This short history deals with Chinese literature from the earliest days to the May the Fourth Movement of 1919, giving a brief introduction to classical Chinese literature and a general survey of the chief writers and their most important works. The development of Chinese literature since the May the Fourth Movement will be covered in a forthcoming publication, "A Short History of Modern Chinese Literature."

The book gives a brief, systematic account of the development of Chinese literature from the earliest days to the May 4th Movement of 1919. Through this survey of a rich variety of literary forms, the realist tradition of classical Chinese literature is revealed, with its strong romanticism and deep humanism. The distinctive features of each historical period are described: the chief literary schools, and the position in literary history and achievements of the main writers, as well as the literary trends of their period and their influence on later ages. Short analyses are made of major works.

Ⅰ. THE ORIGIN OF CHINESE LITERATURE

Ⅱ. CHOU DYNASTY LITERATURE

 1. Western Chou and Spring and Autumn Period

 2. Warring States Period

Ⅲ. LITERATURE OF THE CHIN, HAN, WEI AND TSIN DYNASTIES AND SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN DYNASTIES

 1. Chin and Han Dynasties

 2. Wei, Tsin and Southern and Northern Dynasties

Ⅳ. LITERATURE OF THE SUI, TANG, SUNG AND YUAN DYNASTIES

 1. Sui and Early Tang Dynasties

 2. Later Tang and Five Dynasties

 3. Northern Sung Dynasty

 4. Southern Sung and Golden Tartar Period

 5. Yuan Dynasty

Ⅴ. LITERATURE OF THE MING AND CHING DYNASTIES

 1. Early Ming Dynasty

 2. Later Ming Dynasty

 3. Ching Dynasty

Ⅵ. LITERATURE FROM THE OPIUM WAR TO THE MAY THE FOURTH MOVEMENT

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CHINESE DYNASTIES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AUTHORS AND WORKS MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK