Classical Prose Movement

The Classical Prose Movement (Chinese: 古文運動; pinyin: gǔwén yùndòng) of the late Tang dynasty and the Song dynasty in China advocated clarity and precision rather than the florid pianwen (駢體文) or parallel prose style that had been popular since the Han dynasty. Parallel prose had a rigid structure and came to be criticized for being overly ornate at the expense of content.

The aim of the guwen stylists was to follow the spirit of pre-Han prose rather than to imitate it directly. They used elements of colloquial language to make their writings more direct.

The movement also had political and religious aspects, as Confucian scholars tried to combat the influence of Taoism and Buddhism on the emperors. Some also saw it as an effective tool to expose the reality of corruption and weakness in the central government.

Tang Dynasty

The first great promoters of the movement were Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan who were not only great writers but also great theorists, providing the foundation of the movement. Both were enthusiastic to promote the movement and were keen to teach young people so the movement could develop.

After the deaths of Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan, the movement fell into something of a decline, their students writing with such ancient characters as to hinder understanding or neglecting the importance of writing good essays. Furthermore, the government only allowed the use of pianwen for official use, so those who want to be officials had to learn that style.

Song dynasty

The theme was revisited by Song dynasty reformer Fan Zhongyan, who held that prose writing, particularly writings required for civil service examinations, shall focus on statecraft and Confucian Classics, instead of euphonious composition. Fan's promotion of the "ancient style" served both political and ethical grounds, as he believed scholar officials with moral cultivation and administrative skills will improve government efficiency and commoner's lives. As such, the lettered class shall shift their focus from floridity to the substance of what they write.

Ouyang Xiu, a younger associate and avid follower of Fan Zhongyan, developed into a literary giant and leader in reviving the ancient style. Ouyang and his literary friends carried over the spirit of classical prose to poetry, and further to a larger effort to reform writing and learning in general. So that writing would be a vehicle for purpose and reflection, rather than a display of talent. Ouyang followed the Tang pioneers Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan for their "talents" and "natural flow" in prose writing, but skipped the "obscure" and "strange" elements contained in their prose work. In his own unofficial writing practice of letters, prefaces, accounts, and grave inscriptions, Ouyang "cultivated a highly personal tone" and incorporated an extensive range of "subjects, moods, and themes". To "write naturally" was a piece of advice he offered to younger writers, and the principle he followed through in his prose creation.

Ouyang was also well known for his directions in the 1057 imperial examination, where candidates writing in the ancient prose style were selected over candidates using the euphuistic or Imperial Academy style. Several of the passing candidates would turn into prominent literary figures, including Su Shi, Su Xun, and Zeng Gong.

See also

• Chinese literature

Bibliography

• Egan, Ronald (2010). "The Northern Song (1020–1126)". In Owen, Stephen (ed.). The Cambridge history of Chinese literature. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge university press. ISBN 9780521855587.
• Zhang, Longxi (2022). A History of Chinese Literature. London: Routledge. pp. 206–207. ISBN 978-1-003-16417-3.
• Zhang, Yi (2003). Luo, Zongqiang; Chen, Hong (eds.). 中国古代文学发展史 - 中 (Zhongguo gu dai wen xue fa zhan shi) (Di 1 ban ed.). Tianjin: Nan kai da xue chubanshe. ISBN 978-7-310-01915-6. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)

Further reading

• Chen, Yu-shih (1988). Images and Ideas in Chinese Classical Prose: Studies of Four Masters. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0804714096.
• Sun, Wang; Chang, Guowu, eds. (1996). 宋代文学史- 上 [History of Song Literature] (in Chinese). Vol. I. 北京: 人民文学出版社. p. 110. ISBN 7-02-002118-2.