Abstract:Patrick Hanan designates the JIN PING MEI a “landmark” and C. T. Hsia calls it a “milestone” in the development of Chinese fiction. In terms of subject matter, it shows heavy emphasis on character dev...Patrick Hanan designates the JIN PING MEI a “landmark” and C. T. Hsia calls it a “milestone” in the development of Chinese fiction. In terms of subject matter, it shows heavy emphasis on character development instead of historical plot (as in SAN GUO YAN YI), or legendary stereotypes (as in SHUI HU ZHUAN), or imaginary figures (as in XI YOU JI). It marks a new direction in Chinese novel writing with its unconventional representation of life-size people, particularly its complex treatment of female figures. Throughout the novel, a brilliant and sophisticated analysis of human relationships, the author seems to suggest that, with a few exceptions, besides money and the sensuality of feminine companionship (cai and se), nothing under heaven is more false than human relationship (lunchang). The intent of this essay is to examine the pattern of alternation of the elements of true and false that permeate throughout the novel.Read More
Publication Year: 1981
Publication Date: 1981-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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