baguwen
Quick Summary
The baguwen, or "eight-legged essay," was a literary genre in China that dominated writing for centuries, from 1487 to 1901. It was the primary format for candidates in the official civil-service examinations. This genre is characterized by its strict structure, requiring pairs of long paragraphs that mirrored each other in content, word choice, and phrasing.1
While it exploited antithetical construction and contrasting tonal patterns, the baguwen is now generally considered unworthy of classification as literature. Its rigid format and focus on examination requirements overshadowed more creative literary pursuits during its prevalence.1
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Chinese literatureGeneral characteristics…in this borderland, is the baguwen (“eight-legged essay”). Now generally regarded as unworthy of classification as literature, for centuries (from 1487 to 1901) it dominated the field of Chinese writing as the principal yardstick in grading candidates in the official civil-service examinations. It exploited antithetical construction and contrasting tonal patterns…
Read More…in this borderland, is the baguwen (“eight-legged essay”). Now generally regarded as unworthy of classification as literature, for centuries (from 1487 to 1901) it dominated the field of Chinese writing as the principal yardstick in grading candidates in the official civil-service examinations. It exploited antithetical construction and contrasting tonal patterns…
Read More- Chinese literatureMing dynasty: 1368–1644
…the Mongols, the highly schematic baguwen (“eight-legged essay”) was adopted as the chief yardstick in measuring a candidate’s literary attainments. Despite occasional protests, it continued to engage the attention of aspirants to official literary honours from 1487 to 1901.
Read More…the Mongols, the highly schematic baguwen (“eight-legged essay”) was adopted as the chief yardstick in measuring a candidate’s literary attainments. Despite occasional protests, it continued to engage the attention of aspirants to official literary honours from 1487 to 1901.
Read More