Remarks on the Multiple Status of Novel Commentators in Ming and Qing Dynasties
The prominent characteristics of ancient Chinese novel theory are manifested not only by the intuition, flexibility and openness of the commentaries, but also by the multiple status and multi-functions of the commentators. On the one hand, the majority of the novel commentators in Ming and Qing Dynasties consist of critics like booksellers, writers and the authors themselves; on the other hand, the triple-status of reader, author and critic (literature appreciator) exists in the specific processes of commenting novels. As a result, novel commentators own a kind of three-in-one literature function and aesthetic feature at the commenting moment.