American Journal Of Philological Sciences
72
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue06 2025
PAGE NO.
72-74
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue06-20
The Development of The Essay Genre in Chinese
Literature
Ashurova Maktuba Abduazizovna
Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Lecturer at the Higher School of Sinology, Uzbekistan
Received:
14 April 2025;
Accepted:
10 May 2025;
Published:
12 June 2025
Abstract:
This article explores the development of the essay genre in Chinese literature, tracing its evolution from
historical roots to contemporary trends. The earliest forms of the essay in China date back to the Tang Dynasty.
Sanwen (
散文
), or the essay, is one of the most prominent genres in Chinese literature, having undergone
significant transformations and evolutions over the centuries. Unlike traditional genres such as poetry and prose,
sanwen offers readers a distinctive perspective on the world, enabling the author to freely express personal
thoughts, emotions, and observations. This study examines the transformation of the sanwen genre in Chinese
literature, its historical progression, key authors, and its influence on modern literary discourse.
Keywords:
Sanwen, essay, cultural revolution, Lu Xin, political changes, historical biography.
Introduction:
The essay is a distinctive and complex
form of literary journalism that is increasingly attracting
readers' attention. The founder of the essay genre is
the French writer and humanist philosopher Michel de
Montaigne, who wrote his work "Essais" ("Essays") in
1580, in which he expressed his thoughts on the fate of
humanity and society as a whole.
An essay is essentially a short prose composition with a
free structure, expressing individual impressions and
reflections on any given subject.
It does not claim to provide a definitive explanation or
comprehensive interpretation of a specific question or
topic. As a rule, an essay offers a new, subjectively
colored perspective on a matter and may take the form
of philosophical, historical-biographical, journalistic,
literary-critical, popular-scientific, or purely fictional
writing.The essayistic style is characterized by its
imagery, use of aphorisms, and a conversational tone
and vocabulary. Since ancient times, the genre has
developed in works where the author’s personality is
placed at the forefront.
As a genre, the essay is distinguished by the following
features: "a short prose work with a free composition
that seeks to convey individual impressions and
reflections related to a particular topic in one way or
another."
A synthesis of various definitions of the essay allows us
to highlight the following characteristics: a small
volume and a clearly defined topic; a wide thematic
range
—
from science to fiction; the subject of discourse
in an essay is the author's subjective impressions and
thoughts,
resulting
from
introspection;
the
inte
rpretation of the topic emphasizes the author’s
individual perspective and subjectivity; a free
composition; the use of paradox and aphorism; a style
oriented toward conversational and relaxed speech.
The structure and composition of an essay are typically
mosaic in nature. For example, if the essay discusses a
particular character, the text may interweave episodes
from that person’s life, descriptions of the era in which
they lived, observations and conclusions, sketches, and
more. The essayist often includes scenes from their
own life within the text, which allows for an implicit
comparison between two different time periods. The
essay can also incorporate elements of other genres
such as confession, diary entries, notes, memoirs,
autobiography, letters, and others.
The essay style cannot be described with a single word.
Within one text, depending on the author's intent, one
may encounter elements of literary, journalistic,
scientific, and even conversational styles. According to
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
73
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
Chinese scholar Cai Jiangzhen, the works and
worldview of Chinese writers have been most strongly
influenced by the leading figures of English essayism
—
William Hazlitt and Charles Lamb. The essay genre was
fully formed in the early 17th century in the
philosophical writings of Francis Bacon, considered the
successor of Michel de Montaigne, the founder of
Western essayism. Throughout its long historical
evolution, the genre eventually developed into two
main types: the formal essay and the informal (or
familiar) essay.
At the same time, the second category
—
informal
essays in the spirit of a “sincere heart
-to-heart
conversation”—
became especially widespread in 19th-
century England and later attracted great interest
among prominent Chinese writers and literary scholars
of the 20th century, such as Lin Yutang, Xu Menghua,
and Fan. Chinese readers were first introduced to the
classical heritage of Western essayism during the New
Culture Movement of the 1910s
–
1920s (notably the
May Fourth Movement). Many scholars
—
including
Zhao Xiuyuan, Li Gang, Cai Jiangzhen, and others
—
have
come to share the view that this social movement
represented the most significant turning point in the
history of modern Chinese essayism. According to Zhao
Xiuyuan, the developmental paths of Chinese and
Western essayism intersected for the first time during
this period, marking what he describes as “the first
revolution in the field of the sanwen genre in China.”
Sanwen
(
散文
), or the essay, is one of the most
important genres in Chinese literature, having
undergone significant changes and evolutions over the
centuries. Unlike traditional genres such as poetry and
prose, sanwen offers readers a unique perspective on
the world, allowing the author to freely express
personal thoughts, emotions, and observations.
Historical development of the sanwen genre
: The
sanwen genre began to emerge during the Tang
Dynasty (618
–
907), when poets started to use
colloquial language and personal themes more
frequently in their works. However, the genre truly
flourished during the Ming (1368
–
1644) and Qing
(1644
–
1912) dynasties, when essays became popular
among scholars and writers. During this period, sanwen
evolved into a modern form that incorporated
elements of personal reflection, philosophical
meditation, and social commentary.
The Impact of the 1911 Revolution
: Significant changes
in the sanwen genre occurred in the early 20th century
amid the political and social transformations that
swept across China. The 1911 Revolution ended
centuries of monarchy and opened the way for new
ideas and forms of expression. Inspired by the concepts
of democracy, science, and individualism, writers and
intellectuals began to use sanwen as a means to
express their views on social justice, politics, and
cultural identity.
One of the leading figures of this period was Lu Xun,
who utilized the sanwen genre to criticize traditional
values and social injustices. His works, such as “A
Madman’s Diary,” became emblematic of a new
literary movement striving to liberate Chinese
literature from past conventions.
Sanwen as a form of self-expression
: Sanwen allows
authors to freely express their thoughts and emotions,
making it an ideal genre for personal reflection. Unlike
poetry, which often requires strict forms and rhyme
schemes, the essay offers greater freedom in style and
content choice. This flexibility enables writers to
explore complex topics such as identity, culture, and
society with depth and nuance.
Contemporary authors like Yan Ge (
阎格
) and Wang An
(
王安
) continue to develop the sanwen genre, using it
to address pressing issues such as ecology,
globalization, and cultural change. Their works reflect
the diversity and complexity of modern Chinese
society, as well as a desire to explore new forms of self-
expression.
The Influence of the Sanwen Genre on World
Literature
The revolution in the sanwen genre is not
confined to the Chinese context alone. As a form of
essay writing, it has had a significant impact on world
literature and inspired writers from many countries.
Chinese authors who utilize sanwen offer unique
perspectives and insights on contemporary issues,
becoming an important voice in the global literary
discourse.
CONCLUSION
The sanwen genre in Chinese literature has traveled a
long path since its inception, undergoing profound
changes and revolutions. It has become an essential
means of self-expression and social critique that allows
authors to explore complex topics and propose new
ideas in a rapidly changing world. The revolution in the
sanwen genre continues to open new horizons for
writers
and
readers
worldwide,
influencing
contemporary literature globally.
REFERENCES
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Plyasenko, N.A. The Influence of Western Literature on
Modern Chinese Essayism // Bulletin of Moscow State
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74
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
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