Why are Shijing and Chushi the 2 sources of Chinese literature? (Detailed answer sought)

Chinese Classical Literature Duo: Shijing and Chu Rhetoric

Mei Jingzhong

Chinese Classical Literature is a brilliant presentation of traditional Chinese culture. It has a long history, is rich in content, overflows with strong national aesthetic flavor, and exudes permanent artistic charm. As the two major sources of realism and romanticism in Chinese literature, the Book of Songs and the Chu Rhetoric, with their profound cultural connotations and great and profound influence, stand at the top of the temple of traditional Chinese culture, and can be called the two jewels. In order to understand the essence of Chinese literature and even Chinese culture, it is necessary to read the Book of Poetry and the Chu Ci.

The Book of Songs and the Realist Tradition in Chinese Literature

China is a land of poetry. Each ethnic group has its own unique poetic works. The tradition of poetry is long, rich and fascinating. As the oldest collection of poems in China, the Book of Poetry marks that Chinese poetic culture has long reached a high level of achievement. In the cultural history of China and even the world, the Book of Songs not only has great literary value, but also has important historical value for the study of ancient history. One can find in the Book of Songs many of the meta-canons of the Chinese cultural tradition; the spirit embedded in the Book of Songs is related to the national character of the Chinese people, the voice of folklore, the cultural character as well as the experience of governance. Today's party and government leaders and cadres can draw a lot of useful things from it.

Chu Rhetoric and the Romantic Spirit of Chinese Literature

Chu Rhetoric is the lyrics of the Chu people. It is a new genre of poetry that arose in the southern state of Chu in the fourth century B.C. (the late Warring States period). After the Book of Songs, China's poetry was silent for about three hundred years; the emergence of Chu Rhetoric pushed Chinese poetry to a second peak.

Different from the simple realism of the Classic of Poetry, Ch'u Rhetoric is romantic, with unrestrained feelings, peculiar imaginations, gorgeous writing style, splendid style, and with stronger local characteristics of Ch'u and mythological colors. It is also different from the simple four-character poetic style of the Classic of Poetry, in that it is more flexible, often with a "Ruoxi" at the end of the sentence, and uses many of the dialect words of Chu, which is unique in rhythm and rhyme, and is more suitable for the expression of rich and complex thoughts and feelings.

If The Book of Songs represents the culture of the central plains at that time, then Chu Rhetoric is a product of the high development of the culture of the south at that time. The state of Chu was located in the south, with a unique geographical environment and superior natural conditions, the political system, cultural traditions and customs are very different from those of the Central Plains. "Chu people believe in witch and ghost, heavy obscene rituals" ("Han Shu - Geography"), Chu witch wind prevailed, witch song flourished. Chu music and dance art is developed (such as chimes music and dance), song, dance, music in one form of performance is rich in strong lyricism and artistic imagination, romantic and warm. The cultural exchanges between the north and the south gradually expanded. All these factors contribute to the formation and development of Chu Rhetoric.