The so-called "Xing" has two meanings: one is "Xing is based on poetry, and Li is based on ceremony", and the other is "Learning poetry before self-cultivation". This is the educational function of poetry telling. The second is "analogy" and "feeling ambition". This is the aesthetic function and expression form of poetry, and it is a sign to distinguish poetry from non-poetry. Wang Fuzhi said in Selected Poems of the Tang Dynasty: "Poetry expresses ambition, and songs express ambition. If it is not ambition, it is poetry, and words are songs. Either you can or you can't. Its cardinal is here. " The so-called "inspection" means "inspecting the ups and downs of customs" and "inspecting gains and losses". Poetry is a mirror reflecting reality. Through poetry, we can observe the gains and losses of social politics and the quality of customs, which is the cognitive function of poetry to social politics. The so-called "group" means "learning from each other's strengths" and "harmony without flowing". By studying poetry, people can communicate their feelings, unify their thoughts, and improve their understanding and self-cultivation. This is the social function of speaking poetry and uniting the group. The so-called "resentment" means "resentment stings politics." This is that storytelling can be used to criticize the lack of rulers and satirize the political function of bad politics.
Confucius' theory of appreciating scenery and complaining reflects his profound understanding of the aesthetic function and social education function of poetry. Generally speaking, it played a positive role in the history of China literature development, but Confucius' understanding also had its limitations. What he called "xing" contained the meaning that poetry took ceremony as the norm; His so-called "views" are mainly aimed at the rulers; The "group" he said mainly refers to the interaction within the ruling class; What he calls "resentment" must also be "gentle and sincere" and "resentment without anger", which conforms to the principle of "beauty of neutralization". The ultimate goal of Confucius is to be the father and the king, emphasizing the close relationship between poetry and ethical politics, and advocating that poetry must serve the interests of the ruling class, which undoubtedly restricts and hinders the creation and development of critical realism literature in ancient China.
Confucius' theory of appreciating the scenery and complaining about the masses had a far-reaching influence on China's ancient literary theory and creation. Wang Fuzhi pointed out the relationship between prosperity, outlook, group and resentment in "Lai Zhai Shi". It is the development and supplement of Confucius' theory of "complaining about enjoying the scenery". Wang Fuzhi also spoke highly of Confucius' view of prosperity and group resentment, and affirmed his important contribution in the history of China's literary criticism.