The Study On Liu Yuxi’s Literary Thoughts

As a link in the history of ancient Chinese literary thought,the literary thoughts in Mid-Tang period occupy an important position.Mid-Tang Dynasty is a transitional period between prosperous Tang and Late Tang.As an influential writer at that time,Liu had a unique views on literary creation,style and function,which had a beneficial influence on literature of that time.His literary views enriched ancient Chinese literary studies and promoted the development of Chinese literature.The present thesis takes Liu Yuxi’s literal thoughts as focus.Starting on Mid-Tang’s politics and literature thoughts trend,and combining with Liu’s personal experience,the thesis is designed to carry out a comprehensive and systematic analysis to his literary thought,and objectively evaluates his contribution and status in the Chinese literature history.The thesis is composed of five chapters.Chapter one is introduction,which mainly introduces the significance,the current study of Liu Yuxi’s thought,methods and innovations of the thesis,all of which lay a basis for the follow-up study.Chapters two to four are the main parts of the thesis.Chapter two describes Liu Yuxi’s understanding of literary creation.In literature creation process,he advocated the creators should be “subtle in their hearts and write for the text”.He pointed out that literary creators should hold the literary accomplishment of “gong is born in talent and da in Ming”,on which basis literary work can be created.Because the process of literary conception cannot be separated from imagination,he put forward “sitting in galleries and fighting all kinds of scenery”.In terms of the relationship between the content and form of literary works,he insisted on the view “recognition and beauty are the main point”,and excellent literary work should be pay equal emphasis on content and style.Chapter three discusses Liu Yuxi’s view on literary style.Liu Yuxi’s personal experience has created a mature and introverted writer,which makes his works present a pluralistic aesthetic style of “vigorous and forceful”,“magnificent and beautiful”,“precious and peaceful”,and “easy to understand”.The diverse style is pursued by Liu Yuxi.Chapter four elaborates Liu Yuxi’s view on the value of literature.He thought literature holds the value of “expressing ambitions with language”,the practical value of “reflecting the political affairs” and purifying value of “cultivating taste”.