Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.9, 2019

 

An Overview of the Evolution of Ci (词) Poetry from the Perspective of its Normative System

(Abstract)

 

Shen Songqin

 

Throughout the 20th century, a large number of works on the history of ci has appeared, most of which have attached the evolution of ci to the history of dynastic change. This not only leads to shortcomings in dealing with the history of ci at periods when one dynasty was succeeding another, but also to some extent neglects or bisects the overall operation of the ci normative system in terms of artistry. Drawing on the existing fruits of ci history and giving attention to scrutiny of the operation of the normative system of ci is the due task of research on ci history. Taking the formation of the normative system of the ci and its adoption, synthesis and change thereafter as the field of vision and reviewing the evolution of ci from the Tang to the Qing, it can be seen that the ci has gone through about four historical stages: gestation amid construction, with an initially flourishing period of composition amid construction; new changes amid extension, with renewed vigor in ci composition amid these changes; restoration amid decline, with the resurgence of ci composition amid restoration; and integration amid stagnation, with the revival of ci composition amid integration. Only when we interrelate the rise and fall of different dynasties according to “current events” and “successive time periods” to the normative system of ci will be we able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of ci.