Ming Dynasty Cities and Urban Popular Literature

Author: Fang Zhiyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: The Ming Dynasty was a flourishing era for urban popular literature in China. Based on a thorough review of previous research and extensive collection of relevant historical materials, this book analyzes the survival conditions of urban popular literature in the Ming Dynasty—characteristics and composition of cities and urbanites—with a broad perspective, fluent language, and rigorous arguments. It comprehensively and meticulously reveals the emergence, development process, and social factors influencing this process of urban popular literature in the Ming Dynasty. The book also explores the main genres of urban popular literature in the Ming Dynasty, as well as the creation, dissemination, and reception methods of these genres, along with the social identities and regional distributions of the creators, disseminators, and recipients. It realistically discusses the status and role of urban popular literature in the urban society of the Ming Dynasty, as well as its intervention and influence on Ming society.