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Abstract

Research on the generation of the notion of literary genres is the point of departure and a cornerstone for studies of the history of Chinese literary genre theories. The establishment of the notion of literary genres is marked by authors' having a clear knowledge of the characteristics of a certain genre, and applying it constantly and consistently, or in other words, by a consciousness of the very forms of literary genres. The notion of genres, in the beginning, is found, either in the application, or in the unambiguous definition and quotation, of the genres concerned. The birth of such a notion was effectuated, not in an instant, nor once for all, but usually through a complicated, inexplicit, even iterative process, where specific forms of some early genres reoccur repetitively. There are generally two kinds of repetitions, viz. functional and artistic. The genre notions as a result of institutional design are determined and restricted by such design, and develop along with the realization of the institutions. A genealogical study of thenotion of early literary genres has to be based on the construction of rituals, government and institutions. Many early genres have a function and classification originating from the identity and function of the specific genre users. The function and classification of these genres, together with the identity and function of genre users, form the genealogy of early literary genres. Due to the practicality of early writings, ritual regulations have become a governing rule for the writings of different genres, and thus exert an immediate influence on the rise of the notion of relevant genres. As a result, the early notion of literary genres tends to put an unusual stress on the sense of ritual and order, and that explains why many of early Chinese literary genres entail a style of solemnity, reverence, piety, and even holiness.

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