Prof. Cheng Article Selected as “Editor’s Choice” in Ming Studies

An academic paper written by Dr. Yu-Yin Cheng (History), published in the 2013 volume of Ming Studies, boasts spot in top 10 for readership and has been selected as Editor’s Choice.

In her paper, “Tang Xianzu’s (1550-1616) Peony Pavilion and Taizhou Philosophy: An Perspective from Intellectual History,” Professor Yu-Yin Cheng writes about, “a literary theme of qing 情(love, emotion, feelings, or passion), centering on the expression of personal feelings in men’s and women’s writings, and bringing forth a fresh spirit to the world of the Ming literature,” and its effect on the writings of that time.

Via Maney Online: “This paper explores how intellectual trends, specifically the ideas of the Taizhou movement, of the sixteenth century fostered the rising literary theme of qing. Taking Tang Xianzu’s Peony Pavilion as a case study, the paper first compares Tang’s play with its predecessor, a promptbook version circulated in the early sixteenth century, to identify the new ideas that Tang developed in his play; it then traces these ideas back to the Taizhou school’s philosophy. The study proposes that the evolution of such seminal ideas as xing(nature), qing (love, or emotions), and li (ritual propriety) within the Taizhou school provided the conceptual bases for Tang to develop his signature play. Sharing with the Taizhou scholars’ enthusiasm in public lectures and discussions (jiangxue), Tang regarded his drama as another style of jiangxue to convey his idea of qing to a wide audience.”

 

Since its publication, Professor Cheng’s article has received much praise, including selection as Editor’s choice. Additionally the article has locked a spot in the “Most Read” categories; within the top ten in the last month, and the top 15 in the last year. 

Congrats to Professor Cheng!

 

Published: September 08, 2015