On Wang Shizhen's Hua Cao Meng Shi

There are a large number of ancient Chinese poems and ci poetry which are of various forms.With completely different creation methodology and manifestation patterns,the ancient Chinese poems and ci are unique.The prosperity of the poem and ci creation has led to the abundant relative researches on the poetry theory.As a leading role in the literary circle in the early Qing Dynasty,Wang Shizhen is not only well known in the poetic field but also in the study of ci.His theories about Chinese ci study were greatly supported by many people in the early Qing Dynasty and had a far-reaching impact.His famous works include Hua Cao Meng Shi,which offers a detailed interpretation about his important theories concerning Chinese ci study.Another influential works of him is called The First Collectanea of Ci Poem.This collection is characterized by its profound contents and many ci writers and works have made comments on it.The major viewpoints of Wang Shizhen are reflected in Hua Cao Meng Shi.His family had a great impact on him as the Wang's family of New Town held perfect education system.The tradition of the family education enlightened the formation of Wang Shizhen's literary ideology.Wang Shizhen's theories about Chinese ci study first defined ci,illustrating the boundary of poems and ci.Being influenced by the atmosphere at that period,most ci writers preferred gracious styles to unconstrained styles;they spoke highly of ci poetry of the North Song Dynasty and belittled ci poetry of the South Song Dynasty.Wang Shizhen presented his different viewpoints concerning people's different attitudes towards the two kinds of ci poetry,offering much affirmation for the ci poetry of the South Song Dynasty,which established foundation for the correct comments on the ci poetry of the Song Dynasty.As far as ci poetry composing is concerned,Wang Shizhen proposed one principle which prompted true feelings in the composition.He also demanded that real scenes turn up in ci poetry so that the natural colors of the items and the original features of the cipoetry could be vividly embodied.Ci poetry can be largely improved by the outpouring of true affections and thus readers can gain unusual aesthetic experience.Euchroic means keeping the original flavor of the objects as well as the natural quality of the objects,making them more living.The Romantic Charm Theory proposed by Wang Shizhen is not just a theory in the poetic field,it is also embodied in his early ci poetry theories.The pursuing of romantic charm in literature unconsciously affected his ci poetry theories.Although at that time the writer himself didn't realize his discussion on romantic charm,the important role that romantic charm played in his ci poetry can't be ignored.He accepted the gracious style of Huajian Ci,and he did not quit the romantic clear style.He seemed to have found out the fantastic balance between the two styles,which enriched his romantic charm theories.The development of Wang Shizhen in ci poetry made him a leading role in Guang Ling Ci Circle.He had an important impact on Guang Ling Ci Circle as well as the following ci writers.