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.

References

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