What are the characteristics of Chinese long stories?

They usually have complex plots with many characters. Take 'Journey to the West' as an example. There are the main characters like Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, and a large number of demons and gods. The story unfolds through their adventures on the journey to the west, with various plot twists and turns.

In the case of Xi Shi and Fan Li, their love was full of sacrifice. Xi Shi sacrificed her own comfort and safety for the greater good of her country at first, and Fan Li's love was shown in his waiting and finally taking her away. Their love was intertwined with the fate of the nation, which is a unique characteristic in some Chinese love stories.

Long stories often have complex plots. They usually involve multiple characters with different motives and personalities. For example, in 'A Tale of Two Cities', there are many characters like Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, and the plot weaves through the French Revolution. Long stories also tend to cover a wide range of themes. They can explore love, death, power, and morality all in one. Additionally, they may span different locations and time periods, adding to their richness.

Symbolism is also a characteristic. The transformation into butterflies in 'The Butterfly Lovers' is a symbol of their undying love. These symbols add a deeper meaning to the love stories and make them more memorable.

Chinese love stories frequently incorporate elements of Chinese mythology and folklore. This gives them a unique cultural flavor. For example, the use of celestial beings in love stories like 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl' adds a touch of magic and mystery. Moreover, Chinese love stories tend to be more implicit in expressing love compared to some Western counterparts. The affection is often shown through actions, glances, and small gestures rather than direct declarations.

One characteristic is their conciseness. They can convey deep meanings in a relatively short length. For example, they might use a simple plot to illustrate a moral value like honesty or kindness.

Chinese monster stories often have a complex web of relationships. The monsters may interact with humans, gods or other monsters. These relationships can be friendly, hostile or a mixture of both. For instance, in the story of the White Snake, there is the relationship between the snake spirit and the human, as well as the conflict with the monk.

Chinese love stories often involve elements of fate and destiny. For example, in 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl', their love is predestined by the heavens. Another characteristic is the presence of external obstacles. In many stories, like 'The Butterfly Lovers', social norms and family expectations act as barriers to the lovers' union.

One characteristic is the strong presence of moral lessons. Chinese ghost stories often teach about good and bad deeds. For example, those who are kind-hearted may be rewarded even by ghosts, while the evil - doers are punished. Another is the rich cultural elements. They are deeply rooted in Chinese traditional culture, like the concept of reincarnation. Ghosts in these stories are often related to unfinished business in their past lives.

One characteristic is that they often carry moral lessons. For example, in many stories, good characters are rewarded and bad characters are punished, teaching kids about right and wrong.