Jump to the main content block
Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies
ISSN 0577-9170; DOI 10.6503/THJCS

   Cover

The Abolition of the Imperial Examination System and t he Disintegration of the Four- Class Society - Social Change from Traditional to Modern in the Eyes of a Local Literatus

Vol. 25 No. 4   12/1995  

Title

The Abolition of the Imperial Examination System and the Disintegration of the Four- Class Society Social Change from Traditional to Modern in the Eyes of a Local Literatus

Author

Zhi-tian Luo

Genre

Article  

Pages

 

Download

 

Language

 

Key words

the Imperial Examination System, the Four-Class Society, Modern China, Social Change

Abstract

      The first part of this article, through the eyes of a local literatus in Shanxi province, examines how the reform and abolition of the Imperial Examination System during the last period of the Qing Dynasty on the one hand effected the personal and family life of inland local literati, and on the other how this educational change contributed to the disintegration of the traditional Four-Class society. The second part explores the broader theme that the speed and scope of social change in various parts of modern China were not always synchronous; instead, there existed two“worlds”w here the modes of struggle for survival and competition for success, and to some extent even basic values, were intensely different. Further investigation of the activities and mentality of inland local literati will undoubtedly contribute to a more diverse and dynamic picture of modern China.

 

 

Author: Zhi-tian Luo
Genre: Article
Click Num: