Analysis of "致酒行" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"致酒行" (Zhì Jiǔ Xíng, "A Toast") is a famous poem by the Tang dynasty poet Li He (李贺, 790–816). Known as the "Ghost of Poetry" for his imaginative and often melancholic style, Li He was a prodigy whose works are celebrated for their vivid imagery and emotional depth. This poem reflects his personal struggles—despite his talent, he faced political setbacks and an early death at 26.

"致酒行" is a defiant yet introspective piece, blending themes of resilience, ambition, and the fleeting nature of life. It stands out in Chinese literature for its raw emotion and philosophical undertones.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

零落栖迟一杯酒
Líng luò qī chí yī bēi jiǔ
Wandering aimless, I linger over a cup of wine,

主人奉觞客长寿
Zhǔ rén fèng shāng kè cháng shòu
The host raises his cup, toasts to my long life.

主父西游困不归
Zhǔ fù xī yóu kùn bù guī
Like Master Fu, who wandered west and never returned,

家人折断门前柳
Jiā rén zhé duàn mén qián liǔ
His family broke the willows by the gate [in despair].

吾闻马周昔作新丰客
Wú wén Mǎ Zhōu xī zuò Xīn Fēng kè
I hear Ma Zhou once lingered in Xinfang,

天荒地老无人识
Tiān huāng dì lǎo wú rén shí
Forgotten by the world, his talents unseen.

空将笺上两行书
Kōng jiāng jiān shàng liǎng háng shū
Yet with just a letter of two lines,

直犯龙颜请恩泽
Zhí fàn lóng yán qǐng ēn zé
He boldly won the emperor’s favor.

我有迷魂招不得
Wǒ yǒu mí hún zhāo bù dé
My lost soul cannot be summoned back—

雄鸡一声天下白
Xióng jī yī shēng tiān xià bái
Till the rooster’s cry turns the world to dawn.

少年心事当拏云
Shào nián xīn shì dāng ná yún
A young man’s heart should clutch at clouds,

谁念幽寒坐呜呃
Shuí niàn yōu hán zuò wū è
Who pities one who sits in gloom and sighs?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Wandering and Toasting
   The opening lines depict the poet in desolation ("零落栖迟"), drinking alone. The host’s toast contrasts with Li He’s inner turmoil, hinting at societal expectations versus personal despair.

2. Historical Allusions
   - Master Fu: A Han dynasty figure who died in obscurity, symbolizing wasted potential.
   - Ma Zhou: A Tang scholar who rose from poverty to prominence, representing hope.

3. Lost Soul and Dawn
   The "迷魂" (lost soul) metaphor reflects Li He’s sense of being adrift. The rooster’s cry symbolizes a turning point—hope cutting through darkness.

4. Youth and Ambition
   The final couplet urges resilience ("clutch at clouds") and critiques self-pity, a poignant mix of encouragement and self-reproach.

Themes and Symbolism

• Struggle and Resilience: The poem oscillates between defeat and defiance, mirroring Li He’s life.
• Historical Echoes: Allusions to figures like Ma Zhou underscore the tension between obscurity and recognition.
• Nature as Metaphor: The rooster’s cry and "willows" (symbols of farewell) frame the poem’s emotional arc.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang dynasty’s golden age of poetry, "致酒行" reflects Confucian ideals of perseverance and the scholar’s quest for recognition. Li He’s work diverged from classical elegance, embracing raw emotion—a precursor to later lyrical styles. The poem’s tension between despair and ambition resonates with universal human struggles.

Conclusion

"致酒行" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and cultural resonance. Li He’s vivid imagery and historical nods create a timeless meditation on ambition and adversity. For modern readers, it’s a reminder that even in darkness, the "rooster’s cry" of hope persists—a message as relevant today as in Tang China.

"A young man’s heart should clutch at clouds"—may we all dare to reach, even when the world seems indifferent.