Asian Literature: Chinese Literary Works

• Asia is the largest continent, subdivided into East, Central, West, and Southeast regions.
• Each Asian region has unique beliefs, traditions, and feelings, making its literature rich.
• Chinese, Japanese, and Indian literatures are the most influential in Asia.

Chinese Literature

• It began over two thousand years ago, with "The Book of Poetry" (Shijing) as its first anthology.
• Confucius compiled the anthology, containing 305 poems from 800 to 600 B.C.
• Chinese literary works include fiction, philosophical and religious works, poetry, and scientific writings.
• Dynasties shaped literary traditions.

Four Great Classic Novels

• The Novel of the Three Kingdoms 三国演义 Sānguó Yănyì by Luo Guanzhong recounts events when China was divided into Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Wu.
• Journey to the West 西游记 Xī Yóu Jì by Wu Cheng'en, also known as "Monkey" features Sun Wukong's journey for sacred scrolls, inspiring adventure stories.
• Dream of the Red Chamber 红楼梦 Hónglóu Mèng by Cao Xuequin is celebrated for realism and psychological depth.
• Water Margin 水浒传 Shuǐhũ Zhuàn by Shi Nai'an narrates plight of 108 brigands challenging the emperor during the Song dynasty.

Chinese Poetry

• Chinese poetry has been a favorite genre for a millennium and may be divided into five types:
  • Shi: Couplets
  • Ci: Song-like with syllabic and tonal patterns
  • Ge: Means song
  • Qu: Freer poetic form, used in theater
  • Fu: Descriptive poems composed of both prose and couplets
• Dufu followed a structured poetic form, observing realistic themes of war, poverty, and rural life.
• Li Bai, a romantic poet, used free form poetry and traveled widely.
• Su Tungpo (Su Shi) was a northern Song poet who produced over 2000 poems and wrote about his banishment.

Japanese Literature

• Japanese literature uses varied words to convey emotions.
• It is emotional and subjective
• Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji" retells the life of Prince Hikaru Genji in the 11th century.
• Lady Murasaki lived during the Heian Period
• Sei Shonagon's "The Pillow Book" consists of famous lists.
• Matsuo Basho is known for haiku.
• "I" Novel (Watakushi-Shōsetsu) is a supreme Japanese haiku.
• Yasunari Kawabata was a Nobel Prize winner and master of psychological fiction.

Indian Literature

• Most Indian literature is written in Sanskrit.
• Classic Indian literature revolves around Hinduism, while modern literature focuses on national issues.
• Three characteristics of Indian literature: piety, epic form, and promoting unorthodox regional beliefs.
• Panchatantra is a compilation of tales in prose and poetry, featuring five books of fables.
• Bhagavad Gita is an ancient text important in Hindu tradition.
• Mahabharata recounts dynastic struggles between the Pandavas and Kauravas around the 9th century BC, and is the longest epic in the world.
• Ramayana greatly impacted Indian civilization and tells the story of Rama's journey to save Sita, learning Hindu life lessons, and is the second longest epic.