Research on the Narrative Mode of Scholarly and Beauty Novels in the Early Qing Dynasty

Author: Qiu Jiangning
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This book primarily uses Russian Formalism theory as its theoretical foundation, with estrangement (a core concept of Russian Formalism) as the fundamental measure. It examines the narrative patterns of specific works in the "talented scholars and beautiful ladies" genre, comparing these patterns vertically with those of previous literary works. The aim is to expand and deepen the study of this genre through new theories and perspectives, and to provide a more accurate evaluation of its creation.
From the perspective of the creation of "talented scholars and beautiful ladies" novels in the early Qing Dynasty, studying their creation from the narrative pattern angle is feasible and productive. This is because, based on the research of early works such as The Jade and Pearls (Yu Jiao Li) and Ping Shan and Leng Yan (Ping Shan Leng Yan), this genre emerged during the late years of the Shunzhi Emperor and the early years of the Kangxi Emperor in the decades of the early Qing Dynasty. The geographical focus of these novels was primarily in the Jiangnan region.
Considering the social conditions of Jiangnan during that time, it differs significantly from the descriptions found in these specific works. Therefore, if one studies the creation of "talented scholars and beautiful ladies" novels from a sociological angle or focuses on the content and ideas reflected in the novels, it will not provide a realistic evaluation of this genre.