The History of Chinese Folktales

<p>The History of Chinese Folktales is the first comprehensive study of Chinese folktale history spanning from the pre-Qin period to the 20th century. It references over 300 ancient texts and reviews more than 300 representative stories. The book highlights three main research areas. First motifs and types. This involves identifying and categorizing various story motifs and types as well as analyzing subtypes to create a genealogy of folktales a process that reflects cultural exchanges among peoples. Second cultural significance. Employing historical materialism and cultural anthropology the book explores the cultural implications of folktales linking them to historical and cultural contexts to reveal their essence. Third historical-geographical comparison. This involves a detailed examination of the life history of stories considering historical and geographical contexts to understand their essence and cultural flow.</p>