Collection of Meng Haoran's Poems with Annotations

Author: (Tang) Meng Haoran, annotated by Tong Peiji
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-05-01
Features: This book selects over 50 outstanding ancient Chinese poems and prose (including all the selected texts in the classical literature section of the "College Chinese" self-study examination textbook). It provides detailed and meticulous analysis of the ideological content and expressive techniques of the works. Professor Weng Desen of East China Normal University, with extensive teaching experience, excels in guiding students in examination preparation, offering insightful interpretations. As Professor Xu Zhongyu states in his preface: "The book's strength lies in the author's original insights, unique perspectives, and distinctive approach to analysis."
Meng Haoran (689–740) was a Tang Dynasty poet. Born in Xiangyang, Xiangzhou (now Xiangfan, Hubei), he was known as Meng Shanxiang. In his early life, he primarily stayed at home to care for his parents and study, finding solace in poetry. He once lived in seclusion on Lumen Mountain. At the age of 40, he traveled to the capital, Chang'an, but failed to pass the imperial examination and returned to Xiangyang. During his time in Chang'an, he formed close friendships with Zhang Jiuling and Wang Wei. He was renowned for his poetry. Later, he wandered through Wu and Yue, immersing himself in landscapes to alleviate his frustration with official life. He died of illness after indulging in feasts and eating fresh food.
Most of Meng Haoran's poems are short five-character quatrains, with a relatively narrow range of themes, often focusing on landscapes, rural life, seclusion, and travel. While some of his works express disdain for the world, the majority are more about self-expression. He is often compared to Wang Wei, though his poetry lacks the broad scope of Wang's, it possesses unique artistic mastery. He is considered a pioneer of the Tang Dynasty's pastoral and landscape poetry, following in the footsteps of Tao Yuanming, Xie Lingyun, and Xie Tiao. Meng's poetry is unadorned, simple, and pure, conveying genuine emotions and a strong sense of life. Works like "Autumn Ascent on Mount Wan, Sending Zhang Wu," "Passing an Old Friend's Village," and "Morning Glow" are subtle yet harmonious, with a lingering charm and a clear, expansive mood.
Meng's poetry is characterized by its clarity and tranquility, yet it often carries a sense of grandeur and freedom. For example, the line "The air steams over the dreamlike Zongmeng Marsh, waves shake the Yueyang City walls" from "Gazing at Dongting Lake for Zhang Cheng" demonstrates vigorous and commanding power. However, such poems are rare in Meng's oeuvre. Overall, Meng's poetry lacks depth, often constrained by its brevity. The currently circulated Collected Poems of Meng Haoran includes 263 poems but contains works by others. Both the New and Old Tang Histories contain biographies of him.