| After it's prolonged and sufficient development from Qin Dynasty to Northern and Southern Dynasties, humorous literature embarked on flourishing in Tang Dynasty. However, up to now the researches concerning humorous literature in that period are not satisfactory. Although some scholars attach importance to the humorous characteristics of the literary works, there have been few publications concentrating on humorous literature. What's more, the studies of humorous literature have been restricted to some authors and a few limited styles; there is no thorough, comprehensive study as to humorous literature in the era. Hence the paper aims to render on in-depth study and comparatively objective remarks on humorous literature in Tang Dynasty based on some research achievements of the previous learners.In the part of the introduction, the scope, target and significance of the study are illustrated. On the one hand, the author praises the tradition of Chinese humorous literature and defines the term "humorous literature". On the other hand, the current development of the topic in discussion is analysed and commented and the fact is pointed out that it is of significance to study humorous literature in Tang Dynasty.Chapter One traces back the history of humorous literature and explores the underlying reason of initial flourishing of humorous literature in Tang Dynasty.Chapters Two to Four the author expounds humorous literature in different styles. The following points are included: the principal types of humorous poems are summed up; the various humorous figures depicted in literary works are presented and other literary forms of humours in Tang Dynasty are concluded, which confirms the fact that there were abundant and diverse forms of humorous literature in Tang dynasty.Chapters Five and Six explore humorous literature in the era as a whole. The paper tries to explicate the distinctive characteristic of humorous literature in Tang Dynasty, which is practical and entertaining, implicit and popular and suitable to both refined and popular tastes. In addition, the various skills such as language elements, rhetoric devices, different scenes, logical rules are summed up in the chapters.Chapter Seven to Nine are the last part of the paper. The author thinks the social phenomena reflected in humorous literature in the era are so rich and colourful, ranging from food, costume and marriage to birth and death from entertainment daily life and travel to religion through analysis on the social customs and the writers' unique personalities. In particular, the prevalent practices—sarcastic works, drinking and... |
