The Summary Of Linshu's Critique On Ancient Chinese Proses

This dissertation chooses Linshu's theoretical system of ancient Chinese proses as the main researching project. Basing on Chun Jue Zhai Lun Wen and Linshu's other critique on ancient Chinese proses, according to the theory of system and comparison, this dissertation stydies the contect,characteristic,value and signification of Linshu's theory of ancient Chinese proses.In terms of critiques on ancient Chinese proses, Linshu continued the writing merits of those critics such as Gui,Fang,Liu and Yao, who are outstanding representatives of Tongcheng School. Furthermore, he went beyong that. Not rigidly adhering to Yi Fa(main principle held by Tongcheng School advocating that writing shouldn't be devoid of substance and order), Linshu also modeled his writing after that of earlier eminent prose writers such as Han,liu,Ou,Su,Zuo,Shi,Zhuan,Sao. Hence, we may conclude that Linshu successfully carried forward the critiques of ancient Chinese proses of Tongcheng School. Besides, when translating western novels into Chinese, Linshu made contrasts between Chinese culture and western culture, enriching translation theories and broadening literature vision. Linshu studied ancient Chinese proses and produced many great works, based on which, he formed a well-conceived theoretical system with his own characteristic.From the aspect of writing style, Linshu's chief theoretical achievement resulting from the study of style contain works Liu Bie Lun and Xuan Ping Gu Wen Ci Lei Zuan. The two works originate from Wen Zhang Liu Bie Ji written by Zhiyu,Wen Xin Diao Long written by Liuxie and Gu Wen Ci Lei Zuan by Yaonai. Carrying on the category and framework of the literary form adopted by Wen Xin Diao Long, combining the style development after the Wei dynasty and the Jin dynasty, Linshu synthesized,classified,discriminated and renewed several basic aspects of writing style of Chinese classics, including groups,origins,functions,styles,rules,reviews and so on. Apart from this, Linshu had a proper assessment of development at that time and tendency of writing style. What Linshu did had won himself the title of the outstanding figure on the study of writing style besides Liuxie, writer of Wen Xin Diao Long. From the aspect of art, Linshu deserves to be called a comprehensive synthesist of art theory of ancient Chinese proses. His work Eight Rules talks about some basic points of Chinese classical aesthetics: mood,insight,vigour,tone,humour,venation,sensation and taste. For each point, Linshu gave a detailed account of its concept,origin,evolvement,manifestation,writing technique and representative works. In ancient Chinese proses, mood(fundmental element of aesthetics), taste(primary feature of aesthetics and deep internal connotation kept by ancient proses), tone(external expression of taste), the three points make up a rich and well-organized art system of ancient Chinese proses.From the aspect of literary criticism, Linshu made comments on many collected works by literary masters of dynasties, working out a great number of reviews. His reviews feature in the good combinationof cases and theories, particular work and its critique, showing his strong individual character, and are the direct embodiment of Linshu's literary thoughts and values.This dissertation regards Linshu as the comprehensive synthesizer and finalizer of the theory of ancient Chinese proses. Linshu's works on ancient proses synthesize previous critiques on ancient proses and bring them and finalize them to their highest development.His work represented relatively strong trend of acceptance and practicability in theory. Meanwhile, in his uncommon compare of Western and Eastern literature, under the light of foreign culture, he aroused some long forgotten characteristic in ancient Chinese proses, refreshed and developed the research on ancient Chinese proses, showed a new and quite different visage from Tongcheng School and their revered Tang Song literature masters. In the deeper profundity of cultural connotation, he became the terminator of traditional literature and the torchbearer of new literature, fulfilled his historical responsibility in the great transition of Chinese literature.