1st Edition

An Outline of Chinese Literature II

By Yuan Xingpei Copyright 2018
    260 Pages
    by Routledge

    260 Pages
    by Routledge

    Different from previous researches weighted toward historical description and individual writer and work, this book establishes a general analytical system and a multi-angled methodology to examine Chinese literature.

    In ancient China, there was no definite concept of pure literature. Considering both modern ideas of literature and the corresponding traditional concept, this book broadly discusses Shi and Fu poetry, Ci poems and Qu verses, novels and essays. The four chapters deal with the origins, evolutions, structures and styles of the various genres respectively, analyzing some representative works. It's worth mentioning that the book is written from an individual perspective. Based on his own appreciation as a reader, the author expresses the depth of his various related impressions on Chinese literature. In addition, it conveys many fresh points of views, which will enrich and inspire related researches.

    This book will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese literature and comparative literature. People who are interested in Chinese literature and Chinese culture will also benefit from this book.

    Foreword of the Chinese Edition.  Preface of the Chinese Edition  Volume 1 Shi and Fu Poetry  Chapter 1 The Three Sources of Chinese Poetry and Ballads  Chapter 2 The Rise and Fall of Shi and Fu Poetry  Chapter 3 The Peak of Poetry: Tang Poems  Chapter 4 The New Direction of Song Dynasty Poetry and the Flourishing of Poetry Studies Chapter 5 The Ebb Tide of Poetry: The Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties  Chapter 6 The Structure and Style of Shi and Fu Poetry  Interim Summary  Volume 2 Ci Poems and Qu Verses  Chapter 1 The Rise and Evolution of Ci Poetry Chapter 2 Qu Verses of the Yuan Dynasty  Chapter 3 Chuanqi Opera in the Ming and Qing Dynasties  Chapter 4 The Structure and Style of Ci and Qu Interim Summary  Volume 3 The Novel  Chapter 1 The Concept of the Novel and Its Debut  Chapter 2 The Impetus Behind the Novel  Chapter 3 Full-length Zhanghuiti Novel of Ming and Qing Dynasties  Chapter 4 The Structure and Style of the Novel Interim Summary  Volume 4 Essays  Chapter 1 The Origin and Evolution of the Essay  Chapter 2 The Structure and Style of Writings  Interim Summary  Further Discussion  Afterword of the First Chinese Edition.  Afterword of the Second Chinese Edition.  Index

    Biography

    Yuan Xingpei is a professor of Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University. His research focuses on Chinese classic literature, especially Chinese poetical art.