A Study On The Value Of The Xin Yu

The relationship between dynastic change and literati writings change about those dynasties after Wei Jin is the focus of academic research for a long time,however, the relationship between period of Qin and Han dynasties did not attract scholars’ attention. Xin Yu, the works of Lu Jia was produced in this period after that,bearing the thoughts of Pre-Qin and Hans, having made a significant contribution in the Chinese history of thought. Therefore, it is necessary for us to do comprehensive study about the value of Xin Yu. Through mastering the literary features of Xin Yu, to some extent, we can understand some characteristics of literature in the evolutionary process from the warring states period to the early Han Dynasty.The first part of this thesis introduces the era background of Xin Yu and its process of formation. Moreover, when Liu Bang needs a set of policies governing his country, Lu Jia writes Xin Yu to him which can be well used to govern his country.Xinyu can also be considered as Lu Jia’s words, which was originally oral words and become written words after being written in books. Therefore, the formation of Xinyu experienced the process from oral words to written words.The second part talks about the theoretical value of Xin Yu. Xin Yu mainly introduces the thoughts of Confucianism and that of Huang Lao and literature, which has had an influence on the early of Han dynasty. First of all, Lu Jia’s interpretation of Confucianism has the certain enlightening function for the early Han dynasty’s culture education. Secondly, the political thoughts of Huang Lao embodied in Xin Yu which has transmitted from “depending on the force of law” to “lightening the force of law and strengthening of the virtue’s force, which has also had a certain influence on the political strategies of the early of Han dynasty. Finally, plain and pragmatic writing style embodied in the Xin Yu has guided in the literary creation of the early Han.The third part is literature value of Xin Yu. It records some history events in the Warring States period and the Qin and Han Dynasties, as well as citing the content of Confucian classics. Therefore, the value of Xin Yu is mainly manifested in two aspects. One is the literature value of the Warring States period and the Qin and Han Dynasties. Some historical evidences recording in Xin Yu testify and add some extra materials provided by other historical records, which makes us have a comprehensiveunderstanding of the history of the Warring States period, as well as the Qin and Han Dynasties. The second value lies in quoting reference books. With the total 10,000 words, Xin Yu cites large amount of materials from Confucian classics like Lun Yu, Yi Jing, Xun Zi and Gu Liang Zhuan. Some cited materials confirms the classics, some replenishes vacancy of existing classics. It provides us a better understanding of the early Han books and insufficient supplementary.The fourth part is about exploration of literary value. First of all, Xin Yu combs historical figures and events, which are classified as different categories, with reasonable structural features. Second, Xin Yu is themed by “Criticize Qin”, which is inheriting and advocating of Qu Yuan’s political ideal about “enlightened sovereign and virtuous officials” and “restoration of country”. Also, Lu Jia put up his way of expression of political ideal with the contrast between tyrannical government and perfect politics, which has influence on the theme of story and writing style of Jia Yi,Zhao Cuo etc.The fifth part is several stylistics features of Xin Yu. From the point of literary form, the original style of Xin Yu belongs to the “language” of oral form, but it is different from the “language” of Lun Yu and Guo Yu. From the perspective of literary function, Xin Yu has a strong practical characteristic in essay of political comment. It reflects memorials to the emperor of the early Han Dynasty. In addition, from the point of stylistic feature, Xin Yu is given with prose style, but mixed with parallel or fu style, which helps to know about the characteristics of Lu Fu.