Metaphysical Poetry Research

The study of XuanYan poetry(玄言诗)seems to be comparatively weak in the research field of the ancient Chinese literature. However, XuanYan poetry, existing for nearly two centuries, is a special and worthy literary phenomenon. On account of its apparent deviation from the mainstream literature, it possesses particular value and significance.The dissention involves six chapters.Chapter one presents a general survey of the XuanYan poetry study from its beginning to the present. The study history can be classified into three periods: ancient period, transitional period and new period.Chapter two is dealing with definition and features of XuanYan poetry. It is defined as a kind of poetry permeated with XuanXue(玄学)ideas and penetrated by the XuanXue thinking style. The basic features are temporality, singularity, philosophicality and mildness.Chapter three discusses its relation with metaphysics, Daoism and Buddhism. The important three aspects of its idea and content source are illustrated according to mutual relation of poetry with philosophy and religion.Chapter four traces the developing course of XuanYan poetry. Classic documents being sorted out and the texts being read closely, the history of XuanYan poetry's development falls into the following four phases: beginning, development, boom, and declining and deviation.Chapter five analyzes the types of XuanYan poetry and correspondent evaluations are followed. XuanYan poetry is divided into four types: (1) the poetry stating XuanXue ideas: (2) the poetry perceiving XuanXue ideas: (3) the poetry expressing the XuanXueattitude towards life: (4) the poetry describing things to express spirits. The production of different types reflects the dynamic process of the reception and digestion of XuanXue. Evaluations of each type are also given in this chapter. Chapter six is concerned with creation and function of XuanYan poetry. From the angle of its creation and function, poetics of XuanYan poetry is primarily discussed. The creation methods involve: composing poems in gatherings, presenting and answering between two poets, and privately perceiving ideas by masterly spirits. The functions mainly are "self-understanding and others understood" and "self-entertainment and others entertained".