Chinese Poetry | “The View in Spring” By Du Fu Poem Review

The poem “The View in Spring” by Du Fu can be treated as a regulated verse of eight-line form. It can be analyzed as an example of how many emotions such a short text can embrace under a skillful hand.

The poem reflects a lyric dichotomy of light and darkness. On the one hand, it tells the reader about the most inspiring season, about spring. It is common knowledge that for every creature on the planet, it is time for renewal and rebirth. However, the author has controversial emotions. His heart is full of grief, and the reason is clear. His country is ruined by war, and all the values of the past are gone.

The author tries to find relief in nature, as the hills and rivers remain despite war. War conflicts are temporary; human life is temporary, while there is something eternal and everlasting. The landscapes are able to heal. It is traditional for Chinese to feel close connection with the environment. What is more, the attitude to nature is full of respect and awe.

However, the author seems to feel himself a part of nature no more. The spring does not bring renewal for him. His hair is white and thin; he can hardly wear an official’s cap.

Another expressive image used by the author is letters from the family. He admits that they are worth ten thousand pieces. This phrase is an explicit testament of how war changes human values. The author is old and is almost ready to draw the line of his life. But there is still something important that makes his heart beat. The main stimulus for him is the mere contact with his dearest. His family is obviously far away from him, and he does not have opportunity to see them. The letters make up the only link between the official and his family, so they are priceless for him. The reader, in turn, can easily imagine how family is also mourning his absence. No one knows whether he will return. No one knows whether he will be safe and healthy.  Thus, the letters they send to each other are a symbol of hope. When a person is on the edge, hope is the only thing that can make him or her continue. Even when you are striving, having nothing to put on and no one to speak to, you still have a treasure in your heart. And that treasure is hope.

The overall mood of the poem is sad and depressive, but if one tries to read between the lines, it will be clear that the author is not ready to give up. He is still able to enjoy spring view; he still has a responsive soul and understands the laws of creation well. His small confession is a song of humility and acceptance, which all of us should learn to train. Therefore, although the poem is rather short and seems to be pessimistic, I believe it has much not only to show, but also to teach. All in all, “The View of Spring” is a brilliant example of how indigenous poetry is free of the borders of time and space. Being written so many centuries ago, it is still able to touch the heart, provoke thinking and emotions, and inspire the reader.

 

Reference

Owen, S. (1996).  An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911. New York, NY: W. W. Norton.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 19, 2024]
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