Study On The Late Qing Dynasty And The Republic Of Shizhong

Poem Clock(Shi Zhong) had well developed and strongly influenced the literacy geography in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. This thesis, which shows discoveries of Poem Clock from combing through a lot of historic materials, is a study from the perspective of the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. The analysis emphasizes on its art theory and events of Poem Clock clubs, while goes to its origin, formations, samples, verses, schools, stories, collections and representative writers. The effort is to draw a whole picture of Poem Clock’s sprout, growth and decline, to objectively mark its achievement, and to display its special charming characters.This thesis has five parts. The introduction is about the study on Poem Clock’s significance, situation and scope, as well as on definitions of “the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China” and “Poem Clock Club”. The first part is to examine Poem Clock’s elements, including its title, source, proposition, formation, chant, and example song, ending up in conclusion that Poem Clock started at the beginning of Emperor Daoguang’s Era. The second part is to summarize Poem Clock’s artistry, periodic features, and different schools. The third part analyzes that how Poem Clock’s spread bonded with media development in the Republic of China, depicting how a new free atmosphere played a role of catalyst in Poem Clock’s developing and dissemination. In the fourth part, a microscopic examination portrays Poem Clock Clubs and their events, drawing portraits of about a hundred Clubs, for instance, Lixiang Chant Club, Zhuqun Chant Club, Xiumei Club, Hanshan Club, Xiaoming Club, Hengmen Club, Jupai Club, Qiusheng Club. A deep analysis on these three clubs, Hanshan, Jinghua and Liao, unearths a literacy fashion and scholar life in the Chinese modern time. In comparison with the long history of the other classical arts, Poem Clock has only an ephemeral life, which manifests an ancient quotation: It comes vigorously and disappears swiftly. However, with special historic and cultural value, Poem Clock deserves more attentions and deeper studies.