Du Fu Transforms: Tradition and Ethics amid Societal Collapse

Du Fu's reevaluation of tradition has played a pivotal role in the transformation of Chinese poetic understanding over the last millennium, anticipating philosophical transitions and laying the template for a new paradigm of poetry's relationship to ethics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 420 pages
Publication date: 17 December 2021
Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center

Du Fu, widely regarded as China's greatest poet, emerged during the flourishing Tang dynasty, a time characterized by a profound belief in the enduring stability and prosperity of civilization. However, when his society descended into civil war in 755, Du Fu began to challenge prevailing notions about the role of tradition in shaping our understanding of experience and defining human flourishing.

In his groundbreaking work, Lucas Bender explores the profound impact of Du Fu's reevaluation of tradition on the evolution of Chinese poetic understanding throughout the past millennium. By reimagining his relationship with tradition, Du Fu anticipated significant philosophical shifts from the late-medieval to the early-modern era, laying the foundation for a revolutionary paradigm of poetry's relationship to ethics. Moreover, he eagerly anticipated the transformative effects his poetry would have as it reached the pinnacle of the Chinese poetic pantheon.

Du Fu's exploration of tradition was not limited to philosophical considerations. He also delved into the social and political implications of tradition, questioning the ways in which it reinforced hierarchies and perpetuated inequality. Through his poetry, Du Fu sought to challenge these norms and promote a more egalitarian and inclusive vision of society.

One of the key themes in Du Fu's poetry is the concept of "returning to nature." He believed that by reconnecting with the natural world, we could rediscover our true selves and find a sense of harmony and balance. This idea was central to his understanding of human flourishing and was expressed through his vivid descriptions of the natural landscape and his appreciation for the simple pleasures of life.

Du Fu's poetry also explored the complexities of human emotions and relationships, using vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the depth and complexity of human experience. He depicted the joys and sorrows of love, the pain of loss, and the complexities of political power and social hierarchy. Through his poetry, Du Fu sought to inspire empathy and understanding and to promote a sense of community and connection among people.

In conclusion, Du Fu's reevaluation of tradition played a pivotal role in the transformation of Chinese poetic understanding over the last millennium. Through his exploration of the nature and importance of tradition, Du Fu anticipated important philosophical transitions, laid the foundation for a new paradigm of poetry's relationship to ethics, and looked forward to the transformative effects his poetry would have on the Chinese poetic pantheon. His poetry continues to inspire and resonate with readers today, reminding us of the power of tradition to shape our understanding of experience and to promote human flourishing.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 203 x 264 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674260177