When elaborating on the "montage" technique in movies, film artist Eisenstein once said that editing two isolated shots together will produce new meanings that would not exist when the two shots are isolated. The meaning of this sentence applies equally to poetry. The greatest artistic feature of Dai Wangshu's "Old Residence" is the clever editing of different shots of the "Old Residence" before the war and during the war, revealing deep emotional power in the plain description.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, due to the national sorrow and personal suffering, Dai Wangshu could no longer indulge in the sadness of the "ego" with peace of mind, and his horizons expanded. Even though the film is still about personal life experiences, the emotions are deeper, more solemn, and more realistic than before. The poet's realistic attitude, shaped by the times and destiny, has also changed his consistent poetic style to a certain extent. The hazy and ethereal atmosphere generated by the wonderful imagery is diluted, and the poet uses more sketching methods to present his true emotions.
Extended information:
Creative background
In 1938, Dai Wangshu went to Hong Kong from Shanghai and worked with Xu Dishan in charge of the branch of the All-China Literary and Art Circles Anti-Enemy Association. In 1939, his wife returned to Shanghai from Hong Kong and never returned. Dai Wangshu rushed to Shanghai, eager to rebuild the old relationship, but failed, so he had no choice but to return to Hong Kong alone.
After the Japanese army occupied Hong Kong in 1941, they conducted a large-scale search for anti-Japanese people. In the spring of 1942, Dai Wangshu was unfortunately arrested and imprisoned by the Japanese invaders, and was tortured in prison. After being released from prison, the poet was exhausted both physically and mentally. He longed for his former home and missed his wife and children even more. So, I wrote this touching poem.
About the author
Dai Wangshu (1905.3.5～1950.2.28) was a modern poet. Also known as the "Rain Lane Poet", he is a Chinese modern symbolist poet. Dai Wangshu is the pen name, his original name is Dai Chaoan, also known as Dai Mengou. The pen names are Ai Angfu, Jiang En, etc. A native of Hang County, Zhejiang Province (now Yuhang District, Hangzhou City). Wangshu is the god who drives the moon in myths and legends. He is beautiful, gentle, pure and elegant. He went to France to study and was influenced by French Symbolist poets.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Living in the Old Residence