About the Book
This book offers a guided introduction to Chinese nonfictional prose and its literary and cultural significance. It features more than one hundred major texts from antiquity through the Qing dynasty that exemplify major genres, styles, and forms of traditional Chinese prose. For each work, the book presents an English translation, the Chinese original, and accessible critical commentary by leading scholars.
How to Read Chinese Prose teaches readers to appreciate the literary merits, stylistic devices, rhetorical choices, and argumentative techniques of a wide range of nonfictional writing. It emphasizes the interconnections among individual texts and across eras, helping readers understand the development of the literary tradition and what makes particular texts formative or distinctive within it. Organized by dynastic period and genre, the book identifies and examines four broad categories of prose—narrative, expository, descriptive, and communicative.
How to Read Chinese Prose is suitable for a range of courses in Chinese literature, history, religion, and philosophy, as well as for scholars and interested readers seeking to deepen their knowledge of the Chinese prose tradition. A companion book, How to Read Chinese Prose in Chinese, is designed for Chinese-language learners and features many of the same texts.
Table of Contents:
Thematic Contents
Preface to the How to Read Chinese Literature Series
A Note on How to Use This Anthology
Major Chinese Dynasties
Symbols, Abbreviations, and Typographic Conventions
Introduction: The Literary and Cultural Significance of Chinese Prose, by Zong-qi Cai
Part I: Overview and Pre-Qin Times
1. Anatomy of the Chinese Prose Form: An Overview, by Zong-qi Cai
1.1 Zuo Tradition, “Zhu Zhiwu Convinced the Qin Army to Retreat”
1.2 Han Yu, “A Prose Farewell to Dong Shaonan: Departing for North of the Yellow River”
1.3 Fang Bao, “Anecdotes Concerning Zuo the Loyal and Steadfast”
1.4 Mencius,“Fish Is What I Want”
1.5 Zhuge Liang,“A Letter Admonishing My Son”
1.6 Wu Jun, “A Letter to Zhu Yuansi” (excerpt)
1.7 Liu Xie, Literary Mind,“Spirit Thought”
1.8 Chen Zilong, “A Superior Man Detests Dying Without Achieving Renown”
2. Pre-Qin Historical Prose: Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), by Wai-yee Li
2.1 Zuo Tradition, “The Zheng Ruler Overcame Duan at Yan,”Yin 1.4 (722 BCE)
2.2 Zuo Tradition, “Yong Ji’s Dilemma,” Huan 15.2 (697 BCE)
2.3 Zuo Tradition, “Cai and Xi At Odds Because of Xi Gui,”Zhuang 10.3 (684 BCE)
2.4 Zuo Tradition, “Xi Gui Had Not Spoken,” Zhuang 14.3 (680 BCE)
2.5 Zuo Tradition, “Ziyuan Wanted to Seduce King Wen’s Wife,” Zhuang 28.3 (666 BCE)
2.6 Zuo Tradition, “Cao Gui on Military Strategy,” Zhuang 10.1 (648 BCE)
2.7 Zuo Tradition, “The Assassination of Lord Ling of Jin,”Xuan 2.3 (607 BCE)
2.8 Zuo Tradition, “The Music Master Kuang on the Expulsion of a Ruler,” Xiang 14.6 (559 BCE)
3. Pre-Qin Philosophical Prose: Recorded Conversations and Argumentative Essays, by Scott Bradley Cook
3.1 Analects of Confucius, “Tai Bo” 8.8
3.2 Analects of Confucius, “Yong ye” 6.18
3.3 Analects of Confucius, “Zi han” 9.17
3.4 Analects of Confucius, “Shu er” 7.13
3.5 Analects of Confucius, “Wei zheng” 2.4
3.6 Analects of Confucius, “Xue er” 1.15
3.7 Analects of Confucius, “Yao yue” 20.2
3.8 Analects of Confucius, “Yang Huo” 17.4
3.9 Mencius, “Gongsun Chou, Part A” 2A.2
3.10 Mencius, “Gaozi, Part A” 6A.2
3.11 Xunzi, “Exhortation to Learning” (excerpt)
3.12 Xunzi, “Human Nature Is Deplorable” (excerpt)
3.13 Xunzi, “Discourse on Music” (excerpt)
3.14 Analects of Confucius, “Tai Bo” 8.8
4. Pre-Qin Philosophical Prose: The Inner Chapters of the Zhuangzi, by Shuen-fu Lin
4.1 Chapter 33, “The World” (excerpt)
4.2 Chapter 27, “Metaphorical Words” (excerpt)
4.3 Chapter 1, “Free and Easy Wandering” (excerpt)
4.4 Chapter 6, “The Great Source as Teacher” (excerpt)
4.5 Chapter 7, “Responding toBeing an Emperor or a King” (excerpt)
4.6a Chapter 2, “Making All Things, and the Discussions on Them, Equal” (excerpts)
4.6b Chapter 2, “Making All Things, and the Discussions on Them, Equal” (excerpts)
4.6c Chapter 2, “Making All Things, and the Discussions on Them, Equal” (excerpts)
4.7 Chapter 3, “The Principle of the Nurture of Life”
4.8 Chapter 6, “The Great Source as Teacher” (excerpt)
4.9 Chapter 5, “The Sign of Virtue Complete” (excerpt)
4.10 Chapter 2, “Making All Things, and the Discussions on Them, Equal” (excerpt)
4.11 Chapter 18, “Supreme Happiness” (excerpt)
4.12 Chapter22, “Knowledge Wandered North” (excerpt)
4.13 Chapter 6, “The Great Source as Teacher” (excerpt)
5. Pre-Qin and Han Philosophical and Historical Prose: Self-Interest, Manipulation, and the Philosophical Marketplace, by Paul R. Goldin
5.1 Stratagems of the Warring States, “Tang Ju Had an Audience with Lord Chunshen”
5.2 Springs and Autumns of Mr. Lü (excerpt)
5.3 Han Feizi, “The Five Kinds of Vermin” (excerpt)
5.4 Han Feizi, “The Way of the Ruler” (excerpt)
5.5 Sunzi, “Attacking Strategically” (excerpt)
5.6 Sunzi, “Weak Points and Strong” (excerpt)
5.7 Mozi, “The Will of Heaven, Part C” (excerpt)
5.8 Grand Scribe’s Records, “Biographies of Amusing Figures” (excerpt)
PART II: The Han Dynasty and the Six Dynasties
6. Han Historical Prose: Sima Qian and the Grand Scribe’s Records (Shiji), by William H. Nienhauser Jr.
6.1 Grand Scribe’s Records, “Biographies of the Assassin-Retainers, Cao Mo”
6.2 Grand Scribe’s Records, “Biographies of the Assassin-Retainers, Yurang”
6.3 Grand Scribe’s Records, “Biographies of the Assassin-Retainers, Jing Ke”
7. Han and Six Dynasties Epistolary Prose: Memorials and Letters, by Liu Yucai, translated by Benjamin Ridgway
7.1 Zhuge Liang, “Memorial on Deploying the Army”
7.2 Li Mi, “Memorial Expressing My Feelings”
7.3 Cao Zhi, “Memorial Seeking to Prove Myself”
7.4 Sima Qian, “Letter to Ren An”
7.5 Ji Kang, “Letter to Shan Tao Breaking Off Relations”
7.6 Kong Rong, “Letter to Cao Cao on the Matter of Sheng Xiaozhang”
7.7 Qiu Chi, “Letter to Chen Bo”
7.8 Cao Pi, “Letter to Wu Zhi”
7.9 Cao Zhi, “Letter to Wu Jizhong”
7.10 Bao Zhao, “Letter to My Younger Sister Upon Ascending the Banks of Thunder Garrison”
7.11 Wu Jun, “Letter to Zhu Yuansi”
7.12 Tao Hongjing, “Letter Replying to Secretary Xie”
8. Six Dynasties Informal Prose: A New Account of the Tales of the World (Shishuo xinyu), by Xinda Lian
8.1 “Blameworthiness and Remorse, No. 13”
8.2 “Cultivated Tolerance, No. 35”
8.3 “Appearance and Manner, No. 1”
8.4a “Virtuous Conduct, No. 11”
8.4b “Virtuous Conduct, No. 13”
8.5 “Virility and Boldness, No. 1”
8.6 “Extravagance and Ostentation, No. 1”
8.7 “Speech and Conversation, No. 31”
8.8 “Grading Excellence, No. 35”
8.9a “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 7”
8.9b “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 8”
8.9c “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 9”
8.10 “Anger and Irascibility, No. 2”
8.11 “Appreciation and Praise, No. 78”
8.12a “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 47”
8.12b “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 46”
8.13 “Taunting and Teasing, No. 31”
8.14 “Worthy Beauties, No. 5”
8.15a “Speech and Conversation, No. 41”
8.15b “Speech and Conversation, No. 19”
8.16 “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 6”
8.17a “Letters and Scholarship, No. 55”
8.17b “Letters and Scholarship, No. 40”
8.18 “Appearance and Manner, No. 2”
8.19 “Skill and Art, No. 9”
8.20 “Appearance and Manner, No. 30”
8.21a “Appreciation and Praise, No. 16”
8.21b “Appreciation and Praise, No. 4”
8.22 “Appearance and Manner, No. 39”
8.23 “Admiration and Emulation, No. 6”
8.24a “Appreciation and Praise, No. 56”
8.24b “Appreciation and Praise, No. 50”
8.25 “Appearance and Manner, No. 35”
8.26 “Appreciation and Praise, No. 35”
8.27 “Virtuous Conduct, No. 34”
8.28 “Grading Excellence, No. 17”
8.29a “Appearance and Manner, No. 11”
8.29b “Appearance and Manner, No. 5”
8.30 “Cultivated Tolerance, No. 2”
8.31 “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 42”
8.32a “Speech and Conversation, No. 61”
8.32b “Speech and Conversation, No. 76”
8.32c “Speech and Conversation, No. 32”
8.32d “Speech and Conversation, No. 83”
8.32e “Speech and Conversation, No. 55”
8.33 “Insight and Judgment, No. 10”
8.34 “The Free and Unrestrained, No. 22”
9. Six Dynasties Parallel Prose: Descriptive and Expository, by Zong-qi Cai
9.1 Zhuge Liang, “A Letter Admonishing My Son”
9.2 Zong Bing, “Introduction to the Painting of Landscape”
9.3 Wu Jun, “A Letter to Zhu Yuansi” (excerpt)
9.4 Liu Xie, “Spirit Thought, from the Literary Mind” (excerpt)
PART III: The Tang and Song Dynasties
10. Tang and Song Expository Prose: The Practice of Persuasion by Alexei Kamran Ditter
10.1 Han Yu, “On the Origin of the Way”(Yuan dao)
10.2 Liu Zongyuan, “Theory of Heaven” (“Tianshuo”)
10.3 Su Xun, “Disquisition on the Six States”(“Liu guo lun”)
11. Tang and Song Occasional Prose: Accounts of Places, Things, and Events, by Ronald Egan
11.1 Liu Zongyuan, “A Record of Little Stone Ramparts Hill”
11.2 Han Yu, “A Prose Farewell to Dong Shaonan, Departing for North of the Yellow River”
11.3 Fan Zongyan, “Yueyang Tower Inscription”
11.4 Ouyang Xiu, “Account of My Three Zithers”
11.5 Su Shi, “Record of a Nighttime Outing to Chengtian Temple”
11.6 Su Shi, “A Nighttime Outing on First Prime”
12. Tang and Song Occasional Prose: Prefaces and Letters, by Anna M. Shields and Stephen H. West
12.1 Li Bai, “Preface to the Spring Feast at Peach Blossom Garden with My Younger Cousins”
12.2 Meng Yuanlao, Hermit of the Hidden Thoroughwort, “Preface to A Record of Dreaming a Dream of Splendors Past in the Eastern Capital”
12.3 Li Qingzhao, “Preface to a Handbook for ‘Capture the Horse’ ”
12.4 Wang Wei, “Letter Sent to Illustrious Talent Pei Di from Wang Wei in the Mountains”
12.5 Han Yu, “Letter in Reply to Li Yi”
12.6 Su Zhe, “Letter Presented to Military Affairs Commissioner and Defender-in-Chief Han Qi”
13. Tang and Song Biographical Prose: Allegorical and Fictional, by Yugen Wang
13.1 Han Yu, “A Biography of Mao Ying, Master Brush Tip” (“Mao Ying zhuan”)
13.2 Liu Zongyuan, “A Discourse of the Snake Catcher” (“Buzhe zhe shuo”)
13.3 Liu Zongyuan, “An Account of Guo Hunchback, the Tree Grower” (“Zhongshu Guo Tuotuo zhuan”)
13.4 Liu Zongyuan, “An Account of Li Chi” (“Li Chi zhuan”)
13.5 Wang Anshi, “A Lament for Zhongyong” (“Shang Zhongyong”)
13.6 Su Shi, “An Account of Fang Shanzi, Master Square Mountain” (“Fang Shanzi zhuan”)
PART IV: The Ming and Qing Dynasties
14. Ming and Qing Eight-Legged Essays, by Manling Luo
14.1 Chen Zilong, “A Superior Man Detests Dying Without Achieving Renown”
14.2 You Tong, “How Irresistible That Parting Glance of Her [Eyes, Like] Autumn Ripples?”
15. Ming and Qing Occasional Prose: Letters and Funerary Inscriptions, by Rivi Handler-Spitz
15.1 Gu Ruopu, “Letter to My Younger Brother”
15.2 Fang Bao, “An Anecdote Concerning Zuo the Loyal and Steadfast”
15.3 Zhang Pu, “The Five Men’s Grave Stele”
15.4 Hou Fangyu, “Letter to Ruan Dacheng, Written in 1643 on the Day of My Departure from Jinling [Nanjing]”
15.5 Xia Wanchun, “Letter to My Mothers, From Prison”
15.6 Zheng Xie, “Fourth Letter to My Younger Cousin Mo, Written from My Official Residence in Fan County”
15.7 Wang Duanshu, “Letter to Madame Feng”
16. Ming and Qing Occasional Prose: Accounts of Places and People, by Yunte Huang
16.1 Gui Youguang, “A Chronicle of the Xiangji Studio”
16.2 Yuan Hongdao, “Record of a Trip to Manjing”
16.3 Zhang Dai, “Mid-July on West Lake”
16.4 Yuan Mei, “Discourse on Book Borrowing” (Huangsheng jieshu shuo)
16.5 Yao Nai, “Record of Climbing Mount Tai” (Deng Taishan ji)
16.6 Xue Fucheng, “Record of a Visit to an Oil Painting Exhibition in Paris” (Guan Bali youhua ji)
Abbreviations of Primary Texts
Acknowledgments
Contributors
Glossary-Index
About the Author :
Zong-qi Cai is professor of Chinese and comparative literature at Lingnan University of Hong Kong and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is the general editor of the How to Read Chinese Literature series and the editor or coauthor of previous volumes in the series, most recently How to Read Chinese Poetry in Context: Poetic Culture from Antiquity Through the Tang (2018).
Review :
Professor Zongqi Cai and an all-star team have made a major contribution to the field of classical Chinese prose by creating the preeminent reader. The book, with its comprehensive coverage of periods, styles, and authors, and a lucid interpretation of textual meanings and linguistic structures, will be immensely useful to learners of not only Chinese prose but also Chinese humanities, from literature to history and thought.
This book is a treasure! Not only students of classical Chinese but also established scholars will gain new insights into the evolution of Chinese prose styles by letting leading experts guide them through key texts in the tradition.
The unusual depth and breadth of this collection is a major boon, as is the new and very useful organization of Chinese prose genres into the four forms of narrative, descriptive, discursive and communicative. This impressive work will be essential for Chinese literature professors and graduate students.
An innovative and wide-ranging selection of prose works, translated and interpreted by experts. The texts will give readers a solid foundation and serve as a springboard for future exploration. The division into four generic categories—narrative, discursive, descriptive, and communicative—is a brilliant editorial decision.
Cai Zong-qi’s newest addition to his encyclopedic “How To” series surprises and instructs, convening the field’s most respected scholars to lead students, and all lovers of literature, beneath the surface of translation, teaching them to discern the richly recondite poetics that shape traditional Chinese prose writing.
