100 must-read books for college students

Chapter 32 The Earliest Chinese Novel with the Subject of Peasant Uprising
Chapter 31 The earliest Chinese novel with the theme of peasant uprising: "Water Margin"

"Water Margin" is a great long hero legend novel.With its majestic momentum, it describes a peasant farmer in Chinese history.

The uprising created a large number of heroes in the uprising, and its achievements are unprecedented.

According to historical data and legends, it is known as the Water Margin of Loyalty

"Water Margin" is the first full-length novel that describes the whole process of peasant uprising from occurrence to development and then to failure. Its author

According to years of textual research in the academic circles, it is generally believed to be Shi Naian in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties.But this book is not purely a personal creation.
The story of the peasant uprising led by Song Jiang in the late Northern Song Dynasty has been circulated in the society for a long time. After processing by folk artists,
It was finally written by Shi Naian.There are few reliable records about his life story and other works, and there are many legends.have
He is from Qiantang, and it is also said that he is from Xinghua. According to legend, he also participated in the peasant uprising led by Zhang Shicheng at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.
Not corroborated.

The Songjiang Uprising described in "Water Margin" took place in the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song Dynasty in history. "History of the Song Dynasty", "Outline of Ten Dynasties", "

Many historical documents such as "Bo Zhai Bian" and "Dongdu Shilue" have records related to this matter.In the Southern Song Dynasty, the story of the Songjiang Uprising,

It is widely circulated among the people and has become the subject of "talking".In Luo Ye's "Drunkard Tanlu" recorded in the list of speeches, there is already "Stone

Sun Li", "Dai Zongsi", "Blue-faced Beast", "Warrior", etc.Lu You of the Yuan Dynasty "Inscribed Songjiang 36 People's Paintings Praise" is also confirmed

It is recognized that "Songjiang 36 in the east of Jingdong has been rampant in the Great Hebei since the day, and the officers and soldiers dare not go forward after hunting, and offer rewards to recruit envoys to catch the thieves."Early Yuan Human Child

Tianweng's "NC038 Tianyuyu" records that Song Jiang once dived to the home of Li Shishi, a famous prostitute in Bianjing, asking for peace, and wrote an inscription on the wall,

have "borrowed
Shandong Yanshui Village", "Six or six geese fly in succession, only waiting for the news of the golden rooster" (see "Supplements to Sheng'an Ci Pin"). This seems to be another

It shows that the base of the Song Jiang Uprising is in Shandong, and the number of people is not 36 but 108, which is more consistent with the content of "Water Margin".

At the end of the Song Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, there was an anonymous book "The Legacy of Xuanhe in the Song Dynasty" appeared.Lu Xun said that this book is like telling history.Contains many history books and legends

Among them, Yuanji and Xiangji already contain stories such as Yang Zhi selling knives, etc., which have begun to take shape in the scale of "Water Margin" and become an important basis for the completion of "Water Margin".

foundation.

In the Yuan Dynasty, Zaju with the content of the Water Margin story also appeared, such as "Yanqing Boyu", "Black Whirlwind Double Contribution", "Li Kui Bearing
Jing" and so on.

On the basis of historical materials and legends (including scripts, dramas and other art forms) about the Song Jiang Uprising, novels were produced at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.

"Water Margin". There are many versions of "Water Margin", mainly including "Water Margin of Loyalty" engraved by Hou Xun of Wuding during the Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty ([-]

Huiben), "The Complete Story of Loyalty and Justice" (one hundred and twenty chapters) engraved by Yang Dingjian during the Ming Dynasty and the Chongzhen period, and Jin Shengtan in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties
Commentary on "The Fifth Talented Scholar's Book Outlaws of the Marsh" (seventy chapters).

The legend of Liangshan heroes in the water

The book "Water Margin" truly and vividly reflects the peasant uprising.Through the story of Liang Shanbo, the book correctly reveals the
The most fundamental reason for the peasant uprising in China's feudal society is "forced to go to Liangshan" and "officials to force the people to rebel".figuratively described in the book

It wrote about all kinds of crimes from the emperor to officials, local tyrants and evil gentry. It was under their oppression and persecution that Bai Danba generals, from
Different roads, and finally took Liangshan to participate in the uprising.Among them, the story of Lin Chong is the most typical: as a teacher of 80 forbidden soldiers in Tokyo
Lin Chong, who was at the head, had no intention of resisting Chaoyan, but he was repeatedly persecuted by Gao Qiu, and finally couldn't bear it anymore, killed people and went up the mountain.
Become an important general in Liangshan.

"Water Margin" correctly reflects the process of the peasant uprising army from small to large and gradually developed, and "occupied the mountain as king" - established

The way of struggle in the base area.The Liangshan uprising was not caused by a single individual raising his arms and suddenly mobilizing thousands of troops;

At the beginning of "Outwitting the Birthday Plan", several people formed the first team to go up the mountain, and after eradicating the narrow-minded king who was originally in Liangshan.
After Lun, the banner of righteousness was erected; then, the process of each character going up the mountain was described one by one.This truly writes from small to large

development, and this development was accomplished in the constant struggle with the government and army.Using Liangshanbo as their base, they repeatedly
Defeat the attacking official army, and at the same time, under certain conditions, take the initiative to attack, such as three strikes at Zhujiazhuang.

The Liangshan Rebels had a clear slogan: "Practice justice for the sky."This slogan shows that the Liangshan Uprising is to be carried out in a way that conforms to "God's will".

To oppose the dark and lawless existing society, so it has great appeal.

"Water Margin" also wrote the ending of the Liangshan rebels being recruited.In a feudal society, the outcome of a peasant uprising was roughly as follows:
One is being completely suppressed; the other is that the leader became the emperor and changed the dynasty; the third is being recruited.Therefore, the Liangshan Uprising was finally recruited
, is also a normal ending.But it is worth pondering that the writing of Zhao'an in the works is full of tragic atmosphere.

After deciding to commit suicide, he first poisoned Li Kui, then told Li Kui the truth, and then committed suicide.This sad scene can be said to be a reflection of the acceptance of recruits.

Ann's most complete denial.In addition, within the Liangshan Rebel Army, there have been forces opposing the recruitment from beginning to end, and the most prominent

The representative figure of the novel is Li Kui, the black whirlwind who the author pours infinite love and praise on.In short, the trick to "Water Margin"

On the issue of security, on the one hand, social and historical constraints must be seen;

Those who came out denied accepting the recruitment.Of course, "Water Margin", after all, through the image of Song Jiang, tirelessly publicized the tricks.

Ann's way and the tendency to only fight against corrupt officials.Moreover, as a literary work, after all, there is no artistic conception of Liangshan rebels resisting to the end

, Instead, wrote down the plot of Zheng Fangla.These undoubtedly reflect the limitations of the author's history.

While truly describing the development process of the peasant uprising, Shi Naian enthusiastically praised the heroes in the rebel army.Under the author's pen,
Li Kui, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, Wu Yong, San Ruan, Chao Gai, etc. are all heroes who are indomitable in the sky.

, and in the righteous deeds of helping the needy and helping the needy again and again, it shows a noble character and a simple and lovely personality.At the same time, works
The corrupt officials and evil gentry in the country were all ruthlessly whipped.

Among the characters in "Water Margin", Song Jiang is the most complicated. He is not only the organizer and leader of the Liangshan Rebel Army, but also a

I also don't forget the decision-maker who accepted the recruitment; he is not only a righteous man who donates money and helps the poor, but also a corrupt official who is full of loyalty and filial piety.song
The contradictions in Jiang's personality reflect the contradictions in "Water Margin" and its author's thinking.Song Jiang himself, after a series of twists and turns,

Dao was finally "forced to go to Liangshan" and became the leader of the rebel army. This is the dark social reality and the people's resistance to the dark society

determined by the tide.However, the traditional feudal concept of loyalty and filial piety made Song Jiang finally unable to abandon his allegiance to the imperial court to win

A dream of "sealing a wife and a son".The reality of iron, and the illusion of dreams are placed in front of Song Jiang at the same time, because he finally chose the illusion
Illusory dream, thus leading to the ultimate tragedy.

Lively characters and outstanding achievements

The artistic achievements of "Water Margin" are highlighted in the following aspects:

"Water Margin" wrote 108 Liangshan heroes, and the main characters all have distinct personalities, especially those like Li Kui, Lin Chong,

Wu Yong, Lu Zhishen, etc., are even more examples of success that are ready to emerge. The writing of characters in "Water Margin", especially commendable, is

It truly describes the development and changes of the characters' personalities.For example, Lin Chong was insulted by Gao Yanei and framed by Gao Qiu when he was in Tokyo.

But he endured it all; on the way to Cangzhou, he almost lost his life, and he still didn't resist; but when he arrived in Cangzhou, he found his enemy

When they chased him and set fire to the forage field, he was about to put him to death, but he couldn't bear it anymore, so he rose up and killed his enemy, and resolutely went to Liangshan.
.The work vividly and truly describes Lin Chong's change from tolerance to resistance, and writes the word "forced" in "forced to the top" in a concrete way.
And there are layers.

"Water Margin" used the technique of detail description very successfully, and played a great artistic role in portraying characters and narrating plots.
use.For example, the descriptions of Lu Zhishen punching the town of Guanxi and Lin Chong entering and leaving the forage field are all well-known detailed descriptions.

It deeply expresses the character and thoughts and feelings of the characters.

The structure of "Water Margin" is also very characteristic. Many plots are like independent stories, such as Wu Song's story, Lin Chong's story, Song
Jiang's story, etc.But these independent stories are naturally connected together, as if the complete "rings" are connected together.
Became a "chain".This structure is obviously related to the fact that there were many independent stories circulating before the completion of "Water Margin".

Since "Water Margin" was formed on the basis of "speaking", the language still maintains a strong sense of "speaking".
Language features: concise and vivid, but also fascinating.This kind of language feature is very helpful to create an atmosphere for novels.
Atmosphere, character performance.

The artistic aspects of "Water Margin" also have obvious deficiencies. As far as the character portrayal is concerned, it is often after the characters go to Liangshan,
His character is stagnant, far less vivid and lifelike than before going up the mountain.

The novel describes the tragic ending of the 108 heroes in Liangshanshuipo. They accepted recruitment, but they did not have a happy ending
, which objectively reveals the sad end of the ruler's insidiousness and stupid loyalty.

The influence of "Water Margin" is huge and extensive.For centuries, its rebellious spirit, optimism, idealized hero image

It has always been talked about by the people and inspired the oppressed to fight against it.From the Li Zicheng Uprising in the late Ming Dynasty to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Boxers
Movements, and even the secret anti-Qing organization Tiandihui among the people are all affected by it. The characters in "Water Margin" have different personalities
, image, affect people's mind, character and wisdom, they have become well-known heroes, righteous men or representatives of wisdom

.Some have even turned into a kind of experience, a kind of colloquial language, and a kind of representative of personality, which are widely popular among the people.
In a sense, it has become a part of the national character and integrated into the national spirit. "Water Margin" to the later literary creation

The influence is also huge. It is the first to create a long legend of heroes, and later published books such as "Shuo Tang", "Yang Jiajiang", "Shuo Yue" and so on.

, all can see the imprint of its influence; "Water Margin" also provided direct themes for operas. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were many operas;
As for all kinds of folk literature, rap, storytelling, there are countless.These fully prove the value of "Water Margin" and its
Strong vitality.

(End of this chapter)