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Questions and Answers
What is considered the first anthology of Chinese literature?
What is considered the first anthology of Chinese literature?
Which rhetorical device is prominently used in the first poem of The Book of Poetry?
Which rhetorical device is prominently used in the first poem of The Book of Poetry?
Which philosophical and religious influences shaped traditional Chinese literature?
Which philosophical and religious influences shaped traditional Chinese literature?
What significant change occurred in Chinese literature during the twentieth century?
What significant change occurred in Chinese literature during the twentieth century?
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Which of the following best characterizes traditional Chinese literature?
Which of the following best characterizes traditional Chinese literature?
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How did the influence of music manifest in traditional Chinese poetry?
How did the influence of music manifest in traditional Chinese poetry?
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Which of these statements about Chinese literature during the Ming dynasty is accurate?
Which of these statements about Chinese literature during the Ming dynasty is accurate?
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What is a noted characteristic of modern Chinese literature?
What is a noted characteristic of modern Chinese literature?
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Who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012?
Who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012?
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Which language is NOT one of the four main languages of Singaporean literature?
Which language is NOT one of the four main languages of Singaporean literature?
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What significant literary movement emerged in Singapore post-independence in 1965?
What significant literary movement emerged in Singapore post-independence in 1965?
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What is often the predominant mode of expression in published Singapore writing in English?
What is often the predominant mode of expression in published Singapore writing in English?
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Which of the following poets is NOT associated with the late 1980s and early 1990s Singaporean poetry scene?
Which of the following poets is NOT associated with the late 1980s and early 1990s Singaporean poetry scene?
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Which writer is recognized for their contributions in more than one language in Singapore?
Which writer is recognized for their contributions in more than one language in Singapore?
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Which characteristic is often associated with the poetry of a younger generation of Singaporean poets?
Which characteristic is often associated with the poetry of a younger generation of Singaporean poets?
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What literary form in Singapore began to flourish significantly after independence?
What literary form in Singapore began to flourish significantly after independence?
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Which novel is recognized as the first true Singaporean novel?
Which novel is recognized as the first true Singaporean novel?
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What literary period in Japan is known for tales primarily focused on myths and legends?
What literary period in Japan is known for tales primarily focused on myths and legends?
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Which writer is famous for creating the seminal text, Tale of Genji?
Which writer is famous for creating the seminal text, Tale of Genji?
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During which period did war tales become prominent in Japanese literature?
During which period did war tales become prominent in Japanese literature?
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Which form of poetry rose to popularity during the Medieval period in Japan?
Which form of poetry rose to popularity during the Medieval period in Japan?
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What characterizes the early modern literature in Japan?
What characterizes the early modern literature in Japan?
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What is the modern period in Japanese literature known for?
What is the modern period in Japanese literature known for?
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Which of the following best describes the influence of Chinese literature on Japanese literature?
Which of the following best describes the influence of Chinese literature on Japanese literature?
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Study Notes
### Chinese Literature
- The Book of Poetry (Shijing) is the first anthology, compiled after 600 BCE by Confucius, a collection of 305 poems dating back to 800 - 600 BCE.
- Traditional Chinese literature developed under Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, influences that impacted its themes and values.
- Confucianism emphasizes ethics, benevolence, righteousness, social harmony, and the importance of individual effort.
- The modern period in Chinese literature started in the 1910s and is characterized by its diverse nature.
- Western influences became significant in Chinese literature, especially in the 20th century, with influences from India and Japan also being present.
- Mo Yan is a well-known Chinese fictionist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012.
- Yu Hua, Wang Shuo, Shi Tiesheng, Gao Xiaosheng, Wang Zengqi, and Zhang Chenzhi are other prominent writers.
Singaporean Literature
- The literature of Singapore encompasses various genres in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.
- Many prominent writers, such as Tan Swie Hian and Kuo Pao Kun, contribute to works across multiple languages.
- Poetry is the dominant form of expression in Singaporean literature.
- The younger generation of poets often write about social and political issues, challenging pre-existing ideas about Singaporean culture and society.
- Some poets are known as "confessional" for their personal and intimate writing, often tackling themes of sexuality.
- Edwin Thumboo, Arthur Yap, Robert Yeo, Goh Poh Seng, Lee Tzu Pheng, and Chandran Nair led a new wave of Singaporean writing after independence in 1965.
- The first true Singaporean novel, "If We Dream Too Long" (1972), was written by Goh Poh Seng.
- Playwrights include Goh Poh Seng, Robert Yeo, and Kuo Pao Kun, the last of whom played a significant role in the theatre renaissance of the 1980s and 1990s.
- While short stories are prevalent, the novel emerged later in English, with Goh Poh Seng again at the forefront.
Japanese Literature
- Japanese literature has been heavily influenced by Chinese literature from the ancient to the Edo periods (1603-1868).
- Influences from India and the West are also present.
- Japanese literature can be divided into four periods - Ancient, Classical, Medieval, and Modern.
- Ancient literature focuses on myths and legends, like the creation of Japan.
- Prominent writers include Ono Yasumaro, Nihon Shoki, and Man’yoshu.
- The Heian period (Classical literature) was a golden age for Japanese literature, characterized by the emergence of the world’s first novel, "Tale of Genji", written by Murasaki Shikibu.
- The Medieval period witnessed the rise of war tales due to civil wars and the emergence of the warrior class.
- This period also saw the popularity of renga, a Japanese poetry form, with a focus on war and poetry.
- The Edo period (early modern period) saw the rise of new genres like kabuki (Japanese drama), haiku (poetry known for simplicity and subtlety), and yomihon (a type of book with minimal illustrations).
- The Meiji period (modern period) marked a shift in literary styles.
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Description
Explore the rich heritage of Chinese literature, from the early anthology 'The Book of Poetry' to modern influences including Western literature. Discover key figures such as Mo Yan and various genres in Singaporean literature that reflect the multicultural identity of the nation.
