Wen Fu Ji Shi (Selected Works on Chinese Classical Literary Theory and Criticism)

Author: Zhang Shao Kang (Collected Annotations)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The Wen Fu is a highly significant work in the history of Chinese literary theory. Lu Ji's Wen Fu aims to "discuss the advantages and disadvantages of writing," i.e., the creative process. Professor Zhang Shao Kang believes that "the fundamental ideas in Lu Ji's creative thought indeed originate from Laozi and Zhuangzi,"[1] and in the Preface to Collected Annotations of Wen Fu, he points out from three aspects that Wen Fu is clearly influenced by Daoist thought,[2] further summarizing and positioning it in A History of the Development of Chinese Literary Theory and Criticism: "From the aesthetic and artistic thought reflected in Wen Fu, although it is also influenced by certain Confucian ideas, such as the later discussion of the social functions of literature and the relationship between content and form, it is primarily deeply influenced by Daoist thought represented by Laozi and Zhuangzi, as well as by the influence of Xuanxue (Neo-Daoism) at the time. Lu Ji's Wen Fu is an important work in the history of Chinese literary theory and criticism that systematically discusses literary creation. To fully understand the content of Wen Fu, it is necessary to provide a brief introduction to Lu Ji's life and thought. It is characterized by its closeness to reality and simplicity, and is beloved by people, becoming one of the earliest fruits in the garden of Chinese literature.