Imitation and Innovation

This dissertation examines the revival and new development of yuefu poetry in the middle of the fourteenth century through the case study of Yang Weizhen and his yuefu poetry. As the most influential figure in classical Chinese poetry during the second half of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), Yang made great effort in composing and promoting the yuefu genre. Through their compositional activities and social gatherings, Yang and his literary circle in the lower Yangzi region revived the genre's popularity. Yang Weizhen's accomplishment in reviving yuefu illustrates the dynamic between continuity and change in Chinese literary tradition. The consistent interaction between observing literary conventions and the innovative endeavors executed by individual talents provides the revitalizing force that perpetuates the longevity of tradition. Chapter one first provides a biographical sketch that highlights Yang Weizhen's versatile talents and then examines why the yuefu genre in particular appealed to him. Yang's fascination with yuefu rooted primarily in what he cherished as the fundamental values in poetic composition--emotional expressiveness and originality. Yang also viewed yuefu as a legitimate instrument to reform the poetic fashion of his time--the "Gracious and Proper" style.

Chapter two examines Yang Weizhen's indebtedness to the yuefu tradition through a comparative study of yuefu poems by Yang Weizhen and Li He (790-816), whose eccentric style served as one of the most important models for Yang. Li He's yuefu taught Yang how to craft fantastic imagery and how to create dynamism with causative action verbs. Chapter three focuses primarily on Yang Weizhen's own unique and personal yuefu style--the "Tieyai Style". A detailed textual analysis of Yang's yuefu collection Tieyai xiansheng gu yuefu reveals three key features that define his original style--a confident poetic persona, an upbeat tone, and a flare of drama. In addition to his own compositions, Yang Weizhen's effort in promoting yuefu also involved a large literary community in the lower Yangzi region. Chapter four evaluates Yang's leadership role in organizing large-scale literary and social activities and also studies the stylistic features of his collection Xihu zhuzhi ji and its far-reaching influence.