A Study On The Title Of Vernacular Short Novels In Ming And Qing Dynasties

A total of the vernacular short novels of Ming and Qing Dynasties about more than 80.As a narrative text,vernacular short novels have attribute of both commodity and cultural products,so the authors often painstaking and meticulous with the name.The novel titles also contain rich connotations,such as the author's creative thoughts,marketing consciousness and his unique conception.From the evolution of the title of the vernacular short novels,we can also find out the characteristics and trajectories of the social aesthetic transition of the Song and Yuan Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the rise and decline of the book market and the development of the popular novels.From the naming method point of view,the title of vernacular short novels of Ming and Qing Dynasties can be divided into metaphor symbol type and the direct expression tape.Novelists write their thinking of reality and life into the nomenclature,imply the theme of the novel,obscurely express his emotion.Sometimes,they choose more straightforward way to show the characters directly,state the plot of the story,write the intention of creation.The evolution of the title of the vernacular short novels of Ming and Qing Dynasties not only follow the development trend of "from single to diverse",but also show the writers' efforts to break the system of the storytelling,and keep the correspondence with their creation and failure.In the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty,the title of the vernacular short novel was mostly metaphorical,which showed the vigorous of creation in this period.But after the middle of the Qing Dynasty,with the decline of vernacular short novels,the title back to the old status with monotonous and stiff.By combing the ways of naming the novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties,we can see the evolution of the writer's thought,the prosperity and decline of the creation,as well as the reasons for the decline of vernacular short novels.The formation of the title is a very complicated process.It is influenced and restricted by many factors in the process of creation,dissemination and acceptance.It is the resultant force of the various parties.The novelist's idea has the decisive influence on naming,but sometimes the complexity of his thought also causes the difference between the name and reality.The bookshop is mainly interested in making profits,attracting more customers from the aspects of "popular","precise binding" and "commentary".The commodity attributes of Ming and Qing vernacular short novels also lead novelty and pornographic from titles to contents,cater to readers,vulgar taste.Of course,the humanist trend of thought in the late Ming Dynasty,religious thought,official prohibition policy,and other works and stylistic have also produced influence on naming more or less,direct or indirect.To instruct the connotation of novels is the most basic and main function of the titles.The names of whole collection of vernacular short novels often shows the involvement of each story contents,as well as the control of the narrative space and structural clues.Through the the title as a small and exquisite window,we can also spy on the writer's creative thoughts and his basic views on social life.To be honest,Ming and Qing vernacular short novels did not show much artistic achievement in naming,but they have great research value and enlightenment significance.The naming experience of Ming and Qing vernacular short novels and modern novels can give various enlightenments and thoughts to the naming and creation of contemporary novels,especially how to taking into account the economic benefits without make a good reading environment and reading experience for the readers.