Classic of Poetry

BLOG 2: Classic of Poetry

     The Classic of Poetry (also known as the Book of Odes) 1000-600B.C.E is the “oldest poetry collection of East Asia” (Puncher 756). It is a collection of 305 songs rooted in culture creating orality that were later transcribed during Confucius’s time. This collection marks the beginning of China’s “three millennia-long literary tradition” and holds a place of significant literary canonical status (756). The collection is an integral part of understanding early Chinese society. The poems contained within the collection vividly detail the history and value system of early Chinese society and allow the modern reader to get a deeper understanding and sense of life during the Zhou Dynasty.  

     The Classic of Poetry facilitates the discovery of the unique connection between cultural orality, literature (writing), history, and culture formation. The importance of this collection is that it was highly valued for more than aesthetic reasons. The impact and influence of Confucianism made this collection an integral educational model that outlined and emphasized value systems (moral virtues), and societal order. The poems embodied the core values of early Chinese civilization.

     The transcription of song into written work and the codification of core poetic components outlined in the “Great Preface” by Confucian scholars during the Han Dynasty was central to the development of Chinese poetry. Robert Oxnam (2002) writes that “poetry in the Chinese tradition was the preeminent literary form understood as central to the expression of human emotions.” Oxnam continues by stating that there were five tenants that influenced Chinese poetry for centuries 1. That the poem was a place where deepest emotions are expressed 2. The poet by expressing his deepest feelings was also commenting on the time in which he/she lived 3. The poet’s personality is inscribed in the poem 4. Poetry revealed the poets moral fiber 5. Through poetry the poet lives beyond his own time (Oxnam).

     The Classic of Poetry provides an important understanding of the form and value of Chinese Poetry.  Incorporating the Classic of Poetry into a literature curriculum provides students the important opportunity to explore differing historical contexts, cultural perspectives, values and belief systems.

 

Works Cited

The Norton Anthology World Literature. Ed. Martin Puchner, et al. 3rd ed. Vol. B. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2012. 1023-1024. Print.

 

Oxnam, R.  Asian Topics: An Online Resource for Asian History and Culture. Columbia University, 2015. Web. 21 May 2015.