At noon they weed with hoes;
Their sweat drips on the soil.
Each bowl of rice, who knows?
Is the fruit of hard toil.
Original Poem:
「悯农 · 其二」
李绅
锄禾日当午，汗滴禾下土。
谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦。
Interpretation:
“The Peasants” is a work by Tang Dynasty poet Li Shen, one of his poems reflecting his concern for the livelihood of farmers and sympathy for their plight. Through this poem, the poet expresses respect for the hard work of farmers, while also highlighting the oppression and neglect they faced in feudal society, revealing the unknown hardships and struggles behind the labor of workers.
First Couplet: “锄禾日当午，汗滴禾下土。”
(Farmers hoeing the grain under the midday sun, sweat dripping onto the soil beneath the crops.)
These two lines vividly depict the hard labor of farmers working under the scorching midday sun. The poet uses the imagery of “midday sun” and “sweat dripping” to highlight the intense heat and the farmers’ toil, emphasizing their resilience and dedication in difficult conditions.
Second Couplet: “谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦。”
(Who knows the hard labor behind every grain of rice on the plate?)
This rhetorical question expresses the poet’s deep respect and sympathy for the labor of farmers. The use of the rhetorical form prompts reflection on the hardships behind every grain of rice, deepening the understanding of the value and importance of labor.
Writing Features:
Li Shen uses concise yet expressive language to depict the harshness and difficulty of farming labor. The entire poem, with its delicate description and poignant rhetorical question, immerses the reader in the daily struggles and injustices faced by farmers. Through vivid imagery of the scorching sun and the dripping sweat, the poet skillfully introduces a reflection on the origins of food, strengthening the impact of this reflection through the rhetorical question. The language is simple yet powerful, and the emotions are sincere and profound.
Overall Analysis:
“The Peasants” conveys the poet’s sympathy and respect for farmers through descriptions of their labor under the hot sun and the hardships they endure for survival. The detail of “sweat dripping onto the soil” allows the reader to empathize, while the rhetorical question “Who knows the hard labor behind every grain?” prompts reflection on the value of food and the unappreciated nature of labor. This contrast emphasizes the value of work, critiques the disregard for the fruits of labor, and raises profound awareness of the plight of farmers.
Insights:
This poem teaches us to cherish food, respect the results of labor, and recognize that every grain of rice is the product of the hard work and sweat of laborers. It also reminds us that, in modern society, we must continue to pay attention to the rights of workers, especially farmers, and strive to improve their living conditions, ensuring their hard work is properly rewarded.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Li Shen (李绅), 772 - 846 A.D., Tang Dynasty chancellor and poet, was a native of Qiao Cheng (谯城), Bozhou City (亳州市), Anhui Province (安徽省). The most glittering part of his life was in poetry, and he was a participant in the New Music Movement, which had a great impact on the history of literature.
