On Hearing Her Play the Harp -Li TuanA. Discussion questions: 1) Is there a story in the poem?

Can you figure out the characters in the story? Who is Chou Yu? How might he be related to the person playing the harp? What indicators do we get from the poem about this relationship? It can be said that in every art, there is a story behind. Literature, being a work of art which is in written form proves the implied assumption in the first line of this paragraph. The same also goes with the translated four line poem of Li Tuan so to speak. There could possibly be a number of characters present in the story but as always, there will always be a leading man and a leading woman in a romance story that has actually sprung from the said poem. In the poem, On Hearing Her Play the Harp, the main characters that stand out are the female character that is playing the harp and a particular man named Chou Yu. The minor characters, on the other hand, may be the visitors or friends of the main characters. Going back on the main male character, Chou Yu, he is a handsome young man who may be out celebrating with his friends or one who can be called an eligible bachelor on modern times. I think that he is a man that belongs to the nobility because every woman would want to find a rich and powerful husband especially in an era where political issues play a big role in their lives. With regards to his relationship with the female lead, he is obviously her love interest. But I think that they are still in courtship or getting-to-know stage. If the poem is to be examined more closely, it can be seen that there seem to be some sort of familiarity with the main characters. The main issue being talked about in the poem is the attention yearned by the female character from his love interest. To think that if she (female lead) thinks that the male lead will go on his way to help her fix the problems with her instrument mean and give her attention, it just shows that the Chou Yu also considers her as his love interest. 2) Describe the setting of the moment portrayed in the poem, getting the details from the poem itself.

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Considering the fact that it is a Chinese poem written during the 8th century, a period when celebrations are mostly the peoples source of entertainment, we can deduce that the poem or rather the story in the poem may have taken place in some tavern or some private area. I say that it is in a tavern or some private area given that Chou Yu is a man of great standing or status. In such celebrations in that era, technological advancements where not yet discovered as it is now. The only form of entertainment that the people had at that time has something to do with their cultures and traditions and music is definitely one of it. And even if there was no such thing as celebration happening at that time but mere drinking of Chou Yu with his friends to warm them during winter, they will still require a musician to entertain them. 3) What formal elements in the poem contribute to its appeal? I think that the formal elements in the poem that contribute to its appeal have something to do with the image and tone of the said poem. I say image because the poem clearly shows a picture focused on the main characters despite the number of people that may have been present in the poem. It creates an image that shows a connection between the male and the female lead. Another is the tone or the mood that the poem emanates. Despite it giving off an image of connection between the two, it also shows a mood of yearning for ones attention. I am sure that the female playing the harp is not playing it badly enough for most people to notice but rather an intelligent and educated young man like Chou Yu could probably recognize. It is just like the female character saying Please look at me. 4) How has the research on the poems context helped you re-read the poem with greater engagement and appreciation? Having conducted research in order to extract more juices from the poem has helped me in realizing the various Chinese culture and traditions that could help me finish the picture that I have painted after reading the poem. It also helped me by giving me various insights and scenarios that I could have pondered on. But most of all, it helped me confirmed the ideas that have propped out from my mind before I started my research. B. Research questions on the historical, cultural, socio-political context of the poem (write your research notes on 1-2 pages of short bond paper):

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1) The author and his original work Li Tuan was born in the city of Zhao in the He-nan province. His date of birth and death is He belongs to a family of government officials and he was one of the Da-li ten poets. The Dali ten poets wrote poetry in highly conventional styles. The reason they write poetry is for competition; several people will be writing a poem with the same rhyme patterns and the fastest composer ends up the winner. For them, context is just secondary with form and technique. Li Tuan wrote many poems which are included in the Tang anthologies. He also wrote about various women belonging in different ranks in the society. He is said to be considered as the most important member of the Da-li ten poets because the day he died also marked the end of the Da-li ten poets. Li Tuans work entitled On Hearing Her Play the Harp, is a four line poem that primarily shows the relationship of two people during the courtship period. 2) China during the Tang Dynasty and the Han Dynasty; the Battle of the Red Cliffs The Tang Dynasty in China took a long time before it became really established. It was during this time when poetry became popular and new forms of poetry developed. Tea houses also became commonplace in this era. It is during the Tang Dynasty that the Chinese Harp gain popularity as a solo accompaniment. It was during the end that a civil war occurred. After the civil war, China reunited under the Han Dynasty. During this period, China was divided into the western and eastern part. The western Han capital was considered to be one of the two busiest market areas with Rome being the other. It was during this time that various developments took place such as poetry, literature and philosophy. The Battle of Red Cliffs took place in 208 A.D. between the joined forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei of the Kingdom of Shu and Sun Quan of the Kingdom of Wu, and the northern warlord, Cao Cao of the Kingdom of Wei. In this battle, it showed how the generals of the southern warlords were able to know their advantages and discover the disadvantages of the troops of Cao Cao. It was also said that in this decisive battle, it is Cao Cao who was in a favourable condition at first and it was his underestimation of the enemy that brought about their defeat. 3) The Chinese harp, attire, and architecture during the period

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The Chinese Harp is also known as the Konghou. It was said that a certain man named Kan Hou invented the instrument as instructed by the Emperor. This is the reason why it is called Kan Hou but eventually became into Konghou. It is a flat instrument that is usually played with the orchestra for royal and folk dances. It was during the Han Dynasty that the Chinese culture completed their costume and trappings. Lastly, Chinese architecture is bound with various and different experiments. The use of brick to build better and stronger houses became an ideal. Architecture practiced and perfected by the Chinese race has yet to prove that it can continue to withstand the passage of time. 4) Zhao Yu and Xiao Qiao Zhao Yu and Xiao Qiao is actually a married couple. Zhao Yu is a famous military commander who defended his superiors territory during the war. He came from a prestigious family and is known for his good looks and musical intelligence. Xiao Qiao, on the other hand, is the younger daughter of Qiao Xuan and since their real names are not known, she was named as such. It means younger Qiao. She together with her older sister are considered to be the great beauties of China. It was also said that they are the reason for the battle of the Red Cliff. 5) The status of women during these periods in China During these periods in China, women are considered to be on a lower status than men rather than be seen as mens equal in intelligence and capabilities. They are mostly seen as submissive creatures that are bound to follow or obey the demands of their husband. In these periods, women are subjected to binding their feet. The idea of having a lotus feet started on the 7th century. The reason behind this is that women with small feet make a good wife. The ideal length of female feet during those times is three inches or seven centimetres. Foot binding also served as female subjugation.

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