Page 137 - 2022(1) International Confusion Studies

130 J. Yuan

‘Mean’ is the main idea” (Zhu, 1981. pp. 309–310). This passage points out the
intellectual origin of being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded.
In The Book of Songs, the term “being mild and gentle, sincere and broad-
minded” is used to represent the aesthetic consciousness of literature. The lyricism
of poetry, unlike explicit political and polemical writing, is not expressed by direct
concepts, but by euphemisms and sighs, which are later called bixing (比兴)or
analogical resonances. In his famous lecture on “Emotions Expressed in Chinese
)
Rhymes,” (《中国韵文里头所表现的情感》Liang Qichao (梁启超 1873–1929) sum-
marized several different techniques of expression in ancient Chinese poetry. He
stated that one such technique in The Book of Songs is called “echoing expression.”
He cited five famous works from, including one called “Depression” (《诗经 · 柏舟》:
)
Like cypress boat
Mid-stream afloat,
I cannot sleep
In sorrow deep.
I won’t drink wine,
Nor roam nor pine.
Unlike the brass
Where images pass,
On brothers I
Cannot rely.
When I complain,
I meet disdain.
Have I not grown
Firm as a stone?
Am I as flat
As level mat?
My mind is strong:
I’ve done no wrong!
I’m full of spleen,
Hated by the mean;
I’m in distress,
Insulted no less;
Thinking at rest,
I beat my breast.
The sun and moon
Turn dim so soon.
I’m in distress
Like dirty dress.
Silent think I:
Why can’t I fly? (Xu, 2021, p. 43)

Liang Qichao sighed in appreciation: “‘Depression’ is about a woman who is
oppressed by her family and cannot complain about her grievances. The poem is