This essay is a cultural case study of a Middle Ming Dynasty litterateur, which takes “diffusion” as its main topic of discussion. According to The History of Ming, Biography of Yang Shen, Yang was the litterateur who had most writings in Ming Dynasty. The factors and reasons that had made him and his writings wild-spread are discussed in this article on a literal and a cultural diffusion perspective.
This research discuss the reader response issue. The cultural and literal acceptance phenomenon is re-examined throughout the readings, understanding, and critics about Yang from the people who like Yang and the people who don’t.
Yang Shen’s life was legendary and controversial. In a new aspect of performing and self-image construction, the researcher re-explains the profound meaning of Yang Shen in literary and cultural history in Middle Ming Dynasty by what he had done.
Yang Shen’s 30-year demotion in Yunnan had increased the cultural reputation there. Based on a human geographic concept, this approach studies how Yang brought inspiration and innovation to Yunnan’s history, geography, literature and education. Also, the research observes how Yang rose his cultural reputation and diversity through his demotion experience and regional writings.
Textology was on the rise in Middle Ming Dynasty. The textual research that Yang Shen had written about materialism was the knowledge carrier that other litterateurs used to add up flavor to their life. In this way of cultural ecology, textology’s attribute was the” new” knowledge system of material culture.
The other “new” attribute is that there were a lot of writings that Mr. and Mrs. Yang wrote together. Also, there were a lot of works from Mrs. Yang, Huang E. This research also talks about the works that Yang Shen had compiled such as Shan-an Shi Hua, Chih Du Cing Cai, Jiang Hua Pin Zao, Han Za Shi Mi Xin, Liqingji, and Cang Geng Chuan. Furthermore, the research comments other literal works such as The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, The Lost Notes of the ShiJi, Collected Works of scholars in Middle Ming Dynasty. The works mentioned above are the proof that Yang Shen was the pioneer at the time.