Refl ections on “literary awareness in Wei and Jin Dynasties”

Abstract

Literary awareness in the Wei and Jin Dynasties (Wei Chao 汷g CE 220–265; Jin Chao fKg CE 265–420), as first proposed by Suzuki Torao, is not a scientific  argument. From the relationships between practicalism  and literary awareness  as well as individualism  and lyric literature  in the Han (Han Chao lIg BCE 206–CE 220) and Wei Dynasties, it can be seen that the fundamental drive of medieval literature was the social changes taking place during these dynasties, the emergence of the literati as a social stratum, and their attitude towards literature. The concept of literary awareness in the Wei and Jin Dynasties  cannot describe the literary development in medieval China. As it misunderstands the essential characteristics in the development of Chinese literature, it should be discarded.