Chinese culture has garnered increasing attention in recent years. If you are interested in learning more about Chinese literature, don’t miss the Four Classic Chinese Novels: Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
The Four Classic Chinese Novels have had a profound impact on Chinese people. While not everyone may literally read them, these novels have been widely adapted into dramas, TV series, movies, and other forms of media. As a result, we can say that almost every Chinese person is familiar with them to some extent.
Reading these novels or watching related adaptations is an excellent way to explore Chinese culture and philosophy. Each of these classics has been translated into multiple languages, including English. They are rich in profound philosophical insights and wisdom, while also being highly engaging—certainly not as verbose or obscure as some may worry.
While it takes time to read these novels carefully, this article will provide a brief overview of each to give you a good starting point!
1. Journey to the West
The plot of Journey to the West is arguably the simplest of the four. It follows an esteemed monk named Tang Sanzang, who travels to India to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, accompanied by his three magical disciples.
Along the way, they encounter various monsters and demons who try to capture and eat the monk, believing that consuming his flesh will grant them eternal life. However, none succeed, thanks to the protection of Sun Wukong, the most powerful of the monk’s disciples.
Sun Wukong is a legendary figure, famous for being a monkey armed with a powerful cudgel called Jingubang. He is brave, intelligent, loyal, and always stands by his master, despite the occasional misunderstanding.
The journey is not always plagued by monsters; sometimes the trials come from humans. For instance, in a kingdom known as “Lady’s Country,” where only women reside, the queen tries to marry Tang Sanzang. Can he resist the temptations of beauty, wealth, and comfort?
After enduring 81 trials, they eventually reach their destination: Vulture Peak (now in India). The novel delves deeper than its surface plot suggests. For instance, the master-disciple relationship reflects the patriarchal values of feudal China, while the ultimate defeat of the evil monsters mirrors Buddhist concepts of karma and reincarnation.
2. Dream of the Red Chamber
Many Chinese readers find Dream of the Red Chamber puzzling due to its large cast of characters and the complexity of their relationships.
At its core, the novel explores the gradual decline of a noble family in ancient China, reflecting themes of anti-feudalism and intellectual freedom. The story revolves around the tragic love affair between Baoyu and Daiyu, while also delving into the philosophical concept of the emptiness and impermanence of all things.
Daiyu is a noble young woman known for her beauty, intelligence, and sensitivity. After the death of her mother, she is sent to live with her maternal relatives in the Rongguo Mansion, one of the most prestigious noble families.
Baoyu, the beloved son of the family, is also Daiyu’s cousin. As they live together, a romance slowly develops between them. While this may seem unusual by modern standards, in ancient China, such relationships were considered acceptable, especially among the nobility.
The novel portrays a complex world of women, placing much more emphasis on female characters than on their male counterparts. It also features numerous classic Chinese poems and sayings, making it a pinnacle of Chinese literature.
3. Water Margin
If you enjoy tales of heroism and chivalry, Water Margin is a must-read. Set during the late Song Dynasty in China, it tells the story of 108 outlaws who come together to form a band of rebels in Liangshan Mountain.
Each of these 108 characters has a strong sense of justice, and many of them are driven to banditry due to personal hardship or oppression from the powerful. Under the leadership of Song Jiang, the group carries out numerous righteous acts.
Several stories from Water Margin are particularly famous in China, such as Chao Gai’s theft of birthday gifts and Wu Song’s legendary slaying of a tiger. The novel critiques the corruption and incompetence of the ruling class and expresses an anti-feudal spirit.
Eventually, the leader, Song Jiang, accepts the amnesty offered by the government. However, this decision leads to many problems. Although the amnesty granted these heroes a seemingly legal status, their fates were ultimately tragic—Song Jiang was poisoned, many of the heroes were sent by the imperial court to fight in battles and died on the battlefield, some fell victim to the court’s hidden schemes, and others were even forced to take their own lives.
4. Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Unlike the other three novels, many characters in Romance of the Three Kingdoms are based on real historical figures from the Three Kingdoms period of China. The novel combines history with fictionalized events to create a dramatic narrative.
The story begins in the final days of the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the central government is weak and rebellions are frequent. In this chaotic period, several heroes seek to gain control of territories. Over time, three kingdoms emerge—Wei, Shu, and Wu—dividing China into three parts.
The novel primarily focuses on Liu Bei and his efforts to restore the Han Dynasty, with his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei by his side. Other prominent figures include Zhuge Liang, the brilliant strategist, and Zhao Yun, who is later revered as a symbol of bravery in China.
You might be wondering which kingdom ultimately won and reunited China. Well, none of them! The Sima family, a powerful faction within the Wei dynasty, seized control of the sovereign. After defeating the Shu Kingdom, the Sima family forced the Wei king to abdicate and renamed the country Jin. Later, the Jin dynasty conquered the Wu Kingdom, ultimately completing the reunification of China.
These four novels not only reflect the cultural and philosophical richness of Chinese literature but also offer exciting and engaging stories that continue to resonate with readers worldwide.
