A Study Of Lianzhu Style In Six Dynasties

Lianzhu style is one of those styles which were popular in six dynasties (in this thesis, six dynasties are defined as Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, Chen,Beichao, Sui). The first work named "Lianzhu" was written by a great author, Yangxiong, in Xihan Dynasty, from then on, many a people called Lianzhu style in numerous ways: "Fanglianzhu", "Nilianzhu", "Yanlianzhu", "Fanlianzhu", "Changlianzhu", "Yantilianzhu" and so on and so forth. Fuxuan argues that the Lianzhu style which is euphuistic and concise, indicates a lemma by means of metaphors instead of narrating, which could be understood by a sciential man easily, thus it corresponds to its intention of allegorization. Lianzhu style originated form early Qin Dynasty, developed in Han Dynasty, was popular in following six dynasties, declined in Tang and Song Dynasty and revived in Ming and Qing Dynasty. This thesis is trying to make a research on all the works of Lianzhu style which were written from early Qin to modern times, in addition, it will also research some other styles related to Lianzhu style, such as Fu, Pianwen and so on. The analyzed works of Lianzhu style in this thesis are those better ones after comparing all the editions the author could collect at present. The thesis mainly discusses the works of Lianzhu style in six dynasties, moreover, it also relates origination of Lianzhu style, in order to outline this style and explain and define it accurately.The thesis is consists of four chapters. The first chapter, in terms of the subject and scope, the causes and methodology of research, demonstrates causes and value of this theme as well as the literature review. The second chapter discusses the origination and variation of Lianzhu style, separately illustrating several existing theories about the origination of Lianzhu style; furthermore, it explains Lianzhu style's variation in different ages according to the works. The third chapter especially clarifies themes, forms and techniques of Lianzhu style in six dynasties by which outlines Lianzhu style when it was extremely popular. The last chapter dissertates the relationship between Lianzhu style and the other styles, which includes the succession between Yinyu, Fu and Lianzhu and how Lianzhu was transformed into a branch of Pianwen.