📜Intro to Premodern Chinese Literature Unit 12 – Classical Chinese Literary Aesthetics

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Wen (文) encompasses both literary content and artistic form in Chinese aesthetics
• Shi (诗) refers to poetry, one of the most revered literary genres in classical Chinese literature
• Fu (赋) is a form of rhymed prose that combines elements of poetry and prose
• Bi (比) and Xing (兴) are two important poetic devices used in classical Chinese poetry
  • Bi involves drawing an analogy between two seemingly unrelated objects or situations
  • Xing uses a natural image or scene to evoke a particular emotion or theme
• Qi (气) is a vital force or energy that animates all things and is essential to artistic creation
• Ya (雅) represents the ideal of elegance, refinement, and good taste in literary works
• Ge (格) refers to the structural and stylistic rules governing various literary forms

Historical Context and Development

• Classical Chinese literary aesthetics emerged during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) and evolved over subsequent dynasties
• Confucianism and Daoism had a significant influence on the development of literary aesthetics
  • Confucianism emphasized moral didacticism and the social function of literature
  • Daoism promoted spontaneity, naturalness, and the expression of individual emotions
• The Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) saw the rise of fu as a popular literary form and the compilation of the Shijing (Classic of Poetry)
• The Six Dynasties period (220-589 CE) witnessed the flourishing of poetry and the emergence of new poetic forms, such as the jueju (quatrain)
• The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) is considered the golden age of classical Chinese poetry, with poets like Li Bai and Du Fu achieving great renown
• The Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) saw the development of ci (词), a new form of lyric poetry set to music

Major Literary Forms and Genres

• Shi (poetry) includes various forms such as the shi (詩), ci (词), and qu (曲)
  • Shi poetry is characterized by its strict tonal patterns, rhyme schemes, and parallelism
  • Ci poetry is a more fluid and expressive form that originated from musical lyrics
  • Qu poetry is a dramatic form used in Chinese opera and storytelling
• Fu (rhymed prose) combines elements of poetry and prose, often used for descriptive and expository purposes
• Pianwen (骈文) is a form of parallel prose that emphasizes symmetry, balance, and antithesis
• Baguwen (八股文) is a highly structured and formulaic essay style used in imperial examinations
• Xiaoshuo (小说) refers to fictional narratives, including short stories and novels

Influential Texts and Authors

• The Shijing (Classic of Poetry) is the earliest collection of Chinese poetry, compiled during the Zhou Dynasty
• Qu Yuan's Lisao (离骚) is a seminal work of the fu genre, expressing the poet's political frustrations and personal emotions
• Tao Qian's poetry, such as the "Drinking Wine" series, exemplifies the Daoist-inspired themes of reclusion and harmony with nature
• Li Bai and Du Fu are two of the most celebrated poets of the Tang Dynasty, known for their innovative styles and profound insights
  • Li Bai's poetry is characterized by its romanticism, imagination, and bold use of hyperbole
  • Du Fu's poetry is noted for its realism, social consciousness, and technical virtuosity
• The Quantangshi (全唐诗) is a comprehensive anthology of Tang Dynasty poetry, containing over 48,900 poems by more than 2,200 poets

Philosophical Foundations

• Confucianism emphasizes the moral and didactic function of literature, viewing it as a means to promote virtue and social harmony
  • The Analects of Confucius stresses the importance of studying the classics and cultivating one's character through literary pursuits
  • Mencius further develops the idea of literature as a vehicle for moral education and political reform
• Daoism advocates for spontaneity, naturalness, and the expression of individual emotions in literary creation
  • The Daodejing and Zhuangzi emphasize the value of simplicity, non-action (wu wei), and harmony with the Dao
  • Daoist aesthetics favors unadorned language, unconventional forms, and the celebration of nature
• Buddhism introduces concepts such as impermanence, suffering, and enlightenment, which find expression in literary works
  • Buddhist-inspired literature often explores themes of detachment, compassion, and the illusory nature of reality
  • The influence of Chan (Zen) Buddhism can be seen in the emphasis on sudden enlightenment and the use of paradoxical language

Aesthetic Principles and Techniques

• Bi (比) and Xing (兴) are two fundamental poetic devices in classical Chinese poetry
  • Bi involves drawing an analogy between two seemingly unrelated objects or situations to reveal a deeper meaning
  • Xing uses a natural image or scene to evoke a particular emotion or theme, often serving as a symbolic or metaphorical representation
• The principle of Qi (气) emphasizes the vital energy or spirit that animates a literary work and gives it its expressive power
• Ya (雅) represents the ideal of elegance, refinement, and good taste in literary composition
  • Works that embody ya are characterized by their clarity, simplicity, and adherence to established forms and conventions
  • The concept of ya is closely related to the Confucian notion of ritual propriety (li) and the cultivation of moral character
• The use of allusion and quotation is a common technique in classical Chinese literature, allowing authors to engage with earlier texts and traditions
• Parallelism and antithesis are widely employed in various literary forms, creating a sense of balance, symmetry, and contrast

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• Classical Chinese literary aesthetics have had a profound influence on the development of literature, art, and culture in China and beyond
• The emphasis on moral didacticism and social responsibility in literature has shaped the role of intellectuals and the relationship between the state and the arts
• The ideals of simplicity, naturalness, and spontaneity in literary expression have inspired various artistic movements, such as the "return to nature" trend in landscape painting
• The influence of classical Chinese aesthetics can be seen in the literary traditions of neighboring countries, such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam
  • Japanese waka poetry and Korean sijo poetry adopt many of the formal and thematic elements of Chinese shi poetry
  • Vietnamese chữ Nôm literature draws heavily on Chinese characters and literary models
• The legacy of classical Chinese literary aesthetics continues to shape contemporary Chinese literature and culture, even as writers and artists seek to reinterpret and challenge traditional forms and values

Modern Interpretations and Relevance

• Modern scholars and critics have sought to reevaluate and reinterpret classical Chinese literary aesthetics from various perspectives
  • Feminist scholars have examined the representation of women and gender roles in classical texts and the contributions of female writers
  • Postcolonial critics have explored the dynamics of power, identity, and cultural exchange in the reception and adaptation of Chinese literary aesthetics in other Asian countries
• The study of classical Chinese literary aesthetics remains relevant for understanding the cultural and historical context of premodern Chinese literature
• Contemporary writers and artists continue to draw inspiration from classical aesthetic principles and techniques, while also subverting and transforming them
  • Mo Yan, the Nobel Prize-winning novelist, incorporates elements of classical Chinese storytelling and imagery in his works, while also experimenting with modern narrative techniques
  • Xi Chuan, a prominent contemporary poet, engages with classical poetic forms and themes, while also addressing contemporary social and political issues
• The appreciation and analysis of classical Chinese literary aesthetics can provide insights into the enduring values, tensions, and aspirations of Chinese culture and society