On Lyrics as the Expressions of Complex EmotionsInterpretation of Wang Guowei's Renjian Ci

Wang Guowei's Renjian Ci (Lyrics in the Human World) consists of 104 extant poems. The author manipulated the order of the words to artificially elevate his poetic stature, deleted the overtly ornate words, and omitted titles, resulting in obscured narrative threads and challenging interpretations. Influenced by the Wang's revered status in Sinology, interpreters often stray from the works' original meanings, and instead search for philosophical and political subtexts, often leading to misinterpretations. Composed several years before The Revolution of 1911(Xinhai Revolution), Renjian Ci primarily explores two emotional episodes, not as hollow voice, but as the expressions of complex emotions. The collection showcases Wang's advocacy for authenticity and simplicity in poetry, challenging the convoluted traditional lyric style. Therefore, the philosophical and artistic merits of Renjian Ci deserve a reevaluation.