Analysis of "哀王孙" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"哀王孙" (Āi Wángsūn, "Lament for a Noble Youth") is a poignant poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (712–770), one of China's greatest literary figures. Written during the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), a period of chaos and suffering, the poem reflects Du Fu's deep empathy for the displaced aristocracy and common people alike.

This work exemplifies Du Fu's signature blend of historical realism and lyrical beauty, capturing the tragedy of war through the lens of a fallen noble youth. Its significance lies in its humanistic portrayal of suffering, transcending class distinctions to reveal universal vulnerability.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Original Text and Translation

长安城头头白乌
Cháng'ān chéng tóu tóu bái wū
On Chang'an's city walls, a white-headed crow

夜飞延秋门上呼
Yè fēi Yánqiū mén shàng hū
Cries at night over the Yanqiu Gate

又向人家啄大屋
Yòu xiàng rénjiā zhuó dà wū
Then pecks at the grand houses of the noble families

屋底达官走避胡
Wū dǐ dáguān zǒu bì hú
Under whose roofs officials once fled the barbarian rebels

金鞭断折九马死
Jīn biān duàn zhé jiǔ mǎ sǐ
Golden whips snapped, nine horses dead

骨肉不得同驰驱
Gǔròu bùdé tóng chíqū
Kin torn apart in the desperate flight

腰下宝玦青珊瑚
Yāo xià bǎo jué qīng shānhú
At his waist, a blue coral pendant—

可怜王孙泣路隅
Kělián wángsūn qì lù yú
Pitiful noble youth weeping by the roadside

问之不肯道姓名
Wèn zhī bù kěn dào xìngmíng
Asked, he dares not speak his name

但道困苦乞为奴
Dàn dào kùnkǔ qǐ wèi nú
Only pleads in hardship to be made a slave

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. The Ominous Crow
   The white-headed crow symbolizes impending doom. In Chinese folklore, crows are often harbingers of misfortune. Its presence over Chang'an (the capital) mirrors the collapse of social order.

2. Abandoned Grand Houses
   The "grand houses" now lie desolate, their wealthy occupants—once powerful officials—fleeing from the rebel forces ("Hu" refers to An Lushan's ethnic background).

3. Ruin of the Elite
   The "golden whips" and "nine horses" represent the trappings of aristocracy, now destroyed. The severed family ties highlight war's indiscriminate cruelty.

4. The Noble Youth's Despair
   The coral pendant, a mark of high birth, contrasts starkly with his current state—reduced to begging for servitude. His fear of revealing his identity underscores the danger faced by the imperial clan during the rebellion.

Themes and Symbolism

1. The Fragility of Power

The poem dismantles the illusion of permanent nobility. Even "王孙" (wángsūn, imperial descendants) become victims, their privilege meaningless amid chaos.

2. Universal Suffering

Du Fu elevates the youth's plight into a metaphor for all war victims. The imagery of broken whips and dead horses extends the tragedy beyond humans to the natural world.

3. Silence as Resistance

The youth's refusal to speak his name reflects Tang Dynasty loyalists' suppressed grief under rebel rule. His plea to become a slave is a devastating inversion of social hierarchy.

Cultural Context

Historical Background

The An Lushan Rebellion (755–763) devastated the Tang Dynasty, killing millions and displacing the imperial court. Du Fu, himself a refugee, wrote this as part of his "Poems of Lament," documenting the era's horrors.

Confucian Humanism

The poem embodies Confucian ideals of compassion (仁, rén) and moral responsibility. Du Fu doesn't scorn the youth's fall but mourns it, challenging readers to see humanity in ruin.

Conclusion

"哀王孙" transcends its historical moment to speak to timeless themes: the hubris of power, the equality of suffering, and the resilience of dignity. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that war's greatest casualty is often identity itself—the noble youth, stripped of his name, becomes every refugee, every displaced soul.

Du Fu's genius lies in making us hear the crow's cry across centuries, urging us to recognize the "王孙" in those the world has forgotten.