What is the understanding of "sea" and "reef" in Ai Qing's "Reef"?

Judging from the way of expression, it is neither pure realism nor pure hypocrisy. "Rock" is the real thing in real life, and it is also the spiritual image carved by the poet with the carving knife of the mind. Ai Qing focused his thoughts on life and self-examination on the image of "reef".

From a realistic point of view, it is realistic and beautiful. The poem has a strong sense of picture: there stands a rock protruding from the water in the sea, and the waves are "rolling in", but at its feet, they are all "broken into pieces and scattered ..."; Although "his face and body" were cut by a knife, he stood firm in the huge waves and held his head high, "smiling at the ocean …". No matter how big the wind and waves are, the rocks are still there.

This is a whole symbolic poem. In art, it has achieved the unity of simplicity and profundity, clarity and implication, which embodies the creative skills and achievements of Ai Qing's poems.