Analysis of "梦李白·其二" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"梦李白·其二" (Mèng Lǐ Bái·Qí Èr, "Dreaming of Li Bai, Part Two") is a poignant poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (712–770), one of China's greatest literary figures. Written during a turbulent period in Chinese history, the poem reflects Du Fu's deep friendship with fellow poet Li Bai and his sorrow over Li Bai's exile. The poem is part of a two-piece series, expressing longing, grief, and admiration. It holds a significant place in Chinese literature as a masterpiece of emotional depth and classical elegance.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

浮云终日行

Fú yún zhōng rì xíng

Floating clouds drift all day long,

游子久不至

Yóu zǐ jiǔ bù zhì

But the wanderer still does not come.

三夜频梦君

Sān yè pín mèng jūn

For three nights, I’ve dreamed of you often,

情亲见君意

Qíng qīn jiàn jūn yì

Your tender feelings show in my dreams.

告归常局促

Gào guī cháng jú cù

Each time you leave, you seem hurried,

苦道来不易

Kǔ dào lái bù yì

Complaining how hard the journey was.

江湖多风波

Jiāng hú duō fēng bō

Rivers and lakes are full of storms,

舟楫恐失坠

Zhōu jí kǒng shī zhuì

I fear your boat may overturn.

出门搔白首

Chū mén sāo bái shǒu

You go out, scratching your white-haired head,

若负平生志

Ruò fù píng shēng zhì

As if burdened by unfulfilled ambitions.

冠盖满京华

Guān gài mǎn jīng huá

The capital is filled with high officials,

斯人独憔悴

Sī rén dú qiáo cuì

Yet you alone are worn and weary.

孰云网恢恢

Shú yún wǎng huī huī

Who says the net of heaven is vast?

将老身反累

Jiāng lǎo shēn fǎn lèi

In old age, you’re still entangled in troubles.

千秋万岁名

Qiān qiū wàn suì míng

A fame that will last ten thousand years,

寂寞身后事

Jì mò shēn hòu shì

Means nothing to your lonely soul.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Floating clouds drift all day long, / But the wanderer still does not come.
   - The "floating clouds" symbolize Li Bai's restless life, while "the wanderer" refers to Li Bai himself, who was exiled and unable to return.

2. For three nights, I’ve dreamed of you often, / Your tender feelings show in my dreams.
   - Du Fu’s repeated dreams reveal his deep emotional connection with Li Bai.

3. Each time you leave, you seem hurried, / Complaining how hard the journey was.
   - The dreams are bittersweet—Li Bai appears but cannot stay, hinting at the hardships of his exile.

4. Rivers and lakes are full of storms, / I fear your boat may overturn.
   - A metaphor for political turmoil; Du Fu worries about Li Bai’s safety.

5. You go out, scratching your white-haired head, / As if burdened by unfulfilled ambitions.
   - Li Bai’s aging and frustration reflect his unrealized potential due to political persecution.

6. The capital is filled with high officials, / Yet you alone are worn and weary.
   - Contrasts Li Bai’s suffering with the prosperity of corrupt officials, criticizing injustice.

7. Who says the net of heaven is vast? / In old age, you’re still entangled in troubles.
   - A rhetorical question challenging the idea of divine justice.

8. A fame that will last ten thousand years, / Means nothing to your lonely soul.
   - Even eternal fame cannot comfort Li Bai’s suffering, emphasizing the tragedy of his life.

Themes and Symbolism

• Friendship and Longing: The poem expresses Du Fu’s deep bond with Li Bai and his sorrow over separation.
• Injustice and Suffering: Li Bai’s exile symbolizes the unfair treatment of talented individuals in a corrupt system.
• Transience vs. Immortality: While Li Bai’s literary fame is eternal, his personal struggles render it meaningless in life.

Key symbols:
- Floating clouds – Li Bai’s unstable life.
- Storms and boats – Political dangers.
- White hair – Aging and unfulfilled dreams.

Cultural Context

Written during the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), a time of chaos in the Tang Dynasty, the poem reflects Du Fu’s disillusionment with the government. Both Du Fu and Li Bai were caught in political struggles, and their friendship became a source of solace. The poem also embodies Confucian values of loyalty and righteousness, as well as Daoist themes of existential sorrow.

Conclusion

"梦李白·其二" is a masterpiece of emotional depth, blending personal grief with social critique. Its portrayal of friendship, injustice, and the fleeting nature of life resonates across centuries. Today, it reminds us of the enduring power of art and the universal longing for connection—even in the face of adversity. Du Fu’s tribute to Li Bai remains a timeless meditation on love, loss, and the cost of greatness.