Preface on Intent

Liu XieBashu Publishing House · ChinaJun 2024

4.7

Word count: 1.1K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

"Xuzhi" (Annals of My Aim), by Liu Xie, is a classical Chinese text from The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, "Xuzhi."

Editor's review

"Xuzhi" is the general preface to The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons. Here Liu Xie explains the occasion for writing, the structure of the whole work, and its critical aims, making it the key to this great work of classical literary theory. In this chapter he recounts that, "when my age had passed thirty," he dreamed of holding a red-lacquered ritual vessel and following Confucius southward; he then assesses one by one the merits and failings of "those who have discussed literature in modern times," and finally sets out the organizing logic by which "positions are ordered and names determined." The writing is weighty and the thread clear. Reading this chapter reveals Liu Xie's sense of problems and explains why the fifty chapters of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons are structured as they are. This Bashu Publishing House edition makes it easy to read closely against the original. It is suitable as a first stop for beginners in classical literary theory, and also for readers who have read some chapters and wish to return to survey the whole framework. Read it slowly, noting the measure of his criticism of earlier critics and the passages in which the author describes his state of mind in setting forth his ideas—these are precisely the key to understanding the critical standards of the whole book.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners in classical literary theory who wish to grasp the framework of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons through its general preface
Chinese literature students who need to read the classic closely alongside coursework in literary theory
Readers interested in Liu Xie's literary thought who want to understand his occasion for writing and critical stance
Enthusiasts with reasonable classical Chinese reading ability willing to read a short preface closely

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners with no classical Chinese who want vernacular explanations
Readers expecting a systematic account of the details of each genre discussed in The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons
Those who want only quick conclusions about literary theory and are unwilling to read the original

Reading tips

Read through once without worrying about full comprehension, mark personal and chapter names, then read closely paragraph by paragraph against the notes.
As you read, list Liu Xie's judgments on the merits and failings of earlier critics to grasp his critical standards.
After this chapter, read the opening genre chapters of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons to verify the structure of the whole work.
Keep a pen ready and extract the sentences in which he describes his motive for writing; use them as a clue to the whole book.

About the publisher

Bashu Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.

版权信息
序志第五十

FAQ

What is the place of "Xuzhi" in The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons?

"Xuzhi" is the final chapter of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons and functions as the general preface to the whole work. In it Liu Xie explains the occasion for writing, comments on the merits and failings of earlier critics, and sets out the arrangement and naming of the chapters. It is the key chapter for understanding the structure of the entire book and is usually regarded as the entry point for studying Liu Xie's literary thought.

Can I read "Xuzhi" directly without having read the other chapters?

Yes. This chapter is itself the general preface and explains the structure and aims of the work, so reading it first actually helps build an overall framework. It does mention many earlier critics and chapter titles, however; when you meet unfamiliar names, glance at the notes for a rough sense of who they were rather than pursuing details at the start. Close reading after a first pass works better.

What background knowledge is needed to read this chapter?

You need basic classical Chinese reading ability and a rough impression of several writers and critics from the pre-Qin through Wei and Jin periods. Familiarity with earlier works of literary theory such as Cao Pi's "On Literature" and Lu Ji's "Rhapsody on Literature" makes Liu Xie's judgments easier to understand. A little knowledge of the cultural background of the Qi and Liang dynasties in which Liu Xie lived also helps in appreciating the measure with which he describes his state of mind in setting forth his ideas.

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About the author

Liu Xie Author · Chinese

Liu Xie (c. 465–520), courtesy name Yanhe, was a literary theorist and critic of the Liang dynasty in the Southern Dynasties. His ancestral home was Ju County in Shandong, and he was born in Jingkou. Orphaned young and poor, he was nonetheless devoted to learning and long stayed with the monk Sengyou at Dinglin Temple, where he took part in collating Buddhist scriptures. From about the age of thirty-two, Liu Xie spent five years completing The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons (Wenxin Diaolong), a work of broad scope and deep thought that examines genres, creative conception, style and rhetoric, and literary criticism. It is the most systematic treatise on literary theory in ancient China. Chapters such as “Preface and Motives,” “History and Biography,” “Cutting and Tailoring,” “General Technique,” and “Prayers and Oaths” discuss aims in writing, the genre of history and biography, organization and arrangement, principles of composition, and the forms of prayers and oaths, showing his concern with the origins of genres and the practice of writing. In his later years he became a monk and changed his name to Huidi. Public information about the details of his life is limited, but The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons has had a profound influence on later literary appreciation, Eastern philosophy, and cultural studies.