A Study on the Evolution of Endings and Genre Conventions in the Yingying Love Story
This paper offers a diachronic examination of how the love story between Zhangsheng and Yingying in Yuanzhen‘s novel “Yingying zhuan” has evolved through different literary conventions. “Yingying Love Story” has remained a beloved narrative, enduring from the Song to the Jin-Yuan periods and continuing to be performed on stage today. The interplay between external factors such as societal and cultural backgrounds and internal changes in literary conventions allows for an understanding of the modified narrative of the “Yingying Love Story” and sheds light on the processes of literary creation, reception, and adaptation. Additionally, it provides a more nuanced understanding of the genre characteristics across different epochs. The transformation of the ending of the “Yingying Love Story” from a tragic conclusion where the woman is forsaken to a happy ending where their love prevails reflects the societal and cultural contexts of the time. In particular, the empathy shown by Ci writers of the Song dynasty towards Yingying and the non-defensive attitude towards Zhangsheng played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of the story's conclusion. Subsequent urban commercial development and the flourishing of private literature altered audience expectations of Yingying, naturally propelling the original tragic ending toward a happy resolution.
早在九世纪,唐代元稹的莺莺传问世之后,崔张的爱情故事在各种文学形式中不断被 重新创造和改编,其影响及流传范围极大。直到现在,莺莺故事一直活跃在各种文艺形式 中,为人们所熟知。本文从故事结尾变化、体裁嬗变的两个角度考察莺莺故事变化的整体情 况。莺莺故事的结局从被抛弃的悲惨结局到大团圆的变化过程反映了当时的社会文化背景。 尤其是,秦观、毛滂、赵令畤等宋代词人对莺莺的同情和不辩护张生的态度,对改变莺莺故 事的结局产生了非常重要的影响。另外,莺莺故事被以传奇、转踏、鼓子词、诸宫调、杂 剧、说唱文等多种形式进行了再现,变成了符合当时时代文化的故事。莺莺故事的结尾变 化、体裁嬗变从文学史、社会文化史、传播史等不同领域上都具有自己特殊的意义