Author:
CHEN Yuhao, Assistant Professor, The faculty for Traditional Chinese Culture, Sichuan Normal University.
Abstract:
From the 1860s to 1880s, A Review of the Times, founded by the missionary Young J. Allen, published many poems on the theme of banning opium. These poetry texts, created by Chinese Christians, were products of the practice of concepts of modern Protestant civilization in the social and cultural context of the late Qing Dynasty. The creation of the poetry had evident secular, utilitarian aims, with its main function to complement anti-opium activities in society in solving the problem of opium abuse. Yet the poetry was also influenced by Christian thinking on salvation, and its main writing mode was to admonish opium-smoking prodigals to turn back. In terms of its significance, this utilitarian literature on the theme of transforming the society and enlightening the people set a precedent for propaganda literature and art from the late Qing onwards, and is of significance in studying the evolution of moral literature since ancient time.
Keywords:
the poetry of banning opium, A review of the Times, secular writing, propaganda literature
Full Text (International Version):
CHEN Yuhao JSCCCHEN Yuhao JSCC
