Although the stories of Liaozhai Zhiyi and Flowers in the Mirror are both classical Chinese novels and chapter novels,there are significant differ-ences in the role identities and exam results of the participants in the imperial examination exam.However,there are many similarities in the plot,character images,and imperial examination mentality between the two novels.The simi-larities between Liaozhai Zhiyi and Flowers in the Mirror may be due to the influence of the narrative tradition of the imperial examination in ancient nov-els,or maybe LI fuzhen may have read or heard about the story of Liaozhai Zhiyi,or maybe LI fuzhen and PU Songling have similar examination experi-ence and knowledge.The differences between these two works are related to their differences in family background,interests,social environment,and other as-pects.
Qing Dynasty novelscomparative researchLiaozhai ZhiyiFlowers in the Mirror