Welcome back to Unveiling Literature: A Multicultural Approach. In Today’s topic, we are going to cover the phenomena of Wen, also known as spiritual writing. In Western culture, we have more of a creative, fictional type settings where we are basically creating worlds with words and ideas. However, this is totally different in the Eastern sector. In Eastern culture, we are introduced to the elements of the story that produces the natural world around us. The character having more traits and qualities that follow the True Laws of Nature. This is amazing to see because we are introduced to a world that doesn’t have to evolve around pixies, unicorns and fictional gods. Instead we are drafted in a world that is very human. Let’s take a look at some of the classic works of the Chinese in Ancient Times.
Classics of Poetry or Book of Songs
These poems are rooted when the Zhao Dynasty ruled. These poems have shaped Chinese society as a whole and some of the principles that are in those poems are still being valued today by modern Chinese cultures. As a read these poems, it reminded me of a what is going on in the modern era of Chinese government. To be honest, it still has roots in Modern Chinese media to this day. I find it very interesting how things evolved that still carry some of these principles. Why? Because the principles that are being laid out are actually studied by Confucius. A Chinese scholar or teacher that has studied the ways of life, recorded them in his memory and recited what he learned to anyone who wished to be his disciples.
Finding The Wen
The Wen in the Classics of Poetry can be expressed in many places. In the poem, Gentle Girl, it talks about a bride that got married and was going to fit into this new home with her husband and eventually start a new family. It was rich in senses, simple and filled with poise. Another poem called Quince was talking about a one sided love because he gave her extravagant gifts but unfortunately she gave ordinary gifts. However, he still loved her despite her gift not matching his gift. The Wen in these collection of poems are of the following:
-
A man falling in love with a beautiful woman whether it is mutual or one sided.
-
Daily duties of man as they go through life.
-
The Dynasty expectations of the commoners character and their duties. (Also those of higher status.)
These are some of the standards of Wen in the poems.
Analysis: https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/english2800miller2/?p=207
The Analects by Confucius
In the Analects, Confucius talks about Wen in all of his teachings. In the teachings he considers himself to be a gentleman and teaches his disciples to be gentlemen as well. Because of this there are many challenges that many of his students did not understand and Confucius did not understand what his students are trying to convey. For example, one student tells him, “Why are you mourning for three years?” In the student’s mind there was more important things to do than mourn for three years straight. He, then, proceeds to tell Confucius that if he must mourn because none of the things that he use to do brings him joy, then go ahead and mourn. The student leaves after telling him this. Confucius thought to himself: ‘It is customary in the world to mourn the death of a loved one for three years. Did the student feel the love of his parents?’
Finding The Wen
Since the Wen is present in this piece of literature, I will emphasize. The point I am trying to make is that the Wen is teaching the disciples how to be gentlemen. How to be upstanding citizens in Chinese society. Confucius has spent years and years trying to reform the Chinese society and the Zhao Dynasty really valued his opinion. They did so much that they have adopted his teachings and even practice his principles to this day.
The Story of Yingying by Yuan Zhen
The Story of Yingying is a prime example of Chinese culture to this day. Especially when it comes to love. The story is about Zhang, a righteous man and Yingying a beautiful woman that excelled in the arts. This is basically about a love affair that the two had. Both are related to each other and are in love. Yingying is conflicted but Zhang knew exactly what he wanted. He pursued her by writing poems to her. However, she continued to give out mixed messages. However, she continued to see him. Zhang failed his examinations and felt unhappy. She thought it was about her but it had nothing to do with her. I believe that he felt like it was improper to have an affair and also to keep it secret. At one point in the story he wondered what his mother would have thought about his affair. For him to even think that at that point, it was more so his conscious eating at him because he was doing something he was not suppose to do. However, he didn’t stay with Yingying. Instead, he disclosed the affair and she didn’t want to see him because of the shame she felt. In the end, they went their separate ways despite having strong feelings for each other.
Finding the Wen
The Wen in this story is about the passionate love these two shared. All in exchange of poems to each other. This is a traditional thing in China. It seems like fated love or following your heart kind of love is not prohibited in China. This is only when family and friends do not approve of this kind of stature. In China, being a successful contributing member of society is very important. It brings many benefits as it honors the family and boosts self confidence in abilities. Because of this, I find that logic beats emotion every time when thinking about any type of situation. Whether its finding a job or picking a spouse. The Chinese believe that networking in a sense of business is the best way to contribute. If any Chinese are unorthodox from the founding principles of Confucius then they are a disgrace. Not only to their family but also to their people.
Analysis: https://www.cram.com/essay/The-Seduction-Of-Authenticity-The-Story-Of/PJMG95VMPR
What Can Students Learn From Wen?
A reflection sheet is very important for identifying Wen in the Chinese or Eastern sector of this blog. I highly suggest that the students dive into the arts and view the Story of Yingying as a play or even act this story out in a form of a play to understand the conflict that the Chinese were facing during the early foundations of government. Also, planning a writing exercise that allows them to identify the Wen in their own lives. For example, the lessons they learned growing up? What their parents taught them? Do they practice those principles? Are they principles different from society as a whole? Those are some questions to think about during the exercise.
Finding the Wen in Modern Chinese Culture
Wen is so important in Chinese culture. So much that their entertainment is defined around the principles that Confucius has taught. However, I want to focus on a modern drama called Sweet Combat that is quite similar to the Story of Yingying. However, the roles are reversed. In this drama, we find that Fang Yu, a.k.a. the Queen is in love with Ming Ting because he is similar to her. However, his father had killed her uncle of who she was super attached to. However, she noticed that she was caught in a dilemma, instead of exchanging poems like Zhang and Yingying did, they exchanged fists. (Both the Fang Yu and Ming Tian are fighters at an academy.) The moral of the story is her revenge clouded her judgment but she was conflicted with her love for Ming Tian. She is conflicted by two reasons.
-
Her uncle dying from Ming Tian’s father. It was not his fault that he died. His cause of death was actually caused by something else and not the knockout.
-
Ming Tian is a broke college student (Commoner) and the Fang Yu is of high status (Super rich). She was suppose to marry someone of her status but she hated him. She felt the need to rebel but if she did, the family would stop funding her schooling.
-
They were never meant to be together. Despite the odds they made it work.
Watch the Chinese Drama Here: https://www.viki.com/tv/35699c-sweet-combat
References
Puchner, Martin. (2012). The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Third Edition - Vol. 1. https://digital.wwnorton.com/worldlit3v1
Merced, Yvette. (2014). Classics of Poetry “Early Chinese Literature and Thought”. https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/english2800miller2/?p=207
Cummings Study Guide. (2021). Analects of Confucius (A Study Guide). https://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides4/analects.html#:~:text=The%20Analects%20(Lun%2Dy%C3%BC),administration%20of%20government%20and%20community.
Cram. (2021). The Seduction of Authenticity: The Story of Yingying. https://www.cram.com/essay/The-Seduction-Of-Authenticity-The-Story-Of/PJMG95VMPR
Bridges, Carmen. (2021). Refection Worksheet. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eeLx4KfyBqx8_khOxDbemrBnjwKC8Wd5RxydjpMLuEs/edit?usp=sharing
Bridges, Carmen. (2021). Exercise Worksheet. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k-B6Qxr2zYzJwGcV9BjP8iMxaD_w18SxQLqiAcReSmM/edit?usp=sharing
Ke Han Chen. (2018). Sweet Combat. https://mydramalist.com/24095-sweet-combat
No comments:
Post a Comment