LETTER TO WU JIZHONG BY CAO ZHI — A PANEGYRIC OR A PAMPHLET?

Abstract

The focus of the article, Letter to Wu Jizhong (Yu Wu Jizhong shu, 与吴季重书), a sample of Jian’an epistolography, is a message sent by Cao Zhi (曹植, 192–232) to his friend Wu Zhi (吴质). The article contains the translation and analysis of Letter to Wu Jizhong, which has not been studied in Russian sinology yet. Letter to Wu Jizhong is to be considered only in the light of Letter in response to Cao Zhi by Wu Zhi (Da Dong’e wang shu, 答东阿王书). Letter to Wu Jizhong is analyzed as an oratorical speech in writing. The analysis is based on classical rhetorical theories, mainly on Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric. In each of the 3 parts of the Letter… we highlight its subject, theme, problem, thesis, goal (elements of the Inventio). The oratory of the Letter… is epideictic and deliberative. “The topos of Size”, i. e., exaggeration, contributes to the grotesque-satirical effect.