Lu You’s Poetic Image in the Thoughts of Three Spiritual Leaders in China’s Early Modern Era

1125–1210) had undergone in late Qing dynasty was one remarkable example in this regard. Zeng Guofan (1811–1872) in his later years, Liang Qichao (1873–1929) at his middle age, and Hu Shi (1891–1962) in his early-prime years, had all paid respect to Lu You’s poetry. These three spiritual leaders of their respective generations had read and discussed Lu You’s poetic works with different personal dispositions, varied experiences, and from altered historical bearings, for their different goals and needs. Zeng Guofan focused on and admired Lu You’s style of inner serenity and equanimity. Liang Qichao composed a series of four poems, “Reading Lu Fang-weng (Lu You)”, expressing his anguish, depression and then a manifestation of perseverance after the failure of the Reform Movement in 1898. In 1902, Liang Qichao published these four poems, in order to stimulate Chinese people’s patriotic passion and warrior’s spirit. As for Hu Shi, Lu You's poetry served as an important historical foundation when he decided to champion the “Vernacular Poetry Movement”. In addition, Lu You was also taken by Hu Shi as the model for vernacular-poetry composition

Anguish · Art · Champion · China · Literature · Passion · Poetry · Vernacular · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Philosophy · Psychology