There are many reasons why Tao Yuanming gradually formed the idea of ??seclusion.
The first reason is the politics of the times. Tao Yuanming was born in troubled times. He experienced three dynasties and ten emperors in his life. The society was in a dark period of unprecedented division and turmoil. In such a society, Tao Yuanming's ideal of governance is difficult to realize. During the Jin and Song Dynasties, the clan system was promoted, and politics were extremely corrupt. The aristocratic clan system originated in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and was formed in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The "Nine Ranks Zhongzheng System" implemented by Emperor Wen of Wei Cao Pi in order to usurp the Han Dynasty laid the foundation for the clan system. Zhongzhengguan's "calculation of capital and quality" only focuses on family status and not on rural opinions. After the Sima family established the Jin Dynasty, they continued to implement this policy, and gradually formed a hereditary situation of official positions in which "the public family has the public, and the high family has the minister". There are clear boundaries between the Tu and the common people. Not only do they have different political and economic statuses, they even do not intermarry and ride on different roads. The power and arrogance of the noble clan were so great that even the imperial power could not completely control them. During the reign of Sima Yan, Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty, Wang Kai and Shi Chong of the Tu tribe fought for wealth. Shi Chong disdained a two-foot-tall coral tree that Sima Yan sponsored for Wang Kai and broke it casually. This reflected the luxury and supremacy of the nobles from one side. status. Under the control of the gentry bureaucrats, it was difficult for people from common people and poor families to have the opportunity to become officials and be promoted. Li Mi, a famous scholar at that time, once lamented that "if there is no one in the court, it is better to return to the fields." Although Tao Yuanming's ancestors had served as high-ranking officials, they still belonged to the common people. In addition, his family was from a poor family, so he was always discriminated against in the officialdom. During his 13-year career as an official from the age of 29 to 41, he served as an official five times and resigned five times. The first time, in the seventeenth year of Taiyuan (AD 393), he was appointed as Jiangzhou Jijiu; the second time, in the fourth year of Long'an (AD 400), he served as an assistant to Huanxuan; the third time, in the third year of Yuanxing ( In 404 AD), he was appointed to join the army under Liu Yu; for the fourth time, in the first year of Yixi (405 AD), he was appointed to join the army under Liu Jingxuan, the general of Jianwei. In the autumn of the same year, he became an official for the fifth time and served as Peng Zeling. Soon, he took off his robe and retired to seclusion, never to serve as an official again. During these five official appointments, the total time he served was only four or five years. The official positions he held were all minor officials such as joining the army and county magistrate. It was impossible to realize his lofty ambition of "helping the common people". But he also had hopes and ambitions that never died, so he quit and quit his job over and over again. During this period, Tao Yuanming's thoughts experienced repeated twists and turns on the issue of "utilizing the world", and his final ideological state was completely shattered by his political ideals, all of which are reflected in his poems.
Secondly, Tao Yuanming’s education and his personal character were also important factors that contributed to his retirement. Tao Yuanming's great-grandfather Tao Kan was a virtuous minister known throughout the world for his integrity. Tao Yuanming's grandfather Tao Mao and father Tao Yi were also gentle and elegant people who were indifferent to fame and wealth. Tao Yuanming wrote poems and essays many times praising their high moral character: "Returning after the meritorious service, not being too favored", "Being meticulous in actions, not boasting in words... As for being proud, they are happy to send it far away." These all show that He sincerely praised the noble character of his ancestors. The influence of his family played a big role in developing his aloof and distant character.
As far as Tao Yuanming's personal temperament is concerned, his arrogant and impatient character, as well as his relatively fragile psychological quality, are also one of the reasons why he kept going back and forth between official positions. For example, at the beginning of Huan Xuan and Liu Yu's reign, he was ambitious, so he set out to become an official with great expectations, but he was quickly disappointed and resigned, showing his impulsive scholarly character. In the end, after serving as Peng Zeling for 80 days, he resigned angrily and returned home because he could not endure the humiliation. This also reflected his psychological fragility to a certain extent. His words, "How can I bow down to a village boy for five bushels of rice?" were shortened to "Don't bow down for five bushels of rice" and were widely used as a famous saying in pursuit of personal dignity. The thought of being proud of one's integrity is certainly valuable. But if we analyze his original words, we may find that there are other ambiguities in them, which at least shows that his mental endurance is completely that of an artist. This character determines that he can become an excellent poet, but it is difficult for him to become an excellent official. Tao Yuanming was also aware of his own personality.
In many poems, he mentioned "no vulgar rhyme" many times. In addition to political and ideological connotations, this "rhyme" also includes personality factors. In "With Ziyan and others", he more clearly admitted his character of "clumsy nature and many disobedience to things".