Abstract
Wei Xi(1624-1681), an early Qing-Dynasty prose theorist, proposed the concept of "genuine air(zhen-qi)," and it is an important component to his literary theory. In essence, the concept highlights author's personality and centers round author's reason, while it also implicitly promotes cultural pluralism. With this concept, Wei's theory framework can refrain from overreliance on the rules, reason and knowledge. The political implication of "genuine air" respond to the socio-cultural background in which the Ming-Dynasty subjects tried to reflect the fall of their nation, and his theory also embodies his intention of upholding mores of the intellectuals through changing literary mode. Wei Xi's concept of "genuine air" is essential to the founding of Tongcheng school literary theory and becomes the criterion for literary judgement.
First Page
109
Last Page
117
Recommended Citation
Zhu, Zebao. 2020. "The Substance of Wei Xi's "Genuine Air" and Its Theoretical Implications." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 40, (5): pp.109-117. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol40/iss5/19
