Analysis of "叨叨令·自叹" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "叨叨令·自叹" (Dāo Dāo Lìng · Zì Tàn) is a poignant work by the Yuan dynasty poet Qiao Ji (乔吉), who lived during the 14th century. This period marked the decline of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, a time of social upheaval and cultural transformation. Qiao Ji, though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, was a master of the sanqu (散曲) form—a type of lyrical poetry that flourished during the Yuan dynasty.

"叨叨令·自叹" is significant for its raw emotional expression and its reflection of the existential struggles faced by scholars during this turbulent era. The poem captures a deep sense of melancholy and resignation, themes that resonate with the broader human experience.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

叨叨令·自叹
Dāo Dāo Lìng · Zì Tàn
The Nagging Song · A Sigh for Myself

筑墙的曾入高宗梦
Zhù qiáng de céng rù Gāo Zōng mèng
The wall-builder once entered Emperor Gaozong’s dream,

钓鱼的也应飞熊梦
Diào yú de yě yīng fēi xióng mèng
The fisherman too answered to the flying bear’s dream.

受贫的是个凄凉梦
Shòu pín de shì gè qī liáng mèng
But the poor man’s lot is a desolate dream,

做官的是个荣华梦
Zuò guān de shì gè róng huá mèng
The official’s life is a glorious dream.

笑煞人也么哥
Xiào shā rén yě me gē
How laughable it all is, ah!

笑煞人也么哥
Xiào shā rén yě me gē
How laughable it all is, ah!

梦中又说人间梦
Mèng zhōng yòu shuō rén jiān mèng
And in dreams, we speak of life’s fleeting dreams.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The wall-builder once entered Emperor Gaozong’s dream"
   - This alludes to the legend of Fu Yue (傅说), a laborer who was discovered by Emperor Gaozong of Shang in a dream and later became a wise minister. The line suggests that even the lowliest can rise to greatness—but only through extraordinary luck.

2. "The fisherman too answered to the flying bear’s dream"
   - Refers to Jiang Ziya (姜子牙), a sage who was fishing when King Wen of Zhou dreamed of a flying bear (a symbol of a great advisor). Like the first line, this reinforces the idea of destiny favoring a select few.

3. "But the poor man’s lot is a desolate dream"
   - A stark contrast to the first two lines—here, the poet laments the harsh reality of poverty, which offers no miraculous escape.

4. "The official’s life is a glorious dream"
   - Even success is fleeting, as the glory of officialdom is just another illusion.

5. "How laughable it all is, ah!" (repeated)
   - The refrain emphasizes the poet’s bitter irony. Life’s pursuits—whether poverty or power—are ultimately meaningless.

6. "And in dreams, we speak of life’s fleeting dreams"
   - A meta-commentary on existence: even our discussions of life’s illusions are part of the illusion.

Themes and Symbolism

1. The Illusion of Success and Failure
   - The poem critiques the arbitrary nature of fate, where some are lifted from obscurity while others suffer without reprieve.

2. Dreams as a Metaphor for Life
   - Dreams symbolize the transient, deceptive nature of human ambitions. The poet suggests that all worldly pursuits are as fleeting as a dream.

3. Social Inequality
   - The contrast between the wall-builder/fisherman and the poor man highlights the unfairness of societal structures.

Cultural Context

The Yuan dynasty was a time when Confucian scholars, who traditionally held high status, often found themselves marginalized under Mongol rule. Many turned to sanqu poetry to express their disillusionment. Qiao Ji’s work reflects this existential despair, blending Daoist skepticism with a Confucian sense of injustice.

The references to Fu Yue and Jiang Ziya would have been familiar to educated readers, reinforcing the poem’s theme of unattainable ideals. The repeated laughter ("笑煞人") is not joyful but sardonic, a common trope in Yuan poetry to convey helplessness.

Conclusion

"叨叨令·自叹" is a masterful meditation on the futility of human striving. Its power lies in its simplicity—using familiar legends to expose the absurdity of life’s hierarchies. Today, the poem remains relevant as a reminder that success and suffering are often matters of chance, and that wisdom lies in recognizing the illusion.

For modern readers, Qiao Ji’s sigh resonates across centuries: a timeless reflection on the dreams we chase, and the dreams we cannot escape.