The Study On The Secularization Tendency Of The Mid-Tang Literature And The Mentality Of Literati

In terms of secularization theory, this paper takes Bai Juyi’s poetry creation and mentality change as investigation object, placed his poetic creation and mentality in the secular tendency in the special period of Mid-Tang era. In microscopic angle, we definite the connotation of the concept of secularization. We believe that understanding the secular feature and secular mentality of Mid-Tang scholar-officials on the secularization theory is the unique angle for comprehend the literature and literati mentality change of that era.The introduction analysis the hub position of the Mid-Tang era in the transformation of Chinese culture and literature, clearing the connotation of the secularization and the significance of our study of literature and literati mentality secularization.Chapter One focus on the secular life reflected in Bai Juyi’s poetry. We analysis these from four aspects as follows, his excursing and visiting prostitutes as the prevailing scholar-officials custom, his concerning about aging and disease, his wallowing in Fushi for enjoying physiological happy, and his recording of the trivial life. From the aspects of his excursion and visiting prostitutes, we learn about the massages of extravagant and confused atmosphere in Mid-Tang era. And from the aspects of his concerning about aging and disease, Bai frankly speaks his fear of death. It’s ridiculous that Bai insist he would not wallowing in Fushi in his poetry, but his behavior is opposite in paradox, in that he can’t bear to part with secular life. Its also shows intense secular mood in his recording of the trivial life, which seems to tedious and routine.Chapter Two analysis the concrete representation of secularization tendency of Bai juyi. We focused on the new change of four aspects, his work style, his inner character, his spiritual realm, and his aesthetics standards. The mine representation of his work style is responsible for his own work. Then, his interested in mortal life and to be a mortals shows Bai’s secularization of life psychology. His spiritual realm also assumes as utilitarian, self-satisfaction. Affected by his secular inclination, Bai’s aesthetics standards is complicated, which is the mix of elegant and ordinary.Chapter Three explores the reasons of Bai’s secularization tendency of poetry creation and mentality. All the year round in the busy city life makes Bai’s poetry under the influence of urban cultural, so his poetry is popular and easy to understand as citizen literature. When he suffers frustrated, and feels vacant or helpless, he seems to temporary trust Taoism and Zen Buddhism as tools to avoid pain and conflict, although he has not religious beliefs. Mid-Tang era, however, is the early stages of the commoner-landlords culture transformation, the vulgar of commoner-landlords culture is just up-and-coming into the literature and the psychology of literati.In summary, we argue that Bai Juyi’s secularization tendency of poetry and mentality how to influence the literature and culture for posterity. Bai’s secularization tendency of poetry and mentality is rediscovered and imitated in the Sung Dynasty, which plays a significant part in the formation about Sung Dynasty’s secular culture.