Good poetry is shared: Ye Jiaying says about Tao Yuanming, Du Fu, and Li Shangyin's poetry

Author: Ye Jiaying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: A Shared Appreciation of Good Poetry compares the perspectives on the relationship between the mind and the object in Chinese poetics with those in Western poetic theory. It also provides practical analyses of poems by Tao Yuanming, Du Fu, and Li Shangyin. Therefore, the author particularly emphasizes in the analysis the different ways these three poets select and master imagery, as well as the varying modes of their emotional engagement and expression in the creative process. The author places greater emphasis on how these three poets, through their distinct expressive styles, convey an inspirational and moving effect, though of different natures, yet equally capable of touching the heart. A Shared Appreciation of Good Poetry is a relatively accessible read, as its title suggests. The book is divided into four chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction primarily introduces the aesthetic characteristics of the traditional Chinese poetry tradition that values the inspirational and moving effect (xinfā gǎndòng). As early as in the Great Preface to the Book of Mao (Mao Shi Da Xu), Chinese poetics proposed the theory of "Fù, Bǐ, Xìng" (Imitation, Metaphor, and Evocation). While later scholars have offered various interpretations, personally, I believe these three concepts primarily refer to the dynamic relationship between emotion and the object—a mutual evocation and inspiration. "Xìng" (Evocation) moves from the object to the mind, "Bǐ" (Metaphor) moves from the mind to the object, and "Fù" (Direct Statement) is the simultaneous presence of both object and mind. These three relationships provide a succinct yet simplified explanation of the inspirational and moving effect in Chinese poetry.
Additionally, in Chapter 1: Introduction, the author also compares the perspectives on the relationship between the mind and the object in Chinese poetics with those in Western poetic theory. The following three chapters build upon the foundation laid in Chapter 1: Introduction and offer practical analyses of poems by Tao Yuanming, Du Fu, and Li Shangyin. Therefore, the author particularly emphasizes in the analysis the different ways these three poets select and master imagery, as well as the varying modes of their emotional engagement and expression in the creative process. The author places greater emphasis on how these three poets, through their distinct expressive styles, convey an inspirational and moving effect, though of different natures, yet equally capable of touching the heart.