Jin Shengtan's Theory On Writing

The theory on writing is the core in Jin Shengtan's literature commentary theory. It has far-reaching theory origins. The tendency of detailed criticism to classical poem and prose since Tang and Song Dynasty and commentary of contemporary literary prose in Ming Dynasty effect Jin Shengtan deeply so he advocates rule of writing. On the basis of former theory on writing Jin Shengtan enlarges literary criticism object from poem, prose to novel and drama, and summarizes their common character: rules of writing. Jin Shengtan's theory on writing involve word of composition, sentence of composition, chapter of composition. He initiates narrative technique. The first chapter of this thesis makes a retrospection to the theory on writing before Jin Shengtan. Chapter second discusses Jin Shengtan's theory on writing as a whole. Jin Shengtan receives double influence from the tradition and the times, so he emphasizes rule of writing and immits new connotation into theory on writing through his literary commentary practice. Chapter three to six expound separately Jin Shengtan's theory on writing from three aspects: technique of structure, art of composition; word function, sentence structure; narrative technique, among which narrative technique is the most part. There are two chapters discussing narrative technique in this thesis from plot arrangement, narrative angle of view, narrative rhythm, character mold. Chapter seven points out Jin Shengtan's criticism is essentially text criticism which stress analysing form factor of text and aim at directing beginners how to create and appreciate literature works. Jin Shengtan's theory on writing holds great influence in history of literary criticism. It is helpful that analyzing Jin Shengtan's theory on writing to development of theory of literature creation and indigenous formalism literature theory.