Nature's Work of Art: The Human Body as Image of the World

Abstract

historical and philosophical prose, and especially the highly sophisticated expository essays are some of the omitted topics. This book would be more complete if it included studies of them, as well as of the fu. Studies in Chinese Literary Genres is evidence of a generation's achievements, and also of its limitations. The editor mentions the as a dominant feature of critical methods shown in these essays, but the kind of comparative approach often appears to be only rudimentary. In many cases, the array of parallels and contrasts does not enhance our knowledge of the subject. Sometimes the western counterparts brought in for comparison actually dilute the intensity of the Chinese originals. A great number of the references to western works are embellishing rather than illuminating. Most of the essays are inspiring not because of their approach, but because they penetrate the texts. Their authors have surpassed many of their predecessors and their work will be of enduring value to students of Chinese literature.