As one of the cradles of human civilization, China has produced a vast library of great literature over the past five thousand years. Like that of many other nations,Chinese literature is the essence of Chinese thought, the treasure of Chinese culture;it is the record of our forefathers' struggles against heaven and earth, providing vivid depictions of the material and spiritual lives of Chinese in both ancient and modern times.

Chapter One Shi Jing and Li Sao

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to Shi Jing

 3. Selections from Shi Jing

 4. Introduction to Qu Yuan

 5. Selected Works from Qu Yuan

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Two Historical Narratives

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to Shi Ji

 3. Selections from Shi Ji

 4. Further Readings

 5. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Three Literature in the Wei and Jin Period

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to the Works of Tao Yuan ming

 3. Selected Works from Tao Yuan ming

 4. Further Readings

 5. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Four Poetry in the Tang Dynasty

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to the Poems of Li Bai

 3. Selected Poems of Li Bai

 4. Introduction to the Poems of Du Fu

 5. Selected Poems of Du Fu

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Five Ci in the Song Dynasty

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to the Ci of Su Shi

 3. Selected Works of Su Shi

 4. Introduction to the Ci of Li Qingzhao

 5. Selected Works of Li Qingzhao

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Six Essays in the Tang and Song Dynasties

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to the Works of Liu Zongyuan

 3. Selected Works of Liu Zongyuan

 4. Introduction to the Works of Ouyang Xiu

 5. Selected Works of Ouyang Xiu

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Seven Drama in the Yuan Dynasty

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to Dou E Yuan

 3. Selection from Dou E Yuan

 4. Introduction to The Western Chamber

 5. Selection from The Western Chamber

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Eight Novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to Dream of the Red Chamber

 3. Selection from Dream of the Red Chamber

 4. Further Readings

 5. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Nine Modern Chinese Literature

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to the Stories of Lu Xun

 3. Selected Works of Lu Xun

 4. Introduction to the Poems of Xu Zhimo

 5. Selected Poems of Xu Zhimo

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Chapter Ten Contemporary Chinese Literature

 1. General Description

 2. Introduction to the Works of Zhang Jie

 3. Selection from Zhang Jie's Works

 4. Introduction to the Works of Zhang Chengzhi

 5. Selection from Zhang Chengzhi's Works

 6. Further Readings

 7. Topics for Discussion

Appendix

Ⅰ Glossary

Ⅱ Chronological Table and Major Literary Events

Ⅲ Acknowledgments