Chen Shubaos poems can be studied in terms of “elegant and popular works”. Former scholars generally rebuked Chens poems as refined obscene writing, which is not all accurate. In fact the little sexual description in his popular poems puffed the disillusion and distress in life. Besides some pure and fresh short poems, the majority of his poems were of original aesthetic taste and artistic value. Several elegant poems about the outdoor picnic described the pastoral scenery around Jiankang, revealing Chens complex psychology and deep friendship with the emperor. Moreover, his free imagination of northern towns and border fortresses expressed his bitter sadness for the lost territory, which is of some value of poetic history.

Chen Shubao; elegant work; popular work; refined obscene writing