Year 8 Cambridge English Learner’s Book

1.4 The poetry of Tu Fu

Pages 22-27

By Mr Abdul Wahhab Jamal Al Aany

Learning objectives:

• identify the main and subsidiary points in an audioscript

• explore the structural features of poetry
• consider how a theme is presented in a range of poems
• analyse how a poet uses language techniques to present
theme.
In school, students studied various types of poems, and
among the most famous ones were:
• Sonnets
• Haikus
• Epics
• Ballads

Each had its own unique characteristics and captured

different emotions and themes.
Main points about Tu Fu:

• Tu Fu was a Chinese poet who lived more than 2500 years ago.
• He was born in 712 AD during the Tang Dynasty.
• Tu Fu came from a noble family and received a classical
education.
• He started his civil service career and held various government
positions.
• Tu Fu got married and had several children.
• He witnessed the An Lushan Rebellion in 755, which led to chaos
and suffering in the country.
• Tu Fu's family was separated during the rebellion, and he
struggled to find them.
Main points about Tu Fu:

• He wrote many poems during this time, expressing his grief and
despair.
• Tu Fu lost his government position due to political turmoil in 757.
• He traveled to various regions of China, seeking employment and
stability.
• Despite his talent, Tu Fu often faced hardships and poverty.
• He continued to write poetry, focusing on social issues and
criticism of the government.
• Tu Fu passed away in 770, leaving behind a significant body of
work.
Subsidiary points about Tu Fu:

• Tu Fu's given name was Shih-Ho, and his courtesy name was
Gong-ting.
• He studied various subjects, including Confucian classics and
literature.
• In his younger years, Tu Fu wrote more romantic and nature-
inspired poetry.
• The An Lushan Rebellion lasted for eight years and resulted in
widespread devastation.
• Tu Fu's wife and children were evacuated to the south, while he
searched for them in the north.
Subsidiary points about Tu Fu:

• His poems during this period captured the chaos, famine, and
suffering of the rebellion.
• Tu Fu's advocacy for social reforms and criticisms often led to
his exile from government positions.
• He was known for his use of vivid imagery and emotional
expression in his poetry.
• Tu Fu's reputation as one of China's greatest poets emerged
after his death.
 Key words
symbol: a literal object that stands for or represents something else

end-stopped: where a line of poetry has a full stop at the end

enjambment: where one line of poetry continues on to the line below

caesura: a break within a line of poetry where either punctuation or the rhythm of the poem indicates a
pause

voice: the way a particular character or narrator speaks or thinks in fiction, or the writer’s tone and point
of view in non-fiction

aural image: an image that appeals to the sense of hearing tactile

image: an image that appeals to the sense of touch

visual image: an image that appeals to the sense of sight

standard English: the most widely accepted form of English that is not specific to a particular region
Notes on the poem ‘Loneliness’:

a- When the poet writes that the birds foolishly drift with
the current, he means that they are unaware of the
dangers around them and are easily caught by the hawk.
They are not making wise choices or taking precautions to
protect themselves.
Notes on the poem ‘Loneliness’:

b- The spider's web is like the business of men in the

sense that it represents a trap or a mechanism to catch
prey. Just as the spider patiently waits for its prey to be
caught in its web, men in business often set traps or
schemes to gain advantage over others.
Notes on the poem ‘Loneliness’:

c- The final line, "I stand alone with ten thousand

sorrows," suggests that the narrator is feeling immense
loneliness and sadness. The use of the number ten
thousand is metaphorical, indicating a multitude of
sorrows. The narrator feels isolated and burdened by their
sorrows, which implies a sense of despair or melancholy.
‘In ‘Loneliness’ poem, nature acts as a symbol for human
behaviour’.

This statement means that the actions and activities

observed in nature in the poem symbolize or reflect the
behaviours and experiences of human beings. The hawk,
gulls, and spider's web are used to represent human
behaviour and the struggles people face. The hawk
hovering in the air and seizing the birds who drift with the
current symbolizes the opportunistic nature of humans
who take advantage of those who are weak or naive.
‘In ‘Loneliness’ poem, nature acts as a symbol for human
behaviour’.

The spider's web waiting for its prey symbolizes the traps
and challenges that humans face in their own lives. The
poem suggests that just as nature is filled with danger and
struggles, so too is the human world. The speaker's
feeling of loneliness and sorrow further emphasizes the
link between nature and human emotions. Ultimately, the
poem portrays nature as a metaphor for the complexities
and hardships of human behaviour and experiences.
In "Visitors" by Tu Fu, the punctuation and line breaks
play a crucial role in conveying the tone and personality of
the narrator.

The poem starts with an end-stopped line - "I have had

asthma for a" - which emphasizes the narrator's health
condition and sets a slow, measured tone.

This punctuation choice also creates a pause for the

reader to reflect on the narrator's struggle with asthma.
The following line, "Long time," uses enjambment, allowing the
phrase to flow smoothly into the next line. This creates a sense
of continuity and suggests the long duration of the narrator's
illness.

In the next few lines, the poem continues with short, end-
stopped statements - "It seems to improve," "Here in this house
by the river" - which convey a sense of relief and contentment.
The punctuation marks at the end of these lines create pauses
and allow the reader to absorb the peaceful and calming
atmosphere of the river house.
The line "It is quiet too" uses a caesura with a comma, indicating a
deliberate pause and providing emphasis on the quietness that the
narrator appreciates.

The final lines of the poem, "But it is given in friendship," also utilize
enjambment, leading the reader smoothly from one line to the next.
This choice of punctuation and line breaks conveys the narrator's
humility and gratitude, as well as the simplicity of the gift being offered.

Overall, the punctuation and line breaks in "Visitors" by Tu Fu help

create a sense of serenity, gratitude and contemplation in the narrator's
voice, reflecting their personality and feelings.
In the poem "Visitors", the relationship between nature and
humans is presented as beneficial and restorative.

The narrator's asthma improves in the house by the river, where

it is quiet and free from crowds.

The peaceful surroundings have a positive impact on the

narrator's well-being, making them feel brighter, more rested
and happy.

Nature provides a refuge for the narrator, allowing them to

escape from the difficulties of their condition.
On the other hand, in the poem "Loneliness", the relationship
between nature and humans is presented as isolating and
melancholic.

The narrator feels lonely and disconnected from others, which is

emphasized by the mention of abandoned houses and silent
roads.

The nature described in the poem, such as the bare trees and
darkening woods, mirrors the narrator's lonely state of mind.
Nature amplifies their feelings of loneliness, reinforcing their
sense of being alone in the world.
The viewpoints of the narrators in both poems differ. In
"Visitors", the narrator is content and grateful for the
solace that nature provides.

They appreciate the quiet and lack of crowds, which

allows them to feel at peace.

In contrast, the narrator in "Loneliness" feels trapped and

overwhelmed by their loneliness. Nature seems to reflect
their negative emotions, intensifying their solitude.
The purpose of each poem also differs. In "Visitors", the poet is
trying to convey the healing power of nature and how it can
improve the well-being of individuals, even those suffering from
ailments like asthma. The poem celebrates the harmony
between humans and nature, showcasing the positive influence
it can have on our lives.

On the other hand, in "Loneliness", the poet explores the

emotions and struggles associated with feeling isolated. The
poem highlights the disconnection between humans and nature,
emphasizing the negative impact it can have on our mental
state.
The theme of loneliness is evident in both poems

Examples from the poems:

In the poem "Loneliness," the speaker describes standing

alone with ten thousand sorrows, implying a sense of
isolation and loneliness.

In the poem "Visitors," the speaker mentions being

bothered by crowds, suggesting a desire for solitude and
escape from the loneliness caused by social interactions.
View: The theme of nature is present in both poems

Examples from the poems:

In the poem "Loneliness," the speaker observes the processes of

nature, such as a hawk hovering and birds drifting with the current.
This comparison between nature and the business of men highlights
the theme of nature.

In the poem "Visitors," the speaker mentions the house by the river
and describes gathering fresh vegetables, indicating a connection to
the natural world and emphasizing the theme of nature.
View: The voice in the two poems is introspective and reflective

Examples from the poems:

In the poem "Loneliness," the speaker uses first-person point of

view and reflects on their state of loneliness and sorrow.

In the poem "Visitors," the speaker shares their personal

experience of having asthma and finding solace in the quietness
of the house by the river. This introspective voice enhances the
reflective nature of the poem.)
 Examples to support or challenge each view
about voice and theme in the two poems:

Tu Fu’s poems present nature as aggressive:

"A hawk hovers in air."
"Soaring with the wind, it is easy to drop and seize birds who foolishly drift
with the current."

Tu Fu’s poems show that nature is beautiful:

"Two white gulls float on the stream."
"Where the dew sparkles in the grass, The spider’s web waits for its prey."

Tu Fu’s poems show that nature can have a positive effect on humans:
"It seems to improve here in this house by the river."
"I am brighter and more rested. I am happy here."
 Examples to support or challenge each view
about voice and theme in the two poems:

The voice of each poem sounds thankful:

"I am happy here."
"It isn't much to offer. But it is given in friendship."

The voice of each poem is sad:

"I stand alone with ten thousand sorrows."
"No crowds bother me.“
Advice for someone about to attempt this activity:

• Read and comprehend the poems carefully.

• Take note of specific examples and lines that are relevant to the views.

• Analyse the language, tone, and imagery in each poem to support or

challenge the views.

• Have a clear understanding of the themes and messages conveyed in the

poems.

• Be prepared to discuss and compare the two poems with a partner,

providing evidence to support your points.
Notes on how nature is presented in the poem ‘Written on the Wall at Chang’s Hermitage’:

a- Nature is presented in the poem as a powerful and tranquil force.

The voice of the poem is a solitary one, seeking the presence of another in the midst of
the natural surroundings.

The choice of end-stopping and enjambment adds to the sense of the speaker's journey
through the mountains.

The end-stopping creates pauses and moments of reflection, while the enjambment
carries the reader smoothly from one line to the next, mirroring the flowing streams and
trails mentioned in the poem.
Notes on how nature is presented in the poem ‘Written on the Wall at Chang’s Hermitage’:

b- The use of language in the poem creates a vivid sensory experience for the reader.

The sound of chopping wood echoes through the silent peaks, emphasizing the solitude and
isolation of the speaker.

The feeling of icy streams and snowy trails adds a tactile element to the description, evoking a
sense of coldness and harshness.

The visual image of a grove in a stony mountain pass at sunset conjures a serene and peaceful
setting.

The mention of the aura of gold and silver ore around the speaker highlights the beauty and
richness of the natural surroundings.
Notes on how nature is presented in the poem ‘Written on the Wall at Chang’s Hermitage’:

c- In "Written on the Wall at Chang's Hermitage," Tu Fu presents nature as both awe-inspiring

and contemplative.

The poem captures the raw beauty and tranquility of the mountains and streams, portraying
nature as a place of refuge and reflection.

Through the use of aural, tactile, and visual imagery, Tu Fu creates a sensory experience that
immerses the reader in the natural world.

The feeling of isolation and solitude is emphasized through the sound of chopping wood in the
silence of the mountains.

Overall, Tu Fu embraces and celebrates the power and serenity of nature in this poem.
Homework:

Year 8 Cambridge English Workbook activities

1.4 The poetry of Tu Fu

Pages 11-14
Learning outcomes:

• I can make clear notes identifying a range of points from

an audioscript.
• I understand some key structural features of poetry an
can comment on their effect.
• I can explain how a poet presents a particular theme in a
range of poems.
• I can analyse how a poet uses language techniques to
present theme.