Symbolism and Psychology of Peach Blossom Spring by Tao Chien - Assignment Example

Running Head: PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING Peach Blossom Spring by T’ao Chien: Symbolism and Psychology (Insert (Insert Abstract This report seeks to bring out the symbolic imagery present in T’ao Chien’s ‘Peach Blossom Spring’. It also aims to analyze the psychology of the fisherman, the protagonist of the tale. The story itself is simply told and without any complexities in the narrative, yet imbued with deep metaphorical significance. T’ao Chien or Tao Yuanming lived during the tumultuous period of the ‘Six Dynasties’ and is regarded as one of China’s finest poets. The turmoil of the period reflects in his poetry, but a sense of hope too is present, as best seen in ‘Peach Blossom Spring’. The simplicity of his language and the beauty of his imagery continue to enthrall present-day readers. The Peach Blossom Spring This paper refers to J.R. Hightower’s translation of T’ao Chien’s ‘The Peach Blossom Spring’.1 The narrative begins with a brief explanation of the setting which is the Tai-Yuan period of the Jin dynasty. It is the tale of a fisherman discovering a settlement of emigrants, who in trying to escape from the turmoil during the Qin dynasty had subsequently lost contact with the rest of the kingdom. The fisherman is asked not to speak of their hideout once he returns to the mainland but he does not keep his word. The magistrate of the district ordered some men to locate this hidden place but they lose their way. One gentleman, Liu Ziji began to make preparations to find it on his own, but falls ill and dies before he can commence on his journey. This is the basic plot of the story. It is rendered more intricate due to its use of symbols in the narrative. Translation makes it difficult to analyze in a precise way, the imagery employed by T’ao Chien, but even with this handicap, the beauty of his language and symbolism is not invisible to the reader’s eye. The archetypal trope of discovery by accident is recalled in the very beginning. As in many other folk tales from all over the world, the fisherman stumbles across this concealed utopian land. He is not looking for it. Later in the tale, when people are deployed to locate the same place, even with the fisherman’s directions, they are unable to do so. Interestingly, his is sailing against the current of the river when he makes his discovery. Swimming or rowing upstream has traditionally been a symbol of hard work, resilience and tenacity. Its use here might suggest that only when one is immersed in duty and ‘unmindful’2 of other worldly concerns are they in true communion with nature. It is only in this state of unconscious which implies, perhaps by its lack of ‘conscious’ thought, a certain level of honesty; that a higher power chooses to reveal its secret to a mortal being. Once the same secret is willfully hunted for, it becomes elusive. The same philosophy of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, where a rude shepherd boy with no bookish knowledge of alchemy becomes the chosen one, while the well-educated, expert on alchemy is denied the same knowledge. The peach blossom trees are what grab the fisherman’s attention, as he realizes that no other trees are observable around. Trees in bloom are symbolic of fertility, of the abundance of nature, of the bounty of the earth. In Chinese symbolism, the peach has other connotations:  The peach tree is a tremendous Chinese symbol for longevity as well as other auspicious attributes. Each element of the peach tree has significant meaning. The wood of the tree was said to ward off evil, and ancient warriors would craft weapons from the wood. Taoist magic was made with the petals of the peach blossoms - the effects were known to put men into an intense trance of love. It is said that the Peach plant of immortality located in the Kun Lun Mountains would produce the fruit only once every 3,000 years. When this happened, the Eight Immortals would gather and eat of the magic fruit, assuring their immortality.3 The path to this haven is marked by symbols of abundance and longevity; T’ao Chien seems to suggest that these promises of a fulfilled, contented life are what compel man to seek the deeper meanings of life. The next scene of symbolic importance is the description of the community that the fisherman comes upon. He is led to the place by the help of a beam of light shining through the crevice in a mountain. Hidden lands behind mountains, is another common trope seen in folk tales, most popularly in The Pied Piper of Hamelin, perhaps. The entire scene is one of peace and abundance, in sharp contrast with T’ao Chien’s reality and those of his contemporaries in the uneasy reign of the six dynasties in China. It is evident that this utopian land is only a mental construct of its creator, inspired perhaps by rumors of a real El-Dorado-like hideaway. The mention of specific plants like the bamboo, again bring in with it an array of symbols. The bamboo is another symbol for longevity and resilience while mulberry is symbolic of domestic comforts as well as industry. The community seems to be in complete peace as children and the aged are seen to enjoy themselves, while the adults work. There are dogs barking and cocks crowing, and people are dressed ordinarily. A visionary scene to encourage the Chinese people, or at least to help them see the ills of their current state. Chrysanthemums are usually very common in T’ao Chien’s poetry. They symbolize a comfortable, simple life. They are believed to usher in good luck and are a source of powerful Yang (positive, masculine) energy. Summing up the symbolic value of the text, T’ao Chien seems to first suggest that the true nature of life will only be revealed to those who are not looking for it. Mortals who seek the truth for selfish, exploitative purposes will never be fortunate enough to discover it. The ‘path’ to this revelation also leads to longevity and fullness of being. The perfect state of living is one where domestic bliss is of prime importance, as is industriousness. He urges his fellowmen to show resilience and strength to tide over the ongoing turmoil of the kingdom. It is therefore, not only representative of T’ao Chien’s own vision of a perfect life, but meant to be a harking call for his people to open their eyes and see the truth. The psychology of the fisherman is another interesting aspect of this tale. He is presented to the reader as typical of the hard-working poor: a fisherman trying to earn his daily bread. He also has a keen desire to explore, which leads him to follow the grove of the peach blossoms into the cave of the emigrants. As he is chosen to find this place, one believes him to be a simpleton with good intentions at heart. He is treated well by these people and returns to his land. Here, however, comes the first clue to his deceptive nature. A normally simple villager turns treacherous and breaks his word to the people who were good to him, tempted by what the magistrate would reward him with, possibly. However, this breach of faith proves futile in the end, as no other city dweller is able to find the ‘ford’ ever again. With this decisive moral lesson, the tale ends. The fisherman like many others who have been raised in poverty, does not have strict loyalties. He lives momentarily and does not pledge allegiances to any party. He is not the moralizer, instead a pragmatic man of the world, and inasmuch one can neither admire him nor castigate him for his actions. He is representative of a true archetype, and our censure will not serve to change this fact. T’ao Chien’s deceptively simple tale, thus, has yielded clues to the state of China during his time as well as his personal opinion of it. It is not just a simple fable to be told as a bedtime story, but a poignant recounting of what people had to undergo during the chaotic reign of the six dynasties. References 1. Chien, T’ao. ‘The Peach Blossom Spring’. (J.R. Hightower, Trans.) In John Minford & Joseph S. M. Lau (Eds.), Classical Chinese Literature (Vol. 1). Retrieved April 2, 2009 from: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=GV8BltnoGGMC&pg=PA515&dq=peach+blossom+spring&client=firefox-a 2. Ibid. P. 515 3. Venefica, A. ‘Chinese Symbol for Longevity’. Retrieved April 2, 2009 from: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/chinese-symbol-for-longevity.html Read More