A Study On Myth Image Of Linchuan Four Dreams

Linchuan Four Dreams, a collection of four opuses including the Purple Hairpin,thePeony Pavilion,the Dream Under the Southern Bough and the Handan Dream,is arepresentative of Tang Xian-zu, a litterateur of the Ming dynasty.In these opuses,there arevarious kinds of symbols and the most frequent seen one should be the myth, which embodiesromanticism. However,researches concerning to mythic symbols have not gained enoughattention than that it deserves.In another word, it has a value of study. To study the mythicsymbols appeared in Linchuan Four Dreams,we should do concrete researches on thethoughts behind them and the prototypes in them.The mythic symbols in Linchuan Four Dreams can be divided into two categories. One isthe symbols from concrete mythic stories.For example,ChangE Ben Yue(ChangE flying to themoon),NongYu and XiaoShi,and the Cowherd and the weaving girl. The other is the symbolsof mythic element,which,for instance,includes immortals,divine stuffs and divine territories.The frequent appearance of mythic symbols in Linchuan Four Dreams,though different fromone another,have some common features.For example, most of them are from concrete mythicstories;romantic relationship is always concerned;female immortalities are highlighted.Thesefeatures more or less demonstrated Tang-Xianzu’s inditing motives.Also,mythic symbols playa great importance in enhancing the theme and applying writing devices.To be morespecific,these symbols idealize the themes and romanticize the stories of Linchuan FourDreams. Mythic symbols like ChangE,Xiao,Goddess of flowers,Long and Penglai all havetheir symbolic meanings.ChangE represents a beautiful lady who is lonely and longs forimmortality and happiness,while Xiao represents a visualized perfect life and harmonybetween husband and wife.God of flowers stands for not only the god who is in charge offlowers but the love relationship in the mortal world.Long is the name of the protagonist of itswork,and at the same time,the divine creature who leads mortals to a happy marriage andsuccess career.Penglai is a symbol of both real royal court and ideal world.