Studies of the epicsw of southern China

Preface by Lang Ying
Preface by Mark Bender
Translator's Foreword
Profile of the Author
Introduction

Chapter One Forms
I．Typical Earlier Forms：Sacrificial Rites
Ⅱ．Forms in Production and Wars
Ⅲ． Forms in Rites of Passages
Ⅳ． Motives and the Transcendence of Formal Functions

Chapter Two Origin
I． Internal Drive：“Desire to Conquer” and“Desire to
Identify”
Ⅱ． From Totems to Early Ancestors， from Sacrificial Articles to Epics
Ⅲ． From God-worshipping to Power Worshipping， from Sacredness to Earthiness
Ⅳ． From Dissemination to Reorganization， from Diverse Editions to Established Editions

Chapter Three Epic Struggles and Conflicts
I．Chaos， the Creation of the W orld，and the Origins of H umans
II．Creation，Innovation，and Early Traces
Ⅲ．Plunder，Protest， and Tribal Migration
Ⅳ．Promoting Virtue，Punishing Evil， and Ethnic Unity

Chapter Four Narrative Themes
I． The Theme of Magical Conception in the Epics of Panhu
II． The Theme of Floods in Epics about Fuxi and Nüwa
Ⅲ． The Theme of Transformation in Epics about Pangu
Ⅳ． Themes of Shooting Down Suns and Fighting Against Thunder
V． The Theme of the Test in Epic Narratives
ⅥI．Themes of Separation and Reunion in Epic N arratives

Chapter Five Images
I． Intelligent Animals and H uman-Animal Hybrids
II．Gods and Early A ncestors with the Features of Clan Leaders
Ⅲ．Heroes Fighting Against Nature
Ⅳ．Heroes in Tribal Conquests
V．The Rise of Feudal Lords as Heroes

Chapter Six Art
I．Original Artistic Factors：Vividness，Emotion，and
Imagination
Ⅱ．Symbols and Metaphors
Ⅲ． Narration and Structure
Ⅳ．Description and Languages

Chapter Seven Culture
I．Cultural Characteristics and Cultural Spirit
Ⅱ．Priests and Singers： Taught by Teachers and"Blessed by the Gods

Chapter Eight Comparison
I．A Microculture Within a Macroculture：A General Resemblance
with Minor Differences
Ⅱ． Cultural Differences Across the Epic Traditions
Ⅲ．A Comparison Between Lan'ga Xihe and the Indian
Ramayana

Chapter Nine Sequel
I．Human Nature，Archetypes， and Permanent Glory
Ⅱ．The Reappearance of Primordial Images
Ⅲ．The Resurgence of Primitive Narration

Chapter Ten Interdisciplinary Value
I． Budding Historiography
Ⅱ．Budding Philosophy
Ⅲ．Budding Ethics
Ⅳ．Budding Science of Religion
V．Budding Natural Science

Chapter Eleven The Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Afterword
Series Acknowledgements