Historic Sites And Ancient Chinese Literature

This paper is made up of a preface and ten chapters.Chapter One defines narrowly the two terms "historic scenery" and "historic scenery literature". Among the 4768 famous scenic spots in Chinese history, 54% have something to with its classic literature. The emergency and prosperity of literature has contributed much to the building and development of scenic spots and helped expand their influence as well. This paper, for the first time in academic field both domestic and abroad, terms the literary works concerning scenic spots "historic scenery literature" which is defined and proved in this chapter. The difference between historic scenery literature and traveling literature is distinguished, too.Chapter Two studies historic scenery literature from a historical point of view. The author finds a thread of this specific literature from the traveling history and literature history in China. He also advances the following ideas based on data available.The two important turning points for historic scenery literature are: the fashion for the scholar-officials to travel around enjoying the nature; the foundation of imperial examination system in Sui and Tang Dynasties. These two facts arouse the scholars' enthusiasm in traveling and writing.Chapter Three makes a list of the most favorite scenery writings, including ten poems, ten cis, ten couplets, and ten essays. The author's brief comments on them are made too.Chapter Four, from the aspect of regions, studies the different styles of historic scenery literature.Chapter Five focuses on the relationship between the scenes' popularity and the related writings. The following may cover all historic scenery works:Initial-stage Influencing: not long after its building the scene becomes famous overnight for thesake of some important works on it.Late-stage Strengthening: there are many sorts of works describing a scene, with one playing themajor role.Long-term Reinforcing: after the appearance of the scene, excellent works are producedunceasingly and its popularity is enlarged.Single-work Depending: the view is known totally because of a single Famous writing.Literature-initiating: the building of the scene is initiated by some literary works.The main melody of historic scenery literature is emphasized in this chapter. For example. On Yueyang Building by FanZhongyan expresses the spirit "be concerned first and rejoice last", the couplet in the memorial temple for ZhuGeliang in ChengDu embodies the profound philosophy of how to rule a country, and the works by XinQiji and other writers reflect their deep love for the motherland. These first-class writings embody the main melody of scenic spots and show their importance on shaping the spirit of the nation and the people as well.Chapter Six studies scenes related with the Four Chinese Folk Stories and the traditional dramatic programmes. The four kinds of drama, real characters with real deeds, real characters with false deeds, false characters with real deeds, and false characters with false deeds, all can lead to the appearance of scenic spots.Chapter Seven and Eight analyze the different styles of historic scenery literature, including those respectively describing scenery, expressing emotions and so on. Besides, the subjective and objective causes accounting for the prosperity of works on historic scenes are studied, too.The last two chapters state the aim and the significance of the research on historic scenery literature. That is, the research will enable people to appreciate and employ this special literature properly.