The Lyrical and the Epic: Studies of Modern Chinese Literature (Studies in Chinese Literature and Society)
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The Lyrical and the Epic: Studies of Modern Chinese Literature (Studies in Chinese Literature and Society)
In the belief that a country's literature can only be fully understood and appreciated in the broad context of history and culture, the series Studies in Chinese Literature and Society provides outstanding scholarship on the theme of Chinese literature from a number of disciplines. The Lyrical and the Epic begins this series with its presentation, the first in book form, of the enlightening essays of Jaroslav Průšek, the foremost European scholar in the area of Chinese literature and culture. Prusek traces two traditions that are evident in modern Chinese literature. He notes the variety, spontaneity, inventiveness, and dynamism of traditional Chinese popular and folk literature. At the same time, however, he gives full attention to the precision of language, the finesse, and the sophistication of expression which form the heritage of the literati culture. through the interaction of these two traditions - the epic/objective and the lyrical/subjective - Průšek demonstrates important relations between traditional and modern Chinese literature. He further explores "correspondences" to both realistic and lyrical trends in European literature. the book ends with a fascinating exchange of views between Průšek and the eminent scholar C. T. Hsia that reveals differing methodologies, approaches, and standards of literary judgment. This debate provides the student of modern Chinese literature with some rewarding insights about the analysis of literary texts. Jaroslav Průšek (1906-1980) was a Czech sinologist. He was considered as the founder of the Prague School of Sinology, and one of the greatest world Sinologists of his time. [Sinology is the academic study of China primarily through Chinese language, literature, and history, and often refers to Western scholarship. Its origin may be traced to the examination which Chinese scholars made of their own civilization.]