A study of Zhang Qiao and her "Lianxiangji"

Abstract

The dissertation attempts to study Zhang Qiao(1615-1633) and her literary works “Lianxiangji” through a detail analysis of her poems and other people’s criticism. As a famous singer in a brothel in Quang Dong during the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Qiao was beautiful and smart; she could remember many songs since she was very young. She conposed hundreds of poem that secured her fame as a poetess in the history of Chinese Literature. She wrote about the real life and living condition of a singer in brothel, which actually expressed her sorrow for unfortunate life, wish of happiness, patriotism and the good relationship with her friends. This thesis discusses the background of Zhang Qiao’s literary works, her outlook concerning life and friendship and technical skills that she used to express her emotion. It will also try to evaluate her place in and importance to Classical Chinese Literature. Although there is no formal traditional of female literature in Chinese History, it is possible to deduce lots of details of female writing through male literature. In recent years, there has been more and more research on feministic; people pay more attention to the genies ladies in the period of Ming and Qing Dynasty. This study on Zhang Qiao would be contribute to this developing field. This thesis consisted of five chapters. Chapter one studies the life experience of Zhang Qiao and the different version of “Lianxiangji”. Chapter two reviews how the literary climate and prevalent women writing in late Ming Dynasty affected Zhang Qiao’s poetic creativity. Chapter three explores the different kinds of emotion in Zhang Qiao’s literary works and other people’s opinions of her. Chapter four discusses the feministic, style and technical skills of “Lianxiangji”. Chapter five indicates the meaning and value of Zhang Qiao and her “Lianxiangji” on the history of Classical Chinese literature. In my thesis, I am going to research the features and achievements of Zhang Qiao and establish a comprehendible framework on the study of her “Lianxiangji”.