Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Mapping of Pu Songling’s Southern Journey in the Writing of Predicaments in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio

Xinyu WangShihezi University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

This study aims to explore the intrinsic connection between Pu Songling’s southern journey experience and the writing of predicaments in his work Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi), elucidating how he sublimates his personal real-life difficulties into social critique through literary transformation mechanisms. The research employs a combined methodology of close textual analysis and historical contextual investigation. It focuses primarily on the threefold predicaments Pu Songling encountered during his southern travels: setbacks in the imperial examination, financial hardship, and identity anxiety. The study deeply interprets how these real-life predicaments are transformed into literary expressions concerning the imperial examination system, the survival status of scholar-official aides, and issues of identity recognition in the text. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio constructs a dual artistic expression mechanism through the commentary style of “Yi Shishi says” and the characterization of supernatural figures. This creative mechanism not only realizes the author’s personal emotional expression but also endows the supernatural tales with social critique significance, revealing the cultural transformation path of literati predicament writing from individual emotional venting to social metaphor.

Keywords: Pu Songling; Southern journey experience; Writing of predicaments; Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio; Social critique
Published: June 20, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.BO24085
Volume: CHR Vol.71
pp. 93-102
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References

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