Analysis of "茅屋为秋风所破歌" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"茅屋为秋风所破歌" (Máo Wū Wéi Qiū Fēng Suǒ Pò Gē), translated as "My Cottage Unroofed by Autumn Gales," is one of the most famous poems by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (712–770). Known as the "Sage of Poetry" in Chinese literature, Du Fu lived during a turbulent period marked by the An Lushan Rebellion, which deeply influenced his works. This poem reflects his personal hardships and his compassionate concern for the suffering of common people. It is celebrated for its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and social commentary, making it a cornerstone of classical Chinese poetry.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

八月秋高风怒号
Bā yuè qiū gāo fēng nù háo
The autumn skies are high, the winds howl in August,

卷我屋上三重茅
Juǎn wǒ wū shàng sān chóng máo
Rolling up the three layers of thatch from my roof.

茅飞渡江洒江郊
Máo fēi dù jiāng sǎ jiāng jiāo
The thatch flies across the river, scattered in the open fields,

高者挂罥长林梢
Gāo zhě guà juàn cháng lín shāo
Some caught high on treetops,

下者飘转沉塘坳
Xià zhě piāo zhuǎn chén táng ào
Others swirling and sinking into the pond's depths.

南村群童欺我老无力
Nán cūn qún tóng qī wǒ lǎo wú lì
The village children bully me in my old age and weakness,

忍能对面为盗贼
Rěn néng duì miàn wéi dào zéi
Brazenly stealing before my very eyes.

公然抱茅入竹去
Gōng rán bào máo rù zhú qù
Openly they carry off the thatch into the bamboo grove,

唇焦口燥呼不得
Chún jiāo kǒu zào hū bù dé
My lips parched, my throat too hoarse to shout.

归来倚杖自叹息
Guī lái yǐ zhàng zì tàn xī
I return, leaning on my cane, sighing to myself.

俄顷风定云墨色
É qǐng fēng dìng yún mò sè
Soon the wind calms, the clouds turn ink-black,

秋天漠漠向昏黑
Qiū tiān mò mò xiàng hūn hēi
The autumn sky stretches vast and darkens toward dusk.

布衾多年冷似铁
Bù qīn duō nián lěng sì tiě
My cotton quilt, worn for years, is cold as iron,

娇儿恶卧踏里裂
Jiāo ér è wò tà lǐ liè
My restless child kicks and tears the lining.

床头屋漏无干处
Chuáng tóu wū lòu wú gān chù
The roof leaks above my bed—no spot stays dry,

雨脚如麻未断绝
Yǔ jiǎo rú má wèi duàn jué
Raindrops fall like hemp strands, unending.

自经丧乱少睡眠
Zì jīng sāng luàn shǎo shuì mián
Since the chaos of rebellion, sleep has been scarce,

长夜沾湿何由彻
Cháng yè zhān shī hé yóu chè
How can I endure this long, drenched night?

安得广厦千万间
Ān dé guǎng shà qiān wàn jiān
Oh, to have a great mansion with thousands of rooms,

大庇天下寒士俱欢颜
Dà bì tiān xià hán shì jù huān yán
Sheltering all the poor scholars of the world, their faces bright with joy!

风雨不动安如山
Fēng yǔ bù dòng ān rú shān
Unshaken by wind or rain, solid as a mountain—

呜呼！何时眼前突兀见此屋
Wū hū! Hé shí yǎn qián tū wù jiàn cǐ wū
Alas! When will such a house rise before my eyes?

吾庐独破受冻死亦足
Wú lú dú pò shòu dòng sǐ yì zú
Then, even if my hut alone were ruined and I froze to death, I'd be content!

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. The Autumn Storm (Lines 1–5)
   The poem opens with a dramatic depiction of an autumn gale tearing the thatch from Du Fu's roof. The imagery is visceral—wind "howls," thatch "flies," and some is lost forever in the pond. Nature is fierce and indifferent, mirroring the instability of Du Fu's life during wartime.

2. Theft by Village Children (Lines 6–9)
   Du Fu, now old and frail, is powerless as children steal the scattered thatch. His inability to stop them reflects his vulnerability and the breakdown of social order during the rebellion. The detail of his "parched lips" underscores his exhaustion.

3. The Leaking Hut (Lines 10–16)
   The storm outside mirrors the misery inside: his quilt is "cold as iron," his child tears it further, and rain pours relentlessly. The "hemp strands" of rain symbolize unending suffering, while his sleeplessness alludes to the trauma of war.

4. The Vision of Compassion (Lines 17–22)
   In a sudden shift, Du Fu dreams of a "great mansion" sheltering all impoverished scholars. His personal suffering expands into a universal wish for collective comfort. The final lines are heartbreaking—he would accept his own death if others could be safe.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Suffering and Resilience
   The poem contrasts Du Fu's personal hardship with his unwavering empathy. His leaking hut symbolizes the fragility of life, while his vision of a sturdy mansion represents hope and solidarity.

2. Social Critique
   Du Fu subtly criticizes the societal neglect of scholars and the poor. The children stealing thatch may symbolize the chaos of war, where survival overrides morality.

3. Nature as a Force
   The autumn storm is both literal and metaphorical, reflecting the upheaval of the Tang Dynasty. Yet, Du Fu's idealism ("great mansion") suggests humanity can transcend natural and political disasters.

Cultural Context

Du Fu wrote this poem in 760 CE, during his exile in Chengdu after the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763). The rebellion devastated China, displacing millions and eroding trust in governance. Du Fu, himself a displaced scholar-official, became a voice for the oppressed.

This poem exemplifies Confucian ideals: even in poverty, Du Fu prioritizes the welfare of others. His famous wish for a "great mansion" aligns with the Confucian emphasis on collective well-being over individual gain.

Conclusion

"My Cottage Unroofed by Autumn Gales" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and social consciousness. Du Fu transforms his personal misery into a timeless plea for compassion. Today, his message resonates universally—true contentment lies not in personal comfort, but in the alleviation of others' suffering. The poem endures as a testament to the power of poetry to bridge individual and collective struggles.

Final Thought: In an age of displacement and inequality, Du Fu's vision of shelter for all remains achingly relevant. His leaky hut is a metaphor for our fractured world, but his dream of solidarity lights a path forward.