Journal paper

Issue No.	lssue 76
Title	Illness and Self-reference in Li Ho’s Poetry
Author	HO, CHI-CHU
Page	45～78
Abstract	This study aims to explore the self-image and emotional connotations of Li Ho, a poet who fell ill in his twenties and died in his prime, through the vivid portrayal of his experience with illness. Li Ho revealed his understanding of the real world through his illness, experiencing several transformations of ‘self-reference.’ In his poems, he deliberately linked illness with his official career to express how his perception of self-worth and living conditions evolved from chaos to clarity. Illness not only contrasted with his suffering from slander and aloof image, but also symbolized the portrayal of his pale and withered body, embodying a ‘self’——a young man striving to compose poetry while being devastated and yearning for recognition. The final aspect of this ‘self’ was hidden within a weeping ghost, burdened with unfulfilled aspirations. Through these expressions, Li Ho demonstrated his tenacious and indomitable spirit, redefining his self-worth and purpose. Although the illness undoubtedly foretold a pessimistic life, Li Ho reclaimed his ‘right’ and transformed the illness into a significant medium for expressing his self-image and emotions. The illness also led readers to trace Li Ho’s experiences Through his writing style, Li Ho assigned a positive meaning to human existence through the lens of illness. Thus, illness became a profound subject in the realm of humanistic inquiry.
Keyword	Li Ho, Illness, Self-reference, Pulmonary Disease, Ghost
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