A study of 'The Han Garden Collection': New approaches to modern Chinese poetry, 1930-1934

The Han Garden Collection, edited by Bian Zhilin (1910-1990) and published by the Commercial Press in 1936, consists of three famous Chinese poets' early works: 16 poems by He Qifang (1912-1977) under the subtitle of "The Swallow's Nest"; 17 poems by Li Guangtian (1906-1968) under the subtitle of "Journeying Clouds"; and 34 poems by Bian Zhilin under the subtitle of "A Few Lines." The Han Garden Collection was a seminal work of far-reaching impact. Not only did it breath life into Chinese poetry circles criticized for their lack of originality owing to their blind imitation of Western poetry, but the collection also answered the fundamental question, "What is authentic modern Chinese poetry?" with creative innovation and aesthetic vision. Moreover, this poetry exuded an artistic sophistication and elegance barely detectible in that of their progenitors, the May Fourth poets.;The purpose of this study is to illustrate the significant achievement of The Han Garden Collection. In analyzing the importance of this work, I examine the following questions: What are the particular artistic styles and aesthetic ideas developed and preferred by each individual poet? What do Bian Zhilin, He Qifang, and Li Guangtian bespeak in the spirit of the early nineteen thirties that would influence their poetics? How do they engage with and modify the often shallow approaches of the earlier May Fourth poets? Similarly, how do they draw on and experiment with both Western and Chinese poetic techniques and ideas from all ages?;This dissertation contains four chapters and a complete English translation of The Han Garden Collection in the three appendixes. The first chapter examines the socio-political and literary context precipitating The Han Garden Collection. Chapter Two explores the unique poetic qualities of Bian Zhilin's poetry: (1) his "dun-based" internal rhythm theory; (2) the frequent use of particular poetic techniques--dramatic qualities and enjambment; and (3) its themes and distinctive imagery. Chapter Three examines He Qifang's poems by comparing the basic themes of the two major periods. The subjective and intimate voice dominates in his love poetry from the first period. As He turns his eyes upon a stark reality in the poems from the second period, a "pallid and gloomy" color, imagery, and tone prevail. Chapter Four analyzes the characteristics of Li Guangtian's poems. Li's poetic elegance in his earlier period (1931 to 1933) lies in pastoral imagery, transparent language, and stylistic simplicity. As these unique qualities become interiorized in the poems of the later period (1933 to 1934), Li refines his poems to a further aesthetic level, becoming "pastel simplicity."...