Professor Gray (Lianghui) Huang
Final
12/11/22
Chinese And Western Literature
Revisiting: Western and Chinese Literature
Literature has an undeniable impact on modern society. Each author uses literature as a
medium for expression. Some books serve as social mirrors that help us comprehend the culture
we live in. The importance of literature to our world and society cannot be overstated. The
studying and comprehending of many literary works from various eras and regions of the world
shapes one’s viewpoint and increases one's cultural sensitivity. Based on this fact, literature is
modernized and made more accessible to a wider audience by being adapted into films, and even
video games, as an easier way to understand.
Due to their origins in various cultures and societies, Western literature and Chinese
literature have numerous differences. Western literature, which is sometimes regarded as the
canon of the Western world, is significantly influenced by American and European cultures, and
frequently concentrates on unique individuals and personal tales. Western classical literature is
more historically based such as The Odyssey. Western literature typically focuses on individual
characters and personal tales, while being more dramatic and quick-paced. Additionally, Western
literature frequently has a more modernist and realistic bent as it is written in a linear style with a
distinct beginning, middle, and end.
On the other hand, Chinese literature is more highly influenced by East Asian and
Chinese cultures. It frequently covers a wide range of subjects, including history and culture. A
Chinese Ghost Story (1987) and its literature The Magic Sword and The Magic Bag, a short story
, within the 18th-century literature Strange Tales From A Chinese Studio by Pu Soling contain a
more circular writing style and recurrent themes and motifs in a more philosophical orientation.
Chinese literature typically steers clear of Western literature’s linear format in favor of
emphasizing the characters’ and themes’ connections to one another. Furthermore, Chinese
literature often puts more emphasis on Confucianism, Taoism, and other Eastern philosophies.
These philosophies enable readers to view the characters and the stories they appear in from a
more comprehensive perspective. While Western Literature typically avoids an overarching
philosophical concept and focuses more on the feelings and experiences of the individual. And
one can see this idea in relation to The Odyssey and The Magic Sword and The Magic Bag.
Overview: Literature to Film Adaptation
As mentioned previously, to better appeal to a large audience, more contemporary
notions and elements are introduced into the literature’s film adaptations. The adaptations
typically concentrate on literary elements and give them a different perspective by presenting
them from a different angle, which we can see in The Odyssey literature and adaptation, as well
as in The Magic Sword and The Magic Bag literature and adaptation. The caliber of the
adaptation must be taken into consideration. If the adaptation or video game is well-made and
puts a lot of emphasis on the source material, it should be an enjoyable way to understand the
literature. However, if the game is of poor quality or does not accurately depict the original
material, it is unlikely to be a helpful tool for understanding the book.
Although adaptations are shorter than the literature, they are more engaging to audiences
as they are able to keep the audience engaged through graphics, and are a reduced version that
does not require in-depth background knowledge on the subject.
Reshaping: World Literature As Kaleidoscope
Final
12/11/22
Chinese And Western Literature
Revisiting: Western and Chinese Literature
Literature has an undeniable impact on modern society. Each author uses literature as a
medium for expression. Some books serve as social mirrors that help us comprehend the culture
we live in. The importance of literature to our world and society cannot be overstated. The
studying and comprehending of many literary works from various eras and regions of the world
shapes one’s viewpoint and increases one's cultural sensitivity. Based on this fact, literature is
modernized and made more accessible to a wider audience by being adapted into films, and even
video games, as an easier way to understand.
Due to their origins in various cultures and societies, Western literature and Chinese
literature have numerous differences. Western literature, which is sometimes regarded as the
canon of the Western world, is significantly influenced by American and European cultures, and
frequently concentrates on unique individuals and personal tales. Western classical literature is
more historically based such as The Odyssey. Western literature typically focuses on individual
characters and personal tales, while being more dramatic and quick-paced. Additionally, Western
literature frequently has a more modernist and realistic bent as it is written in a linear style with a
distinct beginning, middle, and end.
On the other hand, Chinese literature is more highly influenced by East Asian and
Chinese cultures. It frequently covers a wide range of subjects, including history and culture. A
Chinese Ghost Story (1987) and its literature The Magic Sword and The Magic Bag, a short story
, within the 18th-century literature Strange Tales From A Chinese Studio by Pu Soling contain a
more circular writing style and recurrent themes and motifs in a more philosophical orientation.
Chinese literature typically steers clear of Western literature’s linear format in favor of
emphasizing the characters’ and themes’ connections to one another. Furthermore, Chinese
literature often puts more emphasis on Confucianism, Taoism, and other Eastern philosophies.
These philosophies enable readers to view the characters and the stories they appear in from a
more comprehensive perspective. While Western Literature typically avoids an overarching
philosophical concept and focuses more on the feelings and experiences of the individual. And
one can see this idea in relation to The Odyssey and The Magic Sword and The Magic Bag.
Overview: Literature to Film Adaptation
As mentioned previously, to better appeal to a large audience, more contemporary
notions and elements are introduced into the literature’s film adaptations. The adaptations
typically concentrate on literary elements and give them a different perspective by presenting
them from a different angle, which we can see in The Odyssey literature and adaptation, as well
as in The Magic Sword and The Magic Bag literature and adaptation. The caliber of the
adaptation must be taken into consideration. If the adaptation or video game is well-made and
puts a lot of emphasis on the source material, it should be an enjoyable way to understand the
literature. However, if the game is of poor quality or does not accurately depict the original
material, it is unlikely to be a helpful tool for understanding the book.
Although adaptations are shorter than the literature, they are more engaging to audiences
as they are able to keep the audience engaged through graphics, and are a reduced version that
does not require in-depth background knowledge on the subject.
Reshaping: World Literature As Kaleidoscope
