PART I
INTRODUCTION
Principal Chinese Dynasties
- Han, 206 B.C.—A.D. 220.
- Wei, 220-264.
- Chin, 265-419.
- (Northern Wei, ruled over the North of China, 386-532.)
- Liang, 502-556.
- Sui, 589-618.
- T’ang, 618-905.
- Sung, 960-1278.
- Yüan (Mongols), 1260-1341.
- Ming, 1368-1640.
- Ch’ing (Manchus), 1644-1912.
THE LIMITATIONS OF CHINESE LITERATURE
Those who wish to assure themselves that they will lose nothing by ignoring Chinese literature, often ask the question: “Have the Chinese a Homer, an Aeschylus, a Shakespeare or Tolstoy?” The answer must be that China has no epic and no dramatic literature of importance. The novel exists and has merits, but never became the instrument of great writers.
Her philosophic literature knows no mean between the traditionalism of Confucius and the nihilism of Chuang-tzŭ. In mind, as in body, the Chinese were for the most part torpid mainlanders. Their thoughts set out on no strange quests and adventures, just as their ships discovered no new continents. To most Europeans the momentary flash of Athenian questioning will seem worth more than all the centuries of Chinese assent.