Feng Meng Long was one of litterateur in the Ming dynasty profoundly influenced the later generations. His works were abundant and contributed to the popular literature. In comparison with the other masterpieces by Feng, for example, the well-known novel “Shen Yan”, the "Gu Jin Tan Gai" reveals less literature and social value. However, it shows the characteristic style by combining various fables, jokes and satirical essays. Consequently, both the content and the form are worth further studying.
This thesis focuses on the two major themes, Feng Meng Long himself and the "Gu Jin Tan Gai". First, it probes into Feng Meng Long's life and academic background, from the life experience, the family origin and the society. It deduces his personal character, moral integrity and expounds his work and the literary philosophy further. In the next place, by studying the political and economical circumstances, ideological trend and the fashion of the later Ming dynasty, it explains the reason that "Gu Jin Tan Gai" played the important role in the academic circle then. Moreover, it digs out Feng’s motivation and the expected goal to influence the potential readers, the intellectuals. Besides, it investigates the spread versions and induces the editing types and the subject sources by analyzing over 2500 stories. Then, it makes a thorough study to explore the content and meaning by seven topics including teasing the looks, mocking the abnormal humanity, criticizing the ugly features of politicians, against the authority, reflecting the purport, emerging the general fashions and describing the anecdotes. Finally, this thesis reviews the value and the drawbacks of the "Gu Jin Tan Gai" to present the overall assessment.