Smoke of burnt classics gone up with the empire's fall;
Fortresses and rivers could not guard the capital.
Before the pit turned cold, eastern rebellions spread,
The leaders of revolts were not scholars Well-read.
Original Poem:
「焚书坑」
章碣
竹帛烟销帝业虚，关河空锁祖龙居。
坑灰未冷山东乱，刘项原来不读书。
Interpretation:
This poem is likely inspired by Zhang Jie’s reflections during his travels or visits to historical sites, particularly those related to Qin Shi Huang’s infamous burning of books and burying of scholars. Using this as his theme, the poet criticizes the tyrannical actions of the emperor, revealing the detrimental impact of the book-burning on the fate of the nation.
Upper Couplet:“竹帛烟销帝业虚，关河空锁祖龙居。”
(The smoke from bamboo and silk scrolls has dissipated, and the great achievements of the Qin dynasty have vanished into nothingness. Even the formidable barriers of rivers and mountains now merely guard the empty palace of the First Emperor.)
The poet succinctly encapsulates the book-burning event through the phrase “竹帛烟销” (the smoke from bamboo and silk scrolls dissipates), using it as a metaphor for the destruction of culture and knowledge. He implies that Qin Shi Huang’s actions were not only an attack on cultural heritage but also a self-inflicted wound that undermined the empire’s foundation. The expression “帝业虚” (the empire’s achievements rendered void) highlights the transient nature of the emperor’s power, as his suppression of thought and culture ultimately led to the dynasty’s collapse. The phrase “祖龙居” (the First Emperor’s palace) evokes a sense of irony, revealing the stark contrast between the Qin dynasty’s extravagant dreams and its fleeting reality.
Lower Couplet:“坑灰未冷山东乱，刘项原来不读书。”
(The ashes of the book-burning pit had not yet cooled when rebellion erupted in Shandong. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, after all, were not scholars.)
In this couplet, the poet continues his critique of Qin Shi Huang’s actions. The phrase “坑灰未冷” (the ashes of the pit not yet cooled) vividly illustrates how quickly rebellion followed the emperor’s attempts to suppress knowledge. The subsequent remark, “刘项原来不读书” (Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, after all, were not scholars), uses irony to underscore the futility of the book-burning. The rebels did not rely on scholarly knowledge to lead their uprisings, highlighting the absurdity of the emperor’s actions.
Poetic Features:
- Integration of Historical Events and National Fate
Through the imagery of “竹帛烟销,” the poet skillfully ties the historical event of book-burning to the ultimate fate of the Qin dynasty, offering a profound critique of the incident. - Masterful Use of Satire and Irony
The poet employs irony in the final couplet, seemingly emphasizing the rebels’ lack of scholarly background. However, this approach subtly ridicules the ineffectiveness of Qin Shi Huang’s book-burning efforts. - Exaggeration and Humor
With phrases like “坑灰未冷” (ashes not yet cooled) and “刘项原来不读书” (Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were not scholars), the poet uses exaggeration to depict the rapid shifts in history while enhancing the satirical tone with humor. - Unique Historical Perspective
The poet not only criticizes Qin Shi Huang’s tyranny but also, through the ironic depiction of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, suggests that the dynasty’s downfall was not solely caused by the book-burning. This reveals the poet’s independent historical insight.
Overall Analysis:
Through this poem, Zhang Jie closely links the book-burning incident to the brief lifespan of the Qin dynasty, highlighting the negative impact of extreme actions on a nation’s destiny. The critique in “竹帛烟销帝业虚” underscores the absurdity of suppressing thought and scholarly pursuits, while the exaggeration in “坑灰未冷山东乱” illustrates how the book-burning failed to achieve its intended stability and instead exacerbated unrest. Finally, with the ironic remark “刘项原来不读书,” the poet humorously and sharply emphasizes the irrationality of the act, exposing its futility and foolishness. The poem progresses layer by layer, from the absurdity of individual actions to the upheaval of a nation’s fate, offering a profound reflection on the consequences of tyranny.
Insights:
This poem delivers a timeless historical lesson through its critique of Qin Shi Huang’s book-burning policy: suppressing thought and culture cannot secure the fate of a nation and may instead lead to even greater catastrophes. By employing humor, the poet reveals that burning books did not alter the course of history but instead intensified its turbulence. This reminds us that true strength lies not in tyranny and suppression but in respecting culture and ideas and in paying heed to the will of the people.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Zhang Jie (章碣),836 - 905 AD, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, was a native of Tonglu, Muzhou.
