本論文從見證和受難兩個角度，論述巫寧坤《一滴淚》這本自傳在當代苦難書寫的意義。《一滴淚》以回憶錄的形式寫成，巫寧坤特別強調這是一個三代人的「親身經歷」，而且以史筆「忠實記錄」的紀實作品，《一滴淚》見證眾多同代人，特別是知識份子的受難故事。他闡釋的歷史，是一個極權政體如何藉由控制全體人民的思想與生活，貫徹統治者的意識型態的非人性過程；在這過程中，因複雜的政治鬥爭而無故犧牲掉的知識份子無以數計。這本斷代史認為苦難的意義在於「無愧於受難」，透顯中國知識份子的世界觀和人生觀。此書的寫作是現實主義式的，以技術逼近現實世界，透視現實背後的人性本質，挖掘出人性內在的善惡。《一滴淚》確實剖開了當代中國歷史最黑暗的那一面。

This thesis is to discuss the meaning of contemporary writings about suffering of the autobiography-"A Single Tear" written by Wu NingKun through witness and suffering viewpoints. "A Single Tear" was constructed from memoirs, emphasized by Wu NingKun that the masterpiece was "true experiences" from three generations, a record of actual events by "faithful records" to witness the contemporary people, in particular the intellects and stories of suffering. The history as interpreted by Wu, was how the inhuman ideology of ruler being carried out through totalitarian regime by controlling the minds and livings of the entire nation. Many innocent intellects were sacrificed due to complicated political conflicts in above matter. This dynastic history posses appraisal/introspection of suffering based on "to feel no regret of suffering"-sort of world view and view of life by China's intellects. Engaged with realism way of writing and technique to gain upon the real world, this book will reveal the nature of humanity behind reality and also the inner good & evil of humanity. "A Single Tear" truly rips open the darkest part of contemporary history of China.