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CHINESE LITERATURE ENG 504 – Literature of the East Discussant: Maria Karla S. Sepcon Khey
1 1 Chinese Culture 2 2 Chinese Characters 3 3 History of Chinese Literature 4 4 Classes of Literature CONTENTS Dynasties of China 5 5 Chinese Literature from Ancient Times to the Present Day 6 6
CHINESE CULTURE 1 1
Chinese Culture Simplified Chinese: 中华文化 Traditional Chinese: 中華化 Pinyin: Zhōnghuá wénhuà National Flag National Emblem Total Area 9.6 million square kilometers (3.7 million mi2) • One of the world's oldest cultures (from thousands of years ago) Capital Beijing Largest City Shanghai • The culture prevails across a large geographical region in East Asia Official Language Standard Chinese (Mandarin) * 302 living languages 74.5% No religion / Folk 18.3% Buddhism 5.2% Christianity 1.6% Islam 0.4% Others • Extremely diverse and varying with customs and traditions between provinces, cities, and towns Religion • The term 'China' and the geographical landmass of 'China' has shifted across the centuries, with the last name being the Great Qing before the name 'China' became a commonplace in modernity Population in the 2 C.E. 60,000,000 (202 BC–220 AD) Population in 2021 1,446,251,445 (October 1, 2021)
Chinese Culture Simplified Chinese: 中华文化 Traditional Chinese: 中華化 Pinyin: Zhōnghuáwénhuà National Flag National Emblem • Total Area 9.6 million square kilometers (3.7 million mi2) Chinese civilization is historically considered a dominant culture of East Asia. Capital Beijing • Chinese civilization is one of the few ancient civilizations to have its own writing concept. Largest City Shanghai Official Language Standard Chinese (Mandarin) * 302 living languages • With China being one of the earliest ancient civilizations, Chinese culture exerts profound influence on the philosophy, virtue, etiquette, and traditions of Asia. 74.5% No religion / Folk 18.3% Buddhism 5.2% Christianity 1.6% Islam 0.4% Others Religion • Chinese language, ceramics, architecture, music, dance, literature, martial arts, cuisine, visual arts, philosophy, business etiquette, religion, politics, and history have global influence, while its traditions and festivals are also celebrated, instilled, and practiced by people around the world. Population in the 2 C.E. 60,000,000 (202 BC–220 AD) Population in 2021 1,446,251,445 (October 1, 2021)
Chinese Characters Chinese written characters began as little pictures representing objects. Later representations of abstract thoughts appeared until they were modified into phonetic characters. Markings of possible writing have been found on objects dated to 7000 B.C. Today they are now symbols and bear little resemblance to the original objects they represented.
Chinese Characters There are over 50,000 of them. A comprehensive modern dictionary will rarely list over 20,000 in use. Markings of possible writing have been found on objects dated to 7000 B.C An educated Chinese will know about 8,000 characters. But you will only need about 2-3,000 to be able to read a newspaper
HISTORY OF CHINESE LITERATURE 3 3
Chinese Literature - the body of works written in Chinese Lyric poetry Historical and didactic writing Drama Various forms of fiction https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese literature/Literary use of myths
The history of Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature vernacular fiction novels that arose during the Ming dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese. • The Ming dynasty (Great Ming), was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It is also remembered for its drama, literature and world-renowned porcelain. • The introduction of widespread woodblock printing during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and the invention of movable type printing by Bi Sheng (990–1051) during the Song dynasty (960–1279) rapidly spread written knowledge throughout China.
Pre-classical period Formation of the earliest layer of Chinese literature was influenced by oral traditions of different social and professional provenance: cult and lay musical practices (Shijing) divination (Yi jing), astronomy, exorcism An attempt at tracing the genealogy of Chinese literature to religious spells and incantations (the six zhu 六祝, as presented in the "Da zhu" chapter of the Rites of Zhou) was made by Liu Shipei. philologist, Chinese anarchist, and revolutionary activist
Classical Texts There is a wealth of early Chinese literature dating from the Hundred Schools of Thought that occurred during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–256 BC). The most important Classics 1- Confucianism 2- Daoism / Taosim 3- Mohism 4- Legalism 5- Military Science Note: Except for the books of poems and songs, most of this literature is philosophical and didactic; there is little in the way of fiction. However, these texts maintained their significance through both their ideas and their prose style.
C C O O N N F F U U C C I I A A N N I I S S M M 1. Confucianism One of the most influential religious philosophies in the history of China Existed for over 2,500 years Concerned with inner virtue, morality, and respect for the community and its values In Chinese history, Confucius (trad. 551–479 BCE) has been portrayed as a teacher, advisor, editor, philosopher, reformer, and prophet.
C C O O N N F F U U C C I I A A N N I I S S M M The Confucian works, in particular, have been of key importance to Chinese culture and history. Two Categories of works in the 12th century AD: • Four Books • Five Classics Chosen as the basis for the Imperial examination for any government post. These nine books therefore became the center of the educational system. In Chinese history, Confucius (trad. 551–479 BCE) has been portrayed as a teacher, advisor, editor, philosopher, reformer, and prophet. * allegedly commented and edited by Confucius
C C O O N N F F U U C C I I A A N N I I S S M M Four Books 1. Doctrine of the Mean - a book that teaches the path to Confucian virtue 2. Great Learning - a book about education, self-cultivation and the Dao (*Tao~ way, path, route, road; doctrine, principle, holistic) 3. Mencius - a collection of political dialogues 4. Analects - a book of pithy sayings attributed to Confucius and recorded by his disciples In Chinese history, Confucius (trad. 551–479 BCE) has been portrayed as a teacher, advisor, editor, philosopher, reformer, and prophet. * allegedly commented and edited by Confucius
C C O O N N F F U U C C I I A A N N I I S S M M Five Books 1. Book of Odes - a collection of poems, folk songs, festival and ceremonial songs, hymns and eulogies 2. Book of Documents – an early Chinese prose collection of documents and speeches 3. Book of Changes - a divination manual 4. Book of Rites - Record of Rites 5. Spring and Autumn Annals - a historical record of Confucius' native state In Chinese history, Confucius (trad. 551–479 BCE) has been portrayed as a teacher, advisor, editor, philosopher, reformer, and prophet. * allegedly commented and edited by Confucius
D D A A O O I I S S M M 2. Daoism (Taoism) a philosophy, a religion, and a way of life that arose in the 6th century BCE T T A A O O I I S S M M has strongly influenced the culture and religious life of China and other East Asian countries ever since Daoism (Taoism) has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism and the Tao Te Ching
D D A A O O I I S S M M Important Daoist classics include: 1. Dao De Jing - the ideas and attitudes peculiar to the Laozi (or Daodejing; “Classic of the Way of Power”) T T A A O O I I S S M M 2. Zhuangzi - contains stories and anecdotes that exemplify the carefree nature of the ideal Taoist sage 3. Liezi - takes up the themes of transcending boundaries, spirit journeying, cultivation of equanimity, and acceptance of the vicissitudes of life Daoism (Taoism) has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching
3. Mohism (Moism) M M O O H H I I S S M M best known for the concept popularly translated as "universal love“ its major tenets were impartial caring, altruism and universal love for all people regardless of relations or affiliations one of the four main philosophic schools from around 770–221 BC Mozi (Mo Tzu) - a Chinese philosopher who founded the school of Mohism during the Hundred Schools of Thought period (early portion of the Warring States period
L L E E G G A A L L I I S S M M 4. Legalism One of Sima Tan's six classical schools of thought in Chinese philosophy Later authors combined Daoism with Confucianism and Legalism Shang Yang- a legalist who considered loyalty to the state to be above loyalty to the family
M M I I L L I I T T A A R R Y Y 5. Military Science The Art of War by Sun Tzu (6th century BC) was perhaps the first to outline guidelines for effective international diplomacy S S C C I I E E N N C C E E It was also the first in a tradition of Chinese military treatises Sun Tzu - a Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher - traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking
It refers to the earliest period and covers works from three thousands years ago to the late Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), and is a virtually unbroken strand enduring dynastic changes. 1. CLASSICAL LITERATURE Written in an ancient form of language that is very different from present day Chinese, it needs to be carefully studied to be understood. It is imbued with the thoughts of a culture that embraced slavery and a feudal society. It was steeped in an enclosed environment that hardly had any real links with religion or least of all the literature of foreign cultures.
It refers to the period from the Opium War in 1840 to the May Fourth Movement in 1919. 2. MODERN LITERATURE As the decadent reign of the Qing failed to inspire the minds of people, the literary forms had remained unchanged; till the Opium War in 1840. Then they absorbed the impact of western thoughts as foreigners poured in China and established their colonies. Novels, poetry and other works began to appear with a theme of patriotism and a revelation of social ills.
It spanned the period from 1919 to the foundation of modern in 1949 and took on a new vigor, despite the fact that Chinese was in the throws of checkered and complicated times. 3. CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE This period was distinctive as it brought into being a new and revised literary language, form, content and skills allowing it to evolve into an independent and open art available to the whole of society. It attached great attention to people's lives and a future with strong political tendencies. Influenced by the tide of the world literature, it provided wide and amiable communication between writers and readers.
4. It is that which has evolved since the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. PRESENT AGE LITERATURE That era is now long past and we now have a favorable turn on events and a great number of responsible writers deepen the literary forms and content. Today literature prospers. As the Chinese nation is a racial mix of Han people together with 55 other ethnic groups, literature reflects this. The various ethnic groups have contributed greatly in this field.
China has a unique distinction of being the only country that has had literature written consecutively for three thousand years in just one language. The 13 Dynasties that Ruled China 7. Sui Dynasty (581-618) 8. Tang Dynasty (618-906) 9. Five Dynasties Period, Ten Kingdoms (907-960) 10. Song Dynasty (960-1279) 11. Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) 12. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) 13. Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) 1. Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC) 2. Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1050 BC) 3. Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-256 BC) 4. Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) 5. Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 AD) 6. Six Dynasties Period
CHINESE LITERATURE FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY 6 6
The most well-known forms of Chinese literature: Classical Chinese poetry, especially that of the Tang Dynasty The Four Great Classical Novels of the Ming and Qing The works of modern writers like Lu Xun
(唐诗三百首 Tángshī Sānbǎishǒu) - This collection has enjoyed immense popularity ever since and a copy can be found in most Chinese households - Many Chinese children today can recite several, if not all, of the poems from memory. Three Hundred Tang Poems POETRY
(三国演义 Sānguóyǎnyì) - - A sweeping historical novel that covers a period of nearly 100 years and features almost 1,000 different characters. - The work is generally attributed to a Ming dynasty writer called Luo Guanzhong - Although the story has been fictionalized and romanticized, it is largely based on actual historical events and people The Romance of the Three Kingdoms NOVEL
(红楼梦 Hónglóumèng) - - Another prominent classical Chinese novel, Written by Cao Xueqin in the mid-18th century - The novel features a large cast of characters, many of whom are female, that hail from a variety of social classes - The novel also contains many details about everyday life and the social hierarchies that existed at the time A Dream of Red Mansions NOVEL
(西游记 Xīyóujì) - - A Ming-era novel said to have been written by Wu Cheng’en - It is a romanticized account of the real-life pilgrimage of the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang, who spent 17 years traveling from China to India and back in search of authentic Buddhist scriptures Journey to the West NOVEL
(水浒传 Shuǐhǔzhuàn) also called Outlaws of the Marsh - - Rounds out China’s collection of great classical novels and was written in vernacular Chinese some time in the 14th century by Shi Nai’an - The book tells the story of a band of 108 outlaws who live in Liangshan Marsh, Shandong Province - The story is based on popular folktales about the real-life bandit Song Jiang, who led an armed uprising against the Song dynasty The Water Margin NOVEL
In more modern times, the author Lu Xun (1881–1936) is considered an influential voice of baihua literature in China. (* colloquial language) Lu Xun (or Lu Sun, Wade–Giles Romanisation: Lu Hsün) was the pen name of Zhou Shuren (25 Sept 1881 – 19 Oct 1936). He was a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. Writing in Vernacular Chinese and Classical Chinese, he was a short story writer, editor, translator, literary critic, essayist, poet, and designer. Lu Xun In the 1930s, he became the titular head of the League of Left-Wing Writers in Shanghai. MODERN CHINESE WRITER
Contemporary Chinese Literature He is known for writing in a style that has been described as “hallucinatory realism” Mo Yan’s works are full of social commentary and dark humor In the West, he is best known for Red Sorghum Clan M O V I E B O O K Mo Yan (莫言 Mòyán), born in 1955, received the Nobel Prize for Literature
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