The Influences of Metaphysics in Wei and Jin Dynasties on Liu Xie's Literary Thought from the Perspective of Carving a Dragon at the Core of Literature

The extensive and profound Carving a Dragon at the Core of Literature represents the greatest achievements in the Southern Dynasties(AD.420-589).Under the influences of metaphysics,the life state,concept of value,and interest of scholars in the period of Wei and Jin(AD.220-420) underwent great changes.Combining Liu Xie's time,we can easily find that metaphysics prevailing in Wei,Jin and the Southern and Northern dynasties had great influences on the formation of the complex thought.The influences are mainly expressed in the following aspects: the thought of metaphysics contributed to the emphases of Liu Xie's thought on the literary essence and the subject spirit;the tint of Confucianism in metaphysics influenced Liu Xie's exploration of literary functions;the exploration of theories about relationships between language and meaning,and between objects and senses in metaphysics enabled Liu Xie to ponder them from literary theory.