Lazy Man's Song by Po Chu-I
By Anna Meyer
Link to the poem: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lazy-man-s-song/
Link to image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_w-0TdTLiDdgY-bZssmMgf7VxC3DTf7blfUNbOt_DjuFpq8WfMgvnp6qvLkiktzvHask5lTX1MyqTxk6797d4Azgdyu6tZWvlz72MDaeIXZynHZ9xKO4qExCP-E9aCL1nitDRbd6pVah/s1600/po+chu-i.jpg
A Short Biography of Po Chu-I:
On February 28th, 777, Po Chu-I was born in Hsin-Cheng, Honan. He worked as the tax collector and adviser to the emperor, which helped him witness the struggle of the people in Metropolitan area. He lost his father at a young age, his mother in his early adult life, and his infant daughter. Due to his grieving, his health became worse. In 1814, his health became better and he went back to the capital where he became a junior counselor to the prince. However, the politics had changed in the capital and Po Chu-I was banished. He then went to Chiang-Chou and wrote his first collection of 800 poems.
In 818 he was made the governor of Chung-Chou, and eventually returned to the capital. He then became governor Hangchow, where he was able to find joy. In September 846 he died at age 74.
Summary:
The speaker is a man who has countless struggles that he could fix, but he’s too lazy to try and fix them. The speaker is speaking to someone inquiring about who he is. He describes himself as being lazy. He's even lazier than Hsi Shu-yeh, who was known for his laziness. He is too lazy to work, play the lute, farm, eat, drink, dress, or keep in contact with his family.
Imagery and Figurative Language:
Lazy Man's Song appeals to the senses of taste, hearing, touch, and sight. The mentioning of drinking wine appeals to the sense of taste. The mentioning of the playing of the lute appeals to the sense of hearing. The idea of writing and reading long letters appeals to the senses of touch and sight.
Upon first glance, Lazy Man's Song appears to not have any figurative language. But looking deeper into the poem, the torn clothes symbolize the speaker’s torn life. Likewise, the letters from his family that he refuses to open symbolize the future he could have if he gave life his all.
Impact and Analysis of Quotes:
The quote, “I should like to read them, but they’re such a bother to open,” shows that the speaker wants to do something, but he cannot find the strength and will to do it.
The quote, “I have got wine, but I am too lazy to drink; so it’s just the same as if my cup were empty,” shows that the speaker has resources, but he is too lazy to use them, so he goes without them.
The quote, “I could have a job, but am too lazy to chose it,” shows that the speaker has talents, but he is too lazy to put them to use.
Theme and Tone:
The theme of Lazy Man’s Song is, no matter how much you have and how many talents you have, they’re worth nothing if you don’t give them your all. The speaker has the resources to be well fed and employed, however, he is too lazy to get a job or make his food. This poem is suggesting that hard work and effort is what makes you prosperous. You may be born into a nice situation, but you have to make use of your God-given gifts and abilities to make the most out of your life. The world is not going to provide to you, you have to work for yourself.
The tone of Lazy Man’s Song is regretful. The speaker is reflecting on what he could have if he put effort into his life. He regrets that even the most idle man, Hsi Shu-yeh, is more motivated than he.
Looking Outside SIFT:
The formating choice that stands out the most in Lazy Man’s Song is the separation of ideas. Instead of linking all the things the speaker is too lazy to do, Po Chu-I puts them into separate stanzas. The separation of ideas shows that the speaker is lazy for more than one reason, and it shows that he is lazy in different areas. Po Chu-I also repeats the word “lazy” throughout Lazy Man’s Song. By only using the word “lazy” to describe the man, Po Chu-I shows that the speaker is so lazy, that he can’t come up with another word to describe himself. Po-Chu-I could have included descriptive words like “tired” or “careless”, but the speaker, being lazy, could not have thought of a better way to describe himself. The repetition of “lazy” also ensures that the reader only sees the man as lazy.
I agree with the analysis of the poem. The speaker is disappointed in himself because he felt as if he was granted with his natural gifts but he decided to waste his life and not do anything successful for himself. This poem shows a lot about life itself, you have the decision to do something spectacular or not. You have to make the choice yourself in order to use your gift. That's the message that the speaker is portraying to the readers. Another suggestion for the poet's tone would be ashamed because he is ashamed on how he was not more ambitious for himself because he knows that if he would have been a little bit more enterprising and aspiring then he would have had progressing outcome. I agree with the analyzed theme because it is your choice to use your gifts to make you prosperous.
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ReplyDeleteAnna's work is very detailed and thoughtful. I agree with her analysis and what she believes about the speaker. The poem itself is very straightforward and easy to read. It is clear that the speaker is a lazy man who is disappointed in himself. The tone seems to imply regretfulness but also very detached. The poem almost seems as if it is a interview on being depressed or ashamed. The analysis is completely correct and a good choice of quotes.
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ReplyDeleteThe speaker seems very dis-concerned about his life. The speaker has used laziness as an excuse for why he hasn't accomplished anything in his life. I agree with Anna that the speaker is just too lazy to get a job. He may be very talented, but lets his laziness get in the way of his happiness. As Anna had stated, no matter how many talents you have, they aren't worth anything if you don't give it your all. I find your beyond SIFTT analysis very well put because you go into detail about why the poet had chosen to write this poem in separated lines like stanzas instead of connecting them all to show that he has many fields in which he is too lazy to accomplish. Your blog post was really thought out and nicely put together.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you have to say in this poem. The poet displays remorse in the fact he regrets all the lazy actions he has done in the past. I believe however that the tone is more regret than reflection. The poet displays regret in his words, "so he was not even as lazy as I". He is upset about how his life has been so uneventful. I enjoyed your beyond SIFFT analysis because it was informative and unique. The section where you discuss the significance of the, 'lazy' repetition is deep. Overall this blog post is interesting and unique.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you have to say in this poem. The poet displays remorse in the fact he regrets all the lazy actions he has done in the past. I believe however that the tone is more regret than reflection. The poet displays regret in his words, "so he was not even as lazy as I". He is upset about how his life has been so uneventful. I enjoyed your beyond SIFFT analysis because it was informative and unique. The section where you discuss the significance of the, 'lazy' repetition is deep. Overall this blog post is interesting and unique.
ReplyDeleteThis analysis is very detailed and I agree to an extent on what you have come up with. I think there is another element to the theme that you have not grasped yet. I think you did a splendid job conveying the tone that the author was trying to demonstrate in a different way. I really enjoyed the analysis that you came up with from the quotes in the poem. I think you chose a well rounded poem to complete your poet project on because this poem seems to fit them perfectly. I think overall you did a phenomenal job thinking outside the box and explaining siftt in a different point of view. Great analysis of the poem!
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