Chinese Lit Handout

EAST ASIAN LITERATURE
-Chinese
-Japanese
-Korean
I. Introduction to Chinese Literature
- from the Sanskrit word “CINA” derived from the Qin dynasty
- Persians translated the word to “CIN”
- one of the major literary heritages in the world with history dated back to almost 3000 years ago
-Chinese literature is the body of works written in Chinese, including lyric poetry, historical and didactic writing, drama and various
forms of fiction
a. What is the national flag of China? Five-Stars Red Flag

-the flag officially adopted on October 1, 1949
-The red color symbolizes the communist revolution
-The large gold star represents communism.
-The four smaller stars represent the social classes of the people.
b. The territorial seas of China are the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea
c. Chinese characters general characteristics:

-Written and recorded: handwritten, printed, provides an aesthetic appeal
-Visually appealing: gave rise to calligraphy
-Vast varieties of form: caused illiteracy (50,000 Chinese characters)
-Tool for cultural unity
d. In February 1979, the Chinese of about 300,000 troops invaded Vietnam which is known as the Sino-Vietnamese War.
e. Confucianism was originated in China introduced by a great Philosopher named Kong Qui or known as Confucius
II. Summary of the Chinese Dynasties:

A. Shang Dynasty (1700-1050 BC)
-hieroglyphic writing made on bronze wares and oracle bones
called Jiaguwen where the Chinese characters evolved
-warriors known for cruelty and vast amount of slaves
-Emperor Tang defeated Xia dynasty during the battle of Mingtiao
and established the Tang imperial
oracle bone
B. Zhou Dynasty (1045-255 BC)

-the longest dynasty in China ruled by Emperor Wu; territories divided into various kingdoms
-emergence of philosophy and religion became the basis for Chinese religious and social belief
-TAOISM (Tao=means WAY) a religion which advocates humility and religious piety to live harmoniously; and
CONFUCIANISM is a philosophy pointing out that education is important and to live a rational life (golden rule)
C. Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)

-headed by “Emperor Quin Shihuang” or “Shi Huangdi”
-The Great Wall of China stretched over 5,000 km or 3000
miles to protect the Northern boarder
-temples and literature against his principles were destroyed
-killed many Confucian philosophers and teachers
- “Book Burning and Burial of Scholars”
-the destruction of “Mohism” (a big philosophical and religious school)
-Li Siu introduced a modern Chinese writing system for citizens to become obedient to
the emperor and to have a clear communication
Shi Huangdi
-“Legalism” strict laws was needed for social order
-built over 8,000 Terracotta Army warriors
to serve in eternity.
D. Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

-Liu Bang proclaimed Emperor Gaozu of Han after defeating his rival general Xiang-Lu
-Cai Lun” Jingzhong of the imperial court is said to be the first person in the world to create writing paper
-China’s first golden age; Divided into three kingdoms—Shu, Wei, Wu
-Rise of the famous generals
-Contributions of the Han Dynasty include: The Silk road, papermaking, Iron technology,
Plow, Glazed pottery, wheel borrow, seismograph, compass, ship’s rudder, stirrups, draw loom
weaving, hot air balloon, Chinese examination system, and decorative embroidery
E. Tang Dynasty (618-907)

-The golden age of China
-Li-Shimin assassinated his father, Gao-Tzu (the ruler at that time), and his brothers
-He was known as Emperor Taizong
-experienced the growing influence of organized Buddhist religions
-early woodblock printing and poetry
The greatest poets:

Li Bai (701-762): romantic poet of China; wrote at least a thousand poems about political matters
Du Fu (712-770 AD): realist poet of China; wrote approximately more than 1,400 poems about hard realities of war,
dying people, and primitive rural life
F. Song Dynasty (960-1279BC)

-General An Lushan rebelled against the Tang dynasty known as An Shi Rebellion with estimated close to 36 million people died
-scientific and technological advances (especially in the Military sector)
-Northern and Southern Song era were divided due invasion of the nomads and other territories
-the Confucian Classics were codified and used as test material for entrance exam for elite bureaucracy
-Written Classical Language:
*The Five Classics include: The Book of Changes, The Classic of Poetry, The Record of Rites, The Classic of History,
and The Spring and Autumn Annals*The Four Books include: The Analects of Confucius, Mencius, The Doctrine of the Mean;
and The Great Learning
G. Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 BC)
-The Mongols (Nomadic tribes)
-Genghis Khan founded the largest empire in the world (Kublai Empire)
-high technology, a big population and a big army
-Drama and great fictional novels (The romance of the western chamber)
-entertained by shadow puppet plays
-Written vernacular language:
-The water margin (100 chapter); The romance of the three kingdoms
(a long novel with 800,000 words)
H. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 BC)

-Emperor Taizu or Zhu Yuanzhang popularized military discipline and respect of authority
-“Isolationist”; interested in exploration; employed Muslims ancestors in sea-going trade
-Journey to the West is about a monk going to India was written during this time of isolation.
-The characters in the book are well known to Chinese children, and they often appear in martial
arts movies and cartoons.
-an imperial white and blue porcelain produced
I. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 BC)

- Emperor Shunzi established this last imperial dynasty in China
- The Manchus (known for their back long-braided hair) invaded
the Ming Empire from the north and established this last dynasty
-the rise of the foreign literature and modern literature
-Opium Wars: Britain cultivated and exported opium to China flooding
the country with the drug
J. Modern Era (1912-present)

-Sun Yat-sen led a revolution ending the Chinese dynasties
-First president of the Provisional government elected by 45 representatives
-1st January 1912 established THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA
-more writers and scholars were taken seriously
-politically oriented literature printed
-New Culture Movement (1923): modernizing Confucian style to Westernize

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EAST ASIAN LITERATURE

a. What is the national flag of China? Five-Stars Red Flag

c. Chinese characters general characteristics:

II. Summary of the Chinese Dynasties:

B. Zhou Dynasty (1045-255 BC)

C. Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)

D. Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

E. Tang Dynasty (618-907)

The greatest poets:

F. Song Dynasty (960-1279BC)

H. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 BC)

I. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 BC)

J. Modern Era (1912-present)

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