Conceptual embodiments of nation and ideal: A research on dream metaphors in literature of Han Dynasty

• Main Authors: Meng-Fang Li, 李孟芳
• Other Authors: 林淑貞
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/11385144645185440857

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 中國文學系所 === 98 === Dream remains mysterious and influential in literature. Dreams are an integral part in literature, appearing in epic, poetry, fiction, drama and other forms of storytelling. Nowadays, dreams in literature have attracted many researchers’ attention. Among previous research on dream-vision literature, much has studied dream culture of Qin Dynasty and dream-vision poetry and drama since Tang Dynasty. However, little researched the period of Han Dynasty and Six Dynasties, which causes a gap to understand the development of dreams in literature and therefore contributes to this research. Dream metaphors involve foreseeing, preaching moral fables or other interpretation function. Looking back at Han Dynasty history, there are three major types of dream metaphors. First, dreams in epic are viewed as the messages from the God or ancestors, foretelling what will happen in the future. Secondly, scholars in Han Dynasty take good use of dreams to preach moral ethics such as honesty and integrity. Thirdly, dreams in poetry furthermore develop the abstract and philosophic concept of emptiness. This research utilizes the narrative theory, classification and induction to analyze the forms of dream metaphors in Han Dynasty and how they are narrated to deliver the meanings of private-self and public-self. This research also aims to find out the psychological dimensions of dreamers, dream interpreters and narrators. In addition, the development of dream literature is reviewed in order to understand how the dream literature evolves in Han Dynasty and afterwards. Finally, the analysis of cultural and psychological factors of dreams tends to illustrate how dreams influence people’s consciousness and how it leads to the peak of dream culture in Han Dynasty. This research suggests some findings. First, dream metaphors function differently in different literature genres. Secondly, dream metaphors often describe the consciousness of public-self and private-self. Thirdly, dream metaphor originates from Chinese traditional religion when theology is the core social value in Han Dynasty. Fourthly, philosophers, such as Wang Chong and Wang Fu, propose that dream metaphors suggest self-consciousness, the reflection of superstition and fate philosophy. Fifthly, different literature genres have developed their own narrative styles and meanings of dream metaphors. Sixthly, dream metaphors depict the thinking and psychology of dreamers and narrators. Finally, the abstract meanings evolve as dream metaphors develop new images. By analyzing dream metaphors in literature of Han Dynasty, it may not be as splendid as that of Qin Dynasty, but it grows with its deep and firm roots to establish the glory of dream culture and pass down its own values in generations.