Transcript An introduction to the features of Chinese classical literature

A Guide to Chinese Mythology
Huang, Paoshan
Definition of Mythology
According to “Encyclopedia of Contemporary
Literary Theory”:
1. Myth is a term used widely in literary
criticism
2. Northrop Frye sees myth as the structural
foundation of literature
3. A Myth is a story about a god or some other
supernatural being; sometimes it concerns a
deified human being or ruler of divine
descent.
Definition of Mythology
4. Illustrates or explains the origin of the world.
5. Frye: ‘ It always means, first and primarily,
mythos, story, plot, narrative.’
6. According to ‘New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy’:
‘The body of myths belonging to a culture. Myths are
traditional stories about gods and heroes. (They
often account for the basic aspects of existence —
explaining, for instance, how the Earth was created,
why people have to die, or why the year is divided
into seasons. )’
The Difference between Greek M. and
Chinese M.
1. Greek m. were organized systematically; on the
contrast, Chinese myths were told
fragmentary.
2. The figures of Greek m. usually reflect human
nature of common people.
3. The figures of Chinese m. usually represent a
divinity of eternal beings.
Stories
“Shān hăi jīng” 《山海經》
 Kua Fu (夸父) who wished to capture the
sun.
 Jīng wèi(精衛) filling the sea
 Cocooned horse(蠶馬)
 Né zhā nào hăi (哪吒鬧海)