Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.6, 2017

Symmetry and Formal Changes in the New Poetry of the May Fourth Movement

(Abstract)

Wang Zelong and Gao Jian

As an important formal feature of poetic structure, symmetry can be divided into two types in the concrete practice of poetic composition: the “symmetry” that pursues exact consistency, and the “symmetry” that mixes “consistency” with “inconsistency.” In the New Poetry reform of the May Fourth period, poetry’s symmetric forms underwent a change to modernity, taking the first steps toward completing its reform from the exact consistency of the old style to free and diverse modern poetic forms. The symmetry in the new poems was mainly embodied in formal poetic structures, arrangement of rhythms and construction of poetic images. The freedom and diversity of symmetrical forms provided a variety of paths for the construction of the New Poetry’s poetic forms; symmetrically arranged syllables and rhymes offered technical support for experimental rhythms; and diverse forms of symmetry enhanced the complexity of the construction of poetic sensations, adding a more expressive dimension to modern Chinese poetry and permeating the thinking and spiritual revolution of May Fourth New Literature with completely new content.