Analysis of "自京赴奉先县咏怀五百字" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "自京赴奉先县咏怀五百字" (Zì Jīng Fù Fèngxiān Xiàn Yǒnghuái Wǔbǎi Zì) was written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (杜甫, 712–770), often regarded as one of China's greatest literary figures. Composed in 755 AD, this long autobiographical poem reflects Du Fu's deep concern for society, his personal struggles, and his moral integrity.

Set against the backdrop of the declining Tang Dynasty, the poem captures the poet's journey from the capital Chang'an (modern Xi'an) to Fengxian County, revealing the stark contrast between the luxury of the imperial court and the suffering of ordinary people. It is considered a masterpiece of social realism in Chinese poetry, blending personal reflection with broader political and humanitarian themes.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Below are key excerpts from the poem with translations:

杜陵有布衣，
Dùlíng yǒu bùyī,
In Duling, there lives a commoner,

老大意转拙。
Lǎodà yì zhuǎn zhuō.
Growing old, my thoughts grow more simple.

许身一何愚，
Xǔ shēn yī hé yú,
How foolish my aspirations,

窃比稷与契。
Qiè bǐ Jì yǔ Xiè.
To compare myself to ancient sages.

穷年忧黎元，
Qióng nián yōu líyuán,
Year after year, I grieve for the people,

叹息肠内热。
Tànxī cháng nèi rè.
Sighing, my heart burns within.

(Note: The full poem is 500 characters long, so only the opening lines are shown here for analysis.)

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "杜陵有布衣" (Dùlíng yǒu bùyī)
   - Du Fu refers to himself as a "commoner" (布衣), though he held minor official positions. This humility underscores his identification with ordinary people.

2. "老大意转拙" (Lǎodà yì zhuǎn zhuō)
   - As he ages, Du Fu admits his ideals seem naive ("simple" or "拙"). This reflects his disillusionment with politics.

3. "许身一何愚" (Xǔ shēn yī hé yú)
   - He criticizes his own ambition ("how foolish"), suggesting his Confucian ideals are impractical in a corrupt era.

4. "窃比稷与契" (Qiè bǐ Jì yǔ Xiè)
   - Jì and Xiè were legendary sage-kings who served the people. Du Fu's comparison reveals his moral aspirations.

5. "穷年忧黎元" (Qióng nián yōu líyuán)
   - "黎元" (the people) is central—his lifelong concern for their suffering defines his poetry.

6. "叹息肠内热" (Tànxī cháng nèi rè)
   - The visceral "burning heart" image conveys his emotional anguish over societal injustice.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Social Responsibility
   Du Fu embodies the Confucian ideal of the scholar-official who cares for the people, even when powerless.

2. Disillusionment
   The poem contrasts his youthful ideals with the harsh reality of famine, corruption, and the looming An Lushan Rebellion.

3. Suffering and Empathy
   Lines like "朱门酒肉臭，路有冻死骨" ("Behind red doors, wine and meat rot; On the road, bones of the frozen dead") use stark imagery to critique inequality.

4. Nature as Witness
   Landscapes in the poem mirror societal decay, a common technique in Du Fu's work.

Cultural Context

• Tang Dynasty Decline: Written just before the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), the poem foreshadows the empire's collapse.
• Confucian Values: Du Fu's guilt over enjoying privilege while others starve reflects the Confucian emphasis on moral duty.
• Legacy: This poem influenced later "poetry of witness" in China, blending personal and historical narratives.

Conclusion

"自京赴奉先县咏怀五百字" is a profound meditation on morality, suffering, and the role of the intellectual in troubled times. Du Fu's unflinching honesty and compassion make his work timeless—a reminder that art can bear witness to both injustice and human resilience. For modern readers, the poem resonates as a call to empathy and social conscience, transcending its 8th-century origins.

"To understand China, read Du Fu; his poetry is the mirror of a civilization." — Nobel laureate Mo Yan