Chinese Literature China: Historical and Cultural Background

CHINESE LITERATURE

China: Historical and Cultural Background

 Located in East Asia

 Oldest civilization in Southeast Asia
 Third largest country in the world in terms of area and population
 Official name is People’s Republic of China
 The Republic was established in 1949.
 Written history began during Shang dynasty
 Multiracial state: 92% Han Chinese, 8% ethnic groups
 Languages are classified into four major linguistic families: 1) Indo-European, 2) Sino-
Tibetan, 3)Ural-Altaic, 4) Mon-Khmer
 Mandarin, the largest group of the Sino-Tibetan family, is spoken by about two-thirds of
China’s population.
 The Mandarin Beijing dialect is now China’s national spoken language.
 The Chinese language is monosyllabic and tonal.
 Traditionally, the major religions of China were Buddhism and Taoism.
 Most Chinese also believed in ancestor worship and Confucianism, a system of social
and political values.
 Tibetan Buddhism is the religion of the Mongols and the Tibetans.
 Under the Communist government, the practice of religion was discouraged.
 Freedom to believe in religion was guaranteed under the Constitution of 1954.
 Religious institutions were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution of the mid-1960s.
 But since 1978 the government has become more tolerant of religious observance.
 Famous for the Great Wall which starts from Manchuria passing through Peking and
Tibet and provides protection.
 Has historical rivers: the Hwang Ho (China’s Sorrow/Yellow River) in the south, and the
Yangtze in the north.
 The Chinese believe in extended family.
 They have deep respect for the parents and family.
 They are materialistic than religious
 Pre-arranged marriages are accepted by young members of the family.
Chinese Literature
 It has very ancient beginning.

 It began about 5,000 years ago and has recorded the dreams and visions of the people.
 It is based on Five Classics, works put together by Confucius.
 Five Classics were established by the Han dynasties which restored learning among the
Chinese.
--The Book of Changes (Yi King). Ascribed to Wan Wang, it is made up of a geometrical
combination of six lines plus sixty-four explanatory essays. This book was used by the
Chinese for divination, and it was supposed by some to present a secret and profound
philosophy but no key has been found.
-- Book of Ceremonies (Li King). This voluminous work on etiquette was re-edited about
100 B.C. by the two Tai cousins, based on documents allegedly written by Confucius.
-- Book of Historical Documents (Shu King). This is a formulation of the political ideals
and the fundamentals of good government. It records events from the earliest history
of China, which is said to begin about 2000 B.C. It also contains information about the
Chinese political system, their religious ceremonies, music and astronomy. It also
contains dialogs between kings and their ministers, discussing the art of ruling and
stating principles to guide rulers.
-- Book of Poetry (Shi King). A selection of 305 best poems, the book stresses the
cherishing of thoughts and sentiments of forebears. Some of the poems are odes
written for various occasions; some are lyric. The book is valuable for insight into the
manners and customs of the ancient Chinese.
-- Book of Spring and Autumn. It is a simple chronicle of the state of Lu, Confucius
native province.
 These books form the foundation of their cultural, political and traditional life.
 Chinese literature is divided into three major historical periods—Classical, Medieval,
Modern.
 In addition to philosophical, religious, and historical writings, China also produced
poetry, novels, and dramatic writings.
 Poetry became well established as a literary form during the T’ang Dynasty.
 The crowning glories of T’ang Dynasty were Tu Fu, Li Po and Po Chui.
 Li Po’s writings dealt with the good things of life and with the pathos of human destiny.
He was called the “Immortal of Poetry.”
 Tu Fu, called the “Sage of Poetry”, is China’s favorite poet.
 Po Chui represented the classical tradition in Chinese literature, politics and morality.
He was called the “poet of human love and sorrow.”
 Drama is another old and important literary form.
 Peking Opera is the best known of several operatic traditions that developed in China.
 Chinese Opera is a favorite artistic and cultural medium.
 Early Chinese Novels often stressed character development and usually centered on an
adventure or supernatural happening. Among these are:
*The Water Margin—adventure/supernatural
*Romance of the Three Kingdoms—historical novel during the Yuan or Mongol
Dynasty written by Lo Kuan-chung (1330-1400).
*Dream of the Red Chamber—love story, considered as China’s most famous
novel written by Ts’ao Chan during the Qing (Ching) or Manchu Dynasty.

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CHINESE LITERATURE

China: Historical and Cultural Background

 Located in East Asia

 It has very ancient beginning.

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