On The Prefaces And Postscripts Of Six Classics Of Chinese Classical Novels

Over the years, the various editions of six classics, contain rich materials of prefaces and postscripts. Studying the prefaces and postscripts by sorting out in the specialized and detailed way, looking into the spread of six classics in term of preface and postscript, and exploring the process of becoming classic, is quite valuable. All prefaces and postscripts of six classics from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the modern society are consolidated in this essay, which further explores the value of the preface and postscript in the aspects of critical value, theoretical contribution, and significance of propagation.In general, the prefaces and postscripts is the introduction to the classics. It contains rich value of text criticizing. Especially in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the author’s critical analysis of fiction text, based on their familiarity with the author of the novel as well as the social impact, have important guiding significance of the study of six classics. This paper explores critical value of prefaces and postscripts for the six classics mainly from the three perspectives---creative intent, characters reviews, and wording of novel.The prefaces and postscripts of Ming and Qing Dynasties also involve a lot of valuable novel theories, which hava important significance on studying the creation and the development of novel in the Ming and Qing. This essay explains novel theories in the prefaces and postscripts from the perspective of novel functional theory and the novel creation theory. From the perspective of novel function, the authors of the prefaces and postscripts of the six classics explained the required function of novel from three aspects---historical reference function, exhortation and punishing function and entertainment function. This has an important influence on promoting the status of novel. From the perspective of novel creation, the elaboration of structure, conception, typification and writing technique of novel in the prefaces and postscripts, has an important guiding significance on the later creation of novel.The six classics represent the greatest achievements of classical novels, enjoying great popularity over a long period. In the process of spreading, prefaces and postscripts play an essential role. The authors make comments on the novels in a criticizer’s perspective, which draw readers’attention. Many of the authors of the six classics are famous scholars, whose reputation and the effective way accelerate the spread of the six classics. We can eye the process in the creation of prefaces and postscripts in different periods. In conclusion, prefaces and postscripts is an essential tool of the spread of the six classics.