The Chinese theater

"The Chinese Theater" by A. E. Zucker is a historical survey that examines how Chinese theatrical traditions evolved and what they mean for society. The author starts by pointing out that Western sources tend to ignore or don't fully appreciate Chinese plays. Zucker aims to offer a more complete view, beginning with accounts from the T'ang Dynasty up through the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. He discusses the impact of specific people, important plays, and cultural forces, showing how things such as Confucianism shaped theatrical works. Zucker argues that studying Chinese drama is essential to truly understanding Chinese culture and its importance.