Warning tales of the age

Author: Feng Menglong (compiler), Wei Tongxian (ed.)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-28
Features: A collection of short stories compiled by Feng Menglong during the late Ming Dynasty, published between 1624 and 1627. "A Collection of Stories to Enlighten the World" (A Yu Shi Ming Yan), "A Collection of Stories to Warn the World" (A Jing Shi Tong Yan), and "A Collection of Stories to Awaken the World" (A Xing Shi Heng Yan) are collectively known as the "Three Canons." The collection includes forty short stories, some of which narrate figures from previous dynasties, while others inherit the style of Song and Yuan dynasty storytelling. They reflect the specific social phenomenon of the gradual decline of the landlord class and the rise of the urban class during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, hence gaining widespread popularity among the people at the time. The "Three Canons" also made many artistic innovations. Compared to the storytelling of the Song and Yuan dynasties, it features more detailed descriptions, a focus on psychological portrayal, increasingly complete structures, and more intricate and captivating plots. Many of its masterpieces have become treasures in the treasure trove of Chinese fiction.