Shi Yan Study

This thesis consists of preface and five chapters of the text.Chapter one is introduction. The scope of the concept is very important to a series of question in the history of vernacular fiction, so the first section defines the concepts about HuaBen, NiHuaBen and HuaBen fictions. Scholars have been using these three concepts so at will that they have brought us much confusion. First, the author points out that we must abandon the explanation that HuaBen is the draft of storytellers', but it can be used to title the works in Song and Yuan Dynasty that have distinct features of folk tales. Second, NiHuaBen should be considered as vernacular short story written by literati since Ming Dynasty. It results from the imitation of the art of storytellers. Third, HuaBen fiction (the popular name of vernacular short story) can be defined from either broad sense or narrow sense. Section two introduces the current research of XingShiYan.Chapter two is marginal study. Today, we have little living data of Lu Ren-long and this brings a lot of difficulties to the study of XingShiYan and its author. Fortunately, we can find some living clues of his brother Lu Yun-long who has great influence on Lu Ren-long's writing. Lu Ren-long's another writing LiaoHaiDanZhongLu is corresponding to XingShiYan in several aspects, so it can be used as a reference of the study of XingShiYan. Then, the first section of this chapter pays attention to the living activities of Lu Yun-long and this is based on newly find materials; The second section makes an overall analysis of LiaoHaiDanZhongLu in order to get a further understanding of Lu Ren-long and his XingShiYan.Chapter three investigates the idea of XingShiYan and its origin. XingShiYan reflects Ming Dynasty's social features in all sides such as political and economical affairs, customs etc. Also, the idea tendency of Lu Ren-long is analyzed. The lack of love story distinguishes XingShiYan from other HuaBen novels, so it is rather rational than emotional. The formation of XingShiYan' characteristic has its social and cultural cause. XingShiYan has its unique value in getting an overall knowledge of Ming Dynasty. The author also observes XingShiYan from a historical view and probes into the common context of NiHuaBen fictions' that are written in the late Ming Dynasty. And how their ideological differences are produced is discussed.The first part of Chapter four talks over the formation process of NiHuaben fictions' structure, shows the characteristic of XingShiYan's structure and its contribution to the formation process of NiHuaBen fictions' structure. It also discusses why the structure of NiHuaBen fictions has been changed. The second part analyze the art characteristic of XingShiYan, the author thinks that the vivid description of details, the strong character of words and the deep observation of psychology are advisable in art.Chapter five explores the decline of the HuaBen fictions. On the basis of comprehensive analysis, the author gives an appraisal of the position and influence of XingShiYan in the history of fiction.