周處改過自新的傳說藉由《世說新語》的記載，而為人們所熟知。實際上，還有許多與周處有關的傳說，至今仍活躍於民眾的講述之中，其傳說大致上可分為：1.周處除害傳說；2.周處悔悟，以及拜師學藝傳說；3.與周處有關之風物傳說等三類。這些傳說不僅反映人們對於歷史人物周處的理解與看法，以及官紳庶民之間的微妙互動，也呈現集體記憶的可選擇性。所以，本文將依循以下的脈絡探討周處傳說：首先，分析周處傳說的內容，以及情節單元之差異，探討各傳說之間的共通性與特殊性；其次，說明傳說之所以創生的原因，以及隱含於傳說之中深層、微妙的官紳階層與庶民之互動；接著，探討集體記憶的可選擇性；最後為結語。相信這樣的詮釋面向對周處傳說，乃至歷史名人傳說能有更深一層的認識。

The legend of Zhou Chu 周處 turning over a new leaf is familiar to many through the account in the Shi shuo xin yu 世說新語. In actual fact, there are many legends relating to Zhou Chu that to this day remain alive in popular accounts. The legends can be roughly divided into three types: his elimination of three banes; his repentance, and then learning from someone; and the folkways related to him. These legends not only reflect people’s understanding and views of Zhou Chu as a historical figure and the subtle interaction between the gentry and common folk, but also illustrate the selectivity of collective memory. This article will analyze the content of the various legends and the commonalities and differences between them. It will then illustrate the reasons for the creation of the legends, and explain the implied interaction between gentry and common folk concealed beneath them. Finally, this paper will discuss the selectivity of collective memory.