四时田园杂兴

This poem is one of the 60 iconic verses in Fan Chengda’s *Miscellaneous Rural Poems Across the Four Seasons*, crafted during his retirement at Shihu Lake in his later years. Set against the backdrop of early summer in southern China, it paints an intimate portrait of rural family life. The first two lines highlight the rigorous daily routine of villagers, who divide labor by day and night to sustain their households. The latter two lines add a warm, playful touch, showing young children mimicking adult farm work under mulberry trees, unaware of the toil but eager to contribute. The poem balances realism with gentle charm, celebrating the resilience of rural communities and the quiet innocence of childhood, while reflecting the poet’s deep affection for the countryside and its people.

About the Poet

范

范成大

Fàn Chéngdà

Fan Chengda (1126-1193) was a distinguished poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, counted among the "Four Great Poets of the Southern Song" alongside Lu You, Yang Wanli, and You Mao. Renowned for his unflinching realism, he specialized in documenting rural life, capturing the hardships, customs, and quiet joys of peasant communities. Unlike earlier pastoral poets who romanticized countryside existence, he focused on gritty, authentic details, making his works a valuable window into medieval Chinese rural society.

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Context: The Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) saw southern China emerge as the nation’s agricultural core after the north fell to Jurchen invaders, but peasant communities still endured heavy taxation and relentless labor. Cultural Context: Pastoral poetry had thrived since Tao Yuanming, but prior works often romanticized rural life; Fan Chengda revolutionized the genre by focusing on unvarnished peasant realities. Social Context: Rural households operated on self-sufficient natural economy, with strict gender-based labor division—men tilled fields, women spun and wove, every family member had a defined role. Personal Experience: In 1182, Fan resigned from official service and retired to Shihu Lake in Suzhou, where he immersed himself in countryside life, closely observing peasants’ daily routines and building deep empathy for their struggles. Creative Purpose & Artistic Features: Fan aimed to document overlooked rural experiences and honor peasant resilience. He used plain, vivid "white sketch" technique, avoiding flowery language to capture intimate, lifelike details—from adult toil to children’s mimicry—creating a warm, authentic portrait that balances realism with gentle charm, making his works a valuable historical and literary record.