《南方史诗论(英文版)(精)/中国少数民族史诗研究著作翻译文库》论述了南方彝、苗、壮、傣等30多个民族的原始性史诗、英雄史诗、迁徙史诗的各种传播形态、源流、文本、类型、艺术特点、对后世文学的影响等。指出它们的文化根基是南方民族山地农耕文化、群体文化、神巫文化、口传文化等，在与其他民族史诗的比较中鲜明地体现出这些文化特质。它们的原始意象、叙事形态不断地在后世的文学作品中重现复活，具有永久的魅力和多学科的价值。

Preface by Lang Ying
Preface by Mark Bender
Translator's Foreword
Profile of the Author
Introduction
Chapter One Forms
I.Typical Earlier Forms:Sacrificial Rites
Ⅱ.Forms in Production and Wars
Ⅲ. Forms in Rites of Passages
Ⅳ. Motives and the Transcendence of Formal Functions
Chapter Two Origin
I. Internal Drive:“Desire to Conquer” and“Desire to
Identify”
Ⅱ. From Totems to Early Ancestors, from Sacrificial Articles to
Epics
Ⅲ. From God-worshipping to Power Worshipping, from Sacredness to
Earthiness
Ⅳ. From Dissemination to Reorganization, from Diverse Editions to
Established Editions
Chapter Three Epic Struggles and Conflicts
I.Chaos, the Creation of the W orld,and the Origins of H umans
II.Creation,Innovation,and Early Traces
Ⅲ.Plunder,Protest, and Tribal Migration
Ⅳ.Promoting Virtue,Punishing Evil, and Ethnic Unity
Chapter Four Narrative Themes
I. The Theme of Magical Conception in the Epics of Panhu
II. The Theme of Floods in Epics about Fuxi and Nüwa
Ⅲ. The Theme of Transformation in Epics about Pangu
Ⅳ. Themes of Shooting Down Suns and Fighting Against
Thunder
V. The Theme of the Test in Epic Narratives
ⅥI.Themes of Separation and Reunion in Epic N arratives
Chapter Five Images
I. Intelligent Animals and H uman-Animal Hybrids
II.Gods and Early A ncestors with the Features of Clan Leaders
Ⅲ.Heroes Fighting Against Nature
Ⅳ.Heroes in Tribal Conquests
V.The Rise of Feudal Lords as Heroes
Chapter Six Art
I.Original Artistic Factors:Vividness,Emotion,and
Imagination
Ⅱ.Symbols and Metaphors
Ⅲ. Narration and Structure
Ⅳ.Description and Languages
Chapter Seven Culture
I.Cultural Characteristics and Cultural Spirit
Ⅱ.Priests and Singers: Taught by Teachers and"Blessed by the
Gods
Chapter Eight Comparison
I.A Microculture Within a Macroculture:A General Resemblance
with Minor Differences
Ⅱ. Cultural Differences Across the Epic Traditions
Ⅲ.A Comparison Between Lan'ga Xihe and the Indian
Ramayana
Chapter Nine Sequel
I.Human Nature,Archetypes, and Permanent Glory
Ⅱ.The Reappearance of Primordial Images
Ⅲ.The Resurgence of Primitive Narration
Chapter Ten Interdisciplinary Value
I. Budding Historiography
Ⅱ.Budding Philosophy
Ⅲ.Budding Ethics
Ⅳ.Budding Science of Religion
V.Budding Natural Science
Chapter Eleven The Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Afterword
Series Acknowledgements