Chronology of Sino-English Literary Relations

Author: Ge Guilu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The collection, organization, screening, and selection of literary materials can be time-consuming and mentally taxing, yet it has long been a fine tradition of our predecessors in scholarship. However, not everyone in academia today is willing to engage in deep, solitary research, enduring the hardships of academic work, though this is an indispensable part of genuine scholarly study. Therefore, the writing of a chronology of literary materials itself carries an academic stance and value, and this is especially true for the study of the history of literary relations between China and the world. Only by laying a solid foundation can we accurately trace the course of literary exchanges, ensuring that academic research truly has scientific and empirical rigor. Thus, for the study of the history of literary and cultural relations between China and the world, this work is not merely optional but essential.
Ge Guilu's work systematically compiles and organizes materials on the history of literary and cultural exchanges between China and Britain from early contacts to the mid-20th century, spanning over six hundred years. Arranged chronologically by year, it provides a clear thread for the once chaotic and complex facts of literary and cultural exchanges, creating a broad temporal and spatial platform for researchers to delve deeper into this period. The book is organized in the order of the Gregorian calendar, with entries within the same year sorted by month and day. Dates are recorded in the Gregorian calendar, while years before the Republic of China are marked with the corresponding Chinese historical era, and those during the Republic of China are labeled with the Republic of China era.
The content of the book includes:
- Historical facts of early cultural exchanges between China and Britain;
- The dissemination and evaluation of Chinese literature (culture) in Britain;
- The translation and significant reviews of British literature in the Chinese cultural context;
- Chinese themes in British writers' works and the portrayal of China in their portrayals;
- The portrayal of Britain in the eyes of Chinese writers;
- Interactions between Chinese and British writers;
- The lives and travels of Chinese writers in Britain and British writers in China, and other related historical facts.
This book is a chronology aimed at precision, meticulousness, and richness. It is not merely a compilation of materials but demonstrates the author's keen ability to discern historical sources and capture important details. This is evident in the numerous scholarly annotations included in the work.