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Accurate Portrait Of Chinese: The book was praised as an accurate portrait of Chinese life and for its dignified style and its characterizations. Its popular success in the midst of an economic depression might have been related to its assurance that hard work, thrift, and simple virtues are best and that prosperity does not necessarily bring happiness.Under Wu Ti, the empire expanded in several directions, carrying Chinese culture to outlying areas. The attempt to outflank the Hsiung-nu on the northeast brought Chinese arms and merchants into the Korean peninsula. From there, Chinese influence slowly penetrated Japan. To the south, after a series of conquests, Chinese control reached as far as Hue, in present-day South Vietnam. The northern part of the Vietnam coast remained under Chinese administration until the collapse of the T'ang dynasty in the 10th century A. D.
The earliest authenticated writings of the classical period of Chinese literature are inscriptions on bronze vessels and oracle bones, the oldest of which date from about the 15th century B. c., during the Shang dynasty. They are remarkable for their calligraphy, simplicity, symbolism of intense religious devotion, accurate recording of dates and events, and occasional sonorous rhymes. The first real flowering of Chinese poetry is found in the Book of Odes (Shih Ching), produced between the 10th and 7th centuries B. c. Extant in the book are 305 poems—lyrical, ritual, satirical, and narrative—refined from remote folk origin and closely associated with music. |
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