On Cao Xueqin's Idea of Stylistics with Reference to the Stylistic Value of Zhiyanzhai Annotated Dream of Red Mansions

Abstract

Abstract: Cao Xueqin's idea of stylistics is systematic and can be understood in four main ways. The first is analyzing and complying with style. This shows in the two ways to differentiate the style of each literary work and each author. The second is appropriate and inappropriate style. This pair of concepts has rich implications and may be considered as a heritance from Cao Pi's theory of stylistics in the pre-Qin period. The third is the breaking and transforming of style, which shows in the stylistic innovation in such texts as "A Eulogy for the Lotus Girl." The fourth is the tradition and constraints of style. Cao Xueqin advocated a new writing norm that would break the traditional style of fictions, and this concept of stylistics had been repeatedly highlighted as unconventional in the Zhiyanzhai annotated version. The many annotations and comments on stylistics in the Zhiyanzhai version complemented and exemplified Cao Xueqin’s idea of stylistics.

Key words: differentiation of style, breaking of style, appropriate style, Cao Xueqin, Zhiyanzhai, idea of stylistics

Ren Jingze. On Cao Xueqin's Idea of Stylistics with Reference to the Stylistic Value of Zhiyanzhai Annotated Dream of Red Mansions[J]. Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art, 2014, 34(4): 136-145.

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