A Probe into Xie Lingyun's Idea of Disposition-Compliance and Spirit-Disposition Connection in Poetry and His Creative Practice

Abstract

Abstract: In his work “An Ode to Life in the Mountain (Shanju fu),” Xie Lingyun explicitly articulated key elements of his poetry thought, including “expressing will” and “conveying the spirit (shen) by complying with one's disposition (xingqing).” This extended the concept of complying with one's disposition beyond Xie Lingyun's reclusive tendencies and into the realm of literary creation, offering a comprehensive view of his poetry thought. Drawing from The Book of Songs, The Songs of Chu, and the poetry of the Han and Wei dynasties, Xie Lingyun inherited the spirit of employing comparison and affective image, developing his own emotional theory that integrated the meaning of reality. His idea of poetry merged emotion with the expression of will, not only refining modes of expression but also highlighting the distinctiveness of his concept of emotion. Introducing the concept of “spirit (shen)” as an ontological foundation from the Jin and Song dynasties into literary criticism, the notion of conveying the spirit, represented a breakthrough in the creative mode of metaphysical poetry in the Eastern Jin dynasty. Xie Lingyun underscored the importance of conveying subjective perception and sharing experiential wisdom in the present, revealing his reflections on the relation between meaning and language. In essence, Xie Lingyun's assertions encapsulated his ontological definition of literature, showcasing his adept blend of traditional literary criticism with an inclination toward returning to the essence of literature with his poetic creation.

Key words: expression of will, disposition, spirit, idea of poetry, the relationship between meaning and language

Wang Jing. A Probe into Xie Lingyun's Idea of Disposition-Compliance and Spirit-Disposition Connection in Poetry and His Creative Practice[J]. Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art, 2024, 44(3): 207-215.

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