Mapping the Literary Landscape in the Late Tang: Interpreting the Intellectual World through the Prose of Luo Yin, Lu Guimeng, and Pi Rixiu

Abstract

The dissertation delves into the often overlooked, underestimated, and misunderstood writers of ninth and tenth-century China. Within the declining years of the Tang dynasty, these scholars have been overshadowed by their predecessors and successors. From imperial China to modern scholarship, their literary contributions have only been recognized as a continuation of the literary legacy from the earlier Tang periods, a transition before a literary renaissance in the Northern Song dynasty, and a representation of the political and social issues of the chaotic time. The dissertation challenges this longstanding conventional view by highlighting the unique qualities of the prose written by Lu Guimeng (d. 881), Pi Rixiu (838-883), and Luo Yin (833-910). By analyzing the collective and individual themes and styles present in their prose, as well as their mastery of literary tradition and innovative approaches, this dissertation illustrates the indispensable value of late Tang prose. The dissertation is structured into two primary sections: textual and contextual analyses, followed by annotated translations. The first section is dedicated to providing an in-depth discussion of the topic, comprising six main chapters. Each chapter explores a distinct topic within the literary world, including remonstrance, reclusion, identity construction, historical writing, political views, philosophical ideology, hobbies, and religious beliefs. The second section serves not only as a reference and appendix to the discussion but also aims to lay valuable groundwork by paying attention to literary allusions, rhetorical devices, grammatical nuances, textual variations, and reception history.