It is without saying that Chinese literature is as complex as the country’s evolution. The Classic Poetry, one of the most important recollection of poetry, songs, and ballads, contains the voices of the people from those generations. It is interesting to see how we can find some similarities on core values, specifically how young women used to behave with their pretender. In the poem Zhongzi, Please, we can infer the importance of family moral values as well as perceive the image of how adventurous their youth used to be.
“Zhongzi, please don’t cross my village wall, don’t break the willows planted there. It’s not that I care so much for them, but I dread my father and mother; Zhongzi may be in my thoughts, but what my father and mother said- that too may be held in dread.”(Classic of Poetry, pg 1326-7)
This fragment of the poem illustrates a constrained behavior which would have been the result of a rigid conduct her parents would have imposed on her. Also it is clear that by letting him know her indifference to any material damages of his intrusion act, she steers his attention to what really matters – her parents finding out. It is also implied that she is trying to appease him by reminding him that he is in her thoughts. This poem inspired a sense of mischief, and it revealed that the constant battle between following rules as opposed to disobeying them were a predicament in all societies.
I enjoyed your blog about “Zhongzi, Please”. I also agree with much of what you said, particularly when you had mentioned the importance of family moral values. In the poem, we can see how polite and respectful the main character is to her family and Zhongzi. Caught between the rules of her family, society and her desire to see Zhongzi, we can see this situation happen to someone even today. Romeo and Juliet is a perfect example of literature that presents a similar story. Juliet’s family doesn’t want Romeo to see Juliet. Her family and the society in which she lives don’t except their love. Similar to Zhongzi, Please, it seems as though the family is overprotective of their daughter. Although, I use Romeo and Juliet as a similar example, Zhongzi, Please is a poem that can relate to stories of all cultures.
The woman in the poem is in love, but she is afraid of gossip and not daring to move forward. This is a very real situation, she can choose to only compromise or revolt. It is a dilemma for her. We often face this kind of dilemma. At this point, she can only choose to be or not. It is impossible to make any explanation, it is impossible to make any other choice, in fact, it is very cruel. She has nowhere to escape, no alternative, no way out, or compromise or revolt; or survival, or death. The fact is: she knows the reality against her will, and she is forced to succumb to reality. There is no resistance and opportunity to escape.