Chinese Mythology

Name: Chinese Mythology
ISBN: 9787559482907

Mao Dun (Shen Dehong)Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaMar 2024

4.4

Word count: 92K words
Chapters: 16
ISBN: 9787559482907

Report an error Find this book

Summary

A groundbreaking work in the field of Chinese mythology. By listing various schools of thought in ancient Chinese texts and conducting comparative studies with Western mythologies such as Norse and Greek mythology, Mr. Mao Dun introduced the essence of anthropology into the study of Chinese mythology. The work features rigorous and original analysis and textual research along with a distinctly critical spirit, opening up a new realm of Chinese mythology research unprecedented in history and standing alone in the academic world.

The publication of this book not only raised the curtain on Chinese mythology studies but also represented a pioneering endeavor by Mr. Mao Dun to keep pace with the development of world literature, allowing the world to discover Chinese mythology while also solidifying the foundation of cultural identity.

Editor's review

Mao Dun's Chinese Mythology is the founding work of Chinese mythology studies. Its value lies not only in being "early" but in its method: he lays out the various schools of thought in ancient texts one by one, compares them with Norse and Greek mythology, and brings an anthropological perspective into the study of Chinese mythology. The book contains rigorous textual research as well as a distinctly critical spirit; it reads less like a stern academic paper and more like a discerning scholar guiding you to identify the authenticity and boundaries of the materials. It not only opened the curtain on a discipline but also gave Chinese mythology a place on the map of world literature, allowing the roots of cultural identity to be seen. When reading, treat it as both an "introduction to research" and a "model of scholarship": look at the conclusions, but also at how Mao Dun poses questions, makes comparisons, and selects materials. For mythology enthusiasts, literary researchers, or anyone who wants to seriously understand the starting point of Chinese mythology studies, this book deserves to be kept close at hand for repeated reading.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in Chinese mythology and folklore
Students and researchers in Chinese, history, folklore, and related fields
Readers who want to understand early research methods in Chinese mythology studies
Readers who enjoy comparative literature and cross-cultural perspectives

Not a good fit for

Readers who only want myth stories and are unwilling to engage with textual research and argumentation
Readers expecting light, popular reading material and with limited patience for academic language
Readers who need a complete collection of myth stories rather than a research work

Reading tips

Start by reading the table of contents to grasp the chapter structure, then choose sections corresponding to ancient textual materials that interest you for close reading.
When you reach comparisons with Greek and Norse mythology, jot down similarities and differences to help understand the method.
You need not labor over every word in textual research passages; grasp the conclusion first, then review the argumentation process.
After finishing a chapter, try restating Mao Dun's way of posing questions to appreciate his research approach rather than merely memorizing his views.

About the publisher

Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1958

Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House focuses on literary publishing while also covering the humanities, social sciences, and books on art and daily life. Its approximately 1,535 titles in the database span social novels, world history, design, science fiction, classic works, and film and television: they include modern Chinese literary classics by Lu Xun such as A Madman's Diary: The Complete Short Stories of Lu Xun, Call to Arms, Four Generations Under One Roof, and Teahouse, as well as foreign literary memoirs like Stefan Zweig's The World of Yesterday. In science fiction it offers Asimov's Galactic Empire series, while in architecture and art it publishes Liu Dunzhen's Classical Gardens of Suzhou and design titles from Phoenix Space. Its authors are concentrated among classic writers such as Lu Xun, Zweig, and Asimov, with translators including Liang Xijiang, Zhong Haonan, and Ye Lihua. Its overall character is built on classic works while embracing genre fiction and visual culture. Public information is limited, and this introduction is based on the titles in the database.

版权信息
编者序
序中国神话研究ABC
第一章几个根本问题
第二章保存与修改
第三章演化与解释
第四章宇宙观
第五章巨人族及幽冥世界
第六章自然界的神话及其他
第七章帝俊及羿、禹
第八章结论
附录参考用书目
附录中国神话研究
附录中国神话的保存
附录神话的意义与类别
附录《楚辞》与中国神话

FAQ

Is this book a collection of myth stories or a research work?

It is a research work, not a story collection. Mao Dun lists various schools of thought in ancient Chinese texts, conducts comparative studies with Norse and Greek mythology, and introduces anthropological methods into Chinese mythology research, including rigorous and original analysis and textual research along with a critical spirit. Readers who want a complete compilation of myth stories should look for a story collection elsewhere; readers who want to understand how Chinese mythology studies began will find this an excellent starting point.

Can I understand it without an academic background?

You can read it, but it requires some patience. The book involves ancient textual materials and comparisons between Chinese and Western mythologies, and the argumentation is dense. It is advisable to first read the table of contents and introductory sections to grasp the overall problematic, then choose chapters of interest for close reading; when encountering textual research passages, look at the conclusions first, then review the argumentation. Treat it as an introduction to the starting point of Chinese mythology studies rather than as light story reading.

Why is it called the founding work of Chinese mythology studies?

The materials explicitly describe the book as a groundbreaking work in the field of Chinese mythology. It opened up a new realm of Chinese mythology research unprecedented in history and raised the curtain on Chinese mythology studies. Mao Dun combined ancient textual theories, comparisons between Chinese and Western mythologies, and anthropological methods to form original analysis, textual research, and a critical spirit. Its significance lies not only in its conclusions but in demonstrating how one can pose questions and construct arguments in studying Chinese mythology.

Why does the book compare Chinese mythology with Greek and Norse mythology?

Comparison is an important method in this book. While listing various schools of thought in ancient Chinese texts, Mao Dun conducts comparative studies with Western mythologies such as Norse and Greek mythology and introduces the essence of anthropology. Such comparison helps clarify the characteristics of Chinese mythology and the problems of its materials, and also brings Chinese mythology into the视野 of world literature. When reading, pay attention to the judgments reached after comparison, not just the similarities and differences themselves.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Mao Dun (Shen Dehong) Author · Chinese · 1896–1981

Mao Dun (1896–1981), originally named Shen Dehong and styled Yanbing, was a native of Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Zhejiang. He was a modern Chinese writer, literary critic and social activist. He took part in the building of modern Chinese literature through criticism and editorial work, and later secured his place in its history with the novel Midnight. His other works include the trilogy Eclipse, Spring Silkworms, The Lin Family Shop and Praise of the White Poplar. His writing draws closely on social reality, with a cool and meticulous touch, focusing on the relationship between individual circumstance and historical change, and extending to essays and the study of myth. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as the first Minister of Culture and long as chairman of the Chinese Writers Association; in 1981 he donated funds to establish the Mao Dun Literature Prize. This site carries 15 of his works.