Water Margin

Author: (Ming) Shi Nai'an / Luo Guanzhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Water Margin is a major novel in Chinese literature that depicts a peasant uprising and has achieved significant success. It holds an extremely important position in the history of Chinese and world literature. The story is based on the uprising in the Northern Song Dynasty, which has a certain legendary quality. Coupled with the specific environment of the time, the Water Margin stories easily spread among the people, becoming part of "street talk," and naturally entered the realm of literature. The content of Water Margin is highly contradictory and complex. Structurally, it can be divided into two major sections. The first seventy chapters are the first section, primarily criticizing the corruption and cruelty of the ruling class while praising the rebellious actions of the heroic figures. After the seventy-first chapter, it reflects the internal conflicts within the ruling class. In summary, the author of Water Margin uses his highly artistic expression and vivid, rich literary language to narrate many engaging stories and create numerous lovable, distinct hero figures.