Introduction The period of the Great Leap Forward of the 1950s in China was planned to become the most prosperous and progressive time in the Republic’s history. Many significant changes were expected to be implemented by Mao Zedong, the country’s chairman. The greatest innovation of the campaign was to transform China from the country based on the agrarian economy into the one with socialist politics. The process was supposed to be launched through collectivization and industrialization. The Great Leap aimed to make China one of the world leaders by regenerating its industry and splitting with the Soviet Union. Apart from those general goals, there was a specific aim of making women equal with men by giving them a possibility to participate in industrialization, engage in traditionally male professions, and dedicate less time to attending to their families, spending it on their nation instead. At the end of the 1950s, inspired by ambitions and full of hope, people in the Republic of China were looking forward to enormous positive changes. The representatives of art, especially literature, dedicated their compositions to the new promising wave. One of the most popular stories of the period was “A Brief Biography of Li Shuangshuang” by Li Zhun. The story was so popular that it was revised into a film and a book of comics (Tang 647-649). People admired the main character for her power and persistence. Li Shuangshuang was the embodiment of the Great Leap as it was supposed to be. Unfortunately, though, it never happened as it was planned and expected. “A Brief Biography of Li Shuangshuang” as the Planned Emancipation of Women The character of Li Shuangshuang is a perfect illustration of what a leading party expected women to become. The story begins by mentioning Li Shuangshuang as “the wife of Sun Xiwang” (Zhun 15). By such a beginning, the author draws attention to the fact of how disrespected women used to be before the Great Leap. Apart from this reference, the woman is also called “the one in my home” and “Little Chrysanthemum’s mother” by her husband (Zhun 16). However, the most humiliating name is another one applied by her spouse – “the one that cooks for me” (Zhun 16). These names and titles testify that a woman’s life in China was far from being full of decency and respect. Women were mostly regarded as their husband’s wives rather than independent individuals. In his story, Zhun describes women’s life as it was supposed to become a result of the industrial revolution. By the end of the story, contrary to the beginning, the woman is no longer referred to as Sun Xiwang’s wife but is called by her real name. With such an approach, the author explains the noble plans of the Great Leap. Unfortunately, the plans and expectations did not become true. The reason why the story had such tremendous success was obvious. It was published right at the beginning of the movement when everyone was hopeful about the changes that were going to happen very soon. Thus, Zhun’s story was the way of getting the most vulnerable groups of the Chinese population involved in the movement. The example of Li Shuangshuang encouraged females to believe that they could make a difference and that their voice could be the decisive one. Women had always been one of the most underserved minority groups in many countries, and China was not an exception. However, in Zhun’s stor