Discussion Questions for Week 2

Alex Bamberger
1. In “Fishhawk,” the prince is seen as a character who grows restless over the thought of a gentle
maiden, who he hopes to court in the proper manner. She, “Gentle maiden, pure and fair /
wanted waking and asleep,” is juxtaposed with the watercress, which grows in abundance and is
plucked “right and left.” This might mean that, unlike the abundant watercress, a maiden for a
prince is a unique treasure unlike all the other possible women. Compared to “Dead Roe Deer,”
this poem makes the courtship process appear more proper, maintaining the dignity of the
woman. In “Dead Roe Deer,” the woman appears more reluctant, led “astray” by a gentleman
and acting with extreme domesticity and politeness, saying “Softly now, and gently, gently / do
not touch my apron, sir.” The juxtaposition with the dead deer appears to make the woman
seem dead on the inside, but not showing it on the outside, like the dead deer covered in the
white rushes. The line, saying “dead deer in the meadow / all wound with white rushes / a
maiden white as marble,” appears to accentuate the discomfort the woman brings with her into
an unrequited relationship.
2. In “Dead Roe Deer,” as mentioned in the previous answer, the female speaker appears unhappy,
domestic, and powerless. In contrast, “Boat of Cypress” appears to make the woman more
confident. She knows that she has “behaved with dignity,” and seems to answer “Yes, I do have
brothers / but brothers will not be my stay” as though she understands her situation well, and
how to deal with it. The last line, “I cannot spread wings and fly,” powerfully demonstrates the
poet’s desire to deal with the suitors she has received without happiness (resulting in “reproach
by little men”). Finally, in “Zhong-zi, Please,” the poet, almost humorously, asks her lover not to
come into her family’s property, citing her dread of her father, mother, brothers and various
others that might cause shame to come upon her. After displaying apathy towards the
mulberries and willows in her yard, she soon displays a strong fear of gossip and of family shame.

The woman in “Dead Roe Deer” shows the lowest level of control in the situation, basically
begging her male counterpart. In “Zhong-zi, Please,” the woman appears more in control, but
still demonstrates a strong fear of her siblings and family. Finally, in “Boat of Cypress,” the
woman appears very strong and confident, knowing what is best for her but weighed down by
her unfortunate and uncomfortable situation.
3. In “Huge Rat,” the target of the criticism appears to be the state, without a very specific target.
The tone of this criticism is light and more annoyed than angry. The poet appears frustrated,
likening the state to a huge rat that consumes the produce of the workers without paying
anything back. In contrast, “Northern Hills” is a much harsher criticism of the feudal system and
its ruling class by a member of the exploited working class. This ode lists specific targets, listing
them at one point collectively as “Some.” While “Some senselessly yell and bawl,” the “Others
fret and toil.” The Others, or the working class, are obviously made to look in “Northern Hills” as
though they are poorly treated. Both poems provide justification for their composition, but
“Northern Hills” lists much more specific grievances.
4. In “She Bore the Folk” and “Overbearing,” the poets affirm the authority of the Zhou dynasty
and the divine quality of its traditions. In “She Bore the Folk,” the story of Lord Millet and the
beginning of the millet farming traditions in the area are illustrated. Because Lord Millet begins
the millet farming tradition and is very close to divinity (soothing the “high god”), millet farming
is made to look far more regal and the tradition more powerful. In “Overbearing,” the divine
quality of the Zhou dynasty is further supported by King Wen’s demonstration of the Shang and
Yin dynasties. By chastising these two as the “harsh oppressor,” who are sent recklessness by
Heaven, King Wen of Zhou appears to justify the Zhou’s right to the land, as the others had been
overstepping their bounds.