Zhang Qian Yi "Sainte Vegetarian Thesis" Stylistic And Early Qing Dynasty

As an important part of ancient Chinese literary theory, writings-ology has a long history of almost two thousand years, which lasts from the spring and autumn period to the end of the Qing dynasty. However, before the Song dynasty, there is little record of essays about wrtings-ology, and after the Song dynasty, it begins to develop formally. Since then, numerous of different styles of wen hua appeared. Through the Jin, Yuan and Ming dynasties, writings-ology comes to peak at the Qing dynasty. At this period, numbers of works on writings-ology theory as well as the comprehensive content are unprecedented in the history of ancient Chinese literary theories. Classic prose in Jianzhai by Zhang Qianyi, as the important works of wen hua, involving a variety of aspects and has a complete structure, concise diction, and accurate comments, which has made great contribution to the development of prose theory.Zhang Qianyi, distinguished literary theorist, ancient prose writer and poet in the early Qing dynasty, who has written a lot of works, among his works, Jianzhai Notes on Poetry and Classic prose in Jianzhai are his masterpieces in literary theories. This thesis mainly takes his Classic prose in Jianzhai as study object, textual close reading as research methodology, making a comprehensive analysis on his writings-ology thoughts, aesthetic views, and literary criticism, thus disinter his theoretical and academic values.Firstly, this thesis makes a specific summary of Zhang Qianyi’s writings-ology thoughts. Based on the Chinese literary theory of writing delivering ethics, he proposed the idea of "writings are for conveying truth and to be sensible". The writer of this thesis believes that the idea of "writings are for conveying truth and to be sensible" represents the right principle and emotion, which are also the thoughts of writings-ology. Further more, the writer elaborates some important points in detail, which mainly include:the essence of writing; the writer theory; literary and qualitative theory and at last, the creation of the articles. It is emphased that one has to determine the significance before writing, while determined before learn writing, which is a good guidance to the followings.Secondly, this thesis makes a detailed analysis on Zhang’s aesthetic views and literary criticism. His comments on prose involve a broader scope, from the Han dynasty to the end of the Ming dynasty. The writer thinks that Zhang’s evaluation on prose mainly from its force, obscurity, elegance, clearness and center aspects. He uses analogy, comparasion, and comments to criticize other prose, which are also his characteristics of criticism. The application of these criticism techniques not only makes the theories more visualized, but also more understandable for the readers.Thirdly, this thesis makes a systematic analysis on the influence of Zhang’s views of poetics to his writings-ology thoughts. Zhang’s Jianzhai Notes on Poetry is earlier than his Classic prose in Jianzhai, in some extent; his thoughts on poetry influence his views on writings-ology. This thesis discusses the rewrite of the artistic conception, the relationship of poetry and reason, and the influence of imposing theory on writings-ology. Zhang Qianyi’s views on poetry and writings-ology constitute his literary theory.Zhang’s Classic prose in Jianzhai is an important theory book on writings-ology in the early Qing dynasty. He advocates that writings are for converying truth; praises highly in Neo-Confusicism and purses the purity of articles, which are in accordance with the writing-ology thoughts of early Qing dynasty. His views on writing-ology are a summary of the basic concepts on writing-ology of that period, meanwhile, no matter in content or form, Classic Prose in Jianzhai is a highlight with its complete theoretical system and distinct criteria for critism in the early Qing dynasty. To some extent, it’s also a sublimation of various wen hua. It’s the remarkable characteristics and accordance with writing-ology in eary Qing dynasty that contribute to Zhang’s Classic Prose in Jianzhai possessing an important and unique position in Chinese literary theoty history.