Research on late Ming courtesan Zhang Qiao (1615-1633) and Lianxiangji (The anthology of lotus scent) with the theory of cultural memory and para-texts = "文化記憶"裏的晚明名妓張喬(1615-1633)及《蓮香集》的副文本研究

Abstract

The entitled thesis, “A research on late Ming courtesan Zhang Qiao (1615-1633) and Lianxiangji (The anthology of lotus scent) with the theory of cultural memory and para-texts” aims to study one of the profound late Ming courtesans in Canton region of China, Zhang Qiao, and her anthology Lianxiangji. Zhang Qiao, died in 19, spent her courtesan-ship with her professional practice in brothels, including her noteworthy literary and artistic capability, correlating to the liaisons she constructed with local literati of Nanyuan shishe南園詩社 (the poetic society of the Southern Garden) of Canton, a local literary community which sheds a light of the prosperous literati gathering and parties in late Ming China. In 1645, after 12 years of her death, Zhang Qiao was memorized again in a gathering of Nanyuan literati, with burying her in a more ritualized funeral at a mountain of Guangzhou廣州, and the event was named as “huazhong花塚” (The graveyard of flowers). The event, and the life history of the short-lived courtesan was noted in the anthology with a collection of the courtesan’s literature and the memorial texts written by them after the ceremony. With employing the theoretical concept of “cultural memory”, this thesis analyze and explore the cultural significance of the event of huazhong of Zhang Qiao with a focus on the “memories” of the Nanyuan literati through a process of close reading of their memorial texts in Liangxiangji, as to reflect their consciousness to construct the image of Zhang Qiao under the political hardship during the final years of Ming dynasty (1368-1644) to reveal their emotions and loyalty on the declining dynasty and by narrating her in a respect of collective memories. In addition, the memorial texts were compiled as ‘para-text’ which occupy a whole volume of Liangxiangji, including the prefaces and condolences written by Nanyuan literati reflects the purpose of them as to not only honor Zhang Qiao but as well as themselves, the compilers. Therefore, the second theoretical approach of this thesis is ‘para-text’, as to read and re-organize the writing skills of the literati when compiling Liangxiangji, for a more thorough study on the textual issues of Ming writings and literati culture. This following 7 chapters of this thesis, with the first 3 as “Introduction”, “Literature review” and “Methodology”, connect the chapters titled respectively “Versions of Liangxiangji”, “Cultural memory and the talented courtesan Zhang Qiao”, and “para-texts of Liangxiangji”, form the main discussion and arguments of the paper. The concluding chapter provides an outcome of the research as to reflect the cultural significance of Zhang Qiao and Liangxiangji with the intentions and consciousness by the Nanyuan literati in their literary customs and literati culture when writing such a woman during the period of late Ming.