Han Ballad’s Wit and Beauty | Generated by AI
Question: What are the artistic characteristics of “Mo Shang Sang” (《陌上桑》)?
Answer:
Correct Answer
A, B, D, E
Detailed Explanation
《陌上桑》 is a famous Yuefu folk ballad of the Han dynasty, praised for its vivid narrative and strong artistic techniques. Its main artistic characteristics are as follows:
A. 侧面烘托 (Indirect portrayal / side contrast) ✅
- The heroine Luo Fu (罗敷) is not described mainly through direct appearance.
- Instead, her beauty is highlighted through others’ reactions (passersby stop working, officials admire her, etc.).
- This is a classic and highly praised technique in the poem.
B. 极力铺陈 (Elaborate and extensive description) ✅
- The poem uses layered, repetitive, and detailed narration.
- Clothing, actions, reactions, and dialogue are all carefully expanded.
- This gives the poem a rich, rhythmic, and dramatic structure.
C. 比兴象征 (Metaphor and symbolic evocation) ❌
- 比兴 is common in The Book of Songs (《诗经》).
- 《陌上桑》 focuses on direct narrative and dramatic depiction, not symbolic evocation.
- Therefore, this is not a core artistic feature here.
D. 富喜剧性 (Strong sense of comedy) ✅
-
The plot includes humorous tension:
- Officials trying to flirt
- Luo Fu’s witty and confident response
-
The contrast between desire and moral restraint creates comic effect.
E. 笔调幽默 (Humorous tone) ✅
- The language is lively, playful, and ironic.
- The heroine’s clever speech and the exaggerated reactions of others contribute to a light, humorous tone.
Why Your Answer Was Incomplete
You chose A, B, which are correct, but missed:
- D (comedic nature)
- E (humorous tone)
These two are often tested together, because 《陌上桑》 is one of the rare ancient works combining moral theme with humor and drama.
Exam Tip
For 《陌上桑》, remember this formula:
“侧面写美 + 铺陈叙事 + 喜剧效果 + 幽默语言”
If an option mentions 比兴象征, be cautious — it’s usually a trap for this poem.
If you want, I can also:
- Compare 《陌上桑》 vs 《诗经》手法
- Extract standard exam keywords
- Generate similar multiple-choice practice questions
Just tell me.