China Modern Society Yanqingxiaoshuo Of Research

This dissertation studies Chinese modern social romance novels. Social romance novel is a major component in modern popular literature, and it has always attracted a large portion of readers. Based on intensive readings of a large variety of romance novels, this study investigates the relationship between social romance novels and ancient Chinese literature tradition, and reviews its reformation within the social changes. Chinese ancient novel had a tradition of writing romance. In Tang Dynasty, two novels "Huizhenji"and "Liwazhuan" initiated "intellectual beauty" and "gentleman & prostitute" trends relatively. In Song Dynasty, some stories still continued this tradition. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, "Yujiaoli" and "Haoqiuzhuan" represented this trend. "Hongloumeng" is the highlight of this social romance tradition. Since then this theme of novel declined, and turned to a tendency of writing prostitute related novels, such like "Qingloumeng" and "Huayuehen*. Among them, some were masterpieces, for example, "Huayuehen" has influenced contemporary romance novels.The formation of social romance novels was based on two reasons. First, from the end of 19th century to early 20th century, a large number of romance novels emerged and led literature direction. Second, since late Qing Dynasty, love stories such like "Henhai"started a fashion in which writers combined social changes and romance in novels. "Guanglingchao" combined above two formats and formed a new style which is social romance novel. Like Mr. Fan Boqun said, people in romance had their romance happen in society. Many social romance novels reflected the reality. In popular literature, those who wrote reality also wrote romance. Critics distinguished them as esocial and romance, actually they each has their own emphasis. In general, novels of this type is called social romance novels, and it is easy to be accepted by writers and readers . Modern social romance novels continued this tradition, and meanwhile, established its own characteristics. This dissertation analyzes this literature phenomenon with a narrative research method. In one hand, from a romance model, this study analyzes "Yulihun" and "Gguanglingchao", explains how social romance novelists have inherited and developed intellectual &beauty gentleman & prostitute models. In another hand, from analysis of several groups of literature figures, explores the generalization of certain models. There are several types of literature figures in social romance novels: self-reflection novelist roles,old-fashion beauty or half-old half-new fashion beauty, romantic new women, prostitute, actress, and concubines. These literature figures distinguished social romance and May 4th new literature in content and significance.Zhang Henshui developed social romance novel to a perfect level. His novel "Tixiaoyinyuan" eliminated the influence of tradition, and became a masterpiece of this kind. Not only he surpassed his early artistic writing style, but also he created a model to write love stories with an economic concern. His writing deluded the seriousness of May 4th new literature with a realistic style.In this study, the author uses comparative analysis, compared with traditional literature influence, and also compared with May 4th new literature. By doing so, the features of social romance novels were made to be understood easily.