Social intercourse for Reputation: Li Wei-Zhen's Social Network and Cultural Activities in the Late Ming Dynasty.

• Main Authors: CHEN, YI-AN, 陳怡安
• Other Authors: HO, SHU-YI
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/bszca3

碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 歷史學系 === 105 === 　　This thesis takes Li Wei-Zhen(李維楨), a literary celebrity in the late Ming Dynasty, as an example, through examining a large number of his prefaces for anthologies, epitaphs(墓誌銘), birthday essays(壽序) and other articles, to clarify the nature of occasional writings(應酬書寫). Occasional writings and social engagements help to expand interpersonal networks, and also build up one’s personal reputation. Therefore, this thesis will analyze the influence reputation has on Li and his friends to understand the social values then reflected in how the late Ming literati pursued reputation. 　　Examining Li Wei-Zhen's interpersonal network and life stories, we can learn that he had a large circle of friends. In that he had taken up official position in Beijing(北京), this early experience enabled him to acquaint himself with the personages in literary circle. Thereafter, Li Wei-Zhen served in Shaanxi(陝西), Henan(河南), Jiangxi(江西), Sichuan(四川), Zhejiang(浙江) and Shanxi(山西); hence his acquaintances with local officials, members of the royal family and literati. In Li Wei-Zhen's old age, he resided in Yangzhou(揚州) and Nanjing(南京), becoming acquainted with more literati in the cities. Subsequently, this thesis analyzes the social identity of Li Wei-Zhen’s friends, including members of royal family, officials, squires, businessmen, students, unknown literati, doctors and all kinds of people. It can be found that he was not only making a wide range of friends but even not excluding people of lower social status. Interestingly, Li’s personality trait of sociability, in fact, reflects the social atmosphere in the Late Ming Dynasty. 　　Although Li Wei-Zhen's social status mainly derived from his position as an official, he also established his own reputation as a literary personage through social activities, occasional writings, etc. This was quite different from the factor of being an official. As a literary celebrity, Li Wei-Zhen had the authority of literary evaluation, and his literary criticism was prestigious enough to influence others’ view on literary works. In brief, by recommending an individual and build up his/ her reputation, Li could effectively define that specific individual's position in literary circle. Li Wei-Zhen's remarks were so influential in publishing, literary works and art market that many would eagerly pay him a visit and this in turn strengthened Li's reputation. Thereby, Li Wei-Zhen’s literary status accordingly consolidated and affected his social status.