This book examines the life, philosophy, works and influence of Tao Yuanming, one of the most emblematic poets in ancient China. It sheds light on his lasting poetic and spiritual significance within the Chinese cultural tradition.
The study takes a multi-faceted approach to the poet. The first part addresses the contested scholarly questions surrounding his biography, such as his lifespan and social position. The second part explores his life philosophy of "Spirit-Oriented Nature" as a universal framework for human existentialism. The third part further examines his literary concept of "non-utilitarian aesthetics", which emphasizes the intrinsic value of art detached from worldly pragmatism. It also analyses his poetic practice, which is governed by the principle of naturalness and synthesizes mimetic realism with expressive lyricism—an innovation that has earned him posthumous recognition as the canonical model for classical Chinese poetry. The final part focuses on his literary influence, tracing the ways in which his poetic artistry shaped poetry during the Tang and Song dynasties. It also examines how his cultural iconicity extends beyond literary achievement to embody the idealized persona of the literati in Chinese intellectual history.
This book will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese literature, poetry and literary and cultural history.