Tradition and Drift: The Poetic Transformation and Creative Mentality of Xu Chengyao

Xu Chengyao’s Yi'an Poetry includes thousands of poems. In his early career, Xu experimented with integrating new terminology and ideas into classical poetry, reflecting a creative blend of tradition and innovation under the influence of the Poetic Revolution. However, in his later years, he abandoned the path of literary reform and returned to traditional poetic forms. This shift reveals a the genuine mindset among some intellectuals during China's modern social transformation—one characterized not by radical revolution or rigid conservatism, but by detachment and aloofness. Embracing solitude and withdrawn composure, they channeled their life ideals into preserving classical culture. Xu's poetry thus offers a unique window into the spiritual world of modern literati.