Reimaging the Chinese Nation: The 'Zeng Guofan Phenomenon'

The 'Zeng Guofan Phenomenon' refers to the huge interest in the man who was simultaneously dubbed a 'saint' and a 'traitor'. Guofan, who was born in 1811 and died in 1872, has been the subject of a play, television series, two biographies, and an abundance of articles and studies between 1981 and 1997. Interest in Guofan is attributed to his role in Chinese national identity.