Li Shangyin was a poet of the Tang Dynasty. His poems were mainly bold and romantic, with love as the theme. "Jin Se" is one of his masterpieces. This poem reflects the changes in the ancient marriage system by describing the fate of a woman. In this article, we will delve into the allusions in Li Shangyin's "Jin Se" and the changes in the ancient marriage system.
Allusion Analysis
The allusions in "Jin Se" come from "Zuo Zhuan", which tells the story of Meng Guang, the daughter of Ji Wenzi, a doctor of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period, who was forced to marry Lu. Shen Sheng, the prince of the country. Meng Guang was originally a woman with both talent and beauty, but after marrying Shen Sheng, she lived a miserable life. Shen Sheng ignored her, and Meng Guang felt very lonely and helpless, and eventually died in grief.
Li Shangyin borrowed this allusion in his poem to describe the fate of a woman. The poem reads: "The brocade harp has fifty strings for no reason, and each string and column reflects the past." The woman's brocade harp has fifty strings, and each string represents an experience of hers. She played the piano and recalled the past years. Her music is sad and lonely, conveying her inner pain and helplessness.
The changes in the ancient marriage system
The changes in the ancient marriage system are a long and complicated process. In ancient times, marriage was a social relationship and a marriage between families. The purpose of marriage is to carry on the family line and maintain the interests of the family. Therefore, the choice of marriage is often decided by parents and elders, rather than by the parties themselves.
In ancient China, the status of women was very low, and they were often regarded as accessories to men. Women's social status and marital status are very low. They are often forced to marry people they don't like, or to marry people with status and wealth for the benefit of the family. In this case, women's lives are often miserable. They have no freedom and rights and can only rely on their men.
As time goes by, society gradually progresses, and the marriage system also changes. In the Tang Dynasty, the freedom of marriage gradually increased, and so did the status of women. Women began to have their own thoughts and consciousness, and began to pursue their own happiness and freedom. In this case, women began to have the right to choose their own partners and start their own lives.