Comparative Study On The Poetic Theories Of Verve And Pure Poetry

This dissertation deliberately focuses on the comparative study on the poetic theories of Verve and Pure Poetry. The dissertation is divided into six chapters including an introduction, the research on pedigree, the body part comprising of three chapters and the conclusion. Since the birth of Chinese New Poetry at the beginning of the 20th century, the paradoxes such as Overthrown/Restruction, China/Foreign, New/old, Center/Change cycles, have existed spontaneously in the whole period of the Chinese Modern Literature. The study will be made under this specific situation. The purpose of this dissertation is to sort out and define the two basic poetic theories, and to explore the historical clues of Chinese New Poetry as well. The details are as follows:After arranging systematically the development of the poetic theories of Verve and Pure Poetry, the dissertation mainly explores the literary value relationship, but not the factual relationship, between them. There are three chapters in the main body of the dissertation:in the first chapter, which is entitled as "Negative Poetry". Theory of Verve advocates poetry should not be judged and analyzed from the perspectives of words, literature, discussion and form because poetry is of distinctive features, while Theory of Pure Poetry defines poetry from the angle of the concept that poetry is nothing. Accordingly the theory advocates ethics, science, philosophy and realities in life are not poetry. Both theories emphasize the differences between poetry and prose and further affirm the distinctive aspect of poetry. In the second chapter, which is entitled as "Implication of Poetry", Theory of Verve stresses epiphany and sudden comprehension. In pursuit of everlasting charm beyond language itself, the poets always attempt to employ as accurate and few words as possible.Theory of Pure Poetry attaches importance to form. Poets value blank space and implication, intend to create music by words and pursue the aesthetic shock in poetry. In the third chapter, which is entitled as "Mystery of Poetry", Theory of Verve speaks highly of "Interest". Baudelaire attaches importance to "Correspondence". Both theories give prominence to the beauty of being integrated as a whole, which include pantheism in philosophy. In the view of poets holding both theories, poetry always attempt to turn fantasy into reality, mysterious things into common sense. The composition of poetry should be under control of concepts, that is, never accept limitations although it is possible that poems will never be successful.Poetry can be immortal on the grounds, just as other forms of art, that it can absorb the achievements of different periods, regions and groups of people. Theory of Verve has been influential poetic theory in China while Theory of Pure Poetry has been poetic views in the Western regions at the end of 19th century since the establishment of poetic value by Adgar Allen Poe. Both theories in different regions and periods, however, encountered and were integrated in the period of Chinese New Literature and co-influenced Chinese new poems. The two seemingly has-been classical theories are concluded and reiterated as "unconscious coincidence". Today the two theories are still enlightening for the consideration on some concrete poetic issues.