Liu Xiang Prose Succession Of The Western Han Dynasty Style And Beyond

This paper considers that Liu Xiang's essay played an important role in the development of the Xihan's style of writing. Liu Xiang's essay not only inherited but also surpassed the style of writing in his era, thus he became a typical representatives Xihan's literary world. The paper tries to analyze his essay's inheritance and transcendence. It also discusses the multiple contradictions in Liu Xiang'essayandthen revalues his essay.There are three parts in this paper.Firstly, it describes the background of the age. Liu Xiang went through the reign of Emperor Xian, Yuan and Chen, which is a special period in Xihan dynasty. On politics, it changed from feudal rule by dictator to rule by Confucian. On national power, it changed from the vigorous reign of Emperor Wu and Xuan to the eclipsing reign of Emperor Xuan and Chen. On literature, it changes from the descriptive prose interspersed with verse to Confucian Classics on literature.Secondly, it discusses his essay's inheritance and transcendence in the style of writing of Xihan. Inheriting emotionally wrought up style of writing of early Xihan, Liu Xiang created the essays that included ideas of administering the country. Meanwhile, he wrote many essays that contained Confucian classic because of inheriting refined style of writing of mid-Xihan. Compared with Dong Zhongshu and Kuang Heng, it finds out that Liu Xiang's ideology had changed with the era. It express on breaking thought the convention, believing supertition at young and advocating etiqutte at old age, praising the schemers of Warring States and quick-witted women. In literature, Iiu Xiang thought highly of rhetoric and ancient female literature, so he guide the transform of later Xihan.Thirdly, it discusses the influences of Liu Xiang and his essay on the offspring. The background of the upper Xihan had left the brand over Liu Xiang's essay. Loyalty to his state made his prose real but much authoritarianism. Profound knowledge resulted in many materials in his prose. He didn't stick to old way, so his essay had some new ideas. He also made innovation on the story form and the book review.