Reflections on Human Ethics and Research Directions in the Classical Chinese Novel Complete Legend of the White Snake

Abstract

As a pivotal narrative within the “Legend of the White Snake” tradition, The Complete Tale of the White Snake (Bai She Quanzhuan) embodies multiple layers of Chinese cultural imagination concerning morality, emotion, humanity, and the supernatural. This paper examines its textual characteristics and historical evolution by comparing it with other narrative variants from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Further, it explores the underlying moral views, religious beliefs, and narrative logic embedded in folk traditions. The study highlights how this tale has been continuously adapted and reinterpreted in contemporary media—from Tian Han’s theatrical adaptations in the mid-20th century to recent animated films—demonstrating a dynamic process of cross-media transformation and cultural revitalization. Through comparative literature analysis and multimodal case studies, this paper argues that the White Snake narrative serves as a medium of cultural identity and emotional resonance, whose fluid structure enables renewed vitality in modern contexts. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of how traditional Chinese narratives are recontextualized and transmitted within contemporary media systems.