Analysis of "佳人" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "佳人" ("Jiārén," meaning "The Beautiful Lady") is attributed to Du Fu (杜甫), one of China's greatest poets from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). Known for his profound social consciousness and emotional depth, Du Fu often wrote about the hardships of war and the suffering of ordinary people. "佳人" is a poignant narrative poem that tells the story of a noblewoman who falls into poverty and isolation due to political turmoil. The poem reflects the instability of the Tang Dynasty during the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763 AD) and explores themes of resilience, virtue, and the fleeting nature of worldly status.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Original Text, Pinyin, and Translation

绝代有佳人，幽居在空谷。
Juédài yǒu jiārén, yōu jū zài kōng gǔ.
There is a peerless beauty, dwelling secluded in an empty valley.

自云良家子，零落依草木。
Zì yún liángjiā zǐ, língluò yī cǎomù.
She says she comes from a noble family, now fallen and living among plants and trees.

关中昔丧乱，兄弟遭杀戮。
Guānzhōng xī sāngluàn, xiōngdì zāo shālù.
In the past, chaos ravaged the capital, and her brothers were slaughtered.

官高何足论，不得收骨肉。
Guān gāo hé zú lùn, bùdé shōu gǔròu.
What use was their high rank? They could not even reclaim their bones.

世情恶衰歇，万事随转烛。
Shìqíng wù shuāixiē, wànshì suí zhuǎnzhú.
The world despises the fallen; all things shift like candlelight in the wind.

夫婿轻薄儿，新人美如玉。
Fūxù qīngbó ér, xīnrén měi rú yù.
Her husband is a fickle man; his new wife is fair as jade.

合昏尚知时，鸳鸯不独宿。
Héhūn shàng zhī shí, yuānyāng bù dú sù.
Even the night-blooming flowers know their time; mandarin ducks never sleep alone.

但见新人笑，那闻旧人哭。
Dàn jiàn xīnrén xiào, nǎ wén jiùrén kū.
He only sees the new wife’s laughter—who hears the old wife’s weeping?

在山泉水清，出山泉水浊。
Zài shān quánshuǐ qīng, chū shān quánshuǐ zhuó.
Springwater is clear in the mountains, but muddied when it flows out.

侍婢卖珠回，牵萝补茅屋。
Shìbì mài zhū huí, qiān luó bǔ máowū.
Her maid returns from selling pearls; they mend their thatched hut with vines.

摘花不插发，采柏动盈掬。
Zhāi huā bù chā fà, cǎi bǎi dòng yíng jū.
She picks flowers but does not wear them; gathering cypress, her hands are full.

天寒翠袖薄，日暮倚修竹。
Tiānhán cuìxiù báo, rìmù yǐ xiūzhú.
In the cold, her green sleeves are thin; at dusk, she leans against tall bamboos.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "绝代有佳人，幽居在空谷。"
   The poem opens with an image of an unmatched beauty living in seclusion, suggesting both her former nobility and present loneliness.

2. "自云良家子，零落依草木。"
   She identifies herself as a noblewoman now reduced to poverty, emphasizing the impermanence of social status.

3. "关中昔丧乱，兄弟遭杀戮。"
   The An Lushan Rebellion destroyed her family, reflecting the widespread suffering of the era.

4. "官高何足论，不得收骨肉。"
   Even high rank could not protect her brothers—a critique of the futility of power in times of chaos.

5. "世情恶衰歇，万事随转烛。"
   Society abandons those who fall from grace, just as candlelight flickers unpredictably.

6. "夫婿轻薄儿，新人美如玉。"
   Her husband’s betrayal underscores the fickleness of human relationships.

7. "合昏尚知时，鸳鸯不独宿。"
   Nature’s constancy (flowers blooming on time, ducks staying paired) contrasts with human faithlessness.

8. "但见新人笑，那闻旧人哭。"
   A heartbreaking lament—the world celebrates the new while ignoring the suffering of the discarded.

9. "在山泉水清，出山泉水浊。"
   A metaphor: purity is preserved in seclusion, but the world corrupts.

10. "侍婢卖珠回，牵萝补茅屋。"
    Even in poverty, she maintains dignity, mending her home with simple means.

11. "摘花不插发，采柏动盈掬。"
    She no longer adorns herself but gathers cypress (a symbol of resilience).

12. "天寒翠袖薄，日暮倚修竹。"
    The final image—her thin sleeves against the cold, leaning on bamboo (a symbol of integrity)—leaves a lasting impression of quiet strength.

Themes and Symbolism

• Resilience in Adversity: The lady endures loss and betrayal with quiet dignity.
• Nature as Contrast: Flowers, ducks, and bamboo highlight human frailty and moral constancy.
• Social Critique: The poem condemns the cruelty of a world that discards the vulnerable.

Cultural Context

Du Fu wrote during the Tang Dynasty’s decline, when rebellion and corruption upended lives. "佳人" reflects Confucian ideals—loyalty, virtue, and endurance—while criticizing societal hypocrisy. The "beautiful lady" represents displaced nobility and the universal suffering of war.

Conclusion

"佳人" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and social commentary. Its portrayal of a woman’s quiet strength resonates across cultures, reminding us of the enduring human spirit. In today’s world, where power and status still dictate worth, Du Fu’s poem remains a timeless meditation on integrity and compassion.