Yüan Hung-tao and the Kung-an School

This book focuses upon the literary theories of Yüan Hung-tao (1568–1610) and his two brothers.

Chih-P'ing Chou (Author)

9780521027656, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 November 2006

184 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 1 cm, 0.282 kg

Professor Chou here offers a perspective on the rise and fall of the Kung-an school as a key to understanding the development of Chinese literary criticism in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. His book focuses upon the literary theories of Yüan Hung-tao (1568–1610) - the leader of the Kung-an school - and his two brothers. Its core is a detailed study of the poetry and prose of Yüan Hung-tao, comparing his theories with his writings and analysing systematically the merits and flaws of his work. The book concludes with a discussion of the legacy of the Kung-an school, treating the school not only as the major force behind the expressive trend in the late Ming period, but also as one of the precursors of the modern Chinese literary movement.

Preface
1. The literary scene before the rise of the Kung-an school
2. The literary theories of the three Yüan brothers
3. The poetry of Yüan Hung-tao
4. The prose of Yüan Hung-tao
Epilogue: the legacy of the Kung-an school
Notes
The modern study of the three Yüan brothers and their Kung-an school: an introduction and select bibliography
Chinese titles of works translated
Glossary index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]