View/Open - University of Victoria
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View/Open - University of Victoria
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geography and cultures supplant those <strong>of</strong> battle. In addition, the Tang frontier, while <strong>of</strong>ten a violent and<br />
confrontational region, did experience periods <strong>of</strong> peace and beneficial economic exchange, neither <strong>of</strong><br />
which are characteristic settings for poems about combat and war. Confining “frontier poetry” to<br />
“poems about frontier war” becomes even less tenable when confronted with poems whose ideological<br />
fulcrum balances the complexities inherent in the hankerings <strong>of</strong> political advancement through frontier<br />
service with the pain <strong>of</strong> parting from loved ones when such a course to success was charted.<br />
48<br />
According to Hu, frontier poetry as a stable subgenre evinces further fissures when declarations<br />
<strong>of</strong> dedication to the country (baoguo 报 国 ) are cited as a generic pillar. 5 Two major variants <strong>of</strong> attitude<br />
emerge when such bold announcements are probed for their generic value: expressions <strong>of</strong> serving one's<br />
country which are steeped in self concern, and expressions which include reflections upon the effects<br />
such patriotic sacrifices demand <strong>of</strong> those militarily involved in the country's well-being. Hu cites the<br />
latter half <strong>of</strong> Gao Shi's “Upon the Frontier” (“Sai Shang” 塞 上 ) as a prototypical example <strong>of</strong> the former<br />
stance, that <strong>of</strong> a self-serving dedication to one's country:<br />
惟 昔 李 将 军<br />
按 节 临 此 都<br />
总 戎 扫 大 漠<br />
一 战 擒 单 于<br />
常 怀 感 激 心<br />
愿 效 纵 横 谟<br />
倚 剑 欲 谁 语<br />
6<br />
关 河 空 郁 纡<br />
Longing for the former days <strong>of</strong> General Li,<br />
Holding tallies in his hand when leaving this capital.<br />
He oversaw the army sweeping the enemy from the desert,<br />
In one battle capturing the Xiongnu chief.<br />
I <strong>of</strong>ten embraced feelings <strong>of</strong> gratitude,<br />
I desire to emulate all manner <strong>of</strong> tactics.<br />
Leaning on my sword, to whom will I speak?<br />
Mountain pass and river meander <strong>of</strong>f empty.<br />
(lines 9-16)<br />
The poet-narrator filters concern for the country's security through his own need for recognition, to<br />
have his Li Guang inspired military strategies heard by another, perhaps even someone with the ability<br />
5<br />
Although this thesis does not consider the theme to be generically vital in conceiving <strong>of</strong> a broad understanding <strong>of</strong><br />
frontier poetry, its inclusion does have relevance nonetheless in the context <strong>of</strong> other categorical paradigms.<br />
6<br />
GSJJZ, p. 34.