A study on the anthology and critique of poems in Lu Chang's Li chao mingyuan shi ci = 陸昶《歷朝名媛詩詞》的選詩及評點研究

Abstract

Lu Chang, a critic in Qing Dynasty, used the selection of “Li chao ming yuan shi ci” to promote the status of women’s literature and cast aside his unfavourable views. His comments in the poetry are close to those in Zhong Xing’s “Ming yuan shi gui”, which are trendy and unique. It can be proved that he was influenced by the Jingling school while the heavy style on the ancients in his poetry is in line with the Retro school in Ming Dynasty. Besides, Lu Chang attaches importance to gen-tle and honest poetic style, which is similar to Shen Deqian’s theory of poetic form and metrics, which emphasizes the true meaning of poetry and similar to Yuan Mei’s theory of spirituality. The inherited and transferred composition of poetry coincides with Weng Fanggang’s texture theory. He also advocates that poet should be insightful, which close to the theory of Ye Xie’s “Yuan shi” (Origins of poetry). All these can prove that his comments absorb the essence of Ming and Qing dynasties. In addition, he surpasses his predecessors in the aspects of careful examination of melody and marking the style vigilant and concise. He also developed a five-in-one method including selection, transmission, discussion, evaluation and marking. His poetics have influenced the selection and evaluation of female literature in later generations. The comments in his books are often quoted by scholars, which also shows his contribution to the next generations. 清人陸昶藉《歷朝名媛詩詞》之選推尊女性，並澆個人不遇之塊磊。其評語有近鍾惺《名媛詩歸》處，趨尚新奇，可證受竟陵派影響；風格重古味，則與復古派相合。加之內容尚溫柔敦厚，推許含蓄蘊藉詩風，與沈德潛格調說相近；重情真意切，與袁枚性靈說類似；要求章法承轉入妙，與翁方綱肌理說暗合；主張有識見，近於葉燮《原詩》之論；足見其評吸納明清諸家精華。至其超越前人處，則在細審聲律，標舉靈警風格方面；及在評點方法上開拓選、傳、論、評、圈點五位一體之法。其書影響後代女性文學選評，評語時為後人引用，則是其對後世之貢獻所在。