Genre
Ancient Chinese Text
Setting and Context
The text is set between the 4th and 6th centuries, though the exact date is still debated.
Narrator and Point of View
First-person narration
Tone and Mood
Informative, educative and intriguing
Protagonist and Antagonist
Lao Tzu is the narrator and protagonist of the text.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of Taoism is that it views nature as the interaction of two conflicting forces.
Climax
Observance of Taoism harmonizes oneself with the Tao, implying that nature and the cosmos can come together and coexist peacefully.
Foreshadowing
The progression of nature foreshadows future adherence to Taoism.
Understatement
The complementary forces between nature and the universe are understated.
Allusions
There are allusions to the duality of nature.
Imagery
The images of the fractured government and the divided society depict the sense of sight to readers.
Paradox
Tzu's argument that discourages the use of power is paradoxical because he says that Tao should help rule the people.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Taoism is personified as an influencer that dictates the relationship between nature and the universe.
