Pengxiang Wujiang -- A Study of Zhuangzi Literature

Author: Liu Shengliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: In the brilliant starry sky of Chinese culture, the Zhuangzi stands out as one of the most unique and dazzling stars. It is not only a great philosophical work but also an outstanding piece of literature, profoundly influencing the development of Chinese philosophy and literature since the Qin and Han dynasties. However, for a long time, people have delved deeply into the philosophical aspects of the Zhuangzi, with numerous works on the subject; whereas its literary study has been relatively neglected, lacking comprehensive and systematic treatises. Liu Shengliang, moved by this, chose to make the literary study of the Zhuangzi his doctoral thesis topic. After diligent research and multiple revisions, he has completed this extensive monograph of over 300,000 words, which has been highly praised by all members of the dissertation committee and many fellow scholars and experts, and is now set to be published by the People's Publishing House.
As his supervisor, I am pleased to be invited to say a few words as the preface. The book consists of 7 chapters, 26 sections, and over 70 sub-topics. Chapter 1 examines the essential issues of Zhuangzi the person and his work through necessary textual research; the remaining chapters delve into the literary genres, stylistic forms, textual structure, rhetorical techniques, discourse characteristics, as well as aesthetics and literary thought of the Zhuangzi, offering detailed and in-depth analyses. This reveals the literary features and influence of the Zhuangzi on a large scale and at a high level, presenting readers with fresh insights.