àn暗
shì示
dāng当
xià下
de的
fǔ腐
bài败
wèn问
tí题
。
In his speech, he used a historical analogy to hint at current corruption problems.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Xǔ许
duō多
lì历
shǐ史
jù剧
dōu都
hán含
yǒu有
jiè借
gǔ古
fěng讽
jīn今
de的
yù寓
yì意
。
Many historical dramas contain allegorical meanings that use the past to satirize the present.
Zhè这
bù不
shì是
dān单
chún纯
de的
lì历
shǐ史
yán研
jiū究
，
ér而
shì是
diǎn典
xíng型
de的
jiè借
gǔ古
fěng讽
jīn今
zhī之
zuò作
。
This is not mere historical research; it is a typical work that criticizes the present by discussing the past.