China Social Science Review

No.4, 2020

 

Chinese Scholars’ Endeavors to Construct a Poetics: Starting from Zhu Guangqian and Qian Zhongshu

（Abstract）

 

Zhang Longxi

 

Poetics is the theoretical discussion of the universality of poetry or literature, in the same way as physics is the theoretical discussion of the universality of the natural world. Drawing on Chinese literary and cultural resources, Chinese scholars have explored such fundamental issues as the origin, nature, genres, value, and constituent elements of Chinese poetry (with Chinese characteristics, of course). At the same time, however, they have contributed to the universal theory of poetics, making it more rich, comprehensive, and complete. Our academic forerunners Zhu Guangqian and Qian Jongshu have already set us an example. Discussion of Zhu’s Shilun (On Poetry, 1943) and Qian’s Qizhuiji (Patchwork: Seven Essays on Art and Literature) can inspire us to make new contributions to the development of theories of poetics.