Xu Zhimo - Love Notes to Mei

Author: Xu Zhimo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: In Notes, the language is exquisite, and the emotions are rich and vibrant. The selfish and narrow world he inhabited surprisingly achieved an extraordinary purity. Compared to other literati of the same era, such as Sun Dali, Hu Shi, and Yu Dafu, Xu Zhimo's personal world was narrow and naive, which also made him a hardworking individual. In Notes, it is not only an expression of love—what we, as young people, see—but also an affirmation of perseverance in love, a testament to confidence, a disregard for discipline, a resistance to despair, and an unwavering refusal to give up, which we young people often overlook. While the poet convinces his beloved, he is also convincing himself and the world: "From this day forward, we are obligated to strive for a tenfold perfection in the life of love. We must make an effort. Our love is not shallow. Even if there are moral gaps, it remains pure and perfect." If Notes to Mei records an unsoiled, idealized love, then here it is a realistic and steadfast worldly love. The former reflects animalistic passion, while the latter argues for philosophical tolerance. Understanding the transformation between these two terms is the key to truly comprehending Notes.