Research On Tang Wen - Chen

Tang Wen Cui was the earliest extant literature collection of China,which was edited by Yao Xuan of Northern Song Dynasty.It contained more than two thousands works of the Tang Dynasty. It was a very personality of Tang Dynasty poetry anthology.The editor YaoXuan rejected parallel prose and metrical verse by compling Tang Wen Cui,in an attempt to change flashy literary style in that time.On the one hand,Tang Wen Cui inherited concepts of the ancient prose movement in Tang Dynasty deeply,respecting Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan,advocating to recovery “Dao”in ancient time.On the other hand,Tang Wen Cui echoed the ancient prose movement in Song Dynasty,providing lots of classical works which could be imitated for innovators and advocators,helping changing literature fashion,having vanguard significance.This paper is divided into four chapters.The first chapter is mainly about the background of the times before and after the compliation of Tang Wen Cui,the introduction to the author’s life and editions of Tang Wen Cui.This part focuses on the literature fashion,especially imperial examination which promoted the popularation of parallel prose and Xi Kun.After seeing the literature gradually losing the true,Yao Xuan started to edit Tang Wen Cui. According to bibliographies and historical description of previous dynasties, I summarizes 14 important versions of Tang Wen Cui.The second part is related with the style and the standard of Tang Wen Cui.Then analysis Yao Xuan’s principle,purpose and objective on the basis of preface and works of Tang Wen Cui.The third chapter is mainy about literally thoughts of Tang Wen Cui by counting selective authors and works.The first thought is carrying forward the traditional Confucian view of poetry.The second thought is advocating to recovery “Dao” in ancient time.The third thought is respecting beauty of golden mean and harmony.The last chapter is mainly about the worth of history of literature and philology of Tang Wen Cui.The worth of philology mainly embodys in three facets:Firstly, Tang Wen Cui is complementary with Wen Yuan Ying Hua,it’s helpful to understand poems in Tang Dynasty.Secondly, Tang Wen Cui has ahigh textual value.Finally, Tang Wen Cui has high historical value.