RESOURCES FILM REVIEWS n enthusiastic and eru- the arts of poetry and painting dite group of special- The Confucian in China. Wang Wei set the A ists in Chinese litera- precedent of the poet-painter. ture are brought together in this Professors Oxnam and Owen video to discuss the achieve- Tradition discuss Wang’s Buddhist per- ment of Chinese poetry as it ception of the world as an illu- reaches its pinnacle in the works in Literature sion whose presence fades in of Wang Wei (699–761), Li and out like the mountains Bo (701–762), and Du Fu PART THREE showing through the mists and (721–770) in the Tang dynasty clouds. There is an omission (618–907). Dr. Robert Oxnam, Poetry of the Tang and Later Dynasties here; one wonders why copies President Emeritus of the Asia PRODUCED BY of Wang Wei’s own paintings, Society, Dr. Stephen Owen COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY’S PROJECT ON ASIA instead of the work of later IN THE CORE CURRICULUM OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES from Harvard University, and painters, were not used to com- Drs. David D. W. Wang, Mar- DISTRIBUTED BY ANNENBERG/CPB plement the discussion of his sha Wagner, and Paul Rouzer PHONE: 1-800-LEARNER poetry. In fact, the curious from Columbia University pre- 1997, 43 MINUTES viewer with interest in Chinese sent their views in separate painting might long to know interviews which are then the names and dates of the linked together. If limited to the express purpose of achiev- ted in the video, was both a artists whose paintings are these discussions, the video ing social mobility, left much recluse intent on self-cultiva- shown throughout the video, would be informative, but per- to be desired. All of the schol- tion and a participant at the but never identified. haps somewhat dull. There are ars agree that poetry writing imperial court. His poetic com- The fact that the legacy of special features that add spice permeated every facet of the position took the “regulated the poet-painters such as Wang to the video. When poems are educated person’s life. The verse,” four-couplet form, to Wei still lives on is clearly chanted, beginning in Mandarin video stressed that the ability new heights. The video really illustrated by Dr. David Wang, Chinese and then fading into to compose poetry was so shines in its close analysis of who discusses his early experi- English, Chinese paintings fill universal, there was no special the poems. An English transla- ence of mastering both art the screen and serve as back- role for “the poet.” From the tion of the poem is displayed on forms. Wang says: “When you drop. Traditional Chinese music description of the Tang setting, the screen with each couplet compose a poem, you want to also brings the poems to life. students are sure to see how highlighted as its role in the eventually visualize the poem. There are positive and great poetic masterpieces are poem is explained. For exam- When you paint, you paint negative features of the editing not simply the result of individ- ple, in Wang Wei’s poem, in suggestion of some poetic style. It links the discussions of ual genius but emerge out of “Fields and Gardens by the images.” The scene comes to a the various speakers so that particular social and political River Qi” the first couplet sets climax when the camera rests they appear to be responding circumstances. the scene; where, when and in on a lovely landscape scroll to and elaborating upon one The video introduces the what season does the action inscribed with a poem, hanging another’s comments. The cut- three main Chinese religious take place? The parts of speech beside the speaker who mod- ting in the video is often traditions—Confucianism, in lines three and four are paral- estly claims it as his own work. choppy. Sometimes a speaker Buddhism and Daoism—and lel, and the juxtaposition of The video then turns to the is given one short line or phrase shows how their influence the words in the two lines res- next great poet of the Tang, Li and then abruptly cut off. intermingled in the thought of onates in meaning. The final Bo, who would create a unique The social, political and the great poets, each of whom couplet sums up the emotional persona for himself as an philosophical context in the had a special affinity for one of response of the poet. This part eccentric and free character, Tang dynasty which gave the religions. The philosophical of the video would be useful in perhaps in response to being a impetus to the writing of poetry propensities of the poets illus- a comparative literature course “nobody” in the hierarchical is explained in the beginning of trate how religion in China was where the “regulated verse” aristocratic society of his day. the video. In order to pass the not so much belief in a dogma form could be compared to the At court he served as a kind of Civil Service Examination, one as it was a personal preference sonnet or other forms of poetry. jester entertaining everyone had to be proficient in poetry or style. Students will be intrigued with his antics while showing composition. A good portion of Wang Wei, the first of the to learn about the traditional disdain for all social conven- the work, accomplished with three great Tang poets presen- complementary relationship of tions. We are told that “he 69 RESOURCES FILM REVIEWS wrote poems in a Daoist trance “Views in Springtime.” The students when he says they nese intellectual life and poetry as quick as a flash, even in the scholars all seem to agree that were meant to be sung to popu- have remained the same. Chi- presence of the emperor.” One Du Fu is the greatest of the Chi- lar melodies, just like Emily nese writers still use their poet- of Li Bo’s well-known poems, nese poets. He made good use Dickenson’s poems can be ry to speak out on social, polit- “Drinking Alone Under the of ambiguity and creatively sung to “The Yellow Rose of ical and moral issues just as Moon,” is analyzed in depth in altered the parts of speech in Texas.” they did in the Tang and Song the video. Not only did Li Bo the language of his poetry. But An interesting discussion dynasties. break the convention that one it is the complexity and depth of the relationship of poets to Although it has imperfec- should not drink alone, but of his personality that endears their audience brings the video tions, the video offers profound he amusingly created his own him to readers across the ages. to its conclusion. The poets, we insights into some central companions, the moon and Another poetic form, the are told, wrote for appreciative features of Chinese culture. his shadow, to keep himself lyrics to songs, emerges in the kindred spirits across time. The video is packed full of company. Song dynasty (960–1278). They sought not a collective information. Provided that Although the title suggests There were women masters of but rather an individual reader, the students have some back- that the video is about Confu- this form, but their works are and in the same vein, Chinese ground in the three main philo- cianism, the first two poets lost except for the poetry of Li readers also see poets as old sophical traditions and the were influenced more by Bud- Qingzhao (1084–1151) who friends. The engagement of Chinese bureaucratic system, it dhism and Daoism. The title was well known when still in Chinese poetry from the per- will stimulate discussion in fits best with the third poet, Du her teens. In keeping with the spective of both the viewer and high school and undergraduate Fu, who was serious about his purpose in the popular songs the creator is sociable. courses in history, religion, role as statesman and servant to to capture the mood of the The video takes us right philosophy and the arts. n the imperial dynasty. At the moment, the poet in her work, into the present. We are told time of the An Lu Shan Rebel- “Southern Song” describes that traditional forms are still lion, Du Fu fled the capital with how the lotus leaf appliqué on being written, but most con- the emperor and his court. her old autumn dress is flecking temporary poets write in both When he returned, he was off, suggesting the disintegra- the old and in the newer free DEMERIE FAITLER is Assistant Professor of History and Asian captured by the rebels and held tion of the real lotus plants in verse forms in order to link Studies at Furman University. as a prisoner in Chang-an. This the autumn of the year. Dr. themselves with poets in the She is interested in Song dynasty was the setting for one of Owen demystifies the songs wider world. Despite the historiography. his most memorable poems, and makes them accessible to changes, many features of Chi- 70 EDUCATION ABOUT ASIA Volume 4, Number 2 Fall 1999.