Primary Discussion For The Manuscript Burning In Ming And Qing Dynasty

In the Ming and Qing dynasty, the literature activity is deeper and wider than ever before. In this lively circumstance of literature, some writers choose to burn and abandon their manuscript in order to prevent it from spread, which reveals complicate thought of writers and the interaction between writers and circumstance. Based on the analysis of individual phenomenon, writers’ attitude and contemporary circumstance, this paper intends to describe and criticize the activity of “manuscript burning” by regarding it as the opposite of literary creation.Chapter One: I analyze the mechanism of “manuscript burning” from both external and internal perspectives. It’s a extreme expression of expurgation result from writers’ own will or the outside pressure.Chapter Two: Based on writers’ identity and view of value, I analyze their attitude toward their works and the meanings of “manuscript burning” to their writing career.Chapter Three: “manuscript burning” is conspicuous among female writers. Sexual identity plays a critical role in this activity and I will discuss the interaction between female writers’ life consciousness and their works.Chapter Four: Taking the propagation as a center, I discuss the effect of “manuscript burning” to literature activity. This is a supplement to traditional perspective of history of literature.