Research On The Works Of Huguang Writers In The Ming Dynasty

After the Pre-Qin Period,Ming Dynasty witnesses another peak of the development of literature of Hunan and Hubei Provinces,which mainly manifests as the emergence of plentiful masters and schools,as well as the boom of literary works.Quantities of authors play an important role in the prosperity of Ming's Literature: Liu Sanwu,who experiences the conversion from Yuan to Qing Dynasty,in Early Ming period;Yang Pu,the representative figure of Cabinet Style;Li Dongyang,who leads the Chaling School and acts actively in the area of literature on his position of prime minister;Wu Guolun,one of the members of The Latter Seven Masters;Li Weizhen,the key figure of the later period of The Retro School;Yuan Hongdao,Yuan Zhongdao and Yuan Zongdao of Gongan School;Zhong Xing and Tan Yuanchun of Jingling School;as well as Tao Runai and Du Rui of late Ming Period.What's more,the quantity of works of Hunan and Hubei is really large,and it is another high-production area besides Zhejiang and Nanzhi.This thesis is trying to conduct a systematic and comprehensive research,for the first time,on the authors and works of Hunan and Hubei in Ming Dynasty,and aims to summarize its regional figures and time characteristics.On the basis of kinds of materials that are collected,including general annals,local chronicles and analects,this research covers 768 authors whose works survive,and more than 290 works of Hunan and Hubei.The research divides 768 authors into different groups by regions,and introduces their life and creation.Then,among 153 authors whose complete works spread so far,70 authors are selected to be examined in detail.These 70 authors not only show the common features of the era,but also have their own unique creative features.By the study of these 70 authors and their works,this research attempts to reestablish the history of the literary creation and practice of the authors in Hunan and Hubei in Ming Dynasty.Taking a panoramic view of the literature of Hunan and Hubei in Ming Dynasty,we can find that the development presents a tierd growth,with influential and reputable authors for every stage.Compared with the literary thrive in Jiangzhe and Minyue areas,the numbers of authors and works before Zhengtong Period are much smaller,and the development of literature is mainly guided by politic factors.From Zhengtong Period to Zhengde Period,the literature in Hunan and Hubei develops rapidly,and it is the only period when the achievements of Hunan are greater than those of Hubei.In this period,Li Dongyang is the axis.Between post-Zhengde Period and the last years of Ming,both the quality of literary works and the status in the literary world elevate greatly.Especially during Wanli,Tianqi and Qizhen Periods,plenty of authors from the same families appear.Besides,Wu Guolun,Li Weizhen,Three Yuan Brothers,Zhong Xing and Tan Yuanchun draw attention one by one,and all of them have the aptitude to lead the literary world,which results in the situation of “people in Chu set standards for literature.” Meanwhile,the authors in Hunan and Hubei communicate and contact a lot,and they also form some associations.For example,Jingling Thoughts is all the rage at the moment,and people who keep a good relationship with Tan Yuanchun almost spread all over Hunan and Hubei.During Chongzhen Period,Hunan and Hubei are involved into war in an early stage,which has great influence on the development of literature of the end of Ming.On the one hand,most of the authors are righteous resisters and the content of literary works is lament of the termination of their country;on the other hand,although the number of authors keeps rising,the quantity of surviving works drops quickly,which is directly affected by the wars in Hunan and Hubei.The regional features of the authors and their works of Hunan and Hubei in Ming are remarkable.Firstly,masters and schools stand in great numbers,and they guide the trend of literature.Secondly,a large proportion of authors have positions in the government.More than530 authors are government officials,and most of them are military officers.The positions of more than 250 authors are higher than the fourth grade,which account for one third in all authors.Thirdly,the surviving works are mainly poems and essays,and fictions and traditional Chinese operas are rare.A large amount of the lecture notes of Confucian classics,official documents and letters are also kept well,which is related to the identities of the authors.Fourthly,many of the authors keep moral integrity and fight against the invaders,and they are careless about conventional morality and live a free life,which inherits from Chu people.Lastly,cultural families are thriving,especially after Zhengde Period,and become the main parts of the authors of Hunan and Hubei.In conclusion,based on the comprehensive study of the authors and their works,the main goal of the research is to illustrate the overall development of literature and its regional features of Hunan and Hubei Provinces during the approximate three-hundred-year Ming Dynasty.