Su Shi's Meditation on the Past at Red Cliff

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a reflection on Su Shi's famous lyrical poem concerning the Red Cliff, and a mystical experience the author had there, with Daoist symbolism that may not be apparent immediately. The writer offers some discussion of the poet's life, and discusses what is implied by the poem's reference to an epic battle of the Three Kingdoms period. The writer explains that in Daoist view, the world is always changing, yet always the same, and one must go forwards, all the same.

From the Paper:

"Su Shi (1037-1101), known as scholar Su Dongpo, is considered the greatest of the Song dynasty authors, remembered for both classical and lyrical piece. He was most gifted in his ability to approach a large or formal subject and find within it something of pertinence to the reader's sensibility. For this reason, his poetry can appear unique and fresh to contemporary readers. Song classical poetry was meant for the educated classes, it lyrical works more popular contributions, but often including the classical tradition's fondness for reflective, philosophical pieces."

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