Week 8 Assignment 2

Krezel Mae I.
Pavo BSED ENG 2A ELE 20 Afro-Asian Literature
CHINESE LITERATURE
Introduction
China is the only country in the world with the literature written in one language for
more than 3,000 consecutive years. This continuity results largely from the nature of
the written language itself. It is the use of characters, not letters as in Western
languages, that is most important in the Chinese language. The main disadvantage
of written Chinese is the great number of character it contains: even basic reading
and writing require a knowledge of more than 1000 characters. But even with this
disadvantage, Chinese has been a potent factor In shipping and maintaining a
cultural continuity for millions of people.
Literary Figures
China has a very old and rich tradition in literature and the dramatic and visual arts.
Early writings generally derived from philosophical or religious essays such as the
works of Confucius (55-479 BC) and Lao-tzu (probably 4th Century BC).
Literary Movements
After the fall of a dynasty, for example, a grand history of the late dynasty was
commissioned and written by scholars in the next dynasty. China also produced
poetry, novels, and dramatic writings from an early date. Chinese literature has its
own values in tastes, it's own raining cultural tradition and it's own critical system of
theory.
Cultural Influences
Drama is another old and important literary form. Chinese drama usually combines
vernacular language with music and song and does has been popular with the
common people. A variety of popular in standard themes are presented in Peking
opera, One of the local operas, which is probably the best known of several operatic
traditions that developed in China. Chinese opera is a favorite artistic and cultural
medium.
Early Chinese novels offend stressed character development and usually centered
on an adventure or supernatural happening. “Dream of the Red Chamber,” probably
China's most famous novel.
Genres
China’s literary tradition continues to the present, though much 20th century writing
has concentrated on efforts to reform or modernize China.
For 3,500 years, they have woven a variety of genres and forms in compassing
poetry, essays, fiction, and drama.
History of Chinese Literature

With a history of much more than 2,000 years, Chinese literature is a big
topic.
Zhou Dynasty (about 1045-255 BC)

Is known for its surviving religious and philosophical texts.
Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
Texts of an influential political philosophy called Legalism were written.
Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)
Authors contributed important poetry and scientific and historical texts.
Tang Dynasty (618-907)
Poets were considered the best of all the eras in Chinese history, and literature was
more widely published by early woodblock printing.
Song Dynasty era (960-1279)
Travelers wrote travel literature, more literary poetry was written, the Neo-Confucian
Classics were codified, and administration officials did advanced scientific research
and published advanced scientific texts.
Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
Great dramas and classic fictional novels in the vernacular language were written.
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Some more important novels were written.
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Some more great novels were written; and at the end of that era, there was pre-
modern literature.
Modern era (1912-present)
The literature was Westernized and used for political purposes. The long unbroken
stream of Chinese literature is hard to summarize. Major works survive of a variety of
genres including poetry, classic fictional novels, scientific and historical works, Neo-
Confucian Classics and other ancient classical texts; and in the modern era, writers
wrote about social and political change incorporating Western ideas and utilizing
Western literary forms.
Conclusion
The enduring strength of Chinese literature lies in its ability to bridge the gap
between ancient traditions and modern realities. From the philosophical essays of
the Zhou Dynasty to the novels of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese writers have
consistently explored themes of human nature, social order, and the search for
meaning. The modern era, marked by Westernization and political upheaval, has
further enriched this literary tradition, prompting writers to grapple with issues of
identity, progress, and the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
Despite the challenges and transformations it has faced, Chinese literature has
maintained its unique voice and cultural significance. Its rich tapestry of genres,
styles, and perspectives continues to offer valuable insights into the human
experience and the enduring power of storytelling. As China continues to evolve, its
literary tradition will undoubtedly continue to shape and reflect the nation’s identity
and aspirations for the future.
References
Chen, J. (2009). Chinese Literature: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University

Press.
Cullen, C. (2002). The Chinese Way of Writing. Routledge.
Davis, A. R. (2008). The Chinese Novel: A Critical Introduction. Routledge.
Ebrey, P. B. (2010). The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge
University Press.
Hawkes, D. (2011). A Concise History of Chinese Literature. Routledge.
Goldblatt, H. (2002). The Modern Chinese Novel: A Critical Introduction. Routledge.
Lee, L. (2012). The Chinese Century: A History of Modern China. Penguin Books.
Lee, J. (2014). The Poetry of Li Bai. Penguin Books.
Owen, S. (2017). An Introduction to Chinese Literature. Routledge.
Watson, B. (2010). Selected Poems of Du Fu. Penguin Books.

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Krezel Mae I.

Pavo BSED ENG 2A ELE 20 Afro-Asian Literature

History of Chinese Literature

Zhou Dynasty (about 1045-255 BC)

Chen, J. (2009). Chinese Literature: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University

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