The Association Of Scholars And Novel In Ming Dynasty

As a popular literature and culture phenomenon, though the association of scholars not just existed in Ming Dynasty, it reached its heyday and showed unusual styles under the special background of Ming Dynasty during which connection and sparkle between association of scholars and novel is one of the styles. Focusing on the two to study their relations cannot offer us a new view angle to understand them and their connections but is helpful for us to experience the mode of existence, the mental world of scholars of Ming Dynasty and the whole time in which novel trend appeared.The thesis is divided into the introduction, the body of three chapters and the postscript part.The introduction sorts previous study on the topic and explains the scope and significance of the topic.The first chapter presents historical data about the encounter of association of scholars and novel, explores the reason and social background and sorts the records of association of scholars which laid a solid foundation for the further study.The second chapter discusses the connection between association of scholars and novel writing. Frequent social activities and extensive social networks afford many chances for Ming scholars to exchange ideas about literature which benefit the formation of novelist circle and enrich novel materials.The third chapter analyzes the connection between association of scholars and the criticism and spread of Ming novel. Association of scholars brings a new look to the criticism of Ming novel. Moreover association of scholars helps to build a bridge to convey novels. The postscript part is a brief statement of the connection of association of scholars and novel in Qing Dynasty and an expectation of this topic.