Chinese

literature
Tumampos, Juljane C.
 SHANG
DYNASTY
About 1700- 1050 BC.
• The first dynasty for
which there is historical
record and
archaeological evidence.
 SHANG
DYNASTY

 jiaguwen = bone and shell script

INTRODUCTION
• The introduction of widespread woodblock printing during the
Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and the invention of the movable type
printing by Bi Sheng (990 – 1051) during the Song Dynasty
(960-1279) rapidly spread written knowledge throughout China.
Lu Xun
• (1881 - 1936) is considered the founder of baihua literature in
China.
• pen name of Zhou Shuren 
• Chinese writer, essayist, poet, and literary critic. He was a leading
figure of modern Chinese literature. 
 Classes of
literature
1. CLASSICAL LITERATURE
1. MODERN LITERATURE
2. CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE
3. PRESENT AGE LITERATURE
PRE-CLASSICAL PERIOD
Cult and lay musical practices (Shijing)

Divination (Yijing)
Astronomy
Exorcism
CLASSICAL PERIOD
Classic literature
Confucianism Mohism

Daoism Legalism
confucianism
belief that human beings are
fundamentally good, and teachable,
improvable, and perfectible
 daoism

• Contains 500 words

• a Chinese philosophy that stresses
living simply, honestly, and in
harmony with nature.
mohism
 the teachings of Mo Ti
characterized by an emphasis
on equalitarian universal love
 legalism
•  system of laws that rigidly prescribed
punishments and rewards for specific
behaviors.

Example: constitution
CLASSICAL PERIOD
The nine books became the center of the educational system.

2 CATEGORIES

FIVE CLASSICS
FOUR BOOKS
CLASSICAL PERIOD
The Classic of Poetry – 305 poems
Book of Documents - rhetorical prose
Book of Rites – social forms
Book of Changes – oldest classic
The Spring and Autumn Annals
CLASSICAL PERIOD
• The Four Books are Chinese classic texts illustrating the core value and
belief systems in Confucianism.

Great Learning
The I Ching or book of changes
Doctrine of The Mean
Analects
Mencius
Classical Literature
It refers to the earliest period and covers works from three thousand
years ago
It is imbued with the thoughts of a culture that embraced slavery and a
feudal society.

Modern Literature
patriotism and a revelation of social skills.
Contemporary Literature
This period was distinctive as it brought into being a new and revised
literary language , form, content and skills allowing it to evolve into an
independent and open art available to the whole of society.

Present-Age Literature
That era in now long past and we now have a favorable turn on events and a great
number of responsible writers deepen the literacy form and content.

The various ethnic group have contributed greatly in this field.