Yuan Zhen, a poet and critic in the Tang dynasty, believed that literature should accurately reflect real life. He focused on the importance of being meticulous and comprehensive in writing, especially in his poems of the yuefu style. Despite some negative comments on other poets like Li Bai, Yuan Zhen's praise for Du Fu helped establish Du Fu's status in classic poetry. Yuan Zhen's ideas about literature emphasized realism and the need for poetry to capture the essence of everyday life.