A Study Of The Latter Xikun

The poetry of Song Dynasty succeeded that of Tang as another peak in Chinese history of poetry. But the appearance was different The early poetry of Song played a role of transition in history. Poems at this time had three styles: Bai, Wantang and Xikun. And the influence of Xikun was the greatest. Xikun was named after an anthology Xikun Chouchangji edited by Yang Yi. Poems similar with the style of Yang and Liu were listed, and these poets were thus called the Xikun Clique. However, the style itself did not stem from the book, and these poets were not excluded from the clique in regard to their literary activities. The style had existed till the throne of Emperor Renzong, owning its status and influence during the years from Tiansheng to Qingli. According to the previous studies, Xikun was divided into two periods. Yang Yi, Liu Jun, Qian Weiyan and the other poets during the throne of Emperor Zhenzong were called the former Xikun, and the poets of Emperor Renzong, whose style were (or had been) colourful more or less, were called the latter Xikun.The latter Xikun had experienced an innovational period of literature. Under the great influence of the innovation and the incentive within the clique, the latter Xikun began to focus on its unique style of the new dynasty, which was different from that of the former one and Tang Dynasty. Meanwhile, it corrected the over-prosaic style of poetry, which was promoted by the cliques like Ou and Mei. And this affected new cliques like Jiangxi. Nevertheless, the interior problems of Xikun could not be solved by itself. Owing to inner and outer forces, Xikun came to an end finally, which ended the time of Tang while started that of Song in a literary meaning. Theage of Song thus started. Therefore, it is fairly significant to describe the development of poetry from the style of Tang Dynasty to that of the Song Dynasty thoroughly, from which comprehensively we could demonstrate the struggle and interaction of different styles and learn about the development of Chinese poetry as well.Based upon the background provided, this essay is going to deal with the following aspects: As is mentioned above, the significance of this topic is to introduce the present achievement of the study as well as the approach to it. It is pondered that the academia has paid some sporadic attention on the latter Xikun. Nonetheless, it doesn't dig deep or far. Due to the present situation, it is strongly advised that the research be reinforced. During the research, two lines should be paid enough attention: 1. The latter Xikun was a succession of the former one in the literary history, and had influenced the development of the newcomers. 2. Discuss it under the background of the time (approximately from the beginning of the 11th century to the 60s'), and contrast it with the mnovational cliques like Ou, Mei, thus to reveal the reasons for the replacement by others. Moreover, pay attention to the microcosmic study of the poets' works to demonstrate the personal uniqueness, which helps to understand Xikun in a comprehensive way.Chapter One: About the Latter Xikun. The chapter deals with some prominent members of the latter Xikun about their life stories and interactions, which reveals the origin of the style and its features. According to the research, it is held that compared with the former one, the latter Xikun succeeded the feature of high officials in the government, who were knowledgeable and distinguished in personality. That is, the latter Xikun was not a celebrity-oriented or theory-oriented clique but a natural succession of the predecessor. The latter Xikun was at a time of transition in both society and literature, which preordained its role as a transition.Chapter Two: Historical and Cultural Background. The chapter deals with the historical and cultural background under which the latter Xikun was cultivated. It is to demonstrate the ideology at that time. Considering this, the essay mainly deals with the historical and cultural background of the throne of Emperor Renzong(especially the years...