Research Article Criterion

Wen Zhang Gui Fan is an anthology of classic prose, in which the essays were selected and annotated by Hsieh Fang-te, a famous patriotic scholar of Sung Dynasty. There is a noteworthy phenomenon that among so many anthologies of classic prose during South Sung Dynasty, Hsieh's anthology is the most widely influential, despite the fact that it appeared at the latest and has less content. This paper mainly focuses on the version circulation and cultural heritage feature of this anthology. At the beginning, it researches the life of Hsieh Fang-te and his major works, and deduces the writing process based on the results. Then, in order to display its circulation process more objectively and comprehensively, the paper makes a survey of the relevant versions and the key persons involved in the spreading process of this anthology, and studies on some significant issues in the form of thematic. Aiming at revealing the profound meaning of Wen Zhang Gui Fan and illustrating its cultural heritage feature, the paper goes deep into the ideology of these essays and criticism. By comparing it with the similar election and assessment from descendants, the paper explains that Wen Zhang Gui Fan is not only a practical but also a ideological anthology of classic prose. Finally, it points out the significances of this book in the field of criticism, articles, education and Sinology circulation, in hopes that there would be more comprehensive understanding about its value in Literary History and even Cultural History.