Analysis of "十一月四日风雨大作" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem 《十一月四日风雨大作》 ("November 4th, Great Wind and Rain") was written by Lu You (陆游, 1125–1210), a prominent poet of the Southern Song Dynasty. Known for his patriotic fervor and melancholic reflections on China’s struggles against northern invaders, Lu You composed this work in his old age, expressing his undiminished passion to serve his country despite physical frailty. The poem is celebrated for its vivid imagery and emotional depth, embodying the Confucian ideal of loyalty and resilience.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Original Text, Pinyin, and Translation

僵卧孤村不自哀
Jiāng wò gū cūn bù zì āi
Stiffly lying in a lonely village, I do not grieve for myself,

尚思为国戍轮台
Shàng sī wèi guó shù lúntái
Still dreaming of guarding the frontier for my country.

夜阑卧听风吹雨
Yèlán wò tīng fēng chuī yǔ
Late at night, lying still, I hear wind and rain,

铁马冰河入梦来
Tiěmǎ bīnghé rù mèng lái
Iron-clad horses, frozen rivers—they storm into my dreams.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Stiffly lying in a lonely village, I do not grieve for myself"
   - The poet, old and isolated, dismisses self-pity. "Stiffly lying" suggests physical decline, yet his spirit remains unbroken.
   - Cultural note: Chinese literati often linked personal hardship to broader national struggles.

2. "Still dreaming of guarding the frontier for my country"
   - Lúntái (轮台) was a remote garrison in Central Asia, symbolizing China’s defensive battles.
   - Despite age, Lu You clings to his duty—a hallmark of Confucian loyalty (忠, zhōng).

3. "Late at night, lying still, I hear wind and rain"
   - The storm mirrors inner turmoil. Wind and rain (风雨, fēngyǔ) often represent chaos in classical poetry.

4. "Iron-clad horses, frozen rivers—they storm into my dreams"
   - The dream transforms the storm into a battlefield. Iron horses (铁马) evoke war; frozen rivers (冰河) symbolize harsh frontiers.
   - Metaphor: The natural storm becomes a psychological one—his unfulfilled ambition to fight.

Themes and Symbolism

Patriotism and Sacrifice

Lu You’s obsession with defending China (为国, wèi guó) reflects the Confucian ideal of putting the state before oneself. His dreams defy reality, showing undying devotion.

Nature as Emotion

The wind and rain are both literal and symbolic—external weather and internal strife. The iron horses blur dream/reality, emphasizing his restless spirit.

Aging and Unfulfilled Desires

Physical "stiffness" contrasts with mental vigor. The poem resonates with anyone who has faced limitations while clinging to passion.

Cultural Context

Historical Background

Written in 1192, the Southern Song Dynasty was weakened by Jurchen invasions. Lu You, a frustrated military strategist, channeled his grief into poetry.

Philosophical Influence

The poem embodies 儒家 (Rújiā, Confucian) values—duty, perseverance, and the scholar’s role in governance. Dreams (梦, mèng) in Chinese literature often reveal suppressed yearnings.

Conclusion

《十一月四日风雨大作》 is a masterpiece of emotional intensity and symbolic richness. Lu You’s stormy night becomes a universal metaphor for resilience—how the human spirit fights even when the body cannot. For modern readers, the poem transcends time, asking: What dreams refuse to leave us, no matter the odds?

Further Reading: Explore Lu You’s 《示儿》 ("To My Son"), another poignant work on patriotism and legacy.

Note: All Chinese terms are followed by Pinyin and translations to aid understanding.