Introduction
The history of China is unique as it is characterized by the same unity among the Chinese people just like the one perceived after civilization (Ebrey, 6). So many Chinese philosophers have emerged with new ideas about how the people should live which has maintained a strong culture such that its impacts linger even today.
The Chinese culture was enriched greatly through the classical Chinese language that highly stimulated visual associations. Tao Yuanming and other philosophers moved by powerful emotions used poetry extensively to communicate their ideas. Their ideas ranged from political criticism to peoples way of life, to trade and to the nature.
Apart from expressing his emotions through “The Return: A Rhapsody”, Yuanming attempted to communicate the transformation most of the Chinese were undergoing as a result of civilization, yet there was natural force that pulled them to their culture.
The Return: A Rhapsody
Yuanming is inspired to write the poem after his retirement from the official work. He was among the few Chinese who held an official position during the time of early Chinese civilization. Despite being a government official, he sees no change in his life yet his mind is disturbed by the past memories.
Like many other people, he sees an official job as an opportunity to supply the necessities of life. But, his freedom is not found in the contentment of working in such an environment, with the characteristics of civilization (noisy town). It is found rather in the quietness of the village life, in the serene of nature, where people maintain culture and togetherness.
In the poem Yuanming longs to be out of the civilized world and go back home where his future lies. His wish is to live a life in which there is always an interaction with the nature, where he can experience the fruits of the nature. His worries no longer rest on the work he does in town, but the activities back home. “And I know that I do today is right, but yesterday was wrong” (Minford & Lau, 518).
The Chinese people, used to the traditional ways of life are being frustrated by civilization. It has enslaved their minds as they reflect on their earlier expectations.
Their culture is so much rooted into the nature such that they cannot tolerate the changes. What the new system values like respect for authority, means nothing to these people. Yuanming went to an extent quitting a position rather than showing any respect to authority above (Ebrey, 100). He is always against the system due to its ignorance of the ‘needs of human beings’.
Civilization has not only denied some Chinese their pride of nature, but also the warmth of togetherness in the community. Naturally, Chinese love to live as one community where their families can share roles and ideas (Kuaah-Pearce, 165). Yuanming is overjoyed when he catches the glimpse of his home and the surrounding environment.
He enjoys the honest conversation with the family and the farmers’ talk about farming. It might look as if it is his first time to visit the place, yet it is a home he has lived in before. Small thing like trees, the gate, or the home-made wine overwhelm his feelings. He cannot think of any other benefit of going abroad as the village setting satisfy him completely.
Naturally, Chinese love to have an individual reflection on many things. In the time of Confucius, young Chinese were taught to follow the dictates of their hearts on any pressing issue (Raphals, 185). This is no exception for the Chinese facing the transition to civilization and is indeed one of the obstacles.
The new system could not allow Yuanming to be alone and follow the dictates of his heart though he desired to do it. The only opportunity for that is at home where he can have as much time as his needs require. Nature has a center role in providing the opportunity, “I walk around a lonely pine tree, stroking it” (Minford & Lau, 518).
When civilization makes people aspire for a big future, the Chinese think of life in the world to take a very little time. Their aspiration is to make use that time fully by following the inclination of their hearts. Yuanming thinks of the consequences of civilization as an agitation to gain wealth.
He considers nature to have all the things that can fulfill the necessary desires of life. Excessive thinking harms life, hence it is important to make life simple. Yuanming thinks that a human should be fully contented with life when he interacts with nature during his activities. However, this is contrary to the expectations of civilization in the belief that, tomorrow’s success is determined by what we do today.
Conclusion
The Chinese people are finding it difficult to face the transformation brought about by civilization as Yuanming depicts in the poem. It has fiercely alienated them from their culture, way of life, and nature. There seem to be an opportunity in the civilized world, but the nature of the Chinese people has no room in the dilemma.
Whatever is valued by the emerging system does not align with their cultural values, norms, and beliefs of the people. The natural environment is a major facilitator in their lifestyles, yet civilization tries to pull then far away from it.
Works Cited
Ebrey, Patricia, B. The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. New Zealand, NZ: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Kuaah-Pearce, Khun E. Rebuilding the Ancestral Village: Singaporeans in China. China: Hong Kong University Press, 2011.
Minford, John and Lau Joseph, S. m. Classical Chinese literature: an anthology of translations, Volume 1. Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 2000.
Raphals, Lisa, A. Knowing words: wisdom and cunning in the classical traditions of China and Greece. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1992.