RecapThe character of the Retainer is not corrupted by the power he has gained, noris the grand Historian embittered by his misfortune.The individuality for the Retainer outshines the powerful king.The independent stance of the grand historian power politics.Unit 2 Traditional China Alternative Approaches in the middle age (the 3rd-6th century)Historical Context-LARGE-SCALE FAMINE-The yellow river shifted its course (11 AD)-The government was unable to cope with the disaster:-Peasants uprisings (CP 90/221)-The red eyebrows (17-26)-The yellow Turbans (184)-Suspicion of Confucian dominance:Confucian thought “was only a thin layer ”of the culture reality (CP 91/223)There kingdoms Wei Shu WuCultural changes in social chaosThe Warlord, Cao Cao (155-220)-The man:-Born in today’s Anhui-Rose form obscurity-Traditionally known as brutal and cunning“The Short SONG”Express his personal views of instability and uncertainty in life(CP 92/224)-Format-Convention of a banquet song-What are on his mind?-Mortality-He desire to get rid of melancholy 忧忧-Thank his guests-The political ambition “The mountain does not mind its height, the ocean does not mind its depth. TheDuke of Zhou broke off hi meals, and all the world turned to him in theirhearts”(CP 94/281)What does this passage mean?-Win the world like the Duke of ZhouRe-evaluation of literary activities“On literature by the Crowned prince, Cao Pi”(187-226)-Why do “mean of letters hold one another in score”(CP 95/628)?1. Literati often use their own merits as the ground to attack others(ibid.,628)2. It is impossible for anyone to accomplished in all styles in literature(ibid.,628)Possible Reasons“Ones own forte often becomes the ground on which to level attacks on fellow-writers gifted in other ways? (CP 95/628)-The lack of an appropriate knowledge of oneself (ibid.,628):-The blindness is rooted in self-centered prejudice.How to outgrow the bias?1. Examine materials with our own faculties rather than bow to reputations (CP96/629)2. Understand literary works are similar at the core, but different in details.- Possession of a particular sill does not authorize one to look down uponothers.- View ourselves and others on equal terms:The importance of literary activities -The literary engagement is comparable to that of governing a state, for “literaturelives on to eternity”(CP 96/630)-“Misfortune did not deter the one form writing, nor Prosperity the other”-Value –“A brief moment more than a piece of a jade a foot long” Time is valued!In the large picture- Delete with utilitarian approach to subordinate literature to ruling politics1. Yang Xiong renounced poetic expositions of his youth (cp 91)-It is smart to dismiss the invaluable produced in literature because of itsfictional meaningTao YuanmingLive to one’s heart’s contentTao Qian, Master Five Willows (365-427)- Born in a gentry family- Held several minor posts and resigned and his own choice- How did he get the name as “Master Five Willows”- How di he describe his personal life? Poor“The peach Blossom Spring”-How does the fisherman describe the scene in the cave?There are well-built houses, lush fields and beautiful ponds (CP 98/163).-What kind of clothes do those men and women wear (bid.,163)-What does it mean in the context?-What is their emotional state?-“Both old man and young enjoyed a happy life” (ibid.,163)-What is the reason for them to live in the cave?-How do we interpret this work which is different from the personalexperience of Master Five Willows?Literary contributions-What is means to be happy, and how a person could choose to live to his heat’scontent in a social turbulence-The critical significance of the literary allegory: Carefree and the happy mode areare what the social reality lacks in the historical momentPlayful individualityIndividual characteristics:“Each fruit has its own excellence” (A New Account of Tales of the world, CP100/272)-The playful mode:- To pay tribune to the dead. (ibid.,323):Emperor Wen of Wei is the Crowned Prince- The comment of the bride after the wedding ceremony
View Full Document