On Translating The Images In The English Versions Of Mao Zedong's Poems

Guided by the traditional Chinese literary theory of image, this thesis sets out to make a tentative study on the transference of image in five English versions of Mao Zedong's poems.Image plays an important role in poetry creation and excellent poems all boast of original and vivid images. In Chinese literary theory the concept "image" has been studied since very early times.Based on a tentative exploration into the traditional Chinese literary theory of image, the present thesis points out that image is the integration of the poet's subjective feelings (Yi) and the specific objects (Xiang) he describes. It refers to mental pictures produced out of language. It is to start our imagination through a visual presentation of objects, persons and events. Between Chinese and English literary theories, there are differences as well as similarities in the interpretation of the concept "image". The similarity lies in that in both Chinese and English literary theories, image is the integration of the poet's subjective feelings (Yi) and the specific objects (Xiang) he describes. Imagists think that presenting image is the first aim of poetry creation, which is very similar to what Hu Yingling pointed out: "The charm of classic Chinese poetry consists in the image" . (古诗之妙, 专求意 象) (皮朝纲, 1986: 45) As for the differences in the interpretation of image between Chinese and English literary theories, the thesis approaches from the following three perspectives: Firstly, in English poetry very often the images are imitation and presentation of the natural objects, and the poet's emotion contained in the image is not so profound. Especially the imagists, they only strive for fresh and original images and pay little attention to the poet's emotion embodied in the image. However, in Chinese poetry, almost all images can embody the poet's emotion and idea. Secondly, the way of presenting image is different. In a Chinese poem, there are often several images juxtaposed without any connecting link, while in anEnglish poem, very often there is only one image which is described precisely and exactly. If there are several images in one poem, they are not juxtaposed as in the Chinese poem. Thirdly, in classical Chinese poetry, some images are used again and again by poets of all times, thus become typical images to express certain feelings. However, western poets lay more stress on originality and individuality.Though there exist some differences in the interpretation of "image" between Chinese and English literary theories, the functions of the image are almost the same. They can be summed up in the following four aspects: Firstly, images can display the poet's subjective feelings and thoughts. They are imbued with the poet's intense feelings. Secondly, images transform the abstract and intangible concept into something concrete and graphic. Thirdly, images can imply rich connotations. Thus, by resorting to the typical images, the poet can achieve an aesthetic effect of "limited words, unlimited meanings" . Fourthly, the unique and original images can appeal to readers' emotion and create a unique artistic ideorealm.Taking into consideration all the above features of image, the present paper makes a detailed analysis of the images in Mao Zedong's poems. These images possess four outstanding characteristics. Firstly, the images in Mao's poems are grand and imposing. For example, "苍茫大地" "茫茫九派","沉沉一线" . And he uses the character "万" twenty seven times in all his poems. Secondly, his poems are replete with dynamic images. If needed, sometimes he even turns static images into dynamic ones. Take the image of "山"for example," 山, 刺破青天锷未 残 , "横空出世,莽昆仑", "一山飞峙大江边,跃上葱茏四百旋" , and "山舞 银蛇" ," 山 " is a static image in itself, but here in Mao's poem becomes dynamic. It can dance, fly, walk, wind or move in whatever kind of form. Thirdly, many instances of juxtaposed images can be found in his poems, which is an outstanding characteristic of classical Chinese poetry. Fourthly, Mao's poems abound in allusion images. Bearing strong cultural and historical coloring, these allusion images express his ideas vividly and concisely.Besides the four characteristics, the thesis also makes an analysis of the...