A Review Of Leading Viewpoints In Er Pai

Er Pai, written in the late period of Ming Dynasty when the literary style of vulgar was acclaimed by the whole society, belongs to the literature of philistine. Ling Mengchu as a man of letters grasped this opportunity to write a novel by means of adopting prodigies in different times. On account of everyday life, this novel possesses a realistic tint. By the description of inconstancy of human relationships, Er Pai depicts the social and psychological requirements of townsfolk and reflects the relatively progressive ideas of the writer s.People do not mention San Yan and Er Pai in the same breath. Moreover, most critics always praise San Yan. highly but depreciate the significance of Er Pai.This paper attempts to review the leading viewpoints depicted in mainly from three perspectives: Firstly, Er Pai exposes the decadent social reality in a general way. In the late Ming Dynasty the authorities corrupted and the ethics and morality degenerated. Even imperial examinations as a way to choosing people with abilities for the state also cheated badly. Er Pai concerning every corner of the society demonstrates the conflicts between good and evil. Secondly, Er Pai affirms the value of commerce bourgeoning during the late period of Ming Dynasty. The writer often serves merchants as protagonists and business activities as topics in his works, by which he gives readers avivid picture of new change of human relationships. Last, Er Pai breaks the shackle of the conventional concept of marriage, conforms, the nature of human passion and breaches the concept of the nobility of male and the humbleness of female. Bravely the writer proclaims the equality of men and women and agrees to the freedom of marriage, which reflects the tremendous change of social ideology in the late period of Ming Dynasty.