Week 7 help

http://www.coldbacon.com/writing/luxun-calltoarms.html#Medicine

http://www.coldbacon.com/writing/luxun-calltoarms.html#Madman

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/09/05/town-of-cats

http://www.kenji-world.net/english/download/works/Rain.html

http://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/400/two_kinds_by_amy_tan.pdf

Chinese and Japanese Literature

This week we will discuss some of the twentieth century literary works from China and Japan. The Chinese and Japanese literary traditions are centuries old, and picking one or two representative works directly from these countries is a daunting task. No one piece from China and/or Japan captures the spirit of the country or its people over time, just as no single Chinese-American or Japanese-American short story or novel can fully represent their life and the stylistic range and thematic concerns of all Japanese and Chinese writers, living and dead. We will also focus on how these traditional views have changed in China and Japan’s contemporary literature.

One feature that Chinese and Japanese writings share is a poetic sense of symbolism. Many early twentieth century works from both countries are almost allegorical or parable-like in that the relationships that are depicted often seem to represent a larger message about the political landscape of both countries. Traditional values and social messages underscore and permeate much of the literary works from the modern era.

The Influence of Confucius on Chinese Literature

The ideas of Confucius influenced Chinese early literature, emphasizing tradition, morality, and personal sacrifice for the greater good. What is interesting about Confucius, and, thus, perhaps some of these earlier works, is that the emphasis is not necessarily religious, unlike early European literature. Instead, early Chinese literature emphasized nature, society, and ethical behavior. Similar to Christianity's 'Golden Rule,' Confucius also emphasized "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others" (Analects 12.2). This idea can be seen through much of its earlier literature. To experience Confucius's writings, please see this link: https://chinatxt.sitehost.iu.edu/Analects_of_Confucius_(Eno-2015).pdf

The following short video also will give you some idea of Confucius’s writings: 

Lu Xun

Lu Xun (pen name for Zhou Shuren), abandoned the traditional Confucian education and the Chinese monarchy. Out of concern that China was not becoming modernized like the rest of the globe, his work emphasized a break with Chinese traditions. Lu Xun illustrated these modern views through his essays, short stories, and poetry. Xun was admired by Mao Zedong, who said Xun was the "chief commander of China's Cultural Revolution" (Kang Liu). Much like the literary works seen in modern Europe, Lu Xun's work depicted a unique and creative style. In fact, many believe that Lu Xun helped to find “The New Culture Movement” in China. This focus on creating a ‘new culture’ can be seen in both Lu Xun’s “Diary of a Madman” and “Medicine.” To learn about “The New Culture Movement” and Lu Xun’s connection to this movement, please view this short film: 

Buddhism

Like early Chinese literature, Confucius affected the ideas behind early Japanese literature. However, it was also affected by the ideas behind Buddhism. Although many within the west do not know much about Buddhism, many throughout the world practice this belief system. Buddhism can be thought of as a both a religion and a philosophy. This philosophical belief system generally helps followers to understand issues facing the world and how they, as individuals, fit into this world. Those who practice Buddhism understand four noble truths: life is suffering, craving causes suffering, we can escape this suffering, and the noble path will help us to escape this suffering through ‘good’ actions. Buddhists also have commandments similar to the commandments in Christianity. Meditation and living in the moment both play an important role in this philosophy, for both can help one achieve enlightenment or Nirvana. For more information about Buddhism, please view the following videos: 

 

Kenji Miyazawa

Kenji Miyazawa, a devoted Japanese Buddhist from the early twentieth century, wrote a good number of poems that were not discovered until the late twentieth century. His work spanned from children’s stories, to novels, to poetry. Most of his work emphasizes the ideal life for the practicing Buddhist – learning from experience, appreciating nature, and living an ethical life. This week, we will read “Ame ni mo Makezu” or “Be not Defeated by the Rain.” Note the Buddhist elements in this poem, including the agrarian focus, ethical living, and how one can escape suffering.

Murakami and Tan

In the Modern era, as we've seen, 20th century man began to shrug off traditional norms. We see Lu Xun's stories, written in 1918, begin to make these same kinds of gestures, as man is depicted in conflict with his society. Jumping ahead to the contemporary work of Japanese writer Haruki Murakami and Chinese American author Amy Tan, we see similar conflicts between contemporary and traditional values in the form of generational conflicts between parents and their children.

Haruki Murakami

Murakami, born in Japan, is recognized by literary scholars for his ability to mesh the fantastic with the realistic, as we can see in the assigned readings this week. Murakami often depicts characters who struggle to find their place in an ever changing, modern society.

Amy Tan

Another of the authors we will focus on this week is the Chinese-American author, Amy Tan. Amy Tan was born in California after her parents emigrated from China. As a first-generation American, her relationship with her mother was often characterized by a clash between cultures. They were not only separated by language, but by the aspirations and expectations that come from the Chinese way of life and the American way of life. The Joy Luck Clubwas written in 1989 and made into a movie in 1993, by Chinese- American director Wayne Wang. One small section of the work, “Two Kinds,” roughly parallels Tan's relationship with her mother and how learning about her mother's past shaped her as a young American woman.

Please see this link to hear Tan discuss her creative process and her journey through childhood: