As an English teacher, I have to fight my natural urge to mock and demean geography, at least as a school subject.
It is all too easy to dismiss it as “colouring in maps” and quizzes about flags, (although I challenge anyone to deny these aren’t the most appealing parts of it!) and to overlook the vast reach of the discipline. Aside from the classical split between physical and human geography, there are numerous branches and topics, including biogeography, economic geography, geomorphology, geographical psychology and even geopoetics! Perhaps more than any other school subject, geography lends itself to blending and melding with other disciplines, linking nicely to the world around it. Fitting.
Following my interests, that of geopoetics is nowhere near as intimidating as it first sounds. Combining elements of geography and poetry to explore the relationship between human experience and the natural environment, it emphasises the emotional and sensory experience of landscapes, seeking to evoke a sense of place and belonging through poetic expression, and drawing inspiration from the physical features of the Earth; mountains, rivers, forests.
Geopoetics also encourages poets and writers to explore environmentalism and sustainability, reflecting on the impact of human activities on the natural world.
Focusing on China, the essence of this movement has long existed in the Chinese literary tradition, from “Poems of the Late Tang” in the 9th and 10th centuries to “Stone Classics” (石经) by Bian Zhilin of the 20th century. Works such as these blend elements of geography, culture and poetry to conjure up a sense of place; real or imaginary.
The classic Chinese fable, “Peach Blossom Spring” (桃花源) tells the story of a fisherman who discovers a hidden paradise in a remote valley. He interacts with the villagers there who exist in this utopia out of the rush and clamour of the everyday world and away from strife:
有良田、美池、桑、竹之屬，阡陌交通，雞犬相聞。
There were fertile lands, beautiful pools, mulberry trees and bamboo, and roads and paths for travel; chickens and dogs could be heard.
The fisherman leaves, and tries to mark the route back so he can return. The governor of the province sends people to search for a way back to the village; they are “fascinated” but can not find the route. The tale celebrates the idyllic beauty of nature and reflects on themes of utopia, nostalgia and the harmony between humans and the environment. It appears geopoetics touches on history too!
What about something a little closer to our beloved Nanjing? Of course, the Southern Capital has been the muse of poets for as long as its been a city. For somewhere so pivotal in Chinese history, how could it not be? Aside from several poems celebrating the rain in Nanjing (go figure), we have Du Mu’s classical “Mooring by the Qínhuái” (泊秦淮), which simultaneously creates a sense of place and captures our city’s sometimes less-than-friendly weather:
迷濛的煙霧包圍著寒江，皓月的清輝亦籠罩著沙渚。
The haze covers the cold river, as does the bright moon over the sand banks.
The poem goes on to describe the hectic hustle and bustle of the restaurants at night down by the river. We can almost feel ourselves in Fuzimiao, if a Fuzimiao that exists more in the shared imagination than among the Starbucks and KFCs of its modern incarnation.
It seems that English and geography have always been tied together more closely than for which I previously gave credit.
In the labyrinth of human existence, and from the bustling streets of Nanjing to its tranquil riverside parks, geography emerges as the compass guiding our understanding of the world.
In a city where history breathes through ancient city walls while modernity pulsates in skyscrapers, English and geography can combine to give us a deeper appreciation of the city’s man-made and natural spaces, and draw a line through vivid and real place to a just-as-richly-painted past.
In an increasingly interconnected world, geographic literacy of a more traditional form is not merely advantageous; it is imperative. From navigating geopolitical (just another branch!) tensions to understanding the causes and implications of climate change, geographical knowledge equips individuals with the tools to navigate complex global challenges. In modern China, steeped in history yet poised for the future, this cornerstone of education is more necessary than ever.
And, failing that, you can always go back to map-colouring and flag-finding (where can I sign up?)!
