In the seventeenth chapter, it is said that the Grand View Garden was completed and Jia Zheng was invited to watch it. If he was satisfied, he could start to inscribe a plaque and couplets. Plaques, inscriptions, and couplets in the garden, like flowers, trees, bamboos, and stones, are also important factors that make up the landscape and create artistic conception. They are indispensable without them.
Jia Zheng and his party decided to take advantage of this trip to draw up the plaque and couplets first, and then ask the imperial concubine to name them when she visited the Grand View Garden. Classmate Jia Baoyu, who was visiting here, happened to meet this group of people. Jia Zheng wanted to test Jia Baoyu's "crooked talent" and ordered him to follow him into the garden. Every time he reached a certain place, Baoyu was ordered to inscribe a plaque or couplet.
This time, Cao Xueqin took the opportunity to tell readers how to write poems and articles.
What’s so good about the inscription on the “mirror white stone” on the rockery at the entrance: “A winding path leads to a quiet place”?
First compare the clichés, such as "Diancui", "Jinzhang", "Saixiang Lu", "Xiao Zhongnan"... they are indeed vulgar. Later, he borrowed Baoyu's words and said: "It is better to describe the old than to compile the new. Carving the past is worse than carving the present." This is not the main view of the main mountain, but it is just a way to pass by and enjoy the scenery further. It would be more generous to just inscribe "winding paths leading to seclusion" directly on it. "The winding path leads to a secluded place" comes from the Tang Dynasty poem "The winding path leads to a secluded place, the Zen room is deep with flowers and trees", so it is very suitable to be used here.
The author intends to tell people: When writing poems or compositions, as we all know, it is not advisable to start with the same cliche, but it is also not advisable to use strange and new sentences, because the opening is not the focus of the poem. If the pen is used too much and too much force is used, If it is fierce, it will appear to be overwhelming. It should be "narrating the past" and "engraving the past", showing simplicity, elegance and connotation. In modern terms, it is a low-key luxury, so as to lead readers into a better state.
"Qinfang Pavilion", why use the word "Qinfang"?
When naming the pavilion, at first, everyone wanted to choose words from Ouyang Xiu's "The Drunkard Pavilion", such as "Yiran", "Xieyu", etc., but "Yiran Pavilion" was rejected because of this The place is full of lush green trees, strange flowers are shining, and a clear stream flows from the depths of the flowers and trees to the rocks. The main purpose is to enjoy the waterscape. The pavilion is one of the waterscapes, so it is more appropriate to give it a name related to water. "Xieyu Pavilion" is also not good, because it is crude and inelegant. The word "Xie" can be used to describe a spring in the mountain. This is a villa for relatives, and the terms should be subtle, so "Qinfang Pavilion" is the best, elegant and let-down. It's refreshing.
The principle of cooperative writing here: When composing, the primary and secondary points must be clearly distinguished, and the key points of the article must be grasped, otherwise the center cannot be highlighted. In addition, the use of language in the article must also vary from article to article and "adapt to local conditions."
When you arrive at "Liao Ting Hua Shu", some say it is called "Wulingyuan" and some say it is "Qinren's Old House". Both names come from Tao Yuanming's "Peach Blossom Spring", the former is too real. Too old, the latter also means avoiding chaos. Therefore, it is most appropriate to use "Liao Ting Hua Shu", which refers to the waterside land covered with flowers and plants. Direct painting of scenes, fresh and refined.
The scenery of the Grand View Garden has its own characteristics and surprises people everywhere. Plaques with important scenery titles should capture the characteristics of the scenery and guide visitors to feel the beauty of the artistic conception. The "Hengzhi Qingfen" written later in Hengwuyuan is based on the same principle.
Many rhythmic poems describe scenery, and there are many strange sentences describing the scenery in the jaw couplets and neck couplets. Explain that when writing poems and articles, focus on key points and describe features, so that poems can leave a deep impression on readers.
While touring "Hengwuyuan", classmate Baoyu handed over the couplet: Recited into a cardamom poem, it is still beautiful, and the dream is still fragrant after sleeping full tea. The general idea of ??these two poems should be: chanting spring flowers and plants, even the poems are colorful, taking a nap in the summer, and even the dreams are tainted with the fragrance of flowers. Jia Zheng said with a smile: "It's not surprising that you are copying the predecessors' "The script is written on the banana leaves and the text is still green."
So, is it okay to apply the poems of the predecessors when creating? sure. Cao Xueqin expressed her views in the words of the guests. When writing poems and compositions, you can imitate your predecessors, and even better if you can surpass them.
The guests said: "Li Taibai's work of 'Phoenix Tower' and the complete set of 'Yellow Crane Tower', as long as it is done well. Now when we look at it carefully, this couplet just now is actually better than 'Book of Banana Leaves'" 'It still feels elegant and lively."
Finally, I found that what the author dislikes most about writing poetry is falling into clichés.