A Comparative Study Of Images Between Tao Yuanming’s And Emily Dickinson’s Poems On The Theme Of Seclusion

There are many similarities between Chinese and Western seclusive culture, especially inthe aspect of pursuing individual mental freedom, treasuring the value of self-reliance,andfinding life’s meaning through human’s interaction with nature. Tao Yuanming is consideredas the“master of seclusive poets”, meanwhile, Emily Dickinson is called “the white nun”.During their specific seclusive life, Tao Yuanming and Emily Dickinson were confronted withsimilar situations and problems, and in the process of contemplating and solving theseproblems, Tao Yuanming and Emily Dickinson could have similar feelings and thoughts,which could be presented in their poems through certain images. These images can be dividedinto three categories, which are the images concerning hermits’interrelationship with mature,their inner-selves and society. Through the analysis of these images, we can find the likenessand difference of their perception, thought and artistic view. Analysis of the similarities anddifferences between Tao Yuanming and Emily Dickinson’s poetic images and the reasons forthe differences can deepen our knowledge of these two poets’ works, thoughts andphilosophies, leading to better understanding of the similarities and differences betweenChinese Western seclusive culture and poetry images. In modern society, drown in materiallust, human beings were manipulated by external information and technologies, therefore westill need the seclusive spirit to maintain our ability to think independently, to concern withour inner-self and to come closer to nature.