A Study of the Late Ming Shih-shuo Form

• Main Authors: Kuan, T''ing-sen, 官廷森
• Other Authors: Luo, Tsung-t''ao
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1999
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07276894681520647251

碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 中國文學系 === 87 === During the Late Ming, the New Account of Tales of the World (Shih-shuo hsin yu) reached unprecedented heights in popularity; it was held in highest esteem by the era''s scholars. Based on what we know now, there were at least 18 versions of the original printed edition of New Account of Tales of the World . Supplements and imitations of it numbered more than 30; among them, Addendum to New Account of Tales of the World had more than 9 different editions. Further, in comparisons of the original, supplements, and imitations, we find there are about 13 commentators and annotators. The number of scholars who wrote prefaces and colophons is too great to cite; in fact there was even one who wrote two. Such a profusion of interest was rare in the history of Chinese literature and it is because of this fact we can see what an important role New Account of Tales of the World played in the Late Ming. This paper focuses on a study of the interrelation between the Wei Chin period and the Late Ming. By comparing and contrasting New Account of Tales of the World with the Late Ming Shih-shuo form, unique characteristics of the latter are revealed as well as the tastes and literary interests of Late Ming scholars. Chapter 2 explores the background and causes for the rise in the Late Ming Shih-shuo form. Chapter 3 analyzes the structure and style of Late Ming Shih-shuo form. Chapter 4 discusses Late Ming trends in thought and literary imagery from several points of view: moral conduct, language, politics, literature, etc. Through this research, the author hopes to flesh out the significance and value of Late Ming Shih-shuo form on the literature, thought, and culture of that era and also gain a deeper understanding of Late Ming academic trends, scholar''s proclivities, and literary theory. Chapter One: Introduction p. 1 Chapter Two: The Rise of Late Ming Shih-shuo Form p. 7 Part One: Admiration of the Wei Chin Style p. 7 Part Two: Affection for Short Stories p. 10 Part Three: Promotion by Famous Scholars p. 12 Chapter Three: The Structure of the Late Ming Shih-shuo Form p. 17 Part One: Categories of Titles p. 20 Part Two: Annotations, "Little" Prefaces, and Editorial Comments p.27 Chapter Four: Content of the Late Ming Shih-shuo Form p. 47 Part One: Moral Conduct p. 48 Section One: Theory of Compositions of Ethical Instruction p. 54 Section Two: The "Nothing Too Large or Small" Standard of Selecting Material p. 58 Part Two: Language p. 68 Section One: Purity p. 71 a. The Meaning of Purity p. 72 1. The Pure and The Polluted p. 72 2. The Pure and The Refined and Vulgar p. 76 3. The Pure and The Mysterious p. 81 4. The Pure and Matters of Style p. 83 b. The Late Ming''s "Purity" p. 88 1. The Purity of the Rich and Famous p. 92 2. The Purity of the Recluse p. 97 c. The Relationship Between the Late Ming Shih-shuo Form and the Pure Language of the Er p. 100 1. The Meaning of Pure Language p. 101 2. The Form of Pure Language p. 102 Section Two: Deportment p. 112 a. The Flawed As Beautiful p. 115 b. Great Emotion and Candor p. 119 c. Unrestrained and Rash p. 123 d. Indulgence in Wine and Women p. 127 Part Three: Political Matters p. 135 Section One: Broad Employment of Men of Intelligence p. 138 Section Two: Attentitiveness to the National Economy p. 148 Section Three: Strengthen National Defense in Border Adminstrations p. 158 Part Four: Literature p. 160 Section One: Literary Works p. 162 a. If the Words and Meaning are In Accord, the Literature''s Quality Will Be Elegant p. 162 b. Prose Comes From Ideas, Poetry From Disposition p. 164 c. Admiration of Wei Chin Literature''s Charms p.167 d. Promotion of Pai Chu-yi and Su Shih p. 169 Section Two: Metaphysics and Buddhism p. 172 Section Three: Erudition p. 179 Part Five: Perfect Wisdom p. 185 Section One: Knowledge p. 185 Section Two: Intelligence p. 196 Part Six: Talented Women p. 202 Chapter Five: Conclusion p. 213 Bibliography p.225