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Chinese Litetatuure

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Paolo Lazatin
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12 views2 pages

Chinese Litetatuure

Uploaded by

Paolo Lazatin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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A Brief Introduction to Chinese Literature

Chinese literature is one of the world's oldest and most extensive literary traditions, dating back
thousands of years. It encompasses a vast array of genres, including poetry, fiction, drama,
philosophy, and history.
Key Periods in Chinese Literature
1. Ancient Period (Pre-Qin, 11th-3rd century BCE):
○ Oral Traditions: Myths, legends, and folk songs.
○ Classical Texts: The "Five Classics" and "Four Books," including the Confucian
Analects, the Dao De Jing, and the I Ching.
2. Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE):
○ Shijing (Classic of Poetry): A collection of ancient poems.
○ Sima Qian's Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian): A monumental historical
work.
○ Ban Gu's Hanshu (History of the Han Dynasty): A comprehensive history of the
Han Dynasty.
3. Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE):
○ Golden Age of Poetry: Poets like Li Bai and Du Fu produced timeless works.
○ Classical Chinese Fiction: Novels like "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" and
"Journey to the West."
4. Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE):
○ Lyric Poetry: Ci poetry flourished, with poets like Li Qingzhao.
○ Philosophical and Literary Criticism: Works by Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming.
5. Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912 CE):
○ Classical Novels: "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," "Journey to
the West," and "Dream of the Red Chamber."
○ Vernacular Fiction: The emergence of novels written in vernacular Chinese.
Modern Chinese Literature
● May Fourth Movement: A cultural and intellectual movement that sought to modernize
China.
● Lu Xun: A prominent figure in modern Chinese literature, known for his critical essays
and short stories.
● Mao Zedong: A poet and revolutionary leader whose works influenced Chinese literature
and culture.
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Chinese Literature
1. Who is considered one of the greatest poets of the Tang Dynasty?
○ a) Confucius
○ b) Li Bai
○ c) Laozi
○ d) Sima Qian
2. What is the name of the classic Chinese novel often adapted into TV series and
films, featuring a monkey king?
○ a) Romance of the Three Kingdoms
○ b) Water Margin
○ c) Journey to the West
○ d) Dream of the Red Chamber
3. Which philosophical text emphasizes the importance of harmony with nature and
non-action?
○ a) Analects
○ b) Dao De Jing
○ c) I Ching
○ d) Mencius
4. What is the name of the Chinese poet known for her lyric poetry during the Song
Dynasty?
○ a) Li Bai
○ b) Du Fu
○ c) Li Qingzhao
○ d) Su Shi
5. Who is considered the "father of modern Chinese literature"?
○ a) Lu Xun
○ b) Mao Zedong
○ c) Lao She
○ d) Ba Jin
Let me know if you'd like to check your answers!

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