Analysis of "轻肥" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "轻肥" (Qīng féi) was written by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (白居易, 772–846), a master of realist poetry known for his social commentary. This poem is part of his Xin Yuefu (新乐府) series, which critiques the extravagance and corruption of officials during the Tang Dynasty while common people suffered in poverty. "轻肥" vividly contrasts the luxurious lives of the elite with the struggles of the starving poor, making it a powerful example of Bai Juyi's moral and political concerns.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

轻肥
Qīng féi
Pomp and Pride

意气骄满路
Yìqì jiāo mǎn lù
Arrogance fills the road with pride,

鞍马光照尘
Ān mǎ guāng zhào chén
Their saddles and horses gleam through the dust.

借问何为者
Jièwèn hé wéi zhě
Pray, who are these men?

人称是内臣
Rén chēng shì nèi chén
People say they are palace officials.

朱绂皆大夫
Zhū fú jiē dàifu
Their crimson sashes mark high rank,

紫绶悉将军
Zǐ shòu xī jiāngjūn
Their purple ribbons—generals all.

夸赴军中宴
Kuā fù jūn zhōng yàn
Boasting, they ride to a military feast,

走马去如云
Zǒu mǎ qù rú yún
Their galloping horses surge like clouds.

尊罍溢九酝
Zūn léi yì jiǔ yùn
Goblets overflow with finest wine,

水陆罗八珍
Shuǐ lù luó bā zhēn
Land and sea delicacies crowd the table.

果擘洞庭橘
Guǒ bò dòngtíng jú
They peel oranges from Dongting Lake,

脍切天池鳞
Kuài qiē tiānchí lín
Slice fish from heavenly ponds.

食饱心自若
Shí bǎo xīn zì ruò
Glutted, their hearts are at ease,

酒酣气益振
Jiǔ hān qì yì zhèn
Drunk, their spirits soar higher.

是岁江南旱
Shì suì jiāngnán hàn
That year, drought plagued the south,

衢州人食人
Qúzhōu rén shí rén
In Quzhou, men fed on men.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Arrogance fills the road with pride" – The opening sets a tone of unchecked hubris, with officials parading their status.
2. "Their saddles and horses gleam through the dust" – The polished luxury of their steeds contrasts with the grime of common life.
   3-4. "Pray, who are these men? / People say they are palace officials" – The poet feigns ignorance to emphasize their detachment from ordinary citizens.
   5-6. "Their crimson sashes... purple ribbons" – Crimson and purple were colors reserved for high-ranking officials, symbolizing excess.
   7-8. "Boasting, they ride to a military feast" – The "feast" is likely a wasteful display of power, not a necessity.
   9-12. "Goblets overflow... Slice fish from heavenly ponds" – The lavish spread highlights their gluttony while others starve.
   13-14. "Glutted, their hearts are at ease... spirits soar higher" – Their indifference to suffering is chilling.
   15-16. "That year, drought plagued the south... men fed on men" – The shocking finale exposes the human cost of their extravagance.

Themes and Symbolism

• Social Inequality: The poem’s central theme is the stark divide between the elite and the desperate poor.
• Corruption: The officials’ "pomp and pride" (轻肥) symbolize systemic greed.
• Irony: The feast’s opulence is juxtaposed with cannibalism, a grim critique of negligence.
• Nature Imagery: "Horses surge like clouds" contrasts with the barren drought, underscoring unnatural excess.

Cultural Context

Bai Juyi wrote during the Tang Dynasty’s decline, when court corruption and peasant revolts were rampant. His Xin Yuefu poems, like "轻肥," were meant to provoke reform by exposing injustice. The poem reflects Confucian ideals of moral governance, where rulers should prioritize the people’s welfare. The reference to cannibalism in Quzhou (a real event during a 809 CE famine) grounds the poem in historical tragedy.

Conclusion

"轻肥" remains a timeless indictment of inequality and indifference. Bai Juyi’s stark imagery—luxury versus starvation—forces readers to confront the moral failures of power. In today’s world, where disparity persists, the poem’s message resonates: unchecked privilege leads to societal collapse. Its enduring power lies in its unflinching demand for empathy and justice.