Analysis of "送张四" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"送张四" (Sòng Zhāng Sì, "Seeing Off Zhang the Fourth") is a famous farewell poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei (王维, 699–759 CE). Wang Wei was a master of landscape poetry and Buddhist-inspired verse, known for his serene and meditative style. This poem, written for a departing friend, exemplifies the Tang Dynasty's refined aesthetics and the deep emotional restraint characteristic of classical Chinese poetry.

Farewell poems (送别诗, sòngbié shī) were a common genre in ancient China, often expressing sorrow at parting while also offering comfort and hope. Wang Wei's "送张四" stands out for its simplicity, elegance, and profound emotional depth.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

送张四
Sòng Zhāng Sì
Seeing Off Zhang the Fourth

山中相送罢
Shān zhōng xiāng sòng bà
In the mountains, after seeing you off,

日暮掩柴扉
Rì mù yǎn chái fēi
At dusk, I close my wooden gate.

春草明年绿
Chūn cǎo míng nián lǜ
The spring grass will green again next year,

王孙归不归
Wáng sūn guī bù guī
But will you, my noble friend, return?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. 山中相送罢 (Shān zhōng xiāng sòng bà)
   - The poem begins with a quiet moment after parting. The setting—the mountains—suggests solitude and a connection to nature, a recurring theme in Wang Wei’s work. The word 罢 (bà, "after") implies the lingering emotions left behind.

2. 日暮掩柴扉 (Rì mù yǎn chái fēi)
   - Dusk symbolizes transition and melancholy. The act of closing the wooden gate (柴扉, chái fēi) is a simple, domestic gesture, yet it carries deep emotional weight—sealing the moment of farewell.

3. 春草明年绿 (Chūn cǎo míng nián lǜ)
   - Nature’s cyclical renewal is evoked here. The spring grass will regrow, suggesting the passage of time and the inevitability of change. This line subtly contrasts human impermanence with nature’s constancy.

4. 王孙归不归 (Wáng sūn guī bù guī)
   - 王孙 (wáng sūn, "noble friend") is a classical term of respect. The rhetorical question—will you return?—reveals the poet’s longing and uncertainty. The line echoes earlier farewell poems, such as those in the Chu Ci tradition.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Transience and Longing
   - The poem captures the bittersweet nature of farewells—how moments of parting linger in memory. The spring grass symbolizes renewal, but the question of return underscores human impermanence.

2. Nature as a Mirror of Emotion
   - Wang Wei often used nature to reflect inner states. Here, the mountains, dusk, and grass create a meditative atmosphere, amplifying the quiet sorrow of separation.

3. Buddhist Influence
   - Wang Wei’s Buddhist beliefs are subtly present. The poem’s restraint and focus on impermanence (无常, wúcháng) align with Buddhist teachings on detachment.

Cultural Context

• Tang Dynasty Poetry: The Tang era (618–907 CE) was the golden age of Chinese poetry, with regulated verse (律诗, lǜshī) emphasizing balance and conciseness. Wang Wei’s work epitomizes this refinement.
• Farewell Poems in China: Parting was a major poetic theme due to the hardships of travel and the Confucian value of friendship. Poems like this were often exchanged as keepsakes.
• Wang Wei’s Legacy: Known as the "Poet Buddha" for his serene style, Wang Wei blended Daoist tranquility with Buddhist introspection, influencing later poets and painters.

Conclusion

"送张四" is a masterpiece of understated emotion, where every word carries weight. Its quiet beauty lies in the interplay of nature and human feeling, a hallmark of Wang Wei’s genius. Today, the poem remains poignant—reminding us of the universal experience of parting and the hope for reunion.

In an age of constant movement, Wang Wei’s question—will you return?—resonates across centuries, a timeless whisper of connection and longing.

Would you like a deeper dive into any aspect of the poem or its cultural background?