On the Classification and Significance of Poetry by Elegant Ladies in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Poetry by elegant ladies can be divided into three basic literary types, namely, Poetry by poetesses, by talented women, and by bluestockings. Poetry by poetesses is the most noteworthy group in the history of women's literature and has important literary value; Poetry by talented women is widely circulated in society because of authors' outstanding talent or legendary romance. Poetry by bluestocking takes over the important task of traditional poetics, emphasizing that "poetry is for conveying the truth". Therefore, the social value of this type of poems are greater than its literary value. By interpreting these three basic types, this article endeavors to further analyzes the literary connotation and poetic meaning of Poetry by elegant ladies in order to form a new understanding of such poems and relevant theories.