LRJ #5: Tu Fu's Poetry

Sarita Beekie and Ashley Fawkes
Ms. Peifer
10 IB - Hour 5
15 April 2009

LRJ #5: Tu Fu's Poetry

As far as Tu Fu's poems, "Night Thoughts Afloat" and "Jade Flower Palace", there are many similarities and differences concerning the mood, tone, setting, imagery, and concrete details. "Night Thoughts Afloat" takes place by a river in the night, which sets a secluded and tranquil mood. The concrete details describe that Tu Fu is, "retired for ill health" (Cooper 12) and the overall imagery (which is enhanced by the setting) paints a literary portrait of Tu Fu standing in complete solace by a river beneath the quiet, peaceful, night, but despite this serene atmosphere his mind is at unrest, as he wonders about, '[his] standing among the poets" (Cooper 9-10). The imagery and concrete details create a contemplative, and slightly remorseful tone, despite the languid mood of the poem.

Like "Night Thoughts Afloat", "Jade Flower Palace" also has a very contemplative and slightly remorseful tone, as Tu Fu asks himself, "What prince, long ago, built this palace, standing in ruins beside the cliffs?" (Cooper 3-5) which also describes the setting of this poem. Tu Fu goes on to create a wild and vivid imagery of a grand palace, crumbling from the weight of time, as, "There are green ghost fires in the black rooms. The shattered pavements are all washed away. Ten thousand organ pipes whistle and roar. The storm scatters the red autumn leaves. His dancing girls are yellow dust. Their painted cheeks have crumbled away. His gold chariots and courtiers are gone. Only a stone horse is left of his glory" (Cooper 5-16). An example of concrete details includes Tu Fu stating, " 'I sit on the grass and start a poem, but the pathos of it overcomes me' " (Cooper 16-18) which is due to the ominousness of this setting. In fact, the entire mood of this poem is quite ominous, and can be summed up perfectly by the concluding lines, "The future slips imperceptibly away. Who can say what the years will bring?" (Cooper 18-20).