Summary of Asian Literature

Asian Literature Overview

  • Encompasses poetry and prose writings in various Asian languages.

  • Influenced by religion, war, and politics.

  • Reflects similarities in customs, traditions, philosophies, and the struggles/successes of developing nations.

Key Objectives

  • Identify themes, motifs, and cultural values in Asian literary works.

  • Differentiate between various literary styles, genres, and forms.

  • Examine the significance of Asian literature in a global context.

Regional Highlights
China

  • Tang Dynasty: Finest era of Chinese literature.

  • Landmark works by poets like Tu Fu, Li Po, and Wang Wei.

    Famous Chinese Poets

    • Li Po and Tu Fu: Respected poets from the T'ang Dynasty, often wrote poems directed towards each other, illustrating aspects of ancient Chinese life.

Japan

  • Major literature in the world, dating back to the 7th century CE.

  • Influenced by China, but developed its distinct literary style.

  • Renowned poetic forms: haiku (short descriptive poem with 17 syllables).

  • Theatrical genres: Noh and Kabuki.

  • Themes are personal and emotional, with a universal quality.

    Japanese Poet Spotlight

    • Matsuo Basho (1644-1694): Elevated haiku to serious poetry.

Korea

  • Literature written by Koreans, initially in Classical Chinese, later in Hangul.

  • Hangul invented in the mid-15th century.

    Four Major Traditional Poetic Forms

    • Hyangga ("native songs"): Four, eight, or ten lines, with the 10-line form being the oldest and most popular.

    • Pyŏlgok ("special songs") or changga: Flourished during the Koryŏ period; characterized by a refrain; themes of love.

    • Sijo ("current melodies"): Three-line poems with 14-16 syllables per line (approximately 45 syllables total); themes of Confucian values, nature, and love.

    • Kasa ("verses"): Longer poems written in balanced couplets, dealing with female beauty, war, and seclusion.

    Korean Poet Spotlight

    • Seo Jeong-Ju (1915-2000): A Korean poet and professor, considered one of the best poets; nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, influenced by Buddhism.

India

  • Original literature: Hindu sacred writings (Veda) in Sanskrit.

  • Additional genres: lyrics, court poetry, plays, and narrative folktales.

  • Influenced by Sanskrit epic poems: Mahabharata and Ramayana.

    Indian Poet Spotlight

    • Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941): Bengali poet, short-story writer, song composer, playwright,