英文摘要 |
This study analyzes Xiaolin Guangji by Youxi Zhuren to identify the year of its first publication and investigate the relationship among joke books in the early Qing dynasty. By comparing Xiaolin Guangji against the works in the precept category of popular literature, the irony in Xiaolin Guangji, which reflected the social norms at the time, was revealed. Two propositions are established regarding irony in Xiaolin Guangji. First, disorder among social classes is demonstrated through irony. Government officials and various types of workers are all criticized by the author. The author also highlights the obligations and interests of various professions and implies that people went against ethical order when they became obsessed with their own interests and neglected their obligations. Such a situation could also cause social unease and become a negative example of moral suasion. Second, deviant words and behavior caused by human nature are ironized. The stories are narrated from a privileged male perspective; the male protagonists laughs at commoners and spies on the sex life of others. The actions of the protagonist contradict the ideas of collaboration and mutual assistance in civil society and demonstrate the animalistic desires that portray the cruelty hidden in human nature. Such protagonists deviate from the precept of treating others with kindness but, to be kind to themselves, tolerate those who went violated the sexual norms. Xiaolin Guangji reflects the human need for community and reveals the psychological conflicts experienced by people when they attempted to fulfil their civic duties while satisfying personal desires, which led to them infringing upon the rights of others. Thus, Xiaolin Guangji presents the culture and thinking of everyday people in the early Qing dynasty. |