Abstract
Chen Wenzhu was an important writer in the literary circles from Jiajing Reign to Wanli Reign in the Ming Dynasty. Initially influenced by the retro theory of the “Seven-Scholar School,” he later reevaluated its limitations and advocated for a literary evolution perspective that “literature should change in accordance with the times.” He emphasized the significance of innovation and change in literary creation, viewing them as a crucial elements in developing a distinctive style. This proposal not only broadened the narrow connotation of the retro school's theory, which held that poetry creation must draw from the Han, Wei and Tang Dynasties, but also exemplified a more inclusive approach to learning from diverse sources. Drawn on Yang Ming's theory of mind and the trend of “divergence from retro,” he explored the interplay between personality and emotion, talent and discipline, as well as knowledge and action. Consequently, he formulated his literary theories about “the authenticity of temperament,” “the potency of talent and discipline,” and “the engagement of mountains and rivers.” These ideas transcended the theoretical framework of the retro school, laying the groundwork for literary transformations from the Jiajing to Wanli period and for the subsequent “spiritual nature” trend. Through an examination of Chen Wenzhu's evolvingliterary thought, we can not only gain insight into the process of literary transformation and continuity in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, but also discern the shifts that shaped the “mainstream discourse” in the literary landscapae.
Keywords
Chen Wenzhu, literary thought, literary restoration, transformation
First Page
141
Last Page
151
Recommended Citation
Wang, Bo, and Shuangquan Hu. 2025. "Chen Wenzhu and the Transformation of His Literary Thought under the Retro Trend of the “Seven-Scholar School”." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 45, (3): pp.141-151. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol45/iss3/14
