Analysis of "后出塞" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "后出塞" (Hòu Chū Sài) is part of a series of frontier poems written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (杜甫, 712–770). Known as the "Poet Sage" of China, Du Fu is celebrated for his profound social consciousness and masterful use of language. This poem reflects the hardships faced by soldiers stationed at the distant frontiers of the Tang Empire, blending personal sorrow with broader themes of war and displacement.

"后出塞" is significant in Chinese literature for its vivid depiction of military life and its critique of imperial expansion. It remains a powerful example of how classical poetry intertwines personal emotion with historical commentary.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

后出塞 (Hòu Chū Sài) – The Later Expedition Beyond the Frontier

朝进东门营
Zhāo jìn dōng mén yíng
At dawn, I enter the camp at the eastern gate,

暮上河阳桥
Mù shàng Hé Yáng qiáo
By dusk, I cross the bridge at Heyang.

落日照大旗
Luòrì zhào dà qí
The setting sun shines on the great banners,

马鸣风萧萧
Mǎ míng fēng xiāoxiāo
Horses neigh as the wind howls desolately.

平沙列万幕
Píng shā liè wàn mù
On the flat sands, tents stretch endlessly,

部伍各见招
Bù wǔ gè jiàn zhāo
Each company answers its own call.

中天悬明月
Zhōng tiān xuán míng yuè
A bright moon hangs in the midnight sky,

令严夜寂寥
Lìng yán yè jìliáo
Orders are strict—the night is silent and lonely.

悲笳数声动
Bēi jiā shù shēng dòng
A mournful horn sounds several times,

壮士惨不骄
Zhuàngshì cǎn bù jiāo
The brave soldiers are somber, no longer proud.

借问大将谁
Jièwèn dà jiàng shuí
May I ask, who is the great general?

恐是霍嫖姚
Kǒng shì Huò Piāoyáo
Perhaps it is Huo Qubing, the Swift Cavalry.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "At dawn, I enter the camp at the eastern gate"
   - The poem begins with a soldier’s arrival at a military camp, setting a tone of duty and inevitability.

2. "By dusk, I cross the bridge at Heyang"
   - The swift transition from dawn to dusk suggests the relentless march of soldiers toward the frontier.

3. "The setting sun shines on the great banners"
   - The imagery of the setting sun contrasts with the grandeur of military banners, hinting at the fleeting nature of glory.

4. "Horses neigh as the wind howls desolately"
   - The soundscape evokes loneliness and the harshness of frontier life.

5. "On the flat sands, tents stretch endlessly"
   - The vastness of the desert and the rows of tents emphasize the scale of military campaigns.

6. "Each company answers its own call"
   - Discipline and order are highlighted, but also the impersonal nature of war.

7. "A bright moon hangs in the midnight sky"
   - The moon symbolizes both beauty and isolation, a common motif in Chinese frontier poetry.

8. "Orders are strict—the night is silent and lonely"
   - The strict discipline contrasts with the soldiers’ inner melancholy.

9. "A mournful horn sounds several times"
   - The horn (笳 jiā) was used in frontier garrisons, its sound evoking sorrow.

10. "The brave soldiers are somber, no longer proud"

    • Even the bravest warriors are subdued by the grim reality of war.

11. "May I ask, who is the great general?"

    • The question shifts focus to leadership, possibly critiquing military ambition.

12. "Perhaps it is Huo Qubing, the Swift Cavalry"

    • Huo Qubing was a famous Han Dynasty general, symbolizing both heroism and the cost of war.

Themes and Symbolism

1. The Harshness of War

The poem vividly portrays the desolation of frontier life—endless marches, strict discipline, and the emotional toll on soldiers.

2. Loneliness and Melancholy

Images like the howling wind, the solitary moon, and the mournful horn deepen the sense of isolation.

3. Critique of Military Glory

While referencing a legendary general (Huo Qubing), the poem subtly questions the human cost of imperial expansion.

Key Symbols

• The Setting Sun – Transience and fading glory.
• The Moon – Loneliness and contemplation.
• The Mournful Horn – The sorrow of soldiers far from home.

Cultural Context

During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), China expanded its borders through military campaigns, leading to many poems about frontier life. Du Fu, though not a soldier himself, often wrote about the suffering caused by war, reflecting Confucian concerns for social justice.

"后出塞" exemplifies the bian sai (frontier) poetry tradition, which blends realism with lyrical beauty. Unlike earlier celebratory frontier poems, Du Fu’s work emphasizes the human cost of war, aligning with his reputation as a poet of compassion.

Conclusion

"后出塞" is a masterpiece of Tang poetry, blending stark realism with profound emotion. Through vivid imagery and subtle critique, Du Fu captures the duality of military life—discipline and despair, heroism and heartbreak.

Today, the poem remains relevant as a meditation on the universal costs of war and the resilience of those who endure it. For readers exploring Chinese literature, Du Fu’s work offers not just historical insight but timeless reflections on humanity.