《紫钗记》对《霍小玉传》的继承与转化 = The study of the adaptation of “The Purple Hairpins” (Zi Chai Ji) from “The Story of Huo Xiaoyu” (Huo Xiaoyu Zhuan)

Abstract

明代是中国古典戏曲繁荣的第二次高峰时期。这个时期最杰出耀眼的传奇戏曲家非汤显祖莫属。《紫钗记》是汤显祖“临川四梦”中的第一部作品，取材于唐代蒋防的著名小说《霍小玉传》。 本论文将讨论明传奇《紫钗记》对唐传奇《霍小玉传》的继承与转化。由于时代的变迁，明代的社会已不同于唐代的社会。因此，《紫钗记》的主题有别于《霍小玉传》的主题；主题的改变则造成故事内容的转变。笔者将从人物、情节、结局以及紫钗的意义这四个要点探讨《紫钗记》对《霍小玉传》的改编。笔者也将解释这些改造如何凸显出《紫钗记》的两个关键主题，即提倡至情思想和抨击时事政治。笔者希望通过本文来证明《紫钗记》虽然不是汤显祖最出色的创作，但是它还是一部值得被关注的好作品。Classical Chinese drama reached its second peak during the Ming Dynasty. Tang Xian Zu can be seen as the best and most renowned playwright of this period. “The Purple Hairpins” (Zi Chai Ji) is the first instalment of Tang Xian Zu’s collection of dramas “Lin Chuan Si Meng”, or “The Four Dreams of Lin Chuan”. “The Purple Hairpins” is adapted from the popular Tang Dynasty novel by Jiang Fang, “The Story of Huo Xiaoyu” (Huo Xiaoyu Zhuan). This thesis will investigate in detail the adaptation of “The Purple Hairpins” from “The Story of Huo Xiao Yu”. I will talk about the social backgrounds of both the Tang and Ming Dynasties and discuss how the change in era leads to the difference in the themes of both works. I will also explain the reasons behind the changes in the traits of the various characters, the storyline, the ending, as well as the importance of the Hairpin. Furthermore, I will elaborate on how these changes emphasize the two important themes of “The Purple Hairpins”. Advocating deep and sincere love as well as criticizing the evils of the Ming Dynasty socio-politics are the two crucial themes. By the end of this thesis, I hope to prove that despite being criticized, “The Purple Hairpin” is still a good piece of work to be taken note of.