Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2013, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 85-93.

• Classical Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

On the Compilation Objectives of Xiao Tong's Selections of Refined Literature: from the Perspective of Wei Zhao's "On Gaming"

Yang Xun   

  1. Department of Chinese, East China Normal University
  • Online:2013-03-25 Published:2013-05-01
  • About author:Yang Xun, Ph.D., is an associate professor in Department of Chinese, East China Normal University.

Abstract: Wei Zhao's (204-273) "On Gaming" had not drawn much attention before the Kingdom of Liang (502-557), probably because its tenets were at odds with the social mores promoted by Emperor Wu of Liang. Wei's text was included into the Selections of Refined Literature because on the one hand it appealed to Xiao Tong's personal taste as he wanted to express his distain toward gaming and on the other hand Xiao Tong hoped to convey a warning to some officials and to caution and dissuade his own father. This paper tries to demonstrate through the above mentioned example that specific reasons should be discerned when investigating the compilation objectives of Selections of Refined Literature. Only by exploring the historical, political and cultural specificities can researchers make sound arguments about Xiao Tong's complicated compilation objectives.

Key words: Xiao Tong; Selections of Refined Literature, Wei Zhao, "On Gaming", compilation objectives