張玉穀《古詩賞析》對陶詩“變宕”之品評及其意義

Zhang Yu-gu’s Analysis of Ancient Poems on the Evaluation of Tao Yuan-ming’s Poetry with “Variability” and Its Significance

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

張玉穀對陶詩“曲中顯變”、“突轉之妙”、“反跌逆筆之動宕性”有密集闡述，較歷代詩評多由單一面向展現陶最後接近定格、豁達或平和的“結果”，張氏更注重陶面對生活、生命時，顯現各式情懷起伏或矛盾的“過程”，此異於歷來聲勢浩大以“平淡”評陶之論；亦不同於易使讀者集中關注少數“豪放”陶詩的激昂之評，或爲陶詩“平和閑遠”外深獲共鳴的另一因素。

與詩法相關的陶評展現更具體掌握陶詩脈絡的方法。同樣重視詩法，黄文焕於字句環應中偏向聚焦憤恨之情，張玉穀則更重變宕與陶情之多面性；在評陶詩“轉折”的這一系論述中，張對逆反、忽突的探討更加突顯轉折之力道，其評具備承先啓後的地位；並拓展讀者觀看陶詩之眼界。

Zhang Yugu gives extensive explanations of the three aspects in Tao Yuanming’s poetry: changes in the twists and turns, magic of sudden turn, and turbulence of reverse and contrast. The poetry criticism in previous dynasties often interpret Tao Tuanming’s poetry from a single aspect, demonstrating the result that the overall impression of Tao’s poetry is open-minded and peaceful. Zhang’s poetry criticism put more emphasis on ups and downs or contradictions of various feelings and focuses on the process of facing and feeling life. This aspect is different from previous critics who characterize Tao’s poetry as “plain and bland,” and is also different from passionate comments that lead readers to focus on a small number of bold and unrestrained poems by Tao. Zhang illustrates the emotional ups and downs in human life, which might be another reason why Tao’s poetry is enjoyed by everyone beyond the peaceful and leisurely impression.

By analyzing the critical commentaries related to poetry composition, we observe that Zhang Yugu and other critics constructed ways to concretely and profoundly grasp the context of Tao’s poetry. Both Zhang Yugu and Huang Wenhuan focused on poetry composition. However, Zhang focused on the diversity of emotion and the changes in Tao’s poetry, while Huang tended to interpret Tao’s poetry from the perspective of anger within the context of poems. In the series of discussions on the rises and falls in Tao’s poetry, Zhang deepened the strength of turning points from the analysis of reverse and suddenness, which not only inherits past legacies but also inspires future generations. Zhang’s comments broaden readers’ horizons in viewing Tao’s poetry.