On The Relationship Between Liu Yuxi's Yuefu Poems And Confucian Poetry Teaching

Yue Fu of Liu Yuxi has a close and unique connection with Confucian poetry theory,which is one of the important reasons to explain his specificity in Yue Fu.Chapter 1 focus on explanation of Yue Fu and Confucian poetry theory and connections between them.Confucian poetry theory,as an important Chinese ancient poetry theory,begins with the comment of “The Book of Songs” from Confucius.It becomes stronger in Han Dynasty and declines in Wei Jin Southern and Northern Dynasties.However,Confucian poetry theory seems to be restoration with the correction of style of literature in the beginning of Tang Dynasty.After that,it gets to peak in the middle of Tang Dynasty.As Yue Fu of Han Dynasty once appears,it connects to Confucian poetry theory pretty much.On the one hand,People usually value Yue Fu from the perspective of Confucian poetry theory in Han Dynasty.On the other hand,much Yue Fu connects with Confucian poetry theory on purpose and style after Han Dynasty.The connection between Yue Fu of Han Dynasty and Confucian poetry theory,mainly reflects on “ maintaining human realations” and criticize social events,which obviously appears an utilitarian way.Yue Fu of Southern Dynasty barely connects with Confucian poetry theory.It partly chooses something from “viewing customs to know merits and demerits”,which decides that it pays more attentions to emotional expression while giving up utilities.The connection between Yue Fu of Tang Dynasty and Confucian poetry theory bases on what happened before Tang Dynasty and innovates a little bit.Yue Fu of Li Bai learns from Yue Fu of Southern Dynasty,which has the meaning of “viewing customs”.It is a big supplement of Yue Fu of Southern Dynasty to describe local customs.Du Fu writes some Yue Fu to reflect current events,which has the meaning of criticism and “gentleness and honesty”.The New Yue Fu Movement in middle of Tang Dynasty which is influenced by Du Fu pays much attention on political utility of poetry.Chapter 2 focus on connections between the purpose of Yue Fu and Confucian poetry theory.From the purpose of Confucian poetry theory of his Yue Fu poetry,Liu Yuxi emphasizes the utility of “viewing customs”,whose purpose is not only viewing the custom of one place but also viewing customs all around world.According to his “description of all around world”,customs appear vividly.His description of world is epitomized by descriptions of Wu Ling,Kui Zhou and Lian Zhou,which has a contrast with the description from Bai Juyi whose Yue Fu mainly purposes on “making up politics”.Liu Yuxi’s Yue Fu also has purposes on “moaning human relations” and “admiring moralities”.Chapter 3 focus on connections between the theme of Yue Fu and Confucian poetry theory.From the theme of Confucian poetry theory of his Yue Fu poetry,Liu Yuxi mainly chooses theme of customs to fulfill Confucian poetry theory,which is highly reflected on “Songs of Huai Yin” and “Songs of Bamboo branches”.Liu Yuxi also chooses themes for criticism to fulfill Confucian poetry theory,which is much less on the level of criticism compared to which written by Bai Juyi.The difference on choosing themes of Yue Fu between Liu Yuxi and Bai Juyi could be viewed from that.Chapter 4 focus on connections between the style of Yue Fu and Confucian poetry theory.From the style of Confucian poetry theory of his Yue Fu poetry,Liu Yuxi fulfill “proper happiness and sadness” on creating Yue Fu poetry,which is different from what he created in other forms.When he express his points on social events in Yue Fu poetry,it appears more of “gentleness and honesty” compared to Bai Juyi’s Yue Fu poetry.