Introduction to Lexicology

Author: Wu Zhangshu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This book is a general introduction to the basic knowledge of ci poetry. It is divided into ten chapters, comprehensively summarizing various theories to provide detailed introductions and discussions on the origins, schools, classification, genres, names, terminology, and rhyme patterns of ci poetry. It serves as a valuable read for researchers and enthusiasts. The book is informative. Except for the knowledge of writing and appreciating ci poetry, which falls outside its scope, almost all fundamental aspects of ci poetry are covered here. It dedicates significant space to explaining the rules of ci poetry. Since ci rules are closely related to those of poetry, it briefly introduces the rules of poetry as well. Similarly, because ci rhyme is closely related to poetic rhyme, the rhyme of poetry is also briefly discussed in this book. However, this book is not written to teach people how to write ci poetry. Writing ci poetry is not an easy task—it requires not only understanding the rules of ci poetry but also possessing substantial knowledge of classical Chinese and history, as well as familiarity with the special rhetorical techniques of writing poetry and ci. All three are essential. Yet, mastering any one of these three conditions is not easily achieved. Therefore, it is best not to write classical poetry or ci poetry before possessing these three qualifications, to avoid wasting effort. The literary genre of ci poetry was created by predecessors, and the research on it focuses on the works and creations of ancient ci poets. For this reason, the examples of ci poetry cited in this book are all works by predecessors, including those from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, with a focus on the Song Dynasty. Due to the limitations of their time, while some works are relatively healthy in content, most express personal gains and losses or trivial rhymes about tea-time, wine, spring flowers, and autumn moons, lacking social significance. Many works also contain undesirable elements. For the purpose of examples, this book strives to select works with meaningful content as much as possible, but it inevitably includes some with unhealthy tones. During the writing process, this book references reasonable conclusions drawn by predecessors in the study of ci poetry. Some arguments in the book, however, do not fully agree with the views of predecessors and represent personal insights. The book also cites materials compiled by predecessors.