Literature

of
China
Much of Chinese
literature is influenced by
three RELIGIONS;
Much of Chinese literature is
influenced by three
RELIGIONS.
–Confucianism ( Confucius)
–Taoism/Daoism( Laozi/Lao-Tzu)
–Buddhism
Confucius or Kung Fu-Tzu
Confucius or Kung Fu-Tzu
 Considered as founder of
Chinese Literature.
Confucius or Kung Fu-Tzu
 Considered as founder of
Chinese Literature.
Emphasized the importance
of moral conduct.
Confucius or Kung Fu-Tzu
 most humane, rational and
lucid of moral teachers.
Analects-
Books of 24 chapters
composed of the sayings of
Confucius
Analects-
Books of 24 chapters composed
of the sayings of Confucius
 were preserved orally and
compiled in writing long after his
death
5 classic novels that Confucius
collected and edited
5 classic novels that
Confucius collected and
edited
• 1. Classic of changes( Yi-King)
5 classic novels that
Confucius collected and
edited
• 1. Classic of changes( Yi-King)
• Was written by Wan Wang.
5 classic novels that Confucius
collected and edited
• 1. Classic of changes( Yi-King)
• Was written by Wan Wang.
• Made of geometrical combination
of six lines and 64 explanatory
essays.
5 classic novels that Confucius
collected and edited
• 1. Classic of changes( Yi-King)
• Was written by Wan Wang.
• Made of geometrical combination of
six lines and 64 explanatory essays.
• Use for divination.
2. Classic of Ceremonies(Li-Ki)
2. Classic of Ceremonies(Li-Ki)
• Was written by Confucius
2. Classic of Ceremonies(Li-Ki)
• Was written by Confucius
• Voluminous book that deals
with etiquette
3. Classic of History( Shu-King)
3. Classic of History( Shu-King)
• About fundamentals of good
government and the
formulation of proper
political ideas.
4. Classic of Poetry (Shi-King)
•
4. Classic of Poetry (Shi-King)
• Consists of more than 300
best lyric poems and
4. Classic of Poetry (Shi-King)
• Consists of more than 300
best lyric poems and
• Odes from a collection
written from preceding
centuries.
4. Classic of Poetry (Shi-King)
• Consists of more than 300 best
lyric poems and
• Odes from a collection written
from preceding centuries.
• Contents are the manners and
customs of ancient times
5. Spring and Autumn Annals
(Ch’un Ch’iu)
5. Spring and Autumn Annals
(Ch’un Ch’iu)
• Recorded the events happened
in the state of Lu, like marriages,
deaths, funerals of rulers, battles
fought, natural disasters and
others.
Tao-Te-Ching ( The way of life)
• Ascribed to Laozi or Lao Tzu
• Basis of Taoism
- Religion of inaction which is
describe as idealistic and
pacifistic.
Chinese religious rites-
accompanied by songs and
dances with gestures
Chinese Drama- had a weak
plot and was simple in
construction
Chinese Plays- classified
whether ‘Civil’ or ‘Military’.
Writers were anonymous
Wang Shi-Fu- most
memorable dramatist on the
13th century.
Chinese novel- inconspicuous
in origin.
Chinese medieval novel- dealt
with love, intrigue,
superstitious, usurpation and
plotting and lawlessness.