據孟棨《本事詩》記載，杜甫自唐以來即有「詩史」之稱。杜甫「詩史」之稱，指涉「以詩作反映時事並加以諷諭」，而杜甫在語言的表現形式上，是賦筆的直陳。明代中葉以降，學者普遍思考、爭辯的重要觀念即是「詩」「史」本質的差異、「詩」可否兼「史」、「比興」是否為詩本質等議題，是故，學者對於詩歌語言「賦」或「比興」的表達方式產生一番爭辯；在此一時代風氣下，王夫之對「杜甫詩史說」大發議論，強調「詩」、「史」異體，在詩歌語言的表達方式上，反對直刺直陳的「賦」筆，立主溫柔敦厚、含蓄委婉。

According to the book “The Original Story of Poetry” written by Meng Chi, people regarded the works of Tu Fu as “Poetic History” since the Tang Dynasty. The statement referred to “the works of Tu Fu reflecting and criticizing the fact of the times.” Besides, the verbal expression of Tu Fu was truthful and frank. The scholars concerned and argued about the internal difference between “poetry” and “history”, “poetry” implying “history” or not, “metaphor and inspiration” referring the essence of poetry or not since the middle of the Ming Dynasty. Due to this, the scholars argued on verbal expression about “poetry”-“truthful and frank” or “”metaphorical and inspiring. Among the tread of thoughts, Wang Fu-chih criticized the statement about regarding Tu Fu’s poetry as “Poetic History.” He emphasized the individuality between “poetry” and “history.” Further more, on the issued of verbal expression about poetry, Wang Fu-chih demurred to ironical and frank expression. He advocated expressing gently and metaphorically.