MEETING THROUGH POETRY: DU FU’S 杜甫 (712–770) “WRITTEN IN ACCORD WITH PREFECT YUAN’S ‘BALLAD OF CHONGLING’”

Abstract

Abstract In 764 Yuan Jie (719–772) composed two poems, “Ballad of Chongling” and “After the Raiders Have Withdrawn: To Clerks and Officials,” which portray his attempts to alleviate the sufferings of the people in his district. They inspired Du Fu (712–770) to respond with his own, “Written in Accord with Prefect Yuan’s ‘Ballad of Chongling.’” Du Fu’s poem is a remarkable work with its deep and detailed appreciation of Yuan Jie’s poetry and person. In addition, the example of Yuan Jie caused Du Fu to reflect on his own actions and career so that “Written in Accord” becomes as much an apology for his life as it is a memorial to Yuan Jie. In his poem Du Fu acknowledges his own failures, but also reviews the nature of poetry and finally affirms his place as a poet. This study closely examines one poet’s response to the work of another with a focus on how Du Fu’s concerns are reflected in the structure of his work, be it the framing device with which Du Fu directly contrasts himself to Yuan Jie or the use of ambiguity which enables Du Fu to convey the complexities of what it means to be a poet.