A Discussion on Classical Documents of Chinese Folk Literature

Author: Wu Wen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: China has a long history and fine tradition in the exploration and research of folk literature collection, organization, and theory. Although ancient Chinese writers did not write many theoretical monographs on folk literature, the discussions on folk literature scattered in their prefaces, postfaces, annotations, poems, and notes are vast and inexhaustible: like the boundless desert. This is a significant cultural heritage left to us by our ancestors for today and the future. Inheriting and carrying forward this precious legacy is of extremely great importance for studying China's rich and diverse ancient culture and promoting literary creation. Folk literature is the "encyclopedia" of the working people. It is not only the literature of the working people but also their history, philosophy, religion, ethnology, ethics... It is not only of significant literary value in literary history but also of important academic value in the history of human culture. The discussions of folk literature by Chinese writers throughout the ages cover a wide range of topics. These provide considerable reference value for understanding the multifunctionality of folk literature.