Analysis of "金陵酒肆留别" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"金陵酒肆留别" (Jīnlíng Jiǔsì Liúbié, "Parting at a Tavern in Jinling") is a famous farewell poem by Li Bai (李白, 701–762), one of China's greatest poets from the Tang Dynasty. Known as the "Immortal Poet" for his romantic and free-spirited style, Li Bai wrote this piece during his travels, capturing the bittersweet emotions of parting with friends.

The poem is celebrated for its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and lyrical beauty, embodying the Tang Dynasty's golden age of poetry. It reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on friendship, transience, and the joys of shared moments.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

风吹柳花满店香
Fēng chuī liǔhuā mǎn diàn xiāng
The wind scatters willow blossoms, filling the tavern with fragrance.

吴姬压酒劝客尝
Wú jī yā jiǔ quàn kè cháng
The Wu maiden presses wine, urging guests to taste.

金陵子弟来相送
Jīnlíng zǐdì lái xiāng sòng
The young gallants of Jinling come to see me off.

欲行不行各尽觞
Yù xíng bù xíng gè jìn shāng
Those leaving, those staying—all drain their cups.

请君试问东流水
Qǐng jūn shì wèn dōng liú shuǐ
I ask you, sir, to question the eastward-flowing water:

别意与之谁短长
Bié yì yǔ zhī shuí duǎn cháng
Which is longer—our parting sorrow, or its endless flow?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Willow blossoms and tavern fragrance
   The opening line paints a sensory scene: willow blossoms (a traditional symbol of farewell) carried by the wind evoke both beauty and impermanence. The "fragrance" suggests warmth and camaraderie.

2. The Wu maiden pressing wine
   The "Wu maiden" (a server from the Wu region) embodies hospitality. "Pressing wine" refers to fermenting or serving freshly made wine, highlighting the rustic, heartfelt atmosphere.

3. Jinling's young gallants
   Jinling (modern Nanjing) was a cultural hub. The "young gallants" represent vibrant youth and friendship, gathering to bid the poet farewell.

4. Draining cups in unity
   Whether departing or staying, all share in the act of drinking—a metaphor for shared emotions and the inevitability of parting.

5-6. The eastward-flowing river
The poet compares his sorrow to the endless Yangtze River, questioning which is "longer." This hyperbole underscores the depth of his feelings, blending personal emotion with nature's grandeur.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Transience and Farewell
   Willow blossoms and flowing water symbolize life's fleeting moments, a common theme in Tang poetry. The poem balances joy (the feast) with melancholy (parting).

2. Friendship and Community
   The tavern scene reflects Confucian values of camaraderie and ritualistic bonding through shared food and drink.

3. Nature as Emotional Mirror
   Li Bai uses the river to externalize inner sorrow, a hallmark of his romantic style that merges human emotion with the natural world.

Cultural Context

• Tang Dynasty Poetry: This era prized spontaneity and emotional expression. Li Bai's work often celebrated wanderlust and the beauty of the moment.
• Jinling's Significance: As a historic capital, Jinling was a crossroads of culture and commerce, making it a fitting setting for a poem about connection and departure.
• Wine in Chinese Literature: Wine symbolizes both joy and sorrow, serving as a medium for bonding and a conduit for poetic inspiration.

Conclusion

"金陵酒肆留别" is a masterpiece of emotional resonance and lyrical elegance. Li Bai transforms a simple farewell into a universal meditation on friendship, time, and the natural world. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke both the vibrancy of life and the poignancy of goodbye—a message that transcends centuries and cultures.

For modern readers, the poem invites reflection on how we cherish fleeting moments and the bonds that sustain us. Like the eastward-flowing river, its beauty is eternal.