Zhang Said That The Prose Study

This thesis is the text research about Zhang Shuo' essays. It has four chapters.The first chapter analyzes why Zhang Shuo is called "Da Shou Bi" and the character of his "Da Shou Bi" writings. His "Da Shou Bi" fame comes from his eulogistic and gravestone writings that are ordered by the king. Furthermore, "Da Shou Bi" refers to his great talent in writings. His "Da Shou Bi" is outstanding for its noble idea, lively pattern and powerful air.The second chapter divides Zhang Shuo's essays into several kinds to analyze. His narrative essays lays great stress on stories and vivid characters. By comment, emotion, description, he makes the dull writing more readable. His lyric essays is lofty and powerful, but sometime delicate. His official writings have comprehensive thinking. All these writings have original spirits.The third chapter analyzes the ideas in Zhang Shuo's essays. There are two points. One is the worldview. Zhang Shuo accepts all the philosophies of his time, which are Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. But in essence, he loves Confucianism best. The other one is about literature. He puts the same importance on aesthetic character as well as on usefulness to society. As for aesthetic character, he considers emotion and elegant words the most important.The last section talks about Zhang Shuo's status on the history of literature. Zhang Shuo is the main role that advocates Confucianism in Kai Yuan emperor. He wants his writing to be useful to society. This idea precedes the "Gu Wen Movements" theory. Zhang Shuo was the best writer among his contemporaries whose essays style is direct. With the assistant of his great power, the parallel and ornate essays becomes more liberal.