Abstract
The paper claims that the spread of Wu Jingzhi's The Scholars (The Unofficial History of the Forest of the Literati) does not live up to its artistic and thematic achievements as it requires more of the readers than other classical novels in the period. The profundity in thoughts and the ambiguity in meaning require close reading, while the density and range of knowledge provide more cultural obstacles. The implicit plot and narration demand the readers to be highly engaged, and Wu Jingzi's ancient-oriented sentiments are sometimes at odds with the mores of the present time. The paper concludes that The Scholars can be fully understood and reach to more people only when the complexity of its textual features is fully acknowledged and the obstacle of reception undone.
First Page
112
Last Page
124
Recommended Citation
Liu, Yongqiang. 2013. "Obstacles of Reception and the Textual Features of Wu Jingzhi'sThe Scholars." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 33, (4): pp.112-124. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol33/iss4/11
