Supernatural Narratives in the Novels of Gifted Scholars and Beautiful Ladies: A Study Centered on the Works of Tianhuacang Zhuren
Abstract
Supernatural writing, anchored in a long literary tradition, is a common narrative technique in ancient Chinese novels. Taking the novels of gifted scholars and beautiful ladies by Tianhuacang Zhuren as an example, the supernatural writing phenomena can be categorized into three types: dreams, extraordinary encounters, and visions. Supernatural writing plays a crucial role in plot construction, narrative progression, character development, and spatial expansion in novels. It not only reflects the religious cultural concepts of karma and fate shaped by Buddhism and Taoism but also expresses the strong belief in destiny and a sense of superiority among the literati in traditional Chinese society. Moreover, it mirrors the author’s creative psychology.
References
- Lu Xun. (2010). A brief history of Chinese novels [M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company. p. 110.
- Huang, L. (Ed.), & Luo, S. H. (Auth.). (2009). Compilation and annotation of historical materials on Chinese novels through the ages [M]. Nanchang: Baihua Zhou Literature and Art Publishing House. p. 601.
- Li, Y. (2008). When the false acts as the true, the true also becomes false; there is something where there is nothing—On the 'dream' factor in talented scholar and beautiful lady novels. Journal of Hubei University of Economics, (08), 112-113.
- Lin, C. (Ed.). (1997). Anthology of talented scholar and beautiful lady novels: Volume 2 [M]. Liaoning: Liaoning Ancient Books Publishing House. p. 228.
- Chen, Y. H. (2011). Narrative research on ancient Chinese dream-involved novels [Doctoral dissertation, Zhejiang University of Technology].
- Lin, C. (Ed.). (1997). Anthology of talented scholar and beautiful lady novels: Volume 4 [M]. Liaoning: Liaoning Ancient Books Publishing House. pp. 700-701.
- Wang, X. Q. (Ed.). (1875-1908). Preface to the record of warding off evil [M]. South Qing River Wang Family Small Fang Hu Zhai.
- Zhou, J. Y. (1998). Research on talented scholar and beautiful lady novels [M]. Philosophy and History Publishing House. p. 96.
- Liang, H. (2023). Exploring the cultural connotations through Jia Baoyu's miraculous writings. Journal of Neijiang Normal University, 38(01), 1-7.