晚清可稱得上是一個複雜而特殊的歷史時期，其複雜源於需要傳承傳統文化，同時又需要吸納西方文化。兩種不同文化的拉扯構成了晚清「中體西用」的獨特形象，但同時也充滿了各式各樣的衝突。本論文的主要研究對象是晚清的催眠小說，但同時也涉及西方催眠專書和翻譯小說的研究，這有助於更全面而深入地了解催眠在中國的實踐和應用。透過了解西方催眠文化對晚清的衝擊和影響，能更好地理解晚清被壓抑的現代性如何在傳統中反思和定位。

不論是在催眠創作還是翻譯方面，晚清的催眠小說、專書和報刊都是當時文人創作和理解的結果。這些作品對催眠的狂熱和認知闡述了當時人對催眠的具體實踐。因此，本論文尤其關注晚清知識份子如何吸收催眠，以及如何將催眠轉化用於不同的層面。本論文既強調不同時期的比較，也強調催眠專書、創作和翻譯小說的比較，旨在整理晚清催眠小說，讓被忽視的催眠題材能夠更深入地呈現出來。

本研究論文分三層次去探究：一，屬於催眠的歷史源流及不同理論；二，屬於晚清的催眠專書及理論；其三，屬於催眠小說的創作及翻譯。就催眠的歷史源流及不同理論，它是宏觀的。它不只集中在地域性的，催眠在歷史中涉及了一場又一場的運動，如︰法國大革命、日本明治維新等。催眠傳到中國後，不僅建構自身傳統的理論，亦發展新的理論思維；就晚清的催眠專書及理論而言，醫者擴闊了不同人對催眠的認識，時代所關注的催眠不止集中在上流的社會或傳統士大夫，更集中在下放的轉變對象，對象變成了社會大眾，深深影響了催眠在小說創作的發展及催眠在晚清的實踐；就催眠小說的創作及翻譯，它不是單向性的以傳統小說方式呈現，相反是多元的。女翻譯家的出現、小說書寫中文言、白話的互常滲透、科幻小說題材的輸入等，國民都對小說重新定義、重新認識，把對催眠的關注更提升至身心的層面。此外，晚清亦開始對世界有更高度的關注，連結不同的國家，以至歐美世界及列強。在催眠科幻小說的題材上，宇宙、太空領域的科幻題材得到更多關注。

通過觀察晚清的不同催眠手法，「新」的思想開始衝擊民眾。「新」與「舊」的思想對立，民眾思維開始廣泛，不止再停留在粗糙的接受層面，欲拒還迎地接納西方微妙辯證的科學思想。然而，在晚清文人迫在眉睫的改革局面，他們並非全盤地吸收，而是在批評與自省中，把深切的個人觀感投射於不同的催眠小說或不同形式的文學中，具劃時代的「科學救國」作用，晚清的催眠都標幟着晚清文人的獨有見解。

The late Qing period stood out as a complex and distinctive historical epoch, characterized by the dual challenge of upholding traditional culture while navigating the assimilation of Western influences. The interplay between these contrasting cultures gave rise to the concept of Chinese learning for essential principles and Western learning for practical application, marked by conflicts that forged a distinct identity. This dissertation probes into the examination of hypnosis in late Qing fiction, concurrently exploring Western hypnosis treatises and translated novels into Chinese. This comprehensive approach enriches our understanding of the diverse practices and applications of hypnosis in China, shedding light on the substantial impact of Western hypnosis culture on the late Qing period and providing insights into how modernity engaged with tradition during that era.

The creation and translation of hypnosis literature, including novels, medical journals, natural science journals, and publications such as newspapers during the late Qing era, emerged as collective efforts of contemporary literati. These reflected their fervor and comprehension of hypnosis, offering tangible examples of its practice during that time. The focus lies on how late Qing intellectuals absorbed and transformed hypnosis in different directions, comparing not only different periods but also treatises, literary creations, and translated novels. By scrutinizing late Qing hypnosis fiction, this research aims to bring the overlooked hypnosis theme to the attention of scholars.

This research unfolds across three levels: firstly, exploring the historical origins and various theories of hypnosis; secondly, examining hypnosis treatises and theories in the late Qing period; and thirdly, investigating the creation and translation of hypnosis novels. In examining the historical origins and theories of hypnosis, a macroscopic approach is taken, considering its evolution not confined to a specific region but influenced by movements like the French Revolution and the Meiji Restoration in Japan. After its introduction to China, hypnosis developed new theoretical perspectives. In the late Qing period, medical practitioners broadened public understanding of hypnosis, shifting focus from the upper class and traditional literati to a broader target audience, significantly impacting its development in fiction writing and practical applications.

Concerning the creation and translation of hypnosis novels, the process was diverse, not following a unidirectional presentation in traditional novel formats. The emergence of female translators, the interplay between classical Chinese and vernacular language in novel writing, the infusion of science fiction themes, and the reinterpretation of novels by the general public elevated the attention given to hypnosis, encompassing both mind and body. Moreover, the late Qing period witnessed heightened global awareness, connecting with different countries, the West, and major imperial powers. Science fiction themes in hypnosis novels directed attention to cosmic and space domains.

By observing different hypnotic techniques in late Qing, “new” ideas began influencing the general public, expanding their thinking beyond superficial acceptance to embracing subtle dialectical scientific thinking from the West. Against the background of a pressing reform in late Qing, intellectuals did not fully absorb these ideas; instead, they projected profound personal perceptions onto various hypnosis novels or forms of literature through criticism and introspection. The unique perspectives of late Qing intellectuals were encapsulated in the role of “scientific saves the nation” that marked the era, with hypnosis in the late Qing period representing the distinctive insights of late Qing literati.