LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Title : 5. CHINA – The Red Dragon

Topic : 5.1 Introduction and Historical Background of Chinese Literature

5.2 Notable Literary Pieces
*The Analects of Confucius
*Trial of the Stone
*Country Boy Quits in School by Lao Hsiang
*A Little Incident
* A Wife Mourns for her Husband by Confucius

Time Frame : 6 hours

Introduction :
China is a home to 1.3 billion people yet it remains to be a country filled with
long and colorful history where even the oldest rites are still practiced by its citizens
up to this day. One of the significant contributions of China to the world is its rich literary
heritage that dates back in ancient times. Its literature has extended from East to West
and has been revered all over the world.

Objectives:
At the end of the session, the students will be able to:
1. Characterize Chinese literature.
2. Trace the historical background of Chinese literature.
3. Exemplify understanding on the life and teachings of Confucius

Pre – Test:

In order to assess your prior knowledge on Chinese literature, answer the

following test items to be given by your instructor.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 1

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Learning Activities:

Activity 1: Warm – Up!!!

Using the diagram below, write three impressions you have on China
and be able to discuss why you came up with such impression.

CHINA

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 2

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHINESE LITERATURE

Chinese literature dates back thousands of years, from the

dynastic court poetry to the fiction novel that blossomed during
the Ming Dynasty to entertain the common literate Chinese. The
establishment of woodblock printing during the Tang Dynasty
(618 – 907) and the invention of movable type printing during the
Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) gave rise to written Chinese
literature.

Classical Poetry

The Book of Changes is one of the most important classical texts in Chinese literature. It is a
book of divination based on eight trigrams, which existed during the Zhou Dynasty. The writers of
the Warring States period attempted to explain the world and its moral principles through the
commentaries found in additional sections of the text.

The Classic of Poetry is the earliest collection

of poetry consisting of 305 poems that included folk
and festival songs, hymns and eulogies. The
collection of eulogies and speeches. The collection of
documents and speeches written by rulers and
officials of Zhou period is called the Classic History.
The Classic of Rites is a collection of texts that
describes ancient rites and court ceremonies during
the Zhou Dynasty. It was written during the Warring
States period. The Spring and Autumn Annals is the
chronological history of the state of Lu. It contains
monthly narrations of important events during the
twelve leaders of Lu. The Analects of Confucius is a
book of sayings recorded by his disciples that talks
about his teachings on how to live a harmonious life
and how to deal with other people.

Classical poetry reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty. The early Tang period was known
for its lushi, consisting of eight lines with five to seven characters in each line. Two distinguished
poets of the period were Li Po (Li Bai), known for the romanticism of his poems, and To Fu, a
Confucian moralist.

Another poetic form that became popular was the ci form, which was first developed during
the Tang Dynasty. It then flourished during the Song Dynasty, as poets based ci poetry on the tune
of popular songs. The development of Chinese sanqu poetry, a freer formed patterned on dramatic
arias, led to the development of vernacular Chinese literature.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 3

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Classical Prose

The Spring and Autumn periods contributed significantly to Chinese prose style. Works of
Mencius and Zhuang Zi demonstrated well – reasoned and carefully developed ideas and showed
a remarkable improvement in style. Mencius was noted for his elegant diction, while Zhuang Zi was
revered for his use of metaphorical, anecdotal, and allegorical style.

The Tang period saw the emergence of the neoclassical style of prose, which strongly
influenced prose writing for the next years. Han Yu (786 – 824) was a major essayist who strongly
advocated the return of Confucian orthodoxy. Vernacular fiction became popular after the 14th
century. The greatest 18th century novel is Dream of the Red Chmaber by Cao Xueqin.

Modern Literature

Modern literature began in the late Qing period

(1895 – 1911) which was described as a period of active
intellectual pursuits sparked by a nationalistic climate.
Translated Western writings introduced new ideas and
cultures, thereby resulting in the flowering of prose fiction
that expressed new social and cultural roles for writers.
Chinese fiction became concerned with social problems,
historical upheaval, and changing values. Among the
distinguished writers of the period are:

a. Li Boyuan – He was the writer who used vernacular writing for people who did not receive
classical education. His writings are focused on social and political issues during the late
Qing dynasty as a reflection of the Chinese society of that period.

b. Liu E. – He was a writer, archeologist, and politician who used symbolism and classical
writing illustration in his writing. This made his writing more appealing to those who
attained classical education.

c. Zheng Pu – He was a novelist who used symbolism and classical literature illustrations
in his writing. During his time, he was known as the only author who knew a different
language because he knew the French language.

It was also during the late Qing Dynasty that the new “civilized drama” emerged, a hybrid of
Chinese operatic drama and Western-style drama. The New Culture Movement (1917 – 1923) saw
the vernacular language being widely used and eventually displacing the classical language in all
genres. Among those who popularized vernacular literature was Lu Xun (1881 – 1936), considered
the founder of modern baihua literature (literature that uses colloquial language) in China.

With the establishment of the League if the Left-Wing writers, Lu Xun and other followers
adopted the ideals of socialist realism, adhering to the principle that art must depict contemporary
events exposing the ills of nonsocialist society. The Maoist Era (1949 – 1976) placed the publishing
industry and the book distribution system under government control and implemented strict
censorship.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 4

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Despite the measures to instill literary uniformity, a great number of novels of excellent quality
were produced. These writings became the textbooks on life of the young generation for they
reflected the historic changes in the lives of Chinese people. The Post-Mao Era (1976 – present)
published a large number of prose fiction. The writers protested against and bemoaned the abuses
but also expressed their eagerness to contribute in building a new Chinese society. Literary outlets
were revised to satisfy the increasing appetite of the people. Literary magazines publishing
translations of foreign fiction became popular to the young generation. Writers also become freer to
write about sensitive matters that do not necessarily conform to the literary conventions. However,
one of the struggles of modern writers is the censorship imposed by the Chinese government on
both journalism and literature, as evidenced by the blocking of certain websites and the banning of
some books from being sold in China.

CHINESE NOTABLE LITERARY PIECES

A. The Analects of Confucius

Confucius or Kung Fu-tzu was known as the first
sage of China who founded Confucianism. He was born of a
poor but aristocratic family in the state of Lu. He was looked
upon as a Great Teacher, a statesman, a philosopher, a
traditionalist, and a founder of Chinese literature. He had
taught the people of China with ethics which were kept alive
by his successors. Confucius had left them five books,
namely; Book of Changes (Yi King), Book of Ceremonies (Li
King), Book of Historical Documents (Shu King), Book of
Poetry (Shi King), and Book of Spring and Autumn (Ch’ un
Ch’ iu). He died at the age of seventy-two.

So, the fame of Confucius grew greater in the land. The people, however, loved the teachings
of Confucius and they kept his memory alive in their hearts. Sacrifices were offered to his memory
and his works were canonized. The people begun to venerate and worship him as a god. Temples
were built were he could be worshipped and thus, Confucianism became a religion.
However, a century after his death, a child was born in
the same province that had been the birthplace of Confucius
and he was named MANG. Very early in his life, he became
interested in the teaching of Confucius. He set himself the task
of reviving an interest in them, and gathered about him many
students to whom he taught the wisdom of the Great Teacher.
The students begun to call him Mang – Tze, which means the
philosopher, from which we get the name Mencius – which
was known as the “Second Sage of China”

Menicus was a good organizer and proselytizer.

Wherever he went, he made converts. He gathered the
discourses and sayings of Confucius as recorded by the
disciples and organized them into books, the best known of
which is The Book of Analects.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 5

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Below is an excerpt of the Analects of Confucius:

1-1. The Master said, "Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?
"Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?

"Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of
him?"

1-2. The philosopher Yu said, "They are few who, being filial and fraternal, are fond of offending
against their superiors. There have been none, who, not liking to offend against their superiors,
have been fond of stirring up confusion.

"The superior man bends his attention to what is radical. That being established, all practical
courses naturally grow up. Filial piety and fraternal submission,-are they not the root of all
benevolent actions?"

1-3. The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true
virtue."

1-4. The philosopher Tsang said, "I daily examine myself on three points:-whether, in transacting
business for others, I may have been not faithful;-whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have
been not sincere;-whether I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher."

1-5. The Master said, "To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to
business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the
people at the proper seasons."

1-6. The Master said, "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his
elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the
friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things,
he should employ them in polite studies."

1-7. Tsze-hsia said, "If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as
sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if,
in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if, in his intercourse with his friends, his words are
sincere:-although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 6

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

B. Trial of the Stone (A Chinese Folktale)

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 7

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

C. Country Boy Quits in School by Lao Hsiang

"A Story of a Country Boy" by Lao Hsiang is the story

of a family who sends a young boy to school and seems
only to have bad results.

The story starts out by saying that in the country a

nine-year old boy is at least half as useful as an adult
because he can help with several chores, so the family
didn't want to send him to school. However, there was a
proclamation that stated that any boy over six years old had
to go or a family member would have to go to jail.

The boy goes to school and he brings books back, which the teacher has told him cost money.
The family is concerned because they will have to go without to raise enough money for the books,
and they are already losing work from sending the boy to school. They tell him that he will have to
work very hard. He goes to school the next day before dawn to work hard, and finds that the school
is not open yet. He is told to go home. He does, and his family is angry at him for not working hard.
He goes on a Sunday and is told that they don't have school on Sunday, and they don't understand
why that is either.

The pictures in the book aren't anything that they can relate to, and the text of the book says
"this is my mama" and "this is my papa" with pictures that are definitely not anyone they know. The
boy is sent to ask the teacher whose mama this is. The book also says things like "the ox tends the
fire," and the boy learns later that they are learning about things that are made up.

The boys read about a tea party and want to have one, so they agree to each contribute
twenty cents so that they can send away for Oranges and other exotic foods it mentions, and all of
their families condemn them as selfish because they are asking for money for a frivolity.

The last straw comes when they boy is reading in his book "In my family I have a papa, a
mama, a brother, and a sister." He is studying hard and repeating his reading often, and the
grandmother gets really upset because she is not included in the family. The boy's father tells her
not to be angry anymore, and that he would rather go to jail than to let him read this type of book
anymore.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 8

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

D. A Little Incident by Lu Hsun

The story is written by Lu Hsun or Lu Hsün, a

leading figure of modern chinese literature. This is a very
short story, but you will find that it is full of meaning. It is
particularly relevant to us at a time when we are eager to
become courteous, considerate and caring people
instead of being selfish and thoughtless.

This story was set in China more than 50 years

ago, but the message it carries is relevant for all times.
An educated young man from the upper social class
learns a valuable lesson in human caring from a simple
rickshaw man. Six years have slipped by since I came
from the country to the capital. During that time I have
seen and heard quite enough of so-called affairs of state;
but none of them made much impression on me. If asked
to define their influence, I can only say they aggravated
my ill temper and made me, frankly speaking, more and
more cynical.

One incident, however, struck me as significant, and aroused me from my ill temper, so that
even now I cannot forget it. It happened during the winter of 1917. A bitter north wind was blowing,
but, to make a living, I had to be up and out early. I met scarcely a soul on the road, and had great
difficulty in hiring a rickshaw to take me to the South Gate. Presently the wind dropped a little. By
now the loose dust had all been blown away, leaving the roadway clean, and the rickshaw man
quickened his pace. We were just approaching the South Gate when someone crossing the road
was entangled in our rickshaw and fell slowly to the ground.

It was a woman, with streaks of white in her hair, wearing ragged clothes. She had left the
pavement without warning to cut across in front of us, and although the rickshaw man had made
way, her tattered jacket, unbuttoned and fluttering in the wind, had caught on the shaft. Luckily the
rickshaw man pulled up quickly, otherwise she would certainly have had a bad fall and been
seriously injured. She lay there on the ground, and the rickshaw man immediately went to her aid. I
did not think the old woman was hurt, and there had been no witnesses to what had happened, so
I resented this over-eagerness of the rickshaw man which might land him in trouble and hold me up.
“It’s alright,” I said. “Go on.”

However, he paid no attention – perhaps he had not heard – for he set down the shafts, and
gently helped the old woman to get up. Supporting her by one arm, he asked: “Are you all right?”
“I’m hurt.” I had seen how slowly she fell, and was sure she could not be hurt. I thought she must be
pretending, which was disgusting. The rickshaw man had asked for trouble, and now he had it. He
would have to find his own way out. But the rickshaw man did not hesitate for a minute after the old
woman said she was injured. Still holding her arm, he helped her slowly forward. I was surprised.
When I looked ahead, I saw a police station. Because of the high wind, there was no one outside,
so the rickshaw man helped the old woman towards the gate.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 9

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Suddenly I had a strange feeling. His dusty, retreating figure seemed larger at that instant.
Indeed, the further he walked the larger he appeared, until I had to look up to him. At the same time
he seemed gradually to be exerting a pressure on me, which threatened to overpower the small self
under my fur-lined gown. My strength seemed to be draining away as I sat there motionless, my
mind a blank, until a policeman came out. Then I got down from the rickshaw.

The policeman came up to me and said, “Get another rickshaw. He can’t pull you anymore.”
Without thinking, I pulled a handful of coppers from my coat pocket and handed them to the
policeman. “Please give him these,” I said. The wind had dropped completely, but the road was still
quiet. I walked along thinking, but I was almost afraid to turn my thoughts on myself. Setting aside
what had happened earlier, what had I meant by that handful of coppers? Was it a reward? Who
was I to judge the rickshaw man? I could not answer myself.

Even now, this remains fresh in my memory. It often causes me distress, and makes me think
about myself. The military and political affairs of those years I have forgotten as completely as the
classics I read in my childhood. Yet this incident keeps coming back to me, often more clearly than
in actual life, teaching me shame, urging me to reform, and giving me fresh courage and hope.

E. A Wife Mourns for her Husband by Confucius

The dolichos grows and covers the thorn,

O'er the waste is the dragon-plant creeping.
The man of my heart is away and I mourn--
What home have I, lonely and weeping?

Covering the jujubes the dolichos grows,

The graves many dragon-plants cover;
But where is the man on whose breast I'd repose?
No home have I, having no lover!

Fair to see was the pillow of horn,

And fair the bed-chamber's adorning;
But the man of my heart is not here, and I mourn
All alone, and wait for the morning.

While the long days of summer pass over my head,

And long winter nights leave their traces,
I'm alone! Till a hundred of years shall have fled,
And then I shall meet his embraces.

Through the long winter nights I am burdened with fears,

Through the long summer days I am lonely;
But when time shall have counted its hundreds of years
I then shall be his--and his only!

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 10

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Activity 2: Informance
Choose one of the Analects of Confucius. Make a poster and slogan on it.
After doing so, video yourself, together with your poster and slogan, as you do
Discussion/explanation on its implication in real life situation/s. Below is the criteria
in rating your output;

Relevance 20
Creativity 20
Visual Impact 10

Activity 3: Sharing Insights

In a short bond paper, explain these famous lines attributed from Confucius
and Menicus.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 11

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Activity 4: Biographical Sketching

Think and identify a particular person who for you exemplifies Confucian
teachings. The person may be a celebrity, a political figure, a teacher, or any
person. Do some research regarding that person’s;
a. family background
b. early years
c. education and training
d. choice of career, and
e. biggest accomplishments

Present your findings through a narrative report to be written in a short bond

paper. You may include a picture of the person in your presentation.

Below is the criteria for rating your output;

Content 50
Language and Mechanics 30
Organization of Ideas 20

Self-evaluation:

TIME TO PONDER!!!
In a short bond paper, answer the following questions below:

1. Give the message that was conveyed on the following literary texts;
a. The Analects of Confucius
b. Trial of the Stone
c. Country Boy Quits in School
d. A Little Incident
e. A Wife Mourns for her Husband by Confucius

2. On the story “A Little Incident” whose behavior would you like to emulate,
the behavior of the passenger, or the behavior of the rickshaw – puller?
Why?

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 12

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD
LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Review of Concepts:

Read over again and remember the following concepts on Chinese literature;

 Chinese literature dates back thousands of years, from the dynastic court
poetry to the fiction novel that blossomed during the Ming Dynasty to entertain
the common literate Chinese. The establishment of woodblock printing during
the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) and the invention of movable type printing during
the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) gave rise to written Chinese literature.

 Confucius or Kung Fu-tzu was known as the first sage of China who founded
Confucianism.

 Mang – Tze, which means the philosopher, from which we get the name
Mencius – which was known as the “Second Sage of China”

 Confucius had left them five books, namely; Book of Changes (Yi King), Book
of Ceremonies (Li King), Book of Historical Documents (Shu King), Book of
Poetry (Shi King), and Book of Spring and Autumn (Ch’ un Ch’ iu). He died at
the age of seventy-two.

 Qing period (1895 – 1911) was described as a period of active intellectual

pursuits sparked by a nationalistic climate.

Post Test:

In order to assess you on how far you have learned on from the lesson, a post
test will be given to you by the instructor.

Reference:

Baldonado, R. et. al. (2013). Readings from World Literature. Quezon City: Great
Books Publishing.
Confucius. A Wife Mourns For Her Husband. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
<https://www.melodicverses.com/poems/3684/A-Wife-Mourns-For-Her-
Husband>
D’haen, T. et al (2013). World Literature: A Reader. London:Routledge.
Duka, R. (2015). The Literature of Asia & Africa. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

(EM 7) Children and Adolescent Literature 13

Carmelin Puracan – Mosa, PhD