An Analysis on Bi and Xing of Wenxindiaolong——Comparing with the Notion about Metaphor of the New Criticism

Liu Xie systematically and deeply demonstrated on bi and xing in Wenxindiaolong and he promoted studies on bi and xing in ancient Chinese poetics; the research of literature made by the New Criticism focused on linguistic meaning, which embodied the significance of studying literature according to the language. This paper will research from three levels: first, rhetoric. Liu revealed the source and function of bi and xing and he pointed out their connection. While the New Criticism emphasized the unity of opposites of meaning from metaphor; second, psychology. Liu connected the conception and the expression with his theory about the image; the New Criticism opposed psychology and they wanted the item of verbal icon; finally, culture. Liu wanted to resolve the contradiction between the language and the meaning so his theory showed the thought of the unity of the universe and man. His theory belongs to cultural rhetoric; the New Criticism believed that metaphor was the essence of literature so their theory could be regarded as ontological rhetoric. Then we can understand the inner cultural spirits and trends.