Yao Peiqian's Thoughts on the Educational Function of Poetry

Yao Peiqian served Lixue all his life and was in close contact with celebrities in Lixue, especially Shen Deqian, which mutually sharpened and heightened their thoughts. He lived in the golden years of Qing Dynasty, during which culture was prosperous, Lixue was solely respected and the educational function of poetry was highly exploited. Such an environment led to his positive attitude towards the educational function of poetry. His poetic attitude, that is, his willingness to be in the main stream, was encoded in his poetry criticism and poetry anthology. He advocated the poetic style of simplicity and sincerity, which was in accordance with the values of ancient Chinese scholars.