清初“反乞食詩”的創作語境與體制生成

The Creative Context and Genre Formation of “Anti-Begging Poems” in the Early Qing

Abstract

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

清初“和陶”詩的研究，多聚焦於遺民文人，論述重心大多在陶淵明的忠憤節義。然而，在易代背景下，還出現了一種特别的應和體式———反陶詩。這類反陶詩的内容大多回應著陶詩中的同一主題———乞食，今可考者有龔鼎孳、施閏章、張煌言和王士禄四人的作品。

不少遺民文人放棄禄仕，生活所需便成了他們急切面對的問題。在窮困的生活下，“乞食”之舉往往成了他們生活的寫照，並引起了他們追慕、唱和陶淵明的《乞食》詩。而在這風潮下，也引起了不少趨捨異路者的回應。

但當這些創作者考慮到自身境遇與陶淵明“乞食”有異，採舊有“和詩”形式來回應似乎並不合適，故遂以“反”字爲題以示區别。就相關詩作的取向而論，這些反乞食詩可分爲“和、應爲本”與“反訕言志”兩類書寫。

另一方面，這些“反乞食詩”的作者在創作過程中的情感顯然是複雜且悲傷的，尤其是他們面對清初的世局，過往自身所作的選擇都顯得無奈且屬於其中的小衆，言辭間亦流露了他們當刻的孤寂；而且他們在創作中所預視的將來和將來可作的選擇，也大多充滿徬徨與無助。

Studies on early Qing “poetic responses to Tao Yuanming” (he-Tao poetry 和陶詩) have predominantly focused on Ming loyalist poets, emphasizing Tao’s loyalty and indignation. However, amid the dynastic transition, a distinct form of poetic response emerged — Anti-Tao poetry. These Anti-Tao poems primarily engage with a recurring theme in Tao’s works — begging for food. Notable examples of such poetry can be found in the works of Gong Dingzi 龔鼎孳, Shi Runzhang 施閏章, Zhang Huangyan 張煌言, and Wang Shilu 王士祿.

Many loyalist poets, having renounced official positions, faced severe economic hardship. In their struggle for survival, they resonated deeply with Tao Yuanming’s “Begging for Food” poem, inspiring compositions in imitation and response. This literary phenomenon, in turn, provoked reactions from poets who took alternative paths.

Recognizing that their own circumstances differed significantly from Tao Yuanming’s, these poets found the conventional he-Tao form inadequate. Instead, they adopted the term “Anti” in their titles to distinguish their works and articulate their unique existential conditions. Structurally, “Anti-Begging” Poems can be categorized into two distinct types: those that maintain harmonizing and responsive elements and those that adopt a satirical and critical stance.

The emotional undertones of these works are deeply complex and melancholic. Confronted with the sociopolitical realities of the early Qing, these poets reflected on their past choices—often made reluctantly and as part of a marginalized minority—imbuing their verses with a profound sense of solitude. Furthermore, their poetic vision of the future reveals deep-seated uncertainty and helplessness, highlighting the existential dilemmas faced by scholars navigating the fragile cultural landscape of a newly established dynasty.