english 2.2 chinese literature

China

• known as people's republic of China

• located in east asia

china capital

Beijing

what is beijing known for

rich history and cultural landmarks

fourth largest country in land area

china

most populous country in the world

china, 1.4 billion people

chinese language

mandarin

currency in china

renminbi/yuan

one of the largest deserts in the world located in northern china

gobi desert

what is chinese new year known as

spring festival

• most important holiday

famous chinese cuisines

peking duck, dimsum, hotpot

traditional chinese medicines

acupuncture, herbal remedies

important aspects of chinese art, reflects countrys deep appreciation for beauty and harmony

calligraphy and painting

oldest written language

chinese

how many cities does china have

more than 100

legendary creature, symbol of power, strength and good luck

chinese dragon

when was chinese literature first recorded

5000 yrs ago, dates back to 1000 BC

why is chinese literature most intact

refused all contact in western world

The Five Classics

Book of documents, Book of Changes, History, Rites, Odes, Spring and Autumn Annals

Book of documents

-58 chapters

• history of ancient china

book of changes

divination, yin & yang

book of rites

social norms, rituals conducted, harmony in empire

odes

book of songs & poems 305 poems

spring and autumn annuals

history of ancient china arranged annually

modern chinese literature

developed 1800 when european missionaries and traders arrived

opium wars

1839-1842

when did the communists take over china?

1949

cultural revolution

1966-1979 all intellectuals were persecuted political and social themes are dominant

what happened in 1989 china

university students and other citizens demanded greater democracy and led demonstrations in beijing's tiananmnen square government arrested leading writers

1st chinese dynasty

xia dynasty

pre-qin dynasty

(before 221 bce) emergence of foundational texts

• includes late zhou dynasty, saw flourishing of confucianism, daoism, legalism

tang dynasty

(618-907 ce)

• golden age of chinese literature

• flourishing poetry

• advancement in poetry and prose

Why is tang poetry celebrated

emotional depth, natural imagery, philosophical themes

what strict forms did poets follow during the tang dynasty

regulated verse (lushi) five character and seven character lines

Li Bai

• chinese poet of tang

• served prince of yun

• wrote about his life

• known for clear imagery and conversational tone

important historical and literary prose works that rose during tang

Old Book of Tang and New Book of Tang

song dynasty

960-1279 CE

• significant period in chinese literature

• ci poetry, prose and essays

Ci Poetry

• song dynasty

• lyric poetry

• emotional and personal themes

• fits rhythms of traditional tunes

Zhu Xi

notable figure in song prose

• commentaries on confucian classics became foundational for later chinese thought

Li Qingzhao

(1084-1155) notable female poet of song dynasty prose and poetry poems initially celebrated love but then shifted to despair due to her husbands long absences and eventual death

Yuan dynasty

1271-1368 CE

• rise of drama

• mongol rule

• folk influence and verancular language

Zaju

• chinese theater that combined singing, acting, dialogue

• love, loyalty, social justice

folk influence and vernacular language during yuan dynasty

• made it more accessible to broad audience

• use of everyday speech

Ming Dynasty

1368-1644 CE

• traditional forms and the development of new literary genres

• golden age of fiction & novels

qing dynasty

(1644-1912 CE) last dynasty

• emergence of new genres

• renowned for further development of chinese novel

• revivalist trend

Lao Zi

6th century BCE

• Daoism

• attributed author of Daodejing (Book of the way)

• Worshipped as imperial ancestor during tang