The Study And Analysis On Controversy Over Tang And Song Poetry In Early Qing

Throughout the length and breadth of Chinese literature, poetic criticism is being debated today as never before. Most of the discussion has to do with fundamental issues and some of it is well reasoned and pointed. A considerable portion is much more emotionally charged than it is reflective. All of what is being said and written seems to indicate that our schools of poetry are indeed in a period of crisis.Topics heavily argued such as Zen and Poetry, where poets reaction to Buddhist metaphysics, as developed in neo-Confucianism, also found in the works of numerous Song poets who were not primarily philosophers or thinkers. Su Shi and many others took over Zen concepts and terminology in creating poems on poetry. They felt strongly the Zen Buddhist concept of sudden enlightenment which follows extensive endeavour provided a convenient metaphor for creative writing. Then, Poverty and Poetry, and last but not least, Poetics controversy over Tang and Song Poetry. However, this study on Controversy over Tang and Song Poetry of early Qing, will see both sides of questions and after presenting both criticisms and defences, gave considerable attention to the analysis of criticisms and to proposals for handling then.Under the prevailing literary atmosphere of the early Qing Dynasty, two schools of poetics heatedly debated on the poetic supremacy of the Tang and Song dynasties. It seems at first glance that the Pro-Tang camp won over the prolonged controversy since the Song Dynasty. However, through detailed studies, it becomes clear that the Pro-Song camp eventually prevailed in the poetics debate. The main focus of this paper is to examine how the Pro-Song school was able to break free of its predicament of obscurity by inciting a clamorous controversy in poetics and assuming the vanguard of Song poetics style. This current study will approach its topic through six main facets:First, the introduction of Ming Poetry and its highlighted shortcomings and weaknesses in its slavish imitation of Tang poetry.Second, Poetry under Qing Dynasty, in which literati were promoted by the emperors and praised by contemporaries. Qian Qian-yi and the promotion of Song Poetry.Third, general pros and cons on Tang and Song Poetry. Detail studies of 3 debates among poets cum scholars:Wang Mao-lin against Xu Qian-xue on learning from Song poetry; Wang Wan versus Ye Xie on ecological development of literature thoughts and Great Debate between Wang Shi-zhen vs Zhao Zhi-shen on core and subject matter of poetry and also highlighted two opposing opinions and concepts proposed by the Qing Imperial Academy vs sad and frustrated scholars of letters.Fourth, the pro-Tang school of poetics.Fifth, the pro-Song school of poetics. In addition, other acclaimed poets that received the accolades of the literary critics. And sixth, the deep reflection on this prolonged controversy over Tang and Song poetry.By examining these facets, this paper will detail how individual poets are appraised and positioned in the poetics controversy over the Tang and Song poetry when the Pro-Song camp was deemed departed from the classics and rebelled against orthodoxy. It may be concluded that the poetics controversy helps aspire and establish the aesthetics standards and principles, which in turn influences the creative development of Qing poetry.