Ye Jiaying’s Poetics of Life Experience in the Mutual Reference between Chinese and Western Poetics

From composing poetry through authentic life experiences， to interpreting poetry via life insights， and ultimately inspiring vital resonance through such interpretations， Ye Jiaying established a supreme “Poetics of Life Experience.” She asserts that genuine life experiences and emotional vitality constitute the essence of poetry， holding that truly great poets write and embody their verses through lived existence. This poetics emerged from the dialogue between Chinese and Western poetic traditions. Its deep-seated origin lies in China’s lyrical tradition dating back to the pre-Qin period， which emphasizes poetry as an external manifestation of inner sentiments， which differs vastly from Western mimetic theories. Its deeper foundation resides in China’s humanistic philosophy initiated in the pre-Qin era， where Confucius， Mencius， Laozi and many other intellectuals prioritized human spirituality and creativity， shaping the people-oriented feature of Chinese poetic education that emphasizes poetry’s role in guiding individuals and society. In contrast， Plato and Socrates undermined poets’ creative capacity while overemphasizing divine inspiration， regarding poetry as something that offers minimal benefit to individuals or society. Inheriting pre-Qin traditions while building upon Wang Guowei and Gu Sui’s scholarship， the Poetics of Life Experience reveals poetry’s authentic nature， providing both theoretical significance for creation and practical value for critical appreciation. Riveting on life experience， Ye Jiaying reinterprets poetic works through meticulous analysis of poets’ genuine humanity and complex emotions， and thus transcends rigid interpretive frameworks. She navigates recipients to engage in life-oriented poetic experiences， cultivates vibrant sensibilities， and enables spiritual elevation through poetry， ultimately achieving individual awakening， development， and self-perfection.