由序引、尺牘小品看袁小修之文論

Evaluation of Yuan Xiaoxiu's Theories on Literature through His Works (Prefaces and Letters)

「序引」、「尺牘」兩文類，是袁中道（小修）小品中，最佳之文論載體，經探索研究後，共得：「濬發性靈」、「以意役法」、「不廢格套」、「尚韻求趣」、「貴重蘊藉」、「繪事後素」、「博覽篤學」、「窮則易工」等八項；其於本身創作中，文論主張均得到實踐印證，並欲藉茲以躋「立言」之不朽境界。

Two kinds of essay, prefaces and letters, embody Yuan Xiaoxiu's theories onliterature. In this regard, we have found eight principles as a result of ourresearch, which are as follows: 'Respect of the natural spirit,' 'Use of meaningto control the method,' 'Not giving up on the format,' 'Valuing rhyme toachieve an amusing effect,' 'Emphasis on implied meaning,' 'Maintaining aplain style,' 'Reading extensively for all kinds of knowledge,' and 'Goingextreme in technique.' All his opinions on writing have been realized andproven in his own literary works.