Readings in Popular Literature and Culture: Writing Stories in Late Imperial China

3 units

Why did stories become popular in late imperial China? How were stories written, and what were people's reading habits in a time full of dynamic social and cultural changes? This class answers these questions by reading stories from several narrative genres. Unlike the classic texts for formal education and the imperial civil service examinations, most of these writings were unconventional narratives for leisure reading, and they became part of the popular literature and culture of the time. Primary readings will include selections from formal and informal histories, vernacular short stories, classical language stories, and literary anecdotes. This class concentrates on examples from the 17th and 18th centuries, and these will be accompanied by a small number of secondary readings. A background in Chinese language or culture is welcome but not required. Fulfills premodern elective for EALC major.