Taoist Thought In Ted Hughes' Nature Poetry

The English Poet Laureate Ted Hughes is a poet whose first impulse is to give ode to nature. His instinct for natural harmony which is rooted in Celtic cultural tradition gradually develops into a persistent pursuit for harmony between man and nature with his increasing knowledge of Taoist thought, and finally evolves into a consistent belief in the unity of the universe.Since Plato, the increased emphasis on rational objectivity in western civilization causes human's swamping desire over nature. The divine nature gradually becomes a heap of raw materials for human profit. Meanwhile, Human beings' self-alienation from nature has resulted in the exile of man from both the outer natural world and the inner spiritual world. However, human beings are not only made up of elements of nature, but also made for nature. Hughes, with his instinct for natural harmony and his sense of responsibility as a poet, raises doubt about rational analysis in his early poem collections Hawk in the Rain (1957) and Lupercal (1960), and appeals for a return to nature based on instinct and intuition which account for the basis of Taoism. Moreover, Hughes shows great reverence for energies of nature and vitality of creatures in it. Hughes' focus on Being Itself embodies the wisdom that "Heaven and earth were born at the same time I was, and the ten thousand things are one with me" shared by Chuang Tzu.Water and Valley are considered as the symbols that are closest to Tao in Taoism, for they benefit thousands of creatures, yet they do not scramble and are content with the places that all men disdain. Tao of Water and forever-living spirit of valley are revealed in the middle period of Hughes' poem writing. River (1981) and Remains of Elmet (1979) display profound wisdom of Taoist thought, such as "Tao of Water," "Valley Spirit," "Being and Nothingness," and "achieving effectiveness through inaction (wu wei)." Drawing on his life experience, Hughes gradually gains insight into the interaction between Being and Nothingness, and the paradox in the "effectiveness achieved through inaction (wu wei)" in Taoism. Therefore, Hughes presents in the poems of River and Remains of Elmet a harmonious communication between man and nature following the law of nature. With his practice of the Taoist "achieving effectiveness through inaction (wu wei)," Hughes regains harmony with the outer natural world, moving towards a final "unity of man and nature."It is believed by Hughes that poetry is a miraculous journey into the inner world. Lao Tzu maintains that the further one travels, the less one knows. Therefore the sage arrives without going, sees all without looking, and does nothing, yet achieves everything. Hughes initiates in his last poem collection Birthday Letter (1998) a journey into heart following the way of Nature, by which Hughes achieves rebirth of his inner spirit. In conclusion of this research, Taoist thought displayed in Hughes' poetry is uncovered. The thesis employs comparative theories oriented in thematic studies. Based on a comprehensive analysis of Taoist thought in his nature poems, a consummation of Hughes is revealed with his unity of the outer natural world and inner spirit, which thereby proves the greatest wisdom in Taoism. Hughes' belief in and practice of Taoist thought brings him reverence and makes a whole of his life as well.