East Asian Lang & Literature 231 - CULTURE OF LYRIC IN TRAD CHINA

The definition of lyric in the Chinese tradition is the natural, direct expression and reflection of one's inner spirit as a result of a unique encounter with the external world. Through close, careful readings of folk songs, lyric poems, prose, and excerpts from a novel and a drama, students will inquire into how the spiritual, philosophical and political concerns dominating the poets' milieu shaped the lyric language through the ages. In addition to an introduction to masterworks of the Chinese lyric tradition from its oral beginnings through the Qing dynasty, we will focus on the subject of plants and flowers in Chinese literature.. No knowledge of Chinese is required and all readings are in English translation.