Download Chinese/Japanese Literature Test Study Guide Schools of thought

Chinese/Japanese Literature Test
Study Guide
Schools of thought:
1. Toaism—“The Way”= nature
 Founder-Lao-Tzu
 Beliefs: essence that underlies all things
 Simplify and free yourself of desires
 Mystical contemplation of nature; value of nature
 Political advice: few regulations imposed by rulers, government
should be weak
 Look for harmony and balance
o Settle mind-listen to nature, become calm, connect with Tao
2. Confucianism—act morally!
 Founder- Confucius
 Beliefs: importance of family and respect for elders
 Treat others the way you want to be treated
 Behave appropriately, moral conduct
 Children expected to obey and respect parents authority
 Importance of rituals
3. Buddhism—life on Earth is filled with suffering
 Founder--Buddha
 4 Noble Truths: life is suffering, suffering is caused by desire, to end
suffering have to end desire, follow the 8 fold path
 8 Fold Path—right livelihood, right mindfulness, speech,
thought…only know a few
 Common Buddhist practices: meditation, Mantras
4. Rashomon—“relativity of truth”
 What one believes is “true”, another might see in a completely
different way
5. “My Old Home”—transformation of society, relationships, maturation of
characters
 Lu Hsun—narrator
 Jun-tu—friend and son of the narrator’s laborer
 Themes: transformation, uncertainty, alienation
 Narrator went home to help his family move. He recognized the changes
and transformations that had taken place. He lost all illusions of his
childhood.
6. “Under Reconstruction”
 Theme: transformation in culture, society and the influence of the West
in Japanese culture
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Signs of cultural change: hotel sign, western dress
Transition—unsettling feeling of change
Conflicts: change in relationship= characters feel awkward/ it’s the
painful nature of change in society and the relationship
“The Deserted Crone”
Japanese No Theater—see No Theater handout
Themes: abandonment, shame responsibility
Woman was abandoned by her nephew on the mountain. Her spirit cannot
rest because she was abandoned—shamed and dishonored by her family
Shinto belief: beauty of nature, Buddhist belief: suffering, desertion