Full metadata
Title
The problematic nature of Song literati's penchant for xiaohuan
Description
This thesis examines poems and anecdotes about xiaohuan 小鬟 (little chignon) written by literati of the Song宋 (960-1279). The first chapter of this paper provides a brief history of household courtesans and the popularity of xiaohuan. The second chapter includes eleven poems and one anecdote on xiaohuan. All works are translated and followed by a critical analysis. Through a close reading of these works, I will examine the imagery of xiaohuan in the Song literary context, bring to light the major motif of the works, and reveal the reasons that contribute to literati's penchant for xiaohuan. The imagery of xiaohuan is based on their tender age. Poets use flowers to metaphorize xiaohuan's lithe, slim, short, and delicate figures. A major characteristic of the xiaohuan's youth is their inability to understand qing情 (affection) and this relative innocence and absence of desire becomes a major part of their representation. Consequently, their youth and virginity rather than their beauty are strongly stressed in the poems. This may be explained by poets' desire for longevity, pursued through the "Techniques of the Bedchamber," or fangzhong shu房中術, which suggests intercourse with pre-pubescent girls would bring men longevity or even transmutation.
Date Created
2012
Contributors
- Ge, Lihong (Author)
- West, Stephen H. (Thesis advisor)
- Cutter, Robert (Committee member)
- Oh, Young Kyun (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
45 p
Language
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.16045
Statement of Responsibility
by Lihong Ge
Description Source
Viewed on Feb. 14, 2013
Level of coding
full
Note
Partial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2012
Note type
thesis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-44)
Note type
bibliography
Field of study: East Asian languages and civilizations
System Created
- 2013-01-17 06:42:50
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:43:23
- 2 years 8 months ago
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