从《长恨歌》到《富萍》、《上采红菱下种藕》，王安忆一直试图从日常生活的角度探索上海精神的本质。但是，世俗生活景象描绘到极致的时候，就会堙没于琐碎的细节之中，文章变得扁平。因此，《天香》是继《遍地枭雄》之后，王安忆探索上海精神之路上的又一次重要转型。王安忆通过设置与《红楼梦》中传统士大夫园林不同的天香园，试图在世俗生活中发现“雅趣”，以“雅”来提升日常生活的精神层面。以俗为底衬，以雅为雕饰，雅俗并济，乃是王安忆想要表现的上海精神的实质。
From A Song of Everlasting Sorrow to Fupin and Harvesting Water Caltrops and Lotus Rroots, Wang-Anyi has been
trying to find the essence ofShanghaispirit in her works. However, her novels may be flooded by a large amount of
details when too much attention is paid to the everyday life. Tianxiang, following Ambitious Heroes
Around, represents an important
transformation in her writings. Wang-Anyi createsTianxiangGardenin the novel, whose structure is different from the garden in A Dream of Red Mansions, searching the
politeness taste in everyday life and elevating mental level. TheShanghaispirit which Wang-
Anyi tries to find is a vulgar attitude combined with politeness.