I like how Du Fu was simply referring to a ordinary people around him being Ruan and Zhu. Here we are hundreds and hundreds of years later discussing a playful use of words by the poet. Somewhere in teh aether or heavens or who-knows-where, , Du Fu is no doubt smiling at that.
Du Fu is regarded as a poet of the people, and rightly so, I think. It's not because he had particularly left-wing views or anything. I don't think there's any point where he questions the institutions of aristocracy and military power that defined the Tang state. But he did broaden the circle of concern (for poetry, at least) by writing about ordinary people in a way that others hadn't before. It's very Confucian, in a way.
Interesting post and I am not familiar with that Mengzi idea of extending concern for those nearby to those far off. Something for me to think about as it adds a new layer when reading Du Fu's poetry.
I like how Du Fu was simply referring to a ordinary people around him being Ruan and Zhu. Here we are hundreds and hundreds of years later discussing a playful use of words by the poet. Somewhere in teh aether or heavens or who-knows-where, , Du Fu is no doubt smiling at that.
As is Mr Ruan, whoever he may be!
Du Fu is regarded as a poet of the people, and rightly so, I think. It's not because he had particularly left-wing views or anything. I don't think there's any point where he questions the institutions of aristocracy and military power that defined the Tang state. But he did broaden the circle of concern (for poetry, at least) by writing about ordinary people in a way that others hadn't before. It's very Confucian, in a way.
(Here's a lovely and relevant philosophy post: https://eschwitz.substack.com/p/imagining-yourself-in-anothers-shoes )
Interesting post and I am not familiar with that Mengzi idea of extending concern for those nearby to those far off. Something for me to think about as it adds a new layer when reading Du Fu's poetry.