Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2014, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (4): 155-164.

• Classical Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Cultural Significance of the Chain Ci-Poems in the Ming Dynasty

Wang Jingyi, Qian Xisheng   

  1. the School of Educational Science, Jiangsu Normal University (Xuzhou 221116, China); the School of Humanities, Soochow University (Suzhou 215123, China)
  • Online:2014-07-25 Published:2014-08-28
  • About author:Wang Jingyi is a PhD. Student in the School of Humanities, Soochow University (Suzhou 215123, China), and a lecturer in the School of Educational Science, Jiangsu Normal University (Xuzhou 221116, China), with research focus on ci-poetry of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Qian Xisheng is a professor in the School of Humanities, Soochow University (Suzhou 215123, China), with research focus on ci-poetry and communication studies.

Abstract: Chain ci-poems through relaying replies took up a relatively high proportion in the Ming-Dynasty ci-poetry which absorbed influences from the Song Dynasties, as well as the Tang and Five Dynasties. Of the 1051 chain poems, 150 poets produced 652 original poems, and 29 out of the 150 poets had been replied with poems for over ten times, while 35 original poems were relied for more than 5 times. An investigation of the most replied poets and poems may provide us with the knowledge on reception of the ci-poets and ci-poetry as well as the insight into the aesthetic appeal of ci-poetry in the Ming Dynasty. As a time specific cultural phenomenon and a text specific literary phenomenon, chain ci-poetry writing had also reflected the gap between writing practice and theory and criticism of poetry in the Ming Dynasty.

Key words: the Ming Dynasty, chain ci-poem, cultural phenomenon