Tang Dynasty The Preludes Study

As a special literary style, which integrates the applicable function into literature, gift-preface in eassy form attained great achievement in the Tang Dynasty. It is of paramount importance to the understanding of Tang literature and Tang culture. The thesis covers the following aspects: the review of the research on Tang gift-preface, the origin and implication of gift-preface, its artistic value and classification, its content and stages, its significance and functions. ? Firstly a review of the research on Tang gift-preface is ? made and the following conclusions are drawn: Though the research on Tang gift-preface made gratif~4ng progress in the past twenty years, it appears to be uneven. The research on Tang literature taken as a whole, the scope of research on Tang gift- preface still needs to be extended further, the quality of research to be improved and the methods to be developed. Secondly, proceeding from the implication and the form of preface, the thesis analyses its development from the Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty and expounds on the relationship between gift-preface and preface, the gift-preface prior to the Tang Dynasty and the process of development of gift-preface as an independent literary style. Thirdly, the classification of Tang gift-preface is made and a comparison between preface and gift-preface is drawn from the angles of the method of classification and the features of the titles. The artistic features of Tang gift-preface are summarized as: the specific subject of writing and the variety of artistic approach. Fourthly, the thesis analyses the main theme of Tang gift- preface which include friendship, patting sorrow, eulogy, encouragement, persuasion and advocation. The different stages ? in the development of Tang gift-preface are put forward, namely ? the robust earlier period, prosperous mid-period and decling later period. Lastly the thesis analyses the reasons why gift-preface prospered in the Tang Dynasty from the perspectives of the enhanced status of literature in the Tang Dynasty and the increase of contacts between men of letters in the Tang Dynasty .The functions and significance of Tang gift-preface is also presented.