Abstract

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Title:: Shi Diao and the Social Enlightenment Movement in the LateQing Dynasty

Keywords:: Shi diao; social enlightenment movement in the late Qing Dynasty; enlightening the people; national salvation; enlightenment spirit

Abstract:: Because of its popularity，Shi diao 时调（ popular tune） was in line with the social enlightenmentmovement in the late Qing Dynasty and thus attracted attention of the patriotic intellectuals，who employed thistype of popular musical and literary genre to awaken Chinese people to their patriotic mission of saving theirnation from outside bullying and invasion through mental and social reforms. Different from the old themes（e.g. love stories and legends） associated with this genre，Shi diao thus created acquired a distinctive featureof pursuing social enlightenment and reforms，which were intended to eliminate superstitions and backwardcustoms and traditions，introduce new knowledge，enhance the mental and physical quality of Chinese people，and even achieve the equality between men and women. These patriotic themes made Shi diao，the old type ofmusic and literary genre，play an important role in the enlightenment movement in the late Qing Dynasty. Agood understanding of this is very important for the exploration of the social and literary value of the folk artsand literature at that time.