📜Intro to Premodern Chinese Literature Unit 1 – Intro to Premodern Chinese Lit & Culture

Key Concepts and Themes

• Explores the relationship between literature and society in premodern China, examining how literature reflects and shapes cultural values, social norms, and political ideologies
• Investigates the role of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism in shaping literary themes and motifs (filial piety, harmony with nature, enlightenment)
• Analyzes the representation of gender roles and expectations in premodern Chinese literature, particularly the portrayal of women and their social status
• Examines the significance of nature and landscape in literary works, often used as metaphors for human emotions and spiritual journeys (mountains, rivers, gardens)
• Discusses the importance of poetry as a means of self-expression, social commentary, and political critique in premodern Chinese society
  • Highlights the role of poetry in the civil service examinations and its influence on the education and career prospects of aspiring scholars
• Explores the concept of "wen" (cultural refinement) and its centrality to the Chinese literary tradition, emphasizing the cultivation of moral character and aesthetic sensibility
• Investigates the tension between individuality and conformity in premodern Chinese literature, as authors navigate the expectations of society and the desire for personal expression

Historical Context

• Covers the development of Chinese literature from the earliest known works (Book of Songs) to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912
• Examines the impact of major historical events and dynasties on the evolution of literary themes, styles, and genres (Han Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty)
  • Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE): Establishment of Confucianism as state ideology, development of prose writing and historiography
  • Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE): Golden age of Chinese poetry, rise of the civil service examination system, cultural exchange along the Silk Road
  • Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE): Emergence of Neo-Confucianism, growth of vernacular literature and popular entertainment, technological advancements (printing, gunpowder)
• Explores the influence of foreign cultures and religions on Chinese literature, particularly the introduction of Buddhism from India and the impact of Western literature in the late Qing Dynasty
• Analyzes the relationship between literature and politics, examining how literary works reflect and critique the policies and ideologies of ruling dynasties
• Investigates the role of patronage and sponsorship in the production and dissemination of literary works, highlighting the importance of imperial courts, aristocratic families, and literary societies

Major Literary Works

• Analyzes the Book of Songs (Shijing), the earliest collection of Chinese poetry, exploring its themes of love, nature, and political commentary
• Examines the Analects (Lunyu) of Confucius, a foundational text of Confucianism that emphasizes moral cultivation, social harmony, and political order
• Investigates the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu, a central text of Taoism that advocates simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with nature
• Explores the poetry of the Tang Dynasty, particularly the works of Li Bai (Li Po) and Du Fu, renowned for their vivid imagery, emotional depth, and social commentary
  • Li Bai (701-762 CE): Known for his romantic and imaginative style, often celebrating the joys of nature, wine, and friendship
  • Du Fu (712-770 CE): Regarded as the "Poet-Historian," his works offer a realistic and critical portrayal of the social and political issues of his time
• Analyzes the vernacular novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, such as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi) and Dream of the Red Chamber (Honglou Meng), which reflect the social and cultural changes of the late imperial period
• Examines the influence of Buddhist sutras and philosophical texts on Chinese literature, particularly the Heart Sutra (Xinjing) and the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (Liuzu Tanjing)

Cultural Significance

• Explores the role of literature in shaping and preserving Chinese cultural identity, serving as a repository of shared values, beliefs, and traditions
• Analyzes the impact of the civil service examination system on the development of Chinese literature, as aspiring scholars were required to master classical texts and demonstrate their literary skills
• Investigates the significance of calligraphy and painting in Chinese literary culture, as these art forms were often practiced alongside and inspired by literary works
• Examines the importance of literary allusions and references in Chinese culture, as authors and readers drew upon a shared body of classical texts to convey meaning and emotion
• Discusses the role of literature in promoting social and political reform, as authors used their works to critique corrupt officials, advocate for the welfare of the people, and imagine alternative forms of governance
  • Highlights the works of reformist thinkers such as Wang Anshi (1021-1086 CE) and Liang Qichao (1873-1929 CE), who used literature to promote their ideas for political and social change
• Explores the influence of Chinese literature on neighboring cultures, particularly Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, which adopted and adapted Chinese literary forms and themes

Writing Styles and Genres

• Examines the evolution of Chinese poetry from the early folk songs of the Book of Songs to the highly refined and regulated forms of the Tang Dynasty (regulated verse, quatrains)
• Analyzes the development of prose writing, from the philosophical essays of the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) to the historical narratives of the Han Dynasty and the personal reflections of the Tang and Song Dynasties
• Investigates the emergence of vernacular fiction in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as authors began to write in the everyday language of the people rather than classical Chinese
  • Discusses the rise of the "four great classical novels": Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan), Journey to the West (Xiyou Ji), and Dream of the Red Chamber
• Explores the significance of the "ci" poetry form, which originated in the Tang Dynasty as a form of lyrical song and became a major genre of personal expression in the Song Dynasty
• Examines the role of drama and theater in Chinese literary culture, particularly the "zaju" (variety plays) of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 CE) and the "chuanqi" (marvel tales) of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
• Analyzes the influence of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist thought on the content and style of Chinese literature, as authors sought to convey philosophical and moral messages through their works

Influential Figures

• Explores the life and works of Confucius (551-479 BCE), whose teachings on ethics, politics, and social harmony shaped Chinese culture and literature for centuries
• Examines the influence of Lao Tzu, the legendary founder of Taoism, whose ideas on simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with nature inspired generations of poets and philosophers
• Analyzes the impact of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove," a group of intellectuals and artists in the 3rd century CE who rejected Confucian orthodoxy in favor of Taoist and individualist ideals
  • Includes notable figures such as Ji Kang (223-262 CE), a poet and musician who advocated for personal freedom and self-expression
• Investigates the life and works of Li Bai and Du Fu, the two most celebrated poets of the Tang Dynasty, whose contrasting styles and themes epitomize the golden age of Chinese poetry
• Explores the contributions of Cao Xueqin (1715-1763 CE), the author of Dream of the Red Chamber, whose novel offers a detailed and critical portrayal of aristocratic life in the Qing Dynasty
• Examines the role of women writers in premodern Chinese literature, such as Li Qingzhao (1084-1155 CE), a renowned poet of the Song Dynasty, and Ding Ling (1904-1986 CE), a pioneering feminist author of the 20th century

Philosophical Influences

• Analyzes the impact of Confucianism on Chinese literature, particularly its emphasis on moral cultivation, social harmony, and political order
  • Examines how Confucian values such as filial piety, loyalty, and righteousness are reflected in literary works across genres and dynasties
• Explores the influence of Taoism on Chinese poetry and prose, particularly its celebration of nature, spontaneity, and individual freedom
  • Investigates how Taoist concepts such as "wu wei" (non-action) and "ziran" (naturalness) shape the themes and styles of literary works
• Examines the role of Buddhism in shaping Chinese literary culture, particularly its emphasis on enlightenment, compassion, and the impermanence of worldly existence
  • Analyzes the influence of Buddhist sutras and philosophical texts on the content and form of Chinese literature, such as the use of paradox and metaphor to convey spiritual truths
• Discusses the emergence of Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, which sought to reconcile Confucian ethics with Buddhist and Taoist metaphysics
  • Explores how Neo-Confucian thinkers such as Zhu Xi (1130-1200 CE) and Wang Yangming (1472-1529 CE) influenced the literary and intellectual culture of late imperial China
• Investigates the impact of Western philosophy and literature on Chinese writers in the late Qing Dynasty and early 20th century, as authors grappled with the challenges of modernization and cultural identity

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Examines the enduring influence of premodern Chinese literature on modern and contemporary Chinese culture, from the May Fourth Movement (1919) to the present day
  • Discusses how modern authors have drawn upon classical themes, forms, and allusions to create new works that reflect the challenges and aspirations of contemporary society
• Explores the global reception and translation of premodern Chinese literature, as works such as the Tao Te Ching and the poetry of Li Bai have gained international recognition and admiration
• Analyzes the role of premodern Chinese literature in shaping cultural diplomacy and soft power, as the Chinese government has promoted the study and appreciation of classical texts as a means of enhancing China's international image
• Investigates the relevance of premodern Chinese literature to contemporary issues such as environmental sustainability, social justice, and personal fulfillment
  • Examines how the Taoist emphasis on harmony with nature and the Confucian ideal of moral cultivation can inform modern debates on ecology and ethics
• Discusses the importance of preserving and transmitting the legacy of premodern Chinese literature, through scholarship, translation, and public education
  • Highlights the role of digital humanities in making classical texts more accessible and engaging to a wider audience, through online databases, multimedia resources, and interactive platforms