The Metaphorical Art of Fortress Besieging
A besieged city was a literary figure of speech often used to describe a specific environment in which people were surrounded and unable to escape. This kind of metaphor often implied that the character was in an awkward situation and could not be easily relieved. In Fortress Besieged, Qian Zhongshu used the metaphor of a siege by describing Fang Hongjian's encounter outside Suzhou. He described the beauty and defects of Suzhou, as well as the living conditions and psychological differences between the people inside and outside the city, vividly showing the essence of the siege. This metaphor not only made the readers feel the unique charm of the besieged city, but also made the readers deeply understand the situation and helplessness of life. The figurative art of the besieged city made the readers resonate and think by vividly depicting a seemingly perfect situation that was actually full of flaws.
