Dialogue in the Mountain - Free Essay Sample

Introduction

Li Po is one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty. He was born in about 720 in Szechwan, western China; at this time, social class was highly valued. Li was born in a low-class family; he had to find his own reasonable path. In doing so, he joined Han- Li Academy through a connection he had; during this period, one's success was mainly through connections. Han- Li Academy was a prestigious institution for poets who did not prosper in amusing eccentrics or in a formal way. Due to his success in poetry, many followers, and the influence of alcohol, he defied some of the institution's essential people (Lawall and Mack n.p). He was later expelled due to his behavior. He argued that his expulsion was mere defamation by his competitors, who did not appreciate his talent. To his followers, Li was a hero who made it in life despite his struggles and challenges. He wrote many poems during his time. His work is famous because they were written in a unique way that made them flow unusually. In his poem, Dialogue in the Mountain, we identify how he used rhetorical devices, metaphoric devices, and imagery to pass on his message.

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Rhetorical Device

Li uses the rhetorical device in this poem. The poet wants to allow his readers into his thoughts; he wants them to understand him deeply. It begins in a very innocent question in line 1, “You ask me why I lodge in these Emerald Hills.” This line can be translated in two different ways; as a question asking if the persona is dwelling in the hills or as a consideration, maybe the character wants to live hills. The second line answers to the first line, "I laugh, but I don't answer- my heart is as at peace. The poet wishes to be alone for his heart is at leisure. He does not answer the question. He laughs. The rhetorical device is used widely by the Chinese poets and religious dialogues to reinforce some truth in their works and give insight into his emotions.

The solitude and isolation on the hills is a metaphor. In Li's time, self-isolation was a way of dealing with disappointment, dissatisfaction, and frustration of their daily endeavors; this is the type of life that Li lived. The people would go into service to carry out their duties; whenever the tasks deem impossible, they would abandon their formal lives and travel on the mountains and rivers. This poem is a portrayal of how the people of ancient China tackled frustrations. Li has lodged in the emerald hills. In line two, he just laughs; his heart is at leisure. An illustration that he has finally at peace and comfort, away from his troublesome life.

Imagery

Imagery in this poem gives a vivid and clear image of the springs. In line 3-4, “peach blossoms and flowing waters go off to mysterious dark,” he gives his readers an image nature. The image of man alone in such a serene environment with flowing waters is fulfilling. In Taoism, mountains were a representation of immortality; this was their place for refuge and a source of herbs; clearly, it was a place of life. Peach blossoms are a lovely picture. The poet tells his readers how this is a pleasurable and a new place to be; there is peace in the emerald hills. Line 3 to 5, "flowing water flows to the mysterious dark, and there is another world, not of mortal men." These lines give readers imagination of another world, different from the tedious one, a pleasant world.

Li's freedom to compose his work gives his poem an exceptional flowing quality, different from other works from his time. This poem does not follow the modern Chinese poem structure. He borrowed his artistry from contemporary music (Waley n.p). The lyricism that he uses in this poem is different, giving the poem an exciting and eccentric effect. Dialogue in the mountain has no rhyming pair of lines, and the syllables are not stressed. There are no dramatic effects on the words of this poem. The poem has does not have a pair of successive lines. The lines in the poem are not metrical in length. However, the lines in the whole stanza convey a message. Li's freedom of writing gives this poem a new form of verses and uniqueness and depicts a higher level of creativity. . This particular way is the reason for his success as a poet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Li Po's poems are a masterpiece. He is ranked as one of the famous poets of the time. Even though he was regarded as a failure in his society, to his followers, he was a talented and successful man whose works have lived to be appreciated even today. The primary devices used in this poem are rhetorical, Metaphorical, and imagery. His unique and experienced way of manipulating contemporary music has contributed to this poem’s originality and majestic flow.

Works Cited

Lawall, Sarah N., and Maynard Mack. The Norton anthology of world literature. Vol. 6. New York: Norton, 2002.

Waley, Arthur. The poetry and career of Li Po, 701-762 AD. Vol. 3. G. Allen and Unwin, 1958.