|
The poetic theory of Wang Fuzhi carries a profound philosophical foundation, both inherited from his contemporary context and possessing distinctive characteristics, gradually exerting influence during the late Qing period up to the present day. Although Wang's poetic creation is also abundant, later scholars have tended to focus more on his poetic theory rather than his poetic practice. However, the combination and contradiction between poetic theory and poetic art, and even with his ideological system, can better illustrate the complete portrait of a life. This gap, which could be remedied, is precisely the focus of this dissertation. In the poems written by Wang Fuzhi at different stages of his life, he constantly transformed his self-image and identity. Through the anxieties and trials brought about by changes in time and space, he eventually carved out a way of existence that was not bound by reality, yet still contained the sturdy will of a Confucian in conformity with the "Two Ways" of Zhuangzi's philosophy. In terms of his poetic theory, Wang repeatedly explored the dichotomy between the pure and the vulgar, which could be contrasted by examining his mourning poems and erotic poems. The former reveals Wang's restraint of the emotions of both men and women, dissolving personal sentiments into a sense of patriotism, while still maintaining a warm and solid natural ethics. The latter demonstrates Wang's attempt to elevate the style of erotic poetry, showcasing how a literati's moral character can erase the boundaries between sensuality and virtue, eventually leading to an innate harmony. Wang also inherited the concept of "Xing,Guan,Qun,Yuan" poetry theory while expanding the social function of poetry and the introspective nature of self-affection. In reality, Wang constantly limited his social networks, yet his sense of loneliness depicted in his poetry is a manifestation of how poetry can be used to "Qun" and "Yuan". By infusing his artistic solitude into the shared fate of humanity, he settled his mind and body, transcending loneliness. This developed into the "aspiring to the ancients" concept, which also influenced Wang's attitude towards imitative poetry. He used "Spiritual Fusion" and "Spiritual Immersion" as a means of dialogue with ancient poets, revealing the supreme importance of genuine emotion. Overall, Wang's poetry exhibits a multi-faceted perspective in terms of thematic motifs, displaying his process of integrating self-reflection. Therefore, "Two Ways" and "Spiritual Immersion" could be identified as the crucial keywords for Wang's mature poetic art after his intellectual transformation, exhibiting his ability to integrate the concept of the harmony between heaven and humanity and employ poetic language for the expression of genuine emotions.
|