Summary-

     Today in class we discussed the works of two Chinese poets, Tu Fu (or "Du Fu") and Li Po (or "Li Bai"), who both lived and wrote in the T'ang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Unlike Narrative poems, such as the Odyssey and the Inferno, that tell a story, the poems of Tu Fu and Li Po are Lyric, which means they are much shorter and focus on a single moment. Lyric poetry is meant to evoke an emotional response and to teach the reader how to enjoy the little things. 

     While Tu Fu and Li Po were both poets of the same era, their styles are very different because of their life experiences and religious views. Tu Fu's poetry features serious themes of hardship, running away, being a refugee, and politics. His poetry is effected by his belief in Confucianism. Confucianism deals with 3 main relationships between: 1. friends, 2. children and parents, 3. ruler and people. It also teaches etiquette, the establishment of normal behavior and the importance of rituals in daily life.

     Li Po's poetry also teaches about religion and culture but he takes a much more lighthearted approach. Because Li Po was known for his affinity for drinking, he was content lay about and write about nature. Nature played a big part in his poetry because of his belief in Taoism. Taoism is the philosophy that one should not disrupt the harmonious balance of things (seen in the yin-yang symbol) by trying to bend nature to Man's will. In order to be a true Taoist one must accept that there is no supreme being and try to work with nature instead of against it.

Word Count: 276    

Passages-

     When an old Friend of mine, Sun Tsai by name-

     His great goodness reached the tiers of cloud-     

     Welcomed us as night's blackness was falling,

     Hung out lanterns, opened his many gates,

     With warm water had us washed our feet,

     cut paper flags to summon our souls,

     then afterward brought in his wife and children,

     Whose eyes, seeing us, streamed with tears. (Song of P'eng-ya ll. 27-34)

     This passage shows the connection between Tu Fu's writing and Confucian values. Relationships, especially between friends, are very important in the Confucian faith and this importance is stressed in the relationship between Sun Tsai and Tu Fu.  Although Sun Tsai and Tu Fu have not seen each other in a long time, their relationship, along with the relationships between their families is clearly a loving one.  When Sun Tsai's family starts crying at the plight of Tu Fu's family it shows the proper shame that is owed and was missing earlier in the poem. This passage shows that a form of Xenia is practiced in China. 

     A great roof for the poorest gentlemen

          of all this world,

          a place to make them smile,

     A building unshaken by wind or rain,

          as solid as a mountain,

     Oh, when shall I see before my eyes

          a towering roof such as this?

     Then I'd accept the ruin of my own little hut

          and death by freezing. (My Thatched Roof Is Ruined by the Autumn Wind ll. 41-47)

     Although previously in the poem, Tu Fu says he does not think he can pass the night soaking, he goes on to say in this passage that if all of the poor people could live in a shelter he would accept death.  This shows the seriousness in which Tu Fu writes and how relationships between people are extremely important, with the underlying theme being respect.

     When fallen flowers are trampled all under,

          where is it he will roam?

     With a laugh he enters the tavern (Ballad of Youth ll. 5-7)

     This passage by Li Po explains the importance on the Taoism values is his writing. Taoism may be explained by saying you must let nature take its course and go with the flow on things in everyday life. The young man in this poem laughs when the narrator asks where he will roam because in his mind, it does not matter where he will roam next; nature must play its part.

Terms-

     Meritocracy- The Chinese Government: Your status is not based on who you are or where you're from but how well you do your job.

     This ensures that only the best people get ahead.

     Tao- way, path

     Wu Wei- no action, a main theme of Taoism.