CHINESE LITERATURE

• When did writing in China begin?

  During the Shang Dynasty, 1700-1050 BC
• What is the formal written language used in much of Chinese literature?

  Classical Chinese
• How many kings ruled during the Shang Dynasty?

  29 or 30 kings
• What class did the officials of the Shang Dynasty belong to?

  Hereditary class of aristocrats
• What are the main literary contributions of the Zhou Dynasty?

  • Basic Philosophical Literature
  • Religious Literature
• What literary disaster occurred during the Qin Dynasty?

  • Literary Disaster and Legalism
• What were the key literary developments during the Tang Dynasty?

  • Early Woodblock Printing
  • Poetry
• What types of literature emerged during the Song Dynasty?

  • Early Woodblock Printing
  • Travel Literature
  • Poetry
  • Scientific Texts
  • Neo-Confucian Classics
• What is notable about the Yuan Dynasty's literature?

  • Drama and Great Fictional Novels
• What literary focus characterized the Ming Dynasty?

  • Novels
• What type of literature is associated with the Qing Dynasty?

  • Novels and Pre-modern Literature
• What is the literary characteristic of the Modern Era in China?

  • Westernized Literature
• What is the Analects of Confucius also known as?

  Conversations of Confucius
• What does the Analects of Confucius provide insight into?

  Confucius' thoughts on ethics and politics
• What are the key themes in the Analects of Confucius?

  1. Filial Piety (Xiao,孝)
  2. The Role of the Superior Man (Junzi, 君子)
  3. Importance of Education and Self-Cultivation
  4. The Golden Rule
  5. Virtue and Moral Integrity
  6. Ritual and Social Harmony
  7. Good Governance and the Role of the Ruler
  8. Humaneness (Ren,仁)
• What is filial piety in Confucianism?

  Respect and devotion to parents and elders
• How does Confucius view the superior man (junzi)?

  Defined by character and virtue, not birth
• What does Confucius emphasize about education?

  High value on learning and self-improvement
• What is the Golden Rule according to Confucius?

  Treat others as you would like to be treated
• What does Confucius say about virtue and moral integrity?

  Rulers should lead by moral example
• What role do rituals play in Confucianism?

  They create harmony in relationships
• What is the primary duty of a ruler according to Confucius?

  To govern with moral integrity
• What does ren mean in Confucian philosophy?

  Humaneness or benevolence
• What does Confucius say about thinking and learning?

  They are powerful in harmony
• What does Confucius say about character and mistakes?

  Mistakes reflect the type of person one is
• What should one worry about according to Confucius?

  Not having qualifications for a position
• What does Confucius say about virtue?

  It is bound to have neighbors
• How does Confucius differentiate between a gentleman and a petty man?

  A gentleman harmonizes without echoing
• What does Confucius say about love and encouragement?

  Love means encouraging hard work
• What does Confucius say about wisdom?

  Wisdom involves not wasting men or words
• What does Confucius say about correcting mistakes?

  Not correcting a mistake is a mistake
• What does Confucius say about deep thinking and learning?

  Deep thinking results from deep learning
• What does Confucius say about seeking advice?

  Advice is pointless without shared values
• What qualities does Confucius say will win the hearts of people?

  Large-mindedness, trustworthiness, quick response, and justice
• When did writing in China begin?

  During the Shang Dynasty, 1700-1050 BC
• What is the formal written language used in much of Chinese literature?

  Classical Chinese
• How many kings ruled during the Shang Dynasty?

  29 or 30 kings
• What type of class did the officials in the Shang Dynasty belong to?

  Hereditary class of aristocrats
• What are the main dynasties of Chinese literature and their contributions?

  • Zhou Dynasty (1045-255 BC): Religious Literature, Basic Philosophical
  • Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC): Legalism, Literary Disaster
  • Tang Dynasty (618-907): Early Woodblock Printing, Poetry
  • Song Dynasty (960-1279): Early Woodblock Printing, Travel Literature, Poetry, Scientific Texts, Neo-Confucian Classics
  • Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368): Novels, Drama, Great Fictional
  • Ming Dynasty (1368-1644): Novels
  • Qing Dynasty (1644-1911): Novels, Pre-modern Literature
  • Modern Era (1912-present): Westernized Literature
• What literary form was prominent during the Tang Dynasty?

  Poetry