Cao Yu
Although it is undisputed that the prodigious reputation achieved by "Thunderstorm" was due in large part to its scandalous public airing of the topic of incest, and many people have pointed out not inconsiderable technical imperfections in its structure, "Thunderstorm" is nevertheless considered to be a milestone in China's modern theatrical ascendancy. Even those who have questioned the literary prowess of Cao Yu, for instance, the noted critic C. T. Hsia, admit that the popularization and consolidation of China's theatrical genre is fundamentally owed to the first works of Cao Yu. "Thunderstorm" is regarded as one of the most significant works of modern Chinese drama.