The Evolution of Ming Dynasty Poetic Theory:The Formation and Transcendence of the “Original Change of Stylistic Mode” Theory

This paper,after reviewing the evolution of the theories “original change of classic poetry” ,“literary change according to times”,and “regular and varied form of poetry style”,proposes the theory of “original change of stylistic mode” .This theory represents the internal shift of “original change of stylistic mode” from focusing on political administration to emphasizing stylistic form and tonal quality.It is a significant theoretical category in the history of Ming and Qing Dynasty poetic criticism.The “original change of stylistic mode” differs from previous theories in four ways: it considers stylistic mode as original and literary form as change; it views higher stylistic quality as original and lower quality as change; it sees artistic form and tonal quality as original and romantic charm as change; and it interprets original and change as the interplay of Yin and Yang.Wang Shizhen was a developer and completer of the “original change of stylistic mode” theory.He proposed that correcting abuses leads to originality and that the accumulation of abuses leads to change,trending towards more stable quality and better literary value.He introduced the concept of “extreme adherence to rules,”suggesting that “things have their natural rules,and by following these rules,both originality and change are acceptable.”This deconstructed the traditional view of “original change” and transcended it towards an essentialist view.