research-article

Wang Yangming’s neo-Confucian school of mind and the growth of ancient Chinese popular novel

  • SHI Changyu
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  • Institute of Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100732, China

Published date: 05 Jun 2009

Copyright

2014 Higher Education Press and Brill

Abstract

Wang Yangming’s theory of mind serves as the pre-condition for the rise of the Chinese popular novel. Wang’s theory helps to change the traditional ideal of despising the popular novels and encourages the scholars to get involved in the creation and criticism of this fictional art. Wang’s theory also provides the theoretical basis for the novelists to record the town talks of the common people. In addition, with the influence of Wang’s theory, the emphasis of the novel shifts from the story-telling to the character-portrayal.

Cite this article

SHI Changyu . Wang Yangming’s neo-Confucian school of mind and the growth of ancient Chinese popular novel[J]. Frontiers of Literary Studies in China, 2009 , 3(2) : 195 -217 . DOI: 10.1007/s11702-009-0009-6

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