Classics of Chinese Literature · Water Margin

Author: Shi Nai'an
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: The Water Margin is highly successful in art. Through a series of dramatic and legendary stories, it creates vivid and lifelike characters for us. The entire book depicts hundreds of characters, with dozens leaving a deep impression with their distinct personalities. Among them are not only major characters like Lin Chong, Lu Zhishen, Li Kui, Wu Song, Song Jiang, Wu Yong, Yang Zhi, Yan Qing, and Shi Xiu, but also secondary characters like He Jiuzhu, Qiao Yige, Wang Po, Niu Er, and Huang Wenbing. Some characters, though given only a few lines, leave a lasting impression. For example, Niu Er appears only once in the entire book, yet his brief presence and a few laughs vividly establish his image as a rough character. Some characters, though of the same type, each have their own unique traits. For instance, Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, and Li Kui are all rough individuals, but their personalities are not identical.