Gu Jiegang’s Researches And Thoughts Of Traditional Opera

Gu Jiegang was a famous historian, folklorist, and was thefounder of The ancient school of modern society. His academicachievements were mainly divided into three aspects, includingancient history, folklore and historical geography. Academicresearches on ancient history and the historical geography of GuJiegang make up a high proportion. However, the studies of thefolklore are still obviously insufficient. Therefore, the author dividesinto five chapters on traditional opera thoughts of Gu Jiegang,through considerations and interpretations about traditional operastudies.Chapter one mainly discusses the backgrounds of the traditionalopera thoughts of Gu Jiegang. This chapter is divided intotwo sections, the system’ s establishment of the modern dramatheory and the new ways of Gu Jiegang’s drama thoughts. The textspreads out great changes on politics, economics and culture at theend of nineteenth Century and early twentieth Century. And it pointsout that Chinese modern academic culture and modern dramaparadigm are the form backgrounds of the Gu’s drama thoughts.At the same time, the causes about the new ways of Gu’s drama studiesare analyzed.Chapter two mainly discusses the historical contexts of thetraditional opera thoughts of Gu Jiegang. This chapter has threeparts. First, it is important to rework the life simply and sum upresearches about Gu Jiegang. Second, describing and integratingexternal environment and resources are very necessary.Third, thestatements that investigations of Gu Jiegang’s social associationsand introductions of his communications with friends are recorded. Inaddition, the drama activities schedules and published chronicles ofdrama texts are putted in the appendixes.This part mainly talks about Gu’s drama theory. Digging thestudies deeply from Gu Jiegang’s viewpoints and understandings ondrama, it is divided into the researches of drama theatretheory, drama notes, and affirmation of China drama existentvalue.Then, understanding and summarizing the advocate that Gu’srecognition of the Chinese drama value and developmentsare significative.This part is mainly talking about Gu Jiegang’s drama and“Cenglei” Theory. Ancient history and folklore studies became themain parts of Gu’s researches.Through the studies of Meng Jiangnvstory, the impacts on studies of ancient history arethoroughly discussed. After that, rethinking the train of academicthoughts and significances on drama become the emphasis of thispart.The achievement of Gu Jiegang’s drama research was the studyof shadow play. As the pioneer of shadow play research, he had special views on it. This part emphasizes values of Gu’s research onshadow play. Meanwhile, Gu’s influences on later studies are alsogiven more attentions.Through the analyses and investigations of the above contents,the author aims at comprehending Gu’s academic researches in thegeneral. Besides, the researches on drama thoughts not only detectthe Gu Jiegang’s achievements about traditional opera and folklore,but also refract Gu’s viewpoints of drama.These are good for overallunderstandings of his academic thoughts.