Why was the Qing Dynasty the most prosperous era for the rise of Zhiguai Notes (ghost novels)? The Song Dynasty was the first peak of notebook literature creation, the Ming Dynasty was the second peak of notebook literature creation, and the Qing Dynasty was the third peak and the most prosperous era of notebook literature creation.
The note-taking literature of the Qing Dynasty was mainly based on notes about ghosts and ghosts, that is, ghost stories, or works about foxes and ghosts. There are two reasons why fantasy novels have reached their peak: first, the first two peak periods of creation paved the way for the Qing Dynasty; second, the rise of literary inquisition in the Qing Dynasty, and literati were afraid of the difference between works and reality. If it matches, it will cause trouble.
Obviously, the second one is the key reason. Fang Xiaobiao was defeated for "Records of Yunnan and Guizhou", and Wang Jingqi was awarded for "Essays on the Western Expedition". Under such current circumstances, literati have changed their creative styles, expressing their worries and anger by talking about foxes and ghosts, or writing satirical notes about admonitions and punishments, ushering in the most glorious period in the history of literature.
The first ones to appear were Pu Songling's "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio", Yuan Mei's "Zi Buyu" and Ji Yun's "Notes from the Yuewei Cottage", which later led to "Suilu of Night Stories" and "Ye Yu Qiu Leng". The birth of a large number of imitated works such as "Ear Food Record" and "Er Food Record".
They "test the moods of ghosts and gods, reveal the subtleties of the human world, and ask fox ghosts to express their feelings." That is, they give profound exposure and criticism to the darkness of society, the corruption of officialdom, and the decline of world customs. Later, it led to a large number of works about "ghosts and supernatural beings", and even many strange cases, mysterious cases, and mysterious cases in ancient times were explained by "ghosts and supernatural beings".
For example: dreams, evil spirits, apparitions, exorcisms, ghosts, foxes, basilisks... The emergence of these strange things has enriched the style of ghost notes and ghost novels. The occurrence of most of these "weird things" is inseparable from the following four reasons:
1. Hysteria attacks caused by mental illness;
2. Caused by poor science Ignorance and superstition;
3. Fraudulent behavior to achieve a certain purpose;
4. Fiction based on folklore.
In general, the rise of "literary prison" has become the main force stimulating literary creation. The implementation of a political system will have an impact on many industries and have obvious linkage effects. When we read news, follow hot topics, and look at policies and systems, we cannot stay in one direction. We should consider multiple directions and use reverse thinking to perhaps gain more valuable information.
What evidence is the Literary Inquisition based on? What inspired the creators of Zhiguai Notes or ghost novels to change their style? What inspiration do these strange works have for our self-media creation? Welcome to leave your thoughts in the comment area, and we will discuss and learn together.