上下求索：两汉虚幻旅程主题赋作研究 = IMAGINARY JOURNEY IN THE FU (RHAPSODY) OF THE HAN DYNASTY

Abstract

Journey is frequently found in early Chinese literature, especially in the fu tradition. It can be further divided into two types including realistic and imaginary journey. Imaginary journey is a fascinating topos. It first appears in the “Nine Songs” of the Chuci and peaks in the “Encountering Sorrows” (Li sao) which has been widely imitated by scholars of later generations. The origin of the quest-journey motif can be traced back to the ancient shaman culture.

This thesis focuses on the patterns of imaginary journey in Han fu. Essentially, it will analyse how these works inherit and develop the motifs related to journey rooted in the “Li sao.” In terms of different protagonists in the fu pieces, these rhapsodies can be divided into two kinds: a poet’s journey and an emperor’s journey. Han scholar-officials employed the celestial journey to escape from the real world that is full of despair and conflict.