This dissertation takes Bao Tianxiao’s novel concept “xìng-wèi” as the core to discuss four novels, Renxuben Xinxiyouji (The New Journey to the West: Year of Renxu,1923 ), Shanghaivhunqiu (The Shanghai Chronicles, 1929), Huanchaoluanfeng (Changing Fiancee,1944) and Xinbaishezhuan (White Snake: New Story,1958). The first section of this dissertation focuses on archive the pedigree of "xìng-wèi", a novel concept raised by Bao Tianxiao in 1915. For the purpose of exploring how Bao Tianxiao practices and implements his viewpoint, the second part moves on close reading and textual analysis to the four novels which discussed above.
The word “xìng-wèi” had existed in Chinese, and the original meaning of “xìng-wèi” was interesting. Around 1905, due to the educational reforms in the Late Qing, Japanese “きょうみ(be interested in)” was introduced to China through medio-translating of educational theories. The inherent meaning of “きょうみ(be interested in)” was integrated with “xìng-wèi”, therefore “xìng-wèi” became often used in education field. We may also discover the meaning integration in literary field. In 1915, Bao Tianxiao introduced his novel concept “xìng-wèi”, as a result of revising the intention of overemphasizing political functions of literature in "revolution in fiction writing(小說界革命)" in late Qing dynasty. Bao valued market and readers, therefore he emphasized interesting performance in literature. Besides, he followed the concept of education and literature from late Qing, therefore he didn’t neglect the social function and the moral function by novels. Overall, Bao Tianxiao’s “xìng-wèi” was a concept which based on readers, regarded interesting as the core, juggled social characters and moral function by novels.
On creation practices, through close reading and textual analysis to the four novels Chuanyinglouriji (Baotianxiao Diaries) and Chuanyinglouhuiyilu (Baotianxiao Memoris), we could find Baotianxiao highly valuing the readers. Renxuben Xinxiyouji ( The New Journey to the West: Year of Renxu,1923 ) rewrote the story Xiyouji (The Journey to the West), infused both entertainment and education through playful pen. It encouraged virtue and punishing evil under the comical surface. Shanghaivhunqiu (The Shanghai Chronicles,1929) took novel as the carrier to explore the topic of love and marriage around May Fourth. Huanchaoluanfeng (Changing Fiancee,1944) converted the narrative mode of western detective novels. It used cross-dressing to create dramatized and suspenseful effects which were similar to what third person perspective could do. Xinbaishezhuan (White Snake: New Story,1958) tried to call the great homeland memories of domestic and overseas readers through nostalgia. The “xìng-wèi” in these four novels could present the specific concern of readers and the author in specific period, and also present the changing of reading orientation during 1920s to 1950s. Overall, Baotianxiao’s novel concept “xìng-wèi” prioritized the readers, used interestingness as the core, and balanced sociality, morality, interestingness and positive elements.