Inklings 2021

Context: This is a poem by the great Tang Dynasty poet, Su Shi. He wrote it during the Mid-Autumn Festival of the year 1076. The Mid- Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that continues to be celebrated around the world. The holiday focuses on the theme of the full moon, as it is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which will always be a full moon. In Chinese culture, the full moon symbolizes reunion and togetherness. On this day in 1076, the poet Su Shi was involved in political disputes, which led to him voluntarily being dispatched away from the royal court. His only request was to be dispatched to somewhere near his brother, who he has not seen for seven years. Unfortunately, he was not, and instead was dispatched to Mi Zhou. During the festival, Su Shi glanced at the moon and was deeply saddened by his loneliness without family or friends. He then wrote the poem, dedicated to his brother. My Analysis: This poem is one the most famous Chinese poems, and for a good reason as well. This poem shows the great attachment from Su Shi to his brother. Through the beautiful imagery of the mythological heaven, his observation of the natural scenery and his drunkenness convey his longing for his brother. Although the tone of the poem at first was one of protest against the world and the moon, the latter half instead shifts the tone to one that is more positive and optimistic and the poem ends with a classical line. Through the poem, the poet conveys hope and profound loving for his brother. The poem symbolizes the wonderful wish and the positive philosophy toward life by the poet and is a beacon of love and longing for Chinese people around the world. FANCY OBJECTS Kerryn Xu 53