Yuan Literature I

3 Major Elements

Because of the Yuan’s unique political situation (for example succession was a major issue: caused lots of struggle) there is a perceivable change in Chinese literature. However, because the dynasty was so short we can only notice its effects afterwards. The language in these texts are more focused on performance. Either simple classical chinese, or the colloquial “imitating ordinary speech”.

• Maturation of colloquial literature
  • Widespread in Song – print circulation

• No longer stuck to civil examinations
  • Free from certain sets of writing.
  • Fu > no longer lufu
  • Poetry > more lyrical

• Ethnic Writers
  • Produced many classical and popular forms.

Groups vs. Persons

Valley between the classical canon and new colloquial literature: In the past, we could use them to structure a literary history. However, now we only find groups, such as FOUR GREAT POETS OF THE YUAN. Or POETRY SOCIRTY OF MOON SPRING. And the Three Elders of Dragon Mountain. Because the dynasty was so short, there was no rise of any single true genius, rather the Yuan liked to discuss forms of literature (both hybrid and popular). You see, colloquial songs were considered nonserious literature, and did not have the same process of review, discussion, and selection.

We have to look at what was happening at the time, rather then what it was based on.

• Popular Stories:

-- Plain stories: “pinghua”. Just historical narratives., northern plays (zaju), Souther dramas (sanqu).

• Readers faced issues:

-- Colloquial literature does not follow the same rules of preservation and Euphemism.

• Literature (especially poetry) faced constant change.

-- Later dynasties often re-did works, and reflected the language and idealology of the editors rather then the original authors.

Assimilation of literature?

Court infighting happened previously- advisors would argue if something was ethical or not. Mongols weren’t too concerned about the Chinese official’s weird obsession with writing. They were barely literate.

Funny story about Sangha, a smart but power hungry minister that was later purged/killed. Later, some high court officials tried to exile another minister on charges that they wrote a “poem eulogizing Sangha in the most profuse language!”. Khubilai responded on “what crime did he commit?? “

The examinations was a critical backbone of the education system and the typical path to social and political power. Over the years it was reintroduced on a small scale then later abused, then removed totally. It devolved into techinical skills rather then classics and poetry.

Now, inorder to rise in politics it was all based on patronage and personal recommendations. The examinations and fu were a very important part of Confucianism. It was thought that Confucian scholars were hated and treated poorly during this time, but no evidence supports this.

References

Powerpoint Presentation
1. Our book, pages: