Analysis of "拔不断·大鱼" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "拔不断·大鱼" (Bá Bù Duàn · Dà Yú) is a famous sanqu (散曲) lyric written by Ma Zhiyuan (马致远), one of the "Four Great Yuan Drama Writers." Composed during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), this piece reflects the Daoist-inspired themes of freedom and transcendence that were popular among literati of the time. The poem uses the allegory of a giant fish to symbolize unrestrained ambition and the desire to break free from worldly constraints. Its vivid imagery and philosophical depth make it a standout work in Chinese classical poetry.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

大鱼
Dà yú
The Giant Fish

胜神鳌
Shèng shén áo
Mightier than the divine turtle

夯风涛
Hāng fēngtāo
Crushing wind and waves

脊梁上轻负着蓬莱岛
Jǐliáng shàng qīng fùzhe Pénglái dǎo
On its back, it lightly carries the Penglai Island

万里夕阳锦背高
Wànlǐ xīyáng jǐn bèi gāo
Its brocade-like back rises high under the sunset’s glow

翻身犹恨东洋小
Fānshēn yóu hèn Dōngyáng xiǎo
Turning over, it still resents the Eastern Ocean as too small

太公怎钓
Tàigōng zěn diào
How could even Jiang Taigong ever hook it?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The Giant Fish" – The poem opens with a striking image of an enormous fish, immediately setting a tone of grandeur and mythical scale.

2. "Mightier than the divine turtle" – In Chinese mythology, the shen'ao (神鳌) is a giant turtle that supports the heavens. By surpassing it, the fish symbolizes ultimate power.

3. "Crushing wind and waves" – The fish is unbothered by nature’s forces, reinforcing its dominance.

4. "On its back, it lightly carries Penglai Island" – Penglai is a fabled Daoist paradise. The fish’s effortless strength suggests it transcends mortal realms.

5. "Its brocade-like back rises high under the sunset’s glow" – The sunset imagery adds majesty, while "brocade" implies celestial beauty.

6. "Turning over, it still resents the Eastern Ocean as too small" – Even the vast ocean cannot contain the fish’s ambition, mirroring human yearning for boundless freedom.

7. "How could even Jiang Taigong ever hook it?" – Jiang Taigong, a legendary strategist, famously fished for worthy rulers. The rhetorical question underscores the fish’s unconquerable nature.

Themes and Symbolism

• Freedom and Ambition: The fish embodies unrestrained desire to break limits, resonating with Daoist ideals of liberation.
• Mythology and Power: References to shen'ao and Penglai root the poem in Chinese cosmology, elevating the fish to a cosmic entity.
• Irony of Scale: The ocean’s vastness feels "small," critiquing human ambition’s insatiability.

Cultural Context

Written during the Yuan Dynasty, a period of Mongol rule, many Han Chinese literati like Ma Zhiyuan turned to Daoist and escapist themes. The giant fish can be read as a metaphor for intellectual resistance—too grand to be "hooked" into serving oppressive regimes. The poem also reflects the sanqu tradition’s playful yet profound style, blending folk idioms with classical allusions.

Conclusion

"拔不断·大鱼" captivates with its majestic imagery and layered symbolism. The giant fish, both awe-inspiring and subtly tragic, mirrors human aspirations and their inherent contradictions. Today, the poem’s themes of freedom and transcendence remain universal, inviting readers to ponder the balance between ambition and contentment. Ma Zhiyuan’s genius lies in making the mythical feel intimately relatable—a testament to classical Chinese poetry’s enduring power.