On The Civilian Consciousness In The Novels Of Ming And Qing Dynasty

This thesis attemps to revral the consciousness of citizen in the popular novel of Ming and Qing dynasty. In the period of Ming ang Qing dynasty, the classical and popular novel achieves the highest level. As a new form of literature, the popular novel is different from the tranditional forms of literature, in the aspects of its birth, propagate and development. The tranditional forms of literature are controled by the scholar-officials, on the contrary, the popular novel is face to the common people.With the development of commercial economy, the stratum of citizen grow in strength, and the realm of thought have a great change, all of these promote the development of popular novel. Not only the theme, characters, style and language of the novel, but also the aesthetic taste of the authors show the civilian consciousness. The intellectuals fufil their individual valuaes among the masses through the way of taking part in the material activities. In the course of creation, the authors conform to the common standards of aesthetics. The popular novel show the criticize to the feudal trandition and the awakening of selfconsciousness.