Acknowledgments
Introduction
Scope and purpose of the study
Organisation of the work
Limitations of the study
CHAPTER 1
Qian Zhongshu and comparative literature
CHAPTER 2
"It is commonly said that human life is a big book"
2.1 1910-1935 From Wuxi to Beijing
2.2 1935-1938 Years abroad
2.3 1939-1949 From Shanghai to Beijing
2.4 The essays: Xie Zai Rensheng Bianshang
2.5 Long and short stories: Ren Shou Gui and Wei Cheng
2.6 Discourses on Art: Tan Yi Lu
2.7 1949-1969 Years in Beijing
2.8 The poetic side: Songshi Xuanzhu
2.9 1969-1972 Years "down-under"
2.10 1972-1998 Return to Beijing
2.11 The masterpiece: Guan Zhui Bian
2.12 Final Years
CHAPTER 3
Tracing the roots of Qian Zhongshu's method: a long time legacy
3.1 The Rong'an Guan Zhaji
CHAPTER 4
Writing marginalia on the book of human life: the use of quotations in the comparative method of Qian Zhongshu
4.1 Comparing through quotations
4.2 Quoting as a mode of original elaboration
4.3 Quoting as a debate among sages of the past
4.4 Juxtaposition in quotations: "datong" and striking combinations
4.5 Quotations as a looking glass
4.6 Quotations as proof of truth: unveiling mistakes
4.7 In others' words
CHAPTER 5
Italian quotations in Qian Zhongshu's works: a mutual illumination
5.1 From Dante to Leopardi: past theories into the present
5.1.1 Dante
5.1.2 Petrarca
5.1.3 Italian tales: Sacchetti, Basile, Bandello, Boccaccio.
5.1.4 Epic poetry in literary criticism: Ariosto, Tasso, Boiardo
5.1.5 Renaissance men: Leonardo, Lorenzo De Medici
5.1.6 Marinisti: Italian Baroque poetry
5.1.7 Historians and philosophers between Renaissance and Baroque: Machiavelli, Guicciardini, Bruno, Campanella, Castiglione.
5.1.8 The light of reason: Vico, Muratori, Beccaria, Verri.
5.1.9 Leopardi, Manzoni and 19th century poetry and novels
5.2 From Pascoli to Eco: present ideas to shed light on the past
5.2.1 Giovanni Pascoli
5.2.2 Literary critics in the essays: Croce, De Sanctis, Provenzal
5.2.3 20th Century Poetry and Novel
CHAPTER 6
Conclusions
6.1 Language
6.2 Historical Periods
6.3 Authors and quotations
6.4 Quotations that stand the test of time
6.5 Becoming a field of study: Qian Xue 錢學
6.6 One hundred years of Qian Zhongshu
Appendix 1: Brief outline of Western comparative studies
Appendix 2: Brief outline of comparative literature studies in China
Index of Italian autors
References