Interpretation of Confucian Classics:An Emerging Type of Writing in Imperial Examinations and Local Academies'Civil Examinations of the Qing Dynasty
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the eight-part essays for imperial examinations(八股时文),which were the core of the imperial and civil examinations,were often criticized for failing to reflect the candidates'knowledge of Confucian classics and history.Therefore,interpretation of Confucian classics(经解)as a type of writing was introduced to serve as complementary and remedial strategies at different levels of examinations in the mid-Qing Dynasty.Beginning in the early years under the reign of Emperor Qianlong(乾隆),this examination form was originally used to promote the imperial annotated versions of Confucian classics authorized by Emperor Kangxi(康熙),and was formally similar to the question-and-answer type of writing(策问),another long-prevalent exam-method.Afterwards,the question-and-answer type of writing gradually evolved into a specific explanatory writing of Confucian classics(经学阐释文),which was aimed at explaining difficult words and phrases in the Confucian classic texts,with a flavor of Han Learning.During the periods under the reign of Emperor Jiaqing(嘉庆)and Emperor Daoguang(道光),explanatory writing of Confucian classics gained popularity in local academies of classic learning under the promotion of Ruan Yuan(阮元)and other provincial education commissioners.Ironically,imperial examinations by means of interpretation of Confucian classics,just like those by means of eight-part essays,also led to a tendency of stereotyped writing pattern,and triggered the production of popular guidebooks for examinations in the late Qing Dynasty.Through the emergence and evolution of such a type of writing as interpretation of Confucian classics for imperial examinations in the Qing Dynasty,we can see the complex interactions among cultural policies,study of Confucian classics,and local elite education.
interpretation of Confucian classics(经解)imperial examinationHan Learninglocal academy of classic learningexamination essays(课艺)
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