[General] Greek tragedy

[thedaffodils]

Post-Opium War Chinese history had always been a grim reading of horror -- war indemnities and reparations, international clown as the Sick Man of the East, until the advent of M.ao's revolution beginning 59 years ago.

When I was a kid, reading such history of pre-Revolutionary China was more enervating than reading a Greek tragedy -- in other words, the Opium War and its century-long aftermath placed an unbearable onus on the psyche of our people.

I don't understand why the author compared the history of pre -revolutionary China to a Greek tragedy. Is a Greek tragedy way wretched than any other tragedy? Thanks!

[rocking]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

I don't understand why the author compared the history of pre -revolutionary China to a Greek tragedy. Is a Greek tragedy way wretched than any other tragedy? Thanks!

Hello.

The author must be Chinese, i assume.

to my knowledge, Greek tragedies are spectacular and dramatic, if no less bloody and cruel - more entertaining to a non-Greek reader. When we Chinese read about how our land was brutalised as a consequence of the Opium War, can we feel anything less than enervating? I think that's what the writer means.

by the way, what's the book you're reading?

[thedaffodils]

Originally Posted by rocking

Hello.

The author must be Chinese, i assume.

to my knowledge, Greek tragedies are spectacular and dramatic, if no less bloody and cruel - more entertaining to a non-Greek reader. When we Chinese read about how our land was brutalised as a consequence of the Opium War, can we feel anything less than enervating? I think that's what the writer means.

by the way, what's the book you're reading?

Thank you for your reply.