Giving Voice to the Precarious: Feng Menglong's Mountain Songs and the Politics of Literary Transmission

The Power of the People's Song

Explore the fascinating intersection of politics and literature in 17th-century China through Leigh K. Jenco's insightful work on Feng Menglong's Mountain Songs Compendium (c. 1610). Jenco delves into how these seemingly simple folk songs become powerful acts of political transmission, giving voice to the marginalized and challenging established narratives.

Published in Perspectives on Politics, Jenco's research highlights the precarious nature of these voices and the deliberate effort involved in preserving and disseminating them. The Mountain Songs Compendium becomes a vital lens through which we can understand the social and political dynamics of the era.

Preserving History, One Song at a Time

The act of compiling and transmitting these songs was far from neutral. Jenco argues that Feng Menglong's work was a conscious effort to preserve the perspectives of the common people, offering a counter-narrative to official historical accounts. This careful preservation underscores the political significance of these songs, transforming them from simple entertainment into potent historical documents.

Accessing Jenco's Research

Jenco's groundbreaking article, "Precarious Voices: The Political Act of Transmission in Feng Menglong’s Mountain Songs Compendium (c. 1610)," is available through the London School of Economics and Political Science repository. While currently under embargo until January 1, 2100, the record indicates the article will eventually be available under a Creative Commons Attribution License.

This research offers a crucial contribution to the fields of political science and history, providing a unique perspective on the power of literary transmission in shaping political discourse.