Have you ever come across the philosophy of Confucianism? It might sound a little abstract, or maybe you associate it with ancient traditions of China and Korea. You’re right if you think of it as a mix of both. Confucianism is a Chinese philosophy that greatly influenced Korean culture. It’s not just about respecting your elders or following strict social rules—it goes much deeper into how we live our lives, how we treat each other, and how societies function. And here’s the cool part: Confucianism’s ideas are surprisingly relatable when we look at some classic works of English and American literature. Let’s walk through it together.
What is Confucianism?
Confucianism was founded by Confucius (551-479 BCE), a Chinese philosopher who lived during a time of political chaos. His teachings focused on creating social harmony through moral behavior, respect for hierarchy, and a strong sense of duty to family and society. Confucianism emphasizes several key concepts that shape how individuals should act to maintain personal integrity and societal order.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main Confucian principles:
1. Filial Piety (孝, Xiao) – This is about deep respect and devotion to one’s parents and ancestors. In Confucian thought, respecting your elders is one of the most important responsibilities. The idea is that if everyone fulfills their familial roles, society will function more smoothly.
2. Humaneness (仁, Ren) – This principle refers to compassion and kindness towards others. It’s about treating people with respect and understanding, the foundation of good moral character.
3. Ritual Propriety (礼, Li) – Confucianism places a big emphasis on proper behavior, rituals, and customs that help maintain social order. This isn’t just about religious ceremonies, but everyday actions that show respect and maintain harmony.
4. The Superior Person (君子, Junzi) – A Junzi is someone who strives to be morally upright, wise, and self-disciplined. Confucius believed that everyone should work to become a person of high virtue.
Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s see how these ideas show up in some well-known works of English and American literature.
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)
Let’s start with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, a novel you’ve likely heard of, even if you haven’t read it. It’s all about love, marriage, and social class, but there’s an undercurrent of Confucian values running through the story—particularly filial piety (Xiao) and humaneness (Ren).
Take Elizabeth Bennet, for instance. She’s witty, independent, and determined to marry for love rather than social standing. But at the same time, she’s keenly aware of her duty to her family, even when it conflicts with her personal desires. Her decision-making process shows an internal struggle between her desire for individual freedom and her responsibility to her family—a core element of Confucianism.
Her interactions with Mr. Darcy also reveal the Confucian ideal of humaneness (Ren). At first, Darcy seems aloof and proud, but as we see later, he acts out of genuine concern for Elizabeth and her family. He helps Elizabeth’s sister, Lydia, even though it’s a huge inconvenience for him. This selfless act mirrors the Confucian belief in showing kindness and acting with moral integrity, especially towards others in need. So while Darcy’s external appearance might not scream “humaneness,” his actions speak volumes.
2. King Lear by William Shakespeare (1606)
If you’re looking for a cautionary tale about what happens when filial piety (Xiao) breaks down, Shakespeare’s King Lear is the perfect example. In Confucianism, family harmony is essential to social stability, and children are expected to respect and care for their parents as they age. King Lear flips this idea on its head by showing what happens when this respect is lost.
Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters—based on their flattery—sets the stage for disaster. His daughters, Goneril and Regan, quickly betray him, casting aside their filial duty and leading to the collapse of both their family and the kingdom. In Confucian terms, they fail to uphold Xiao, which causes chaos in the natural and social order.
Cordelia, Lear’s youngest daughter, represents the ideal Confucian child. Though she refuses to flatter Lear, she remains loyal and returns to save him when he’s in danger. Her unwavering sense of duty reflects the Confucian value of filial piety, even in the face of personal hardship.
3. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (1861)
Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations is all about personal growth, ambition, and the cost of forgetting one’s roots—something Confucius would have a lot to say about. In Confucianism, the idea of self-cultivation (working on oneself morally and intellectually) is crucial, but it must be balanced with maintaining strong ties to one’s family and community. Pip, the main character, learns this lesson the hard way.
As Pip rises in social class, he becomes embarrassed by his humble beginnings, distancing himself from Joe, the blacksmith who raised him. In doing so, Pip violates the principle of filial piety (Xiao)—his duty to honor those who cared for him. Pip’s neglect of Joe is a key moral failing, according to Confucian ideals, as he prioritizes his ambitions over his familial responsibilities.
By the end of the novel, Pip realizes the importance of humaneness (Ren) and humility, returning to Joe and Biddy with a newfound respect for the simple, honest life he once looked down upon. This journey mirrors Confucius’s belief that personal improvement must always be grounded in virtue, particularly the virtues of loyalty and gratitude.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
Now, let’s jump to the world of American literature with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. This novel offers a stunning example of Confucian ideals in action, particularly through the character of Atticus Finch. Atticus isn’t just a great lawyer; he’s the embodiment of the Confucian superior person (Junzi).
Atticus’s quiet strength, his refusal to back down from doing what’s morally right (even when it’s unpopular), and his commitment to teaching his children about compassion (Ren) all reflect Confucian values. He constantly encourages Scout and Jem to “climb into another person’s skin and walk around in it”—a perfect reflection of Confucian humaneness, which asks us to be empathetic and understanding in our interactions with others.
Even the Finch family dynamics reflect filial piety (Xiao). While Scout and Jem are typical kids who argue and disobey at times, there’s a deep sense of respect for Atticus and his wisdom. He guides them through example, not through authoritarian control, which aligns with Confucius’s belief that the best way to lead is through moral example, not force.
5. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is steeped in themes of sin, punishment, and redemption, but we can also find Confucian ideas within its pages. In particular, the character of Hester Prynne embodies the Confucian concept of self-cultivation—the idea that personal virtue is achieved through moral and emotional growth.
Hester is publicly shamed for her sin of adultery, but rather than let this destroy her, she quietly works to improve herself and live a life of dignity. In Confucian terms, Hester’s journey is one of moral transformation. She doesn’t rebel against the community’s harsh judgment but instead uses it as a path to self-improvement.
On the flip side, the Puritan society’s rigid punishment reflects a lack of humaneness (Ren). Confucius believed in balancing justice with compassion, and the community’s merciless treatment of Hester contrasts sharply with this ideal. They focus on maintaining social order at the cost of empathy and understanding, showing us what happens when ritual propriety (Li) is followed blindly without kindness.
6. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
Finally, let’s look at The Remains of the Day, a more modern example that ties Confucianism to English literature. Stevens, the butler, lives his life by the Confucian principle of ritual propriety (Li). His dedication to his duties and his adherence to social roles are, on the surface, admirable. But there’s a catch: Confucius believed that while following rituals and duties is important, it should never come at the expense of humaneness (Ren).
Stevens’s blind loyalty to Lord Darlington, even when it becomes clear that his employer is morally flawed, reveals the danger of focusing solely on duty without considering the greater moral context. Confucius would argue that Stevens lacks balance. While he excels in performing his social role, he fails to consider the broader human implications of his actions. This is where Stevens falters in the Confucian sense—his over-reliance on ritual (Li) results in him missing out on what really matters: building meaningful human relationships and showing compassion. His rigid commitment to duty causes him to forsake opportunities for love, personal growth, and even the chance to do the right thing when Lord Darlington supports unethical causes.
Confucius might argue that Stevens could have been a true superior person (Junzi) if he had balanced his professional excellence with personal moral growth. The tragedy in The Remains of the Day is that Stevens only realizes too late that his strict adherence to social expectations came at the cost of his humanity.
How Confucianism Changes Our Reading Experience?
Okay, now that we’ve dug into these works, how does seeing them through the lens of Confucianism change the way we understand them? First of all, Confucianism gives us a new perspective on relationships—particularly the relationships between individuals and society. Many of these classic works focus on the tension between personal freedom and social expectations, which is a key concern in Confucian philosophy.
In Confucianism, the well-being of society depends on the balance between personal moral growth and social harmony. The idea is that by fulfilling your roles and duties (whether as a child, a parent, a worker, or a citizen), you contribute to the stability and happiness of the larger community. This concept sheds light on characters like Pip from Great Expectations, who initially ignores his duties to those who cared for him, only to realize later that true personal fulfillment lies in maintaining strong connections to one’s roots.
Similarly, in To Kill a Mockingbird, we see how Confucian humaneness (Ren) plays a central role in shaping Atticus Finch’s moral character. His actions aren’t just about following the law or protecting his children—he's guided by a deep sense of empathy and responsibility to his community, which makes him a modern embodiment of Confucius’s ideal of the superior person (Junzi).
When we apply Confucian ideas to works like King Lear, we see how the breakdown of familial respect leads to total chaos. Confucius believed that the family unit is the foundation of a healthy society, and when that unit is disrupted, as it is when Lear’s daughters betray him, the social fabric begins to unravel. Shakespeare’s tragedy is, in many ways, a dramatization of the dangers that come with ignoring Confucian principles of filial piety and loyalty to one’s family.
Confucianism as a Guide to Moral Reflection
Another thing that Confucianism helps us do is reflect on the moral choices of characters in a deeper way. Sure, we can talk about right and wrong in universal terms, but Confucianism gives us a more nuanced framework. It asks us to consider not only whether a character's actions are ethical, but also whether they contribute to the greater good of their family and community.
Take The Scarlet Letter, for example. We could look at Hester’s journey through the lens of Western individualism—celebrating her resilience and her ability to stand against societal norms. But Confucianism offers another layer of meaning. Hester’s quiet acceptance of her punishment and her efforts to live a virtuous life after her fall reflect a Confucian approach to self-cultivation. She’s not just rebelling against society—she’s working on herself, constantly striving to become a better person, even in the face of public shame.
Likewise, Stevens from The Remains of the Day reminds us that duty isn’t everything. Confucius believed in the importance of self-awareness and moral integrity, arguing that rituals and roles should never overshadow a person’s duty to act humanely. Stevens’s failure lies in his inability to recognize this distinction—his life becomes a cautionary tale of what happens when we prioritize duty over compassion.
Confucianism and the American Dream
Let’s talk about the American Dream for a second. Confucianism has something to say about that too. At first glance, the American Dream seems to be all about individual success—working hard, achieving greatness, and making a name for yourself. But Confucianism asks us to think more about the collective good. How do our personal ambitions affect our families and our communities? Can we pursue our dreams while still honoring our responsibilities to others?
In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we see a twisted version of the American Dream. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status is fueled by a desire for personal fulfillment, but it ultimately leads to his downfall. In Confucian terms, Gatsby lacks balance. He’s so focused on achieving his own goals that he neglects the virtue of humaneness (Ren)—his relationships with others are shallow, driven more by his need for validation than by genuine connection.
Confucianism would argue that Gatsby’s dream is incomplete because it’s based on selfish desires rather than on a sense of duty to others. Contrast this with a character like Atticus Finch, who also pursues excellence, but does so within a framework of social responsibility and moral integrity. Atticus’s version of success isn’t about personal gain; it’s about contributing to the well-being of his community, which aligns with the Confucian ideal of a balanced life.
Why Confucianism Still Matters Today
So, why should we care about Confucianism when reading literature that’s often set in very different times and places? Well, because these ideas are timeless. Confucianism gives us a way to think about how we live—not just as individuals, but as members of families, communities, and societies. It reminds us that our actions have a ripple effect, shaping the world around us.
When we look at literature through a Confucian lens, we start to see patterns that speak to our own lives. We see the importance of balance—between duty and compassion, personal ambition and social responsibility. We see how respecting others (especially our elders and our families) creates a foundation for a more stable, harmonious society. And perhaps most importantly, we see how striving to become a better person—a Junzi—isn’t just about following rules, but about cultivating a deep sense of empathy, wisdom, and moral integrity.
Confucianism might be an ancient philosophy, but its lessons are as relevant as ever. Whether you’re reading Shakespeare, Austen, or Fitzgerald, the ideas of filial piety, humaneness, and moral self-cultivation can help you unlock deeper meanings in these works—and maybe even offer some insights into your own life.
So, next time you pick up a classic, try thinking like Confucius. You might be surprised at what you discover.
And there you have it! A journey through Confucianism and its connections to some of the greatest works of English and American literature. Whether it's through characters like Atticus Finch, Hester Prynne, or Elizabeth Bennet, the ideas of duty, virtue, and humanity are universal threads that run through stories from all corners of the world.
Written by Amna Khan
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