How is the Modern Transformation of Ancient Literary Theory Carried Out？ On Ye Jiaying’s Theory of “Evocative Inspiration” in Comparative Poetics

Ye Jiaying proposed the theory of “Evocative Inspiration” as a fundamental principle of poetics. Under the perspective of comparative poetics， she combines modern life experiences， unifies the inspiration of life and rational logic， and constructs a poetic system with modern characteristics. The theory of “Evocative Inspiration” originates from the sensory power of “Xing” （兴） in traditional poetics， where “Feng” （风） and “Xing” are synonymous， indicating a transition from religious and political concepts to poetic techniques. While extracting life vitality， the theory identifies natural imagery and social phenomena as the roots of the “life inspiration.” Grounded in poetics itself， it shifts its focus from artistic techniques to subjective life experiences， highlighting its aesthetic characteristics of life through reconstructing traditional poetic discourse. While author， reader， and work are part and parcel of literary activity， traditional poetics emphasizes the author’s inspirational dimension. Western poetic theories are employed to complement and refine this framework， with “Evocative Inspiration” prioritizing the holistic life journey of the individual and allowing the emotional development of poetic life to be passed down from generation to generation. As far as poetry itself is concerned， both the textual concepts of New Criticism and the theory of semiotic code fall within the category of “Bi” （比） in traditional poetics. “Evocative Inspiration” has a phenomenological sense of the beginning of life. The “potentiality，” “possibility” and musicality embedded in textual language align more with the essence of “Xing” （兴）， rendering the work itself a complete life entity， wherein life inspiration becomes the hallmark of excellent poetry. In the practice of “poetic life，” the philosophy of “Evocative Inspiration” ascends to the level of moral personhood， unifying beauty and goodness through gradual self-perfection from initial life inspiration. In the face of the difficulties and hardships of modern society， the unique feminine “beauty of passive virtue” plays a universal and instrumental role in preserving， resisting， and redeeming life， embodying noble human ethics. Through perpetual life inspiration and emotional resonance， the theory of “Evocative Inspiration，” holds significant revelatory value for the modern transformation of ancient Chinese literary theory.