Analysis of "怨歌行" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"怨歌行" (Yuàn Gē Xíng), or "Song of Resentment," is a famous yuefu (乐府) poem attributed to Ban Jieyu (班婕妤), a talented poetess and concubine of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). This poem is a poignant expression of sorrow and abandonment, written from the perspective of a discarded fan—a metaphor for a woman whose beauty and favor have faded with time.

The poem is significant in Chinese literature as an early example of gongyuan shi (宫怨诗), or "palace resentment poetry," which laments the loneliness and suffering of imperial concubines. Its delicate imagery and emotional depth have made it a timeless classic.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

新裂齐纨素，
Xīn liè qí wán sù,
Freshly cut Qi silk, pure and white,

皎洁如霜雪。
Jiǎojié rú shuāng xuě.
Gleaming bright as frost and snow.

裁为合欢扇，
Cái wéi héhuān shàn,
Fashioned into a lover’s fan,

团团似明月。
Tuántuán sì míngyuè.
Round and full like the bright moon.

出入君怀袖，
Chūrù jūn huái xiù,
In and out of my lord’s sleeves it goes,

动摇微风发。
Dòngyáo wēi fēng fā.
Waving gently to stir a breeze.

常恐秋节至，
Cháng kǒng qiū jié zhì,
Yet I always fear the autumn’s arrival,

凉飙夺炎热。
Liáng biāo duó yán rè.
When cool winds drive away the heat.

弃捐箧笥中，
Qì juān qiè sì zhōng,
Cast aside into a box,

恩情中道绝。
Ēnqíng zhōng dào jué.
My lord’s favor cut off mid-way.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Freshly cut Qi silk, pure and white"
   The poem opens with an image of pristine silk from Qi (a region famous for fine fabrics), symbolizing the woman’s initial beauty and purity.

2. "Gleaming bright as frost and snow"
   The comparison to frost and snow suggests both elegance and fragility—beautiful but fleeting.

3. "Fashioned into a lover’s fan"
   The fan represents the woman herself, crafted to please her lord. The "lover’s fan" (hehuan shan) hints at intimacy and affection.

4. "Round and full like the bright moon"
   The moon symbolizes perfection and harmony, but also cyclical change—hinting at inevitable decline.

5. "In and out of my lord’s sleeves it goes"
   The fan is cherished and useful in summer, just as the woman is favored when her beauty is fresh.

6. "Waving gently to stir a breeze"
   Her role is to provide comfort and pleasure, but this service is temporary.

7. "Yet I always fear the autumn’s arrival"
   Autumn symbolizes aging and the end of favor—her deepest anxiety.

8. "When cool winds drive away the heat"
   The fan (and the woman) becomes unnecessary as seasons change.

9. "Cast aside into a box"
   A heartbreaking image of abandonment—once treasured, now discarded.

10. "My lord’s favor cut off mid-way"
    The final line underscores the abrupt end of love, a fate shared by many imperial concubines.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Transience of Beauty and Favor
   The fan’s uselessness in autumn mirrors the fleeting nature of youth and imperial favor.

2. Powerlessness and Vulnerability
   The woman, like the fan, has no control over her fate—she is at the mercy of her lord’s whims.

3. Nature as a Metaphor
   Seasonal change represents the inevitability of time and decline.

Cultural Context

During the Han Dynasty, imperial concubines lived in a highly competitive environment where favor was uncertain. Ban Jieyu, once beloved by the emperor, was later abandoned—a fate reflected in this poem.

"怨歌行" exemplifies Confucian ideals of feminine virtue (modesty, loyalty) while subtly critiquing the harsh realities of palace life. The fan metaphor also aligns with Daoist themes of natural cycles and impermanence.

Conclusion

"怨歌行" is a masterpiece of emotional restraint and layered symbolism. Though written over two millennia ago, its themes of love, loss, and the passage of time remain universal. The poem’s quiet sorrow invites reflection on how beauty and affection are often transient—yet its artistry ensures its endurance in Chinese literary tradition.

For modern readers, it serves as a window into the inner lives of women in ancient China, whose voices were often unheard but preserved through poetry.