Wu Jingzi

Wu Jingzi (Ch吴敬梓, also known as Mǐn Xuan敏 轩or Mù Wen文 木; * 1701 Quanjiao, † December 12, 1754 in Yangzhou ) was a Chinese writer.

Life

Wu was born the son of a self insignificant, but coming from a famous family of officials from Anhui school inspector, who was also fired because dispute with his superiors. He gave his son early on extensive knowledge of Confucian basis, but also an aversion to the civil service and the official examination system that would caricature Wu later in his major work. At 20, Wu successfully completed the Lizentiatenexamen and won the Xiucai title but gave up further efforts later.

At age 13, Wu lost his mother, with his father 23. Then Wu led an unbound, loose living and brought within ten years through the entire parental heritage. He married a Arztochter, who bore him three sons, but soon died. His life changes being scandalous with relatives and neighbors who shunned him then and youth paraded as a deterrent.

At the age of 33 years, Wu moved therefore to Nanjing, where he soon gained access to officials and scholarly circles and in particular friendship with the " Enlightenment " Gu Yanwu and Yan Yuan concluded. After a few years he returned temporarily to return home to participate in one of the special stages, which established for the recovery of Chinese talents, the Qing government. He was successful and was nominated by the provincial governor even for the capital examination, the Wu but escaped on the pretext of illness.

Later, Wu impoverished because of his generosity and extravagance even more. So he donated about despite limited resources was a significant amount for the construction of a pagoda on the rain of flowers Terrace in Nanjing. Often he had to finance food to sell his books or ask friends for loans.

Wu died in 1754 during a visit to Yangzhou, but was then transferred to Nanjing. In his hometown Quanjiao has dedicated a museum to him.

Work

Wu's most famous work is the satirical novel The Unofficial History of the Scholars Forest in 1749, in which he processed his experiences with the world of academics. Himself he has portrayed in the figure of the Prodigal, but the true values ​​of Confucian culture committed scholars you Shaoqing.

In addition comes from Wu's spring no longer got a commentary on the Book of Songs. Of the original 12 volumes of his essay collection today there are only four.