Research on the Ghost Revenge Narrative of “Er Pai” in a Cross-cultural Perspective

Abstract

“Er Pai” is the collective title of the collection of classical Chinese short stories Amazing Tales-First Series and Amazing Tales-Second Series compiled by Ling Mengchu in the Ming Dynasty of China. It is the first collection of classical Chinese short stories independently created by literati in China and holds significant importance in the history of ancient Chinese literature. Among them, the thematic narrative of “ghost revenge” is particularly significant for research. It not only carries profound cultural connotations but also vividly expresses the admonitory thought that “doing good deeds ultimately benefits oneself.” By analyzing the narratives of ghost revenge in “Er Pai”, the literary significance of enhancing the tragic color and deepening the characters’ images, as well as its influence on the “towards goodness” thought of the people in society at that time, can be revealed. It can also be compared with the same-theme narratives in Western literary works such as Hamlet and The Overcoat from a cross-cultural perspective, showing the influence of different cultural backgrounds on the creation of ghost revenge narratives. The theme of ghost revenge has important literary value and educational function in both Chinese and foreign literature, and researchers should also conduct modern thinking on this theme from the perspective of the current era.