20th Century Chinese Folk Literature Classics

Author: Liu Tie-liang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Legend is a type of oral story created to narrate history or the origins of things. Legends must include historical figures, times, and the remains, customs, and local features of places. However, the plots described are not limited by historical facts; some characters are also created. Generally, they undergo artistic processing such as selection, splicing, fabrication, exaggeration, embellishment, and fantasy, making the stories both intriguing and realistic. Legends and myths both reflect a historical concern for nature and society, but they differ in the following ways: First, myths narrate the stories of gods, while legends narrate the stories of humans. Second, myths explain common natural phenomena such as the heavens, earth, sun, moon, and human origins, while legends explain specific local phenomena. Third, myths primarily use fantasy to explain the world, while legends often include detailed observations of real life. Myths are the product of belief, while legends are the result of association. The collection includes 18 short stories such as "The Golden Female Statue," "Major General Kansuke," "A Certain Lady," and "Reiko."