History of Ancient Chinese Literature Research in the 20th Century - Poetry Volume

Author: Huang Lin, Yang Lierong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book primarily studies the poetry of three major periods in ancient China: the pre-Qin, Han, Northern and Southern Dynasties period, the Tang Dynasty, and the Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The research both inherits tradition and embraces openness. With novel perspectives and rich content, it is a proudest achievement in the field of poetry. The study of ancient Chinese literature in the 20th century served as a bridge between the past and the future, introducing new changes to tradition and acting as a transition for what came later. From the 1950s to the 1970s, political involvement made certain topics in ancient literature exceptionally popular, such as Dream of the Red Chamber, which remained exceptionally significant throughout the decades. On the other hand, to avoid the sensitivity of studying contemporary issues, some researchers often turned to ancient literature as a relatively safe haven, finding comfort and stability in it. It can be said that until the 1980s, the study of ancient Chinese literature was still considered a prominent field. However, by the end of the 20th century, politics seemed to detach from literary research, while the market economy dominated the superstructure. Utilitarianism flourished, emphasizing materialism and pragmatism, leading to the gradual decline of humanities.