1. CHINESE LITERATURE Created by: Angie Anders Presented to: Mr. Daryl Gates World Literature Southern University of Shreveport

2. INTRODUCTION To many Westerners, Chinese literature remains a hidden seam in the rich strata of Chinese culture. As a matter of fact, it is a treasure of a very considerable number of brilliant and profound works as each dynasty, in the long history of China, has passed down its legacy of magnificent events and works.

3. Historical Treasure For 3500 years, the Chinese have woven a variety of genres and forms encompassing poetry, essays, fiction and drama; each in its own way reflecting the social climate of its day through the high spirit of art. Chinese literature has its own values and tastes, its own reigning cultural tradition and its own critical system of theory.

4. Famous Works Tao Te Ching The Art of War Tang Poems The Analects Doctrine of the Mean The Great Learning Classic of Filial Piety

5. Tao Te Ching ~ Lao-tzu Always without desire we must be found, If its deep mystery we would sound; But if desire always within us be, Its outer fringe is all that we shall see. ~ Tao Te Ching

6. Art of War ~ Sun Tzu Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

7. Tang Poems How beautiful she looks, opening the pearly casement, And how quiet she leans, and how troubled her brow is! You may see the tears now, bright on her cheek, But not the man she so bitterly loves. Li Bai, A Bitter Love

8. The Analects ~Confucius Section 3 Part 12 Yen Yuan asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, "To subdue one's self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue. If a man can for one day subdue himself and return to propriety, an under heaven will ascribe perfect virtue to him. Is the practice of perfect virtue from a man himself, or is it from others?" Yen Yuan said, "I beg to ask the steps of that process." The Master replied, "Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety." Yen Yuan then said, "Though I am deficient in intelligence and vigor, I will make it my business to practice this lesson."

9. The Doctrine of the Mean ~ Confucius While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in the state of Equilibrium. When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of Harmony. This Equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this Harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue.

10. The Great Learning ~ Confucius Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

11. I Ching, The Book of Changes This famous system of 64 hexagrams plus their commentaries and trans-for-mations is at the root of Chinese thought. ~ Tr. Wilhelm(en, fr).

12. Reading Chinese Literature The main disadvantage of written Chinese is the great number of characters it contains: Even basic reading and writing require a knowledge of more than 1,000 characters. This has often made it difficult to spread the skills of reading and writing into certain areas of the country. But even with this disadvantage, Chinese has been a potent factor in shaping and maintaining a cultural continuity for millions of people.

13. The Splendor of Chinese Literature Chinese literature can be used as an escape into a beautiful world and time, a guide to virtuous living, and a historical map through images and philosophy.

14. References Compton's Living Encyclopedia (2005) Chinese Literature. Retrieved from http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/chinlit.html Rick Harbaugh (2010) Chinese Classical Literature. Retrieved from http://zhongwen.com/gudian.htm Lao-tzu (1891) Tao Te Ching, translated by J. Legge, Retrieved from http://www.sacredtexts.com/tao/taote.htm Li Bai, A Bitter Love, Tangshi VII. 1. (234), Retrieved from http://wengu.tartarie.com/wg/wengu.php?l=Tangshi&no=234 Confucius, The Analects, (500 B.C.E.) Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.3.3.html Confucius, The Doctrine of the Mean (500 B.C.E) Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/doctmean.html Confucius, The Great Learning, (500 B.C.E.) Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/learning.html Yi Jing, I Ching, the Book of Changes, Retrieved from http://wengu.tartarie.com/wg/wengu.php?l=Yijing&no=6