The Substance of Fiction: Literary Objects in China, 1550-1775

The portrayals of objects in literary texts do not necessarily represent historical evidence about the material culture of the past. Instead, fictional objects are often signs of fictionality themselves, calling attention to the nature of the relationship between literature and materiality. Sophie Volpp's analysis of objects from late Ming and Qing texts shows that inconsistent and discontinuous representation disconnects the literary object from potential historical analogues, and that the historical resonances of literary objects illuminate the rhetorical strategies of individual works of fiction and conceptions of fictionality in the Ming and Qing. This analysis has important implications for Chinese literary studies, history, and art history, as well as the material turn in the humanities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 28 June 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Sophie Volpp delves into the realm of fictional objects in late Ming and Qing literature, challenging the notion that they represent historical evidence of material culture. Instead, she argues that these objects often serve as markers of fictionality, drawing attention to the intricate relationship between literature and materiality. In her comprehensive study, Volpp examines a diverse range of objects, including a robe, a box, a shell, a telescope, a plate-glass mirror, and a painting, sourced from canonical works commonly relied upon for insights into late imperial material culture.

While these objects may initially appear to be illustrative of historical realities, Volpp contends that their inconsistent and discontinuous representation creates a gap between the literary object and potential historical analogues. This disconnect highlights the rhetorical strategies employed by individual works of fiction and broader conceptions of fictionality during the Ming and Qing periods. Rather than providing a transparent lens onto the past, fictional objects train the reader to be mindful of the limitations of perception.

Through a meticulous analysis of late Ming and Qing texts and reading practices, The Substance of Fiction offers profound insights into Chinese literary studies, history, art history, and the material turn in the humanities. Volpp's work challenges traditional assumptions and encourages a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between literature, materiality, and perception. By exploring the historical resonances of fictional objects, she sheds light on the rhetorical devices employed by writers and the ways in which they shape our understanding of the past.

In conclusion, Sophie Volpp's The Substance of Fiction is a groundbreaking exploration of the role of fictional objects in late Ming and Qing literature. By challenging the notion of their direct representation of historical material culture, Volpp reveals the intricate relationship between literature, materiality, and perception. Through her meticulous analysis of a diverse range of objects, she offers valuable insights into Chinese literary studies, history, art history, and the material turn in the humanities. This book is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, as it contributes to our understanding of the past and the ways in which literature shapes our perception of it.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 150 x 227 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231199650