Water Margin

Author: Shi Nai'an (Ming) / Jipi School Editor
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This series of "Guides to Extracurricular Reading for the Chinese Language Curriculum Standards" is designed to comprehensively improve students' basic language literacy and enrich their extracurricular reading life. The series is edited by the renowned writer and Professor Cao Wenxuan of the Chinese Department at Peking University. Each book includes introductory texts before the main content, providing background knowledge to help students grasp the material. Additionally, reading prompts or annotations are included to broaden students' perspectives and deepen their understanding. We hope this series will offer a fresh reading experience for middle and primary school students. Water Margin, also known as Loyal and Righteous Water Margin or The Outlaws of the Marsh, is based on the story of Song Jiang's rebellion during the Southern Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. More than 200 years later, Shi Nai'an wrote Water Margin, a long vernacular novel, based on ballads, folk tales, and opera. In the history of vernacular literature in China, Water Margin holds a milestone significance. The novel covers nearly every aspect of feudal society, from divination and entertainment to music and performance, providing a vivid picture of the social customs of the Northern Song Dynasty. The famous Qing Dynasty literary critic Jin Shengtan once said, "Most books are enjoyable only once, but Water Margin is a work that one can read a hundred times without tiring of it..." In Water Margin, Shi Nai'an portrays a group of outlaws who gather from all walks of life, each with unique personalities and backgrounds that lead them to join the rebellion. The 108 heroes each have their own distinct voices, through which their vivid personalities are brought to life. Li Kui is rough and brave, loyal and straightforward; Lu Da is tough but refined, righteous and just; Wu Song is brave and skillful, with a keen mind; Lin Chong is patient; Song Jiang is humble; Wu Yong is clever and strategic. Through their dialogues, readers feel as if they are seeing and hearing these characters in person. The novel features large stories within smaller ones, with long narratives containing short tales, and it continues to influence numerous literary works to this day. The language is lively and engaging, with climaxes that keep readers hooked, making it highly readable. Water Margin is the originator of Chinese long-form martial arts novels, and its influence can be seen in Ming and Qing Dynasty martial arts novels, as well as in modern wuxia fiction. Beyond its literary impact, the stories and characters of Water Margin have permeated many artistic fields. For 500 years, artists of all kinds have passionately recreated Water Margin in countless ways. Opera, theater, film, television, painting, and sculpture have all become significant parts of our cultural life, inspired by this timeless classic.