Chinese Lit Midterm I
Importance of fisherman in Chinese Poetry of Han Dynasty
"The fisherman was an important figure, a figure of rustic freedom and someone who both rides with the times and bides his time."
19 Old Poems Context
(Han Dynasty) - Unknown author Compared to COP Exiled subjects & Hella plant metaphors Some overlap with the Yue Fu tradition Ambiguity lets a reader/performer give their own interpretation "The Mother of all Poetry" 5 syllable lines
Sima Qian Biographies context
- First emperor of Qin was a huge figure: all future homies compared. He was hated, but he unified the empire. - Bio of merchants was super subversive! At the time, the attitude of people towards merchants was very skeptical since they traveled and were motivated by $$$ - this comes from confucianism. Those who engaged only in commerce were seen as having no social capital - In the confucian line of thinking, one could only be good despite being wealthy - People accuse Sima of rewriting history and shatting on the poor.
My anti-filial piety argument
1) Assume (for reductio) that one should follow their father to a fault. 2) Assume that one's father's fault is to not be pious to their father. (so, their father tells them not to be pious to him) 3) In the case of (2), one must both be pious to ones father and not pious to one's father. 4) Premise 3 is of the form P & not-P (a contradiction) 5) since a contraction can be derived from premise 1, we ought to regard it as false.
two interpretations of Laozi
1) it is instructions for a prince 2) it is a guide for anyone who wants to live a good life
Louzi ideas
Also influenced by life in the warring states period, bro said that we should do nothing (wuwei). But not nothing in the the english sense. This sense of doing nothing is a non-action associated with naturalness (Li). Nature takes care of itself on its own accord. Leaving things alone is to allow naturalness -- not swimming against the tide. Dao is the mother of all things, but it is kinda noumenal. It also the way and cannot be fully explained. "The sage governs to keep minds empty and bellies full."
"Do not be concerned with whether or not others know you, be concerned with whether or not you know others." "The virtuous man studies for his own sake, not in order to impress others." Rule with virtue, not power Filial piety to an extreme
Analects
"I am a transmitter, not a maker." Passing down the wisdom of past dynasties Referring to ancient ideals. Guiding students back to the ancients People should fulfill their place in society Reviving antiquity and ways that have been lost 'Li' = good behavior, ritual, or the rites Might be a spiritual term
Analects
That boat of cypress drifts along it drifts upon the stream. Restless am I, I cannot sleep as though in torment and troubled. Nor am I lacking wine to ease my mind and let me roam. This heart of mine is no mirror cannot take in all. Yes, I do have brothers but brothers will not be my stay. I went and told them of my grief and met only with their rage.
Boat of Cypress in Classic of Poetry -- about being exiled from court
Writer who had a disdain for those who only do one thing in life
Confucius
Whompst wrote the analects?
Confucius aka Master Kong
Ideas in the Analects
Confucius was born into a warring period, and he wanted to create a political philosophy that would produce a stable society. To do this, we should focus on moral self cultivation and THIS would be done via education. Bro was hella worried about rebellion, which might explain his pro-parental respect thing. Structure of society grounded in the family and a respect for hierarchy. Seek harmony, not uniformity.
When it was proper to do x, he did x.
Confucius. Apply the right principle at the right time.
Where does Daoism disagree with Confucius?
Contra Confucianism, Daoist thought thinks that filial piety is only necessary when state relations are breaking down
Laozi/Daosim details
Daoism began during Han Dynasty Wang Bi was a famous commentator. There were tons of commentators on Laozi Di can be translated as "virtue" Life should be lived in accord with naturalness. We move further from naturalness by satiating our carnal desires Wuwei kinda just means non-action, but it is a deliberate non-action that we use to achieve naturalness. It really means a refrain from self serving actions Life of natural simplicity is a virtuous life.
Controversial bits of Confucius
Don't befriend those who aren't your equals Be loyal to your father even if it causes you to falter in other ways
The Great Palace of Ch'in
Du Mu Palace is a symbol of the over-spending of the state. It is not taking care of its people! Lamenting violence and the fall of the state There is no evidence that the great palace was ever created or destroyed About the Han Dynasty
Lies a dead deer on yonder plain Whom white grass covers, A melancholy maid in spring is luck for lovers.Where the scrub elm skirts the wood, be it not in white mat bound, as a jewel flawless found, dead as doe is maidenhood. Hark! Unhand my girdle-knot, stay, stay, stay or the dog may
Ezra Pond's Trans of Dead Roe Deer from the COP
Characteristics of the Lyrics of Chu By Qu Yuan
Flowers and dragons and stuff. Kinda like a fantasy novel mfs used to think virtue could be senses through smell Qu Yuan is more legend than man His character does not really seem beyond reproach Confucian Themes: Wronged official, flowers, being unable to exercise one's virtue He gets exiled and is forced to wanders the corners of the world @ end, he is done with the world's most virtuous quest (I'm being facetious), and he offs himself
Laozi dynasty
Han Dynasty
Cold Mountain
Han Shan Probably written by a collection of people. Only folk tales about the singular H. Shan He "got away from the dusty world" (Tang Dynasty) No school of thought claimed him during his time, but no every school of thought claims him People refer to him as "Cold Mountain" Loved by the Japanese and the Beatniks More esteem outside of China than in
When I'm hungry I boil up some greens I've got no use for the Kulak With his big barn and pasture- he just sets up a prison for himself
Han Shan - Cold Mountain
Yesterday, I called on friends and family: More than half had gone to the Yellow Springs. Slowly consumed, like fire down the candle; forever flowing like a passing river. Now, morning, I face my lone shadow: Suddenly my eyes are bleared with tears
Han Shan - Cold Mountain
Why was Sima Qian punished?
In front of the king, he defended a friend who surrendered in battle. Castration was the worst form of punishment. It was mostly just a threat to get the person to kill themself of go into exile, but Qian braved it so that he could keep grinding on the history. Castration a common punishment during the time of the warring states.
Controversial part of Doaism
Keep knowledge away from subjects, just try to meet their basic needs.
Qu Yuan context
Kingdom of Chu (475-221 BC): Weak and warring states Work transmitted by Confucius Qu Yuan was a disappointed member of the court who was not recognized for his virtue
"He does nothing and there is nothing that is not brought to order." "knowing ignorance is superior, ignorance of knowledge is sickness." Suspicion of language and the attainment of the true meaning of words
Laozi
A way that may be spoken is not the enduring way. A name that may be named is not an enduring name. No names - this is the beginning of heaven and earth. Having names - this is the mother of the things of the world. Make freedom from desire your constant norm; thereby you will see what is subtle. Make having desires your constant norm; thereby you will see what is manifest. These two arise from the same source but have different names. Together they may be termed 'the mysterious'. Mystery and more mystery: the gate of all that is subtle.
Laozi
Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.
Laozi
Which work talks about 'the way'
Laozi
Li Zhan-Wu's Story
Li Jing-liang Bro has sex with the spirit of an ex lover who cheats on her husband for him
Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming)
Lived from 365-427 (Six Dynasties Period) Born to an aristocratic family. Resigned from his official post in the gov't Big drinker! First major poet to praise a life outside of politics Celebrates poverty. Lived in a time of turmoil and corruption. Very confucian. Refused to serve the corrupt. The leisure of the rich is a cage Educated person should withhold their talents from the corrupt state
Which poems have this format? [NUMBER] Blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah blah blahblah. Blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah blah blahblah.
Lyrics of Chu Qu Yuan
Early narrative:
Mostly anecdotes, parables, and jokes Considered a lower form of literature Modern proverbs which are constantly being re-told Used in philosophical argument
Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming) wrote
Peach Blossom Spring AND Poems of the Recluse
Beginnings of Fiction Lecture
People saw early fiction as street talk and alleyway gossip Taken way less seriously than english fiction The COP, histories and other classic poetry are all above fiction It tries to convince the reader of its importance Fiction collected events that fell outside of the canon. Tales of the strange/marvelous PRESENTED AS HISTORICAL Tales use hearsay (I heard it said that....) There was an anxiety about making up purely fictional stuff
I will guard simplicity and return to my fields and garden ..... Too long I was held within the barred cage. Now I am able to return again to Nature
Poems of the recluse - Tao Qian
Blue, blue is the grass about the river And the willows have overfilled the close garden. And within, the mistress, in the midmost of her youth White, white of face, hesitates, passing the door. Slender, she puts forth a slender hand, And she was a courtezan in the old days, And she has married a sot, Who now goes drunkenly out And leaves her too much alone.
Pound's "The Beautiful Toilet" - a translation of Nineteen Old Poems II
Content of 19 OP
Prof says many of these are about an official who's been exiled from court. V is about a bride who's lost her hubby, but it could also be about separation between the king and his loyal official (who's been exiled) Feminine voice as a literary device continues after 19OP: Old trope about men not being able to express emotions The poems are frameworks the experience of the reader.
Yue-fu characteristics
Puns say things that aren't on the surface - hard for us westerners to comprehend in translation Simpler language than previous poems
Who wrote the Lyrics of Chu?
Qu Yuan
Tang Tales
Shin Ji-ji Accounts of remarkable things in the Tang Dynasty Tang dynasty was pre modern and cosmopolitan. It was engaged in international trade. There was much immigration. Chang-an was its great capital and many stories were set there. 618 to 907 Many of the places mentioned in the story were real
Records of the Great Historian
Sima Qian
Biographies of Bo Yi and Shu Qui
Sima Qian Cites Confucius Lived as hermits and died of hunger because they refused to eat the grain of an immoral state (Zhou). This is clearly historical romance. But non-virtuous men live forever? Seems to be questioning Confucius They hold true to their principles in the face of an immoral state. Mirrors Quian's story.
Letter to Ren An
Sima Qian Some scholars think he's writing to have his name remembered. He has faith that an ideal reader will find the letter later and he will be remembered for it. Telling his buddy about the castration, but motives behind this letter are a bit sus. Frames the castration as worse than death After reading the letter, it becomes easier to see veiled complaints and criticisms in the rest of Qian's works It might be faked by Qian to get sympathy Is this any way to talk to a friend who is about to be executed? Why would you ask someone who is about to be executed for help? Why would Qian not console his friend?
Biographies of Assasins
Sima Qian Jing Ke is the famous assassin about whom we read His assassination attempt on the king of Qin fails
Biographies of Knights
Sima Qian Knights were more like village protectors. Their character is exaggerated State = not virtuous.
Biographies of Moneymakers/Merchants
Sima Qian Best rulers accept the nature of people Very libertarian The desire for wealth is at the heart of all pursuits. Celebration of thrift and hard work, but you need a special scheme to get to the top economically.
Bio of The Prince of Wei
Sima Qian --- the chess scene one Prince of Wei tells King of Wei not to worry, it's just The King of Zhao out on a hunt. King is suspicious and won't entrust the prince with power. Prince goes to find the virtuous gate keeper, Hou Ying, and Ying tests the Prince's virtue. Prince passes. Prince shows respect to Hou Ying Prince goes to ask Ying for advice about fighting Qin, but gets none. Then, he turns back and HY says he knew that would happen. HY tells him how to steal the tally Jin Bi is the general who won't give up power to the prince, so Zhu Hai kills him. Zhu Hai is a butcher who respects the prince. Saves Zhao, but king is super mad at the Prince for going behind his back. He was disloyal to Wei, so he stays in Zhao. Zhaoites flock to the prince. The prince wins bc of his virtue/respect of commoners/ability to see virtue in others.
Context of "the records"
Sima Qian lived in the Western Han Dynasty his father passed the office of scribe on to him His history reaches about 200 BC Castrated by the king
Peach Blossom Spring.
Tao Qian Anti-govt - those who left the govt/the state/society for a more traditional life are much happier Fled the upheaval of the Qin Small farming community in the woods. Been there for centuries Romanticism of antiquity anti-Qin message People go back to find the village that the fisherman found, but they fail. Some even die. You can't go looking for this kind of thing. Imagery from Poetry of the recluse returns Referring to history to make the account to seem realistic Leaving the world bc of political turmoil = confucian
Poems of the recluse are by
Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming)
Poverty and wealth will always war within us, But when the Tao prevails there are no anxious faces.
Tao Qian - Poems of the Recluse
Of the god-king Gao-yang I am the far offspring my late honored sire bore the name of Bo-yong. The she-ti stars aimed to the year's first month geng-yin was the day that I came down.
The Li Shao by Qu Yuan
Comments on the COP from Analects
The educated learned to apply the COP to situations. They'd recite a piece and then give an explanation. This was used in diplomacy. People challenged each other's interpretations. Those at the top of society used it to set morals. Those at the bottom of society used it to criticize their rulers
Sign that you're reading Confucius:
The master said, "......."
Pound's Cathay
Translated using 'crib sheets' from Japan Bro did not speak Chinese "Translationese" - his poems are translated to sound like an english speakers idea of what Chinese sounds like Pound has been criticized for omitting or adding sections to his poems which have no basis in the original texts, though critics argue that the fidelity of Cathay to the original Chinese is beside the point
As bright as the snow on mountaintop, as clear as the moon between clouds, I have heard that you love another, I have made up my mind to break it off.
Yu-Fu
Song of the White Hair
Yue Fu Cheating, lost love, he loves another, infidelity
Mu-Lan
Yue Fu Legendary woman who supposedly went in her father's place to fight in a Chinese war Fulfills her male and female duties: Goes to war and is a good daughter
Cock's Crow through Narrow Alleys
Yue Fu Incongruity to be skeptical of several poems meant to be arranged together
South of the walls we fought, north of the ramparts we fell, fell in the meadows, left unburied, food for the ravens.
Yue Fu (Han Dynasty Propaganda)
Chang-an has narrow alleys, alleys so narrow no coach can pass. I chanced on two young men, wheel to wheel, I asked of your home. Your home is beside New Market, easy to know, hard to forget.
Yue-Fu
Cocks crow in the treetops, dogs bark deep behind walls, where is the wanderer heading, now that the world is at peace? Nothing slips past the law, the wicked meet justice, the helpless get care.
Yue-Fu
Classic of Poetry
a collection of 305 poems and songs, many from the early Chou period; one of Five Classics of Chinese tradition possibly edited by Confucius Use of affective image Political messages throughout Talking about sexual desire is a sign of state decline Tone of the poem reflects the condition of the state Fishhawk Spreading Plums are Falling Yangzi and Han Dead Roe Deer (Pound Trans) Overbearing
Similarity between analects and Laozi
a satisfaction with not being recognized for one's virtue (contra Qu Yuan who's pissed that no one recognizes his virtue). Don't be concerned with what is not within your control and be concerned with what you can change.
"Meeting with the times"
adapting Confucius to fit the current moment
Tales of Ren
from 8th c. From Tang Tales of Shin Ji-ji Zheng should have loved Ren for more than looks. She sacrifices herself which shows that he should have appreciated her more. Hill says this work is likely entertainment for literate commoners
Yue-Fu poetry Context
the govt music bureau 120 - 7 BC Han Dynasty Folk poems gathered by a state institution Songs/orally performed/poetry of common folk Call back to the COP Lowkey just state propaganda for the Han Dynasty- probably embellished The bureau wanted to collect favorable points of view Much of art, history, and culture was state sponsored - gov't history collectors in like every county. Not-so-sharp divide between state and citizenry
Dao can be roughly translated as:
the natural way, or the method
The sage is concerned with the x and not the y
x = belly y = eye Daoism
