Liu Xie’s View On The Nature Of The Essay

Liu Xie, the literature theoretician in Six dynasties, wrote Wen Xin Diao Long, a magnificent book about literary theory and essay writing. There were many problems in terms of essay writing then. Unfortunately the literary style system was destroyed, and writings were flashy without substance and vulgar. Liu Xie’s Wen Xin Diao Long actually rectifies malpractices, calling for "nature" of writings, which guides writing back to the right track. Therefore "nature" forms an important part of the writer’s thoughts.This thesis consists of three chapters.The first chapter analyzes the thought origin and realistic foundation of Liu Xie’ s nature view. This chapter is divided into three sections. The first section discusses Confucius’thought of " painting after simplicity" and its influence on Liu Xie’s nature view. Section Two discusses the relationship between Taoist Zhuangzi’s philosophy thought and the nature view. Section Three discusses the social foundation of the nature view.The second chapter talks about the core content of the nature view, which explores his article in detail. This chapter falls into four sections. The first section thinks that stylistic rules should be obeyed in writing and that articles should have proper and fit stylistic form. The second section notes that the article is the expression of the thought and emotion, so the nature view in content requires real and natural emotion. The third section points out that the plain and natural language is the carrier of articles. The fourth section summarizes the use of the nature view on criticizing and appreciating articles and regards "Six Views" and "Six Meanings" as the main methods and standards appraising articles.The third chapter discusses Liu Xie’s direct and potential influence on the subsequent nature theory in terms of style, emotion and language. The inheritance relationship makes the nature theory a complete system.