　　Chinese comparative literature has a great representative in the contemporary scholar and writer Qian Zhongshu (1910-1998). His comparative method defies every categorisation and his extensive use of quotations in seven languages-the main characteristic of his style-creates a collage of literary motifs and genres that constitutes a fertile field for analysis to grasp the general principles of world literature.<br />
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　　Italian quotations and the influence of Italian literature on the comparative method of Qian Zhongshu are the main concern of this analysis, and are a topic never before dealt with in mainland and overseas Qian Xue studies.<br />
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　　The study outlines the threads that move Qian Zhongshu in the choice of authors and works that constitute, in quotation, the core of his method and answers questions on the necessity of such a consistent use of quotations and on the role that foreign literatures, with a focus on the Italian one, have in the definition of a comparative method that seems to be all-inclusive and difficult to grasp.<br />
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　　To seize an understanding of the principles that lead global literatures in an enhancement of mutual comprehension between countries and peoples seems a desirable yet unrealistic goal: Qian Zhongshu, through his use of quotations to establish a dialogue between different historical epochs and distant spatial settings, wants to demonstrates that this desire is attainable.<br />Acknowledgments<br />
Introduction<br />
Scope and purpose of the study<br />
Organisation of the work<br />
Limitations of the study<br />
<br />
<strong>CHAPTER 1</strong><br />
Qian Zhongshu and comparative literature<br />
<br />
<strong>CHAPTER 2</strong><br />
"It is commonly said that human life is a big book"<br />
2.1 1910-1935 From Wuxi to Beijing<br />
2.2 1935-1938 Years abroad<br />
2.3 1939-1949 From Shanghai to Beijing<br />
2.4 The essays: Xie Zai Rensheng Bianshang<br />
2.5 Long and short stories: Ren Shou Gui and Wei Cheng<br />
2.6 Discourses on Art: Tan Yi Lu<br />
2.7 1949-1969 Years in Beijing<br />
2.8 The poetic side: Songshi Xuanzhu<br />
2.9 1969-1972 Years "down-under"<br />
2.10 1972-1998 Return to Beijing<br />
2.11 The masterpiece: Guan Zhui Bian<br />
2.12 Final Years<br />
<br />
<strong>CHAPTER 3</strong><br />
Tracing the roots of Qian Zhongshu&#39;s method: a long time legacy<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.1 The Rong&#39;an Guan Zhaji<br />
<br />
<strong>CHAPTER 4</strong><br />
Writing marginalia on the book of human life: the use of quotations in the comparative method of Qian Zhongshu<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.1 Comparing through quotations<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.2 Quoting as a mode of original elaboration<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.3 Quoting as a debate among sages of the past<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.4 Juxtaposition in quotations: "datong" and striking combinations<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.5 Quotations as a looking glass<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.6 Quotations as proof of truth: unveiling mistakes<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.7 In others&#39; words<br />
<br />
<strong>CHAPTER 5</strong><br />
Italian quotations in Qian Zhongshu&#39;s works: a mutual illumination<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1 From Dante to Leopardi: past theories into the present<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.1 Dante<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.2 Petrarca<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.3 Italian tales: Sacchetti, Basile, Bandello, Boccaccio.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.4 Epic poetry in literary criticism: Ariosto, Tasso, Boiardo<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.5 Renaissance men: Leonardo, Lorenzo De Medici<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.6 Marinisti: Italian Baroque poetry<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.7 Historians and philosophers between Renaissance and Baroque: Machiavelli, Guicciardini,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bruno, Campanella, Castiglione.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.8 The light of reason: Vico, Muratori, Beccaria, Verri.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.1.9 Leopardi, Manzoni and 19th century poetry and novels<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.2 From Pascoli to Eco: present ideas to shed light on the past<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.2.1 Giovanni Pascoli<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.2.2 Literary critics in the essays: Croce, De Sanctis, Provenzal<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.2.3 20th Century Poetry and Novel<br />
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<strong>CHAPTER 6</strong><br />
Conclusions<br />
6.1 Language<br />
6.2 Historical Periods<br />
6.3 Authors and quotations<br />
6.4 Quotations that stand the test of time<br />
6.5 Becoming a field of study: Qian Xue 錢學<br />
6.6 One hundred years of Qian Zhongshu<br />
Appendix 1: Brief outline of Western comparative studies<br />
Appendix 2: Brief outline of comparative literature studies in China<br />
Index of Italian autors<br />
References<br />