Introduction: Bei Dao’s Broken Images
Influenced by both Chinese and overarching English styles of writing, Bei Dao’s broken images taken from his poems liberated from the constraints of grammar and punctuation showcase his skill. He writes in one continuous flow, imbuing his work with a natural sense of rhythm. Inspired by the Chinese style, he expresses admiration for those in exile, ancient places, and eccentric beauty. Bei Dao does not feel compelled to adhere strictly to punctuation even in his English-translated works, as they are perceived to be free of unnatural anomalies. His portrayal consists of broken and surreal images, along with fragmented thought bursts. Bei Dao not only experienced but also excelled in conveying these elements. Both of his poems, “Ramallah” and “Morning Song,” manifest his love for survival, fragmented imagery, and a fractured style.
Darwish and Bei Dao’s Broken Images
He was a close friend of the Palestinian poet Darwish, which is why he fled from tyrannical rule to see for himself how his friend was surviving. His love for surviving against all odds stems from the frustration and injustice he observed around him. He composed this poem in Ramallah, where the living style is simple. He expresses appreciation for the simplicity of nature, stating, “the ancients play chess in the starry sky” (Ramallah 2), and then he draws attention in a broken fragment to the flame of the candle, saying, “the end game flickers” (3).
When writing about the natural course of life, even then, he incorporates elements of life, time, and age, such as “the sun climbs over the wall like an old man” (7). This illustrates how even the sun is weary and must make an effort to cover the land filled with despair with hope. Another descriptive image, “death blossoms” (14), speaks to us in absolute helplessness. His prose “is an exercise in survival, a battle of voices, and a strategy of mapping out the vanishing self against all antagonistic forces in contemporary societies, real or imagined” (Li). Evidence for this can be found in all of his work.
Meanings and Bei Dao’s Broken Images
He enjoyed projecting broken images and using comparisons to illustrate his points. In “Ramallah,” he employs a simile involving an old man and the sun, symbolizing the effort required to survive in a harsh land. Another example is found in the line, “a bird locked in a clock jumps out to tell the time” (Ramallah 4-5), where the irony lies in the bird being set free only when it is time to announce the hour. Similarly, when he mentions “death blossoms” (14), he conveys a somber yet evolving concept. All these broken images collectively reinforce the overarching concept of an “exercise in survival” (Li).
Even in “Morning Song,” he combines two unconventional concepts, presenting them boldly in capitals: “Words are the poison in the morning song” (Morning Song 1). A testament to his enigmatic style and disjointed word arrangement is evident in this stanza: “I hover in the birdcalls / crying never” (13-14) (Li, Unreal Images: Bei Dao’s Dialogue with the Real).
Conclusion and Bei Dao’s Broken Images
The reason why he is so irresistible to read lies in his constant defiance of the usual writing style. With little regard for syntax, his work is spontaneous, bringing together stark comparisons and sharp contrasts. These elements infuse his poems with energy, provoking readers to contemplate the meaning behind the bold words they have just encountered. His fragmented descriptions of images and undeniable affection for unconventional similes add an interesting and fresh flavor to his work, blending it with lessons on survival and a love for exile.
Works Cited: Bei Dao’s Broken Images
- Dao, Bei. Poems. n.d. 14 February 2014 <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/bei-dao>.
- Li, Dian. The Chinese Poetry of Bei Dao, 1978-2000: Resistance and Exile. 2006. 14 February 2014 <http://mellenpress.com/mellenpress.cfm?bookid=6599&pc=9>.
- —. “Unreal Images: Bei Dao’s Dialogue with the Real.” Concentric: Literary and Cultural Studies 32.1 (2006): 197-218.
Three Relevant Questions Bei Dao’s Broken Images
- How does Bei Dao’s broken images contribute to the overall impact and interpretation of his poetry in “Broken Images”?
- In “Broken Images,” Bei Dao intentionally avoids traditional punctuation rules. How does the absence of punctuation enhance or alter the reader’s experience of the poem?
- How does Bei Dao’s innovative approach to imagery and the absence of punctuation in “Broken Images” reflect his broader themes of survival, exile, and unconventional beauty?