Journal of Shanghai University (Social Science Edition)

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On the Metaphorical Tradition in Chinese Classical Poetics

  

  1. Institute of Literature Studies, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai 200083
  • Online:2012-01-15 Published:2012-01-15

Abstract: Chinese classical poetics is a theoretical interpretation tradition different from its Western counterpart, the formation of which is in close relation to the cognitive way of ancient Chinese poetic critics: They don't look at things as a unilateral linear relationship, but a multiplelateral, or rather, onetotwo, onetothree, or even onetoinfinite relationship. Therefore, the construction of Chinese classical poetics has little in common with the direct and hardeyed logical deduction technique of western poetics. On the contrary, it seeks development from the flexible metaphorical discourse system, to shape a theory lineage and idea communication tradition which will exactly express the "meaning", but not in bondage to the former.