SUMMARY
This dissertation aims to investigate the evolution and the research footprint of Ci poetry in the early years of the Republic of China based on the remarkable modern poet Xia Cheng-Tao. A comprehensive study on Xia’s materials reveals the ecology of Ci poetry of the 20th century.
Key words: Xia Cheng-Tao, Ci Poetry, Ci Poetry in the Republic of China, Criticism of Ci Poetry
INTRODUCTION
Xia Cheng-Tao’s materials present the ecology of Ci poetry of the 20th century. Chapter 2 reviewed his academic experiences involving researches and writings, and showed the establishment as well as development of thought of Xia Cheng-Tao Ci Poetry. Chapter 3 based on essences, functions, Ci music and creation to further analyze Xia’s thought on Ci Poetry. Chapter 4 and 5 especially explored his criticism of Ci poets in history.
Chapter 6 observed transformation of Xia Cheng-Tao’s creation, and explored spiritual meanings, art styles, values and limits in his creation by the in-depth analysis.
METHOD AND RESULTS
Complete works of Xia Cheng-Tao were being successively published. Only three of them were printed while writing this dissertation. They are ‘‘Tang Song Ci Ren Nian Pu Xu Bian’’, ‘‘Ci Li’’, ‘‘Yong Jia Ci Zheng’’. Although remaining parts cannot be included, Xia’s criticism of Ci poets in history and insights into contemporary Ci Poetry were clarified and highlighted in detail during summarizing these materials.
CONCLUSION
Firstly, Xia Cheng-Tao established the model of Ci Poetry in the Republic of China. It can be explained that Xia has broken through traditional research of Ci Poetry, and created the consciousness, systematic, and comprehensive survey based on his research system. For one thing, he used the method of traditional research to study Ci Poetry. For another thing, new forms of writing, new critical discourses, and the scientific proofs to criticize were also presented. In addition, Xia's poems are full of author's thoughts and feelings reflecting the diverse styles in the Republic of China. The model of Ci Poetry that he established is not only a remarkable scholar but also a superior writer who write Ci poems.
Secondly, Xia Cheng-Tao’s critical spirit and limits in creation were further discussed. Research direction from textual authentication to criticism is a reflection of the change from the Communist Party of China. Xia satisfied the needs of the communist society at that time through the social criticism. A series of Ci poems and articles used to sing the praises of patriotic poets is a mirror of the times. He emphasized contents, thoughts, and unconstrained styles but neglected forms, arts and graceful styles. This is the result of being influenced by Mao Ze-dong’s thoughts and Marxism at the time. The imbalanced criticism is the limitation of Xia’s argument.