A Research On Teacher's Stratum Of Ming And Qing Dynasty

The study on teachers of Ming and Qing Dynasty is rich and adequate. In content, the teacher's thought on education of Ming and Qing is the main studying target, especially that of famous educationist. In form, the research always appears in form of education history or monograph. We have no cause for much criticism on such a way of research on teachers, however this research is only on some single famous teachers but not on the general conditions of teachers in Ming and Qing Dynasty. As a result, we know little about it.There are many materials about teachers in the literature works of Ming and Qing Dynasty, especially in those novels and dramas which mainly reflect the secular life of Ming and Qing Dynasty and criticize the feudalism works. These materials, in a sense, reflect the real situation of teachers in Ming and Qing Dynasty. Considering the existed research works and the materials about teachers in literature works during that period, this thesis will make the following research:In first part, besides giving necessary definition on relative notions, the author analyzes the historical development of monarch's and teacher's principle. From the historical development, we learn that the teachers were in a more advantageous position than the monarchs before Qin Dynasty. The opposite situation appeared after the accident of "Burning Books and Burying the Literati in Pits"(焚书坑儒) and "Banning All the Other School of Thought, Holding in Esteem for Confucian School"(罢黜百家,独尊儒术). Though the movement of teacher's reviving in later Ming Dynasty has a historical effect, the monarchs, in general, were in a dominating position. This part is a pre-explanation for understanding some information in literature works.In second part, the writer discusses the policy of culture and education of Ming and Qing dynasty. The great effect of high-handed policy of cultural and educational on teachers was that teachers gradually lost their subjective status. They have no freedom of speech, only focusing on their teaching activities.In third part, the writer discusses the evolution of teacher's appellation, teaching activities, image and behavior in secular life, social status, marriage and family background, source of income and life ideals, etc. We learn, from the discussion, that how teachers of Ming and Qing obtained their source of income by doing different moon jobs in the underpaid situation. We also learn that teachers, from their unrest feelings of living underanother's roof, especially old-style private school teachers' outlook towards life was to be government official but not teacherIn fourth part, the author gives a general analyzing on teachers' situation of Ming and Qing dynasty in literature works. Grasping the whole situation about teachers in literature works in a general way and the author's life and the time of works finished, we can understand the author's real purpose of creating some teacher's characters in their works. This is a necessary supplement for us to understand some authentic situation about teachers.The material and information about teachers in literature works of Ming and Qing Dynasty make us know not only the teacher's thought on instruction but also the general situation about teachers. This is benefit for promoting the research of ancient teachers as well as teacher's researching activity of Ming and Qing.