The Literature Of Leisure And Chinese Modernity Project Muse Upcc Books

The Chinese essay is arguably China's most distinctive contribution to modern world literature, and the period of its greatest influence and popularity—the mid-1930s—is the central concern of this book. What Charles Laughlin terms'the literature of leisure'is a modern literary response to the cultural past that manifests itself most conspicuously in the form of short, informal essay writing (xiaopin wen). Laughlin examines the essay both as a widely practiced and influential genre of literary expression and as an important counter-discourse to the revolutionary tradition of New Literature (especially realistic fiction), often viewed as the dominant mode of literature at the time. After articulating the relationship between the premodern traditions of leisure literature and the modern essay, Laughlin treats the various essay styles representing different groups of writers. Each is characterized according to a single defining activity:'wandering'in the case of the Yu si (Threads of Conversation) group surrounding Lu Xun and Zhou Zuoren;'learning'with the White Horse Lake group of Zhejiang schoolteachers like Feng Zikai and Xia Mianzun;'enjoying'in the case of Lin Yutang's Analects group;'dreaming'with the Beijing school. The concluding chapter outlines the impact of leisure literature on Chinese culture up to the present day. The Literature of Leisure and Chinese Modernity dramatizes the vast importance and unique nature of creative nonfiction prose writing in modern China. It will be eagerly read by those with an interest in twentieth-century Chinese literature, modern China, and East Asian or world literatures. The Chinese Essay Is Arguably China's Most Distinctive Contribution To Modern World Literature, And The Period Of Its Greatest Influence And Popularity - The Mid-1930s - Is The Central Concern Of This Book. What Charles Laughlin Terms The Literature Of Leisure Is A Modern Literary Response To The Cultural Past That Manifests Itself Most Conspicuously In The Form Of Short, Informal Essay Writing (xiaopin Wen). Laughlin Examines The Essay Both As A Widely Practiced And Influential Genre Of Literary Expression And As An Important Counter- Discourse To The Revolutionary Tradition Of New Literature (especially Realistic Fiction), Often Viewed As The Dominant Mode Of Literature At The Time. After Articulating The Relationship Between The Premodern Traditions Of Leisure Literature And The Modern Essay, Laughlin Treats The Various Essay Styles Representing Different Groups Of Writers. Each Is Characterized According To A Single Defining Activity: Wandering In The Case Of The Yu Si (threads Of Conversation) Group Surrounding Lu Xun And Zhou Zuoren; Learning With The White Horse Lake Group Of Zhejiang Schoolteachers Like Feng Zikai And Xia Mianzun; Enjoying In The Case Of Lin Yutang's Analects Group; Dreaming With The Beijing School. The Concluding Chapter Outlines The Impact Of Leisure Literature On Chinese Culture Up To The Present Day.--jacket. Writing As A Way Of Life -- The Legacy Of Leisure And Modern Chinese Literature -- Wandering : The Threads Of Conversation Group -- Learning : The White Horse Lake Group -- Enjoying : The Essays Of The Analects Group -- Dreaming : From The Crescent Moon Group To The Beijing School -- The Legacy Of Leisure And Contemporary Chinese Culture. Charles A. Laughlin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-234) And Index. The Chinese essay is arguably Chinas most distinctive contribution to modern world literature, and the period of its greatest influence and popularitythe mid-1930sis the central concern of this book. What Charles Laughlin terms "the literature of leisure" is a modern literary response to the cultural past that manifests itself most conspicuously in the form of short, informal essay writing (xiaopin wen) . Laughlin examines the essay both as a widely practiced and influential genre of literary expression and as an important counter-discourse to the revolutionary tradition of New Literature (especially realistic fiction), often viewed as the dominant mode of literature at the time. After articulating the relationship between the premodern traditions of leisure literature and the modern essay, Laughlin treats the various essay styles representing different groups of writers. Each is characterized according to a single defining "wandering" in the case of the Yu si (Threads of Conversation) group surrounding Lu Xun and Zhou Zuoren; "learning" with the White Horse Lake group of Zhejiang schoolteachers like Feng Zikai and Xia Mianzun; "enjoying" in the case of Lin Yutangs Analects group; "dreaming" with the Beijing school. The concluding chapter outlines the impact of leisure literature on Chinese culture up to the present day. The Literature of Leisure and Chinese Modernity dramatizes the vast importance and unique nature of creative nonfiction prose writing in modern China. It will be eagerly read by those with an interest in twentieth-century Chinese literature, modern China, and East Asian or world literatures. Contents ......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction: Writing as a Way of Life......Page 12 1. The Legacy of Leisure and Modern Chinese Culture......Page 35 2. Wandering: The Threads of Conversation Group......Page 57 3. Learning: The White Horse Lake Group......Page 88 4. Enjoying: Essays of the Analects Group......Page 114 5. Dreaming: From the Crescent Moon Group to the Beijing School......Page 150 Conclusion: The Legacy of Leisure and Contemporary Chinese Culture......Page 179 Notes......Page 194 Chinese Character Glossary......Page 222 Bibliography......Page 230 Index......Page 246