“壶天”境界与中晚唐士风的嬗变

政局的变幻和党争的加剧,导致中唐后期文人对政治的避离以及对“壶天”境界的追求。以白居易为代表,以东都洛阳为中心,以诗酒唱和、园林营构为主要内容,文人们在“壶天”中过起了适意的吏隐生活。承接中唐余绪,晚唐文人的追求和爱好越来越狭小、袖珍,并将这些狭小、袖珍的东西放到诗中不厌其烦地加以表现。他们也向往“壶天”境界,但已不同于中唐文人的吏隐,他们使用更多的是“壶天”具有的另一层与隐逸、幽栖乃至神仙相关的意义。一方面是政治上被边缘化的命运,另一方面是审美情趣的改变,二者聚合一途,遂导致晚唐文人对江湖山林的群体性回归。而从对“壶天”境界的歌咏中,亦可看出他们在时代大潮推涌下既难于仕宦亦难于吏隐而不得不将视线投向江湖山林的某种苦衷。

The notion of wonderland and the aspiration of government officials in middle and late Tang Dynasty

The changeable political situation and severe partisan struggle in the middle and later Tang Dynasty resulted in the literati's avoidance of political struggle and aspiration for a life free from worldly affairs.Represented by Bai Juyi,they lived in the country,drinking,chanting and composing poetry on garden and landscape.In the later years of the Tang Dynasty,the literati's pursuit became even more limited and they were only interested in expressing some delicate scenery and trifles.Their praise for the wonderland was actually a reflection of their times when it was difficult to live in seclusion as well as an official.