Buzz
Sample essay: Analyzing the Folk Proverbs portraying love and kinship
I. Outline for Analyzing Folk Proverbs expressing love and kinship
1. Introduction
- Introducing from the rich folklore of Vietnam.
- Presenting the topic for discussion: Folk Proverbs expressing love and kinship.
2. The Body of Poetry
Analyzing the essence, the artistry within each folk poem:
* Folk poem number 1: 'Her body like a peach blossom silk... whose hands?'
- Familiar pattern in the cluster of folk poems praising the physique.
- Content:
+ Imagery of 'peach blossom silk': Symbolizing the beauty, the youthful exuberance of a young girl coming of age
=> 'Her body like a peach blossom silk': The girl is aware of her beauty, the value of herself.
* Folk poem number 2: 'Her body like a thorny melon... sweet and fragrant'
- Still the pattern of 'her body' as in folk poem number 1.
- Content:
+ 'Her body like a thorny melon... the outer shell is dark': Self-affirmation of one's value and qualities.
+ 'Don't believe... sweet and fragrant': Bold, passionate invitation.
=> Praising and cherishing the beauty of women; empathizing with their unfortunate fate and longing for happiness; indirectly accusing the unjust feudal society, trampling on the right to happiness of women.
- Artistry: Comparison, metaphor of 'thorny melon', 'only after eating do you know she is sweet and fragrant'.
* Folk poem number 3: 'Climbing the loquat tree... waiting for the moon in the sky'
- Content:
+ 'Climbing the loquat tree for half a day': Odd action => Expressing the young man's poignant emotions.
+ 'Who made... oh loquat tree': Direct expression of the young man.
* Folk poem number 4: 'The handkerchief remembers someone... restless on one side'
- Content:
+ Various shades of emotions, poignant memories; pain, sorrow; the worries, restlessness, and unease of a girl in love.
+ Praise for the beauty within the soul of Vietnamese women; discreetly criticizing the unjust treatment they receive from society.
- Artistry:
+ Symbolic images and metaphors: 'handkerchief, lamp, eyes'
+ Use of contrasting pairs of verbs and adjectives: 'fall - squeeze', 'up - down'
+ Ellipsis at the end of the folk poem: Creates an open, profound conclusion for the work.
* Folk poem number 5: 'I wish... to come and play'
- Content: Boldness, full of initiative yet very graceful, charming of a girl in love.
- Artistry: Metaphorical imagery:
+ 'river': The distance, the barrier in the love between the couple.
+ 'bridge with a sash': The grace, charm, and boldness of the woman.
* Folk poem number 6: 'Salt for three years... only then, distant'
- Content: Praise for the enduring, faithful relationship between husband and wife, facing hardships together without ever parting.
- Artistry:
+ Pronoun 'we': Referring to the couple/married pair.
+ Symbolic imagery: 'Salt, ginger'.
+ Metaphorical imagery: 'Thirty-six thousand days'.
+ Proverb 'deep meaning, thick love'.
3. Conclusion
- Reaffirming the value of the folk poems praising the physique, expressing affection and familial bonds.
- Sharing personal thoughts and emotions while reading those folk poems.
II. Sample Essay: Analyzing the Folk Poems Praising the Physique and Expressing Affection
1. Analysis of the Folk Poems Praising the Physique and Expressing Affection, Model 1 (Standard)
Within the vast treasure of Vietnamese folklore, alongside enchanting fairy tales and distant legends, folk poems stand out as one of the most abundant genres, covering a wide range of topics. They not only reveal the hearts and souls of laborers regarding family, homeland, and country, as well as romantic sentiments, rhythmic and rhyming love poems that resemble songs, but also articulate the bitterness and sorrow of individuals under the old regime. Simultaneously, some verses are humorous and optimistic, portraying life's challenges with a cheerful outlook. Folk poems praising the physique and expressing affection are a substantial genre, vividly portraying the spiritual life of ancient Vietnamese people, especially women.
The genre of folk poems praising the physique can be seen as a literary form specifically reserved for women under the feudal system. Here, they are free to express emotions, reveal the sorrows and pains of life, and convey their desires for happiness without reservation. Through these folk poems, one learns many voices, many destinies, many lives, and the injustices that women endure. Folk poems have become a gateway for women to liberate their souls, easily expressed, memorable, and without the need for deep knowledge. Even without profound scholarly wisdom like Hồ Xuân Hương, one can still utter meaningful and poignant folk verses with simple, deeply folkloric imagery. For example, the following verse:
“Her body like a peach blossom silk
Fluttering in the market, who knows whose hands will hold?”
Analyze the endearing folk poems expressing affection to understand the emotions and messages embedded within.
The status of women in the old society is likened to the image of a “peach blossom silk”, a powerful and profound metaphor similar to how Hồ Xuân Hương compared women to “floating rice dumplings”. Peach blossom silk is a beautiful and precious item, soft and delicate, symbolizing the youth and charm of a young girl. However, reading the folk poem, one suddenly feels sorrow and pain as the fate of women is likened to a piece of silk, a commodity, despite its beauty and value, ultimately just an item for others to choose, falling without worth. The fate of women then aligns with the phrase “fluttering in the market, who knows whose hands will hold”, as they had no say in choosing the happiness of their lives, wandering like the floating rice dumpling in the Nôm poem “seven float, three sink in the non-stop water”, having to accept being “crushed by a snake despite being kneaded”, dependent on the rigid societal norms deeply rooted in gender bias. From this folk poem, one can perceive that ancient women were very conscious of both the inner and outer beauty, yet the unjust feudal society constrained their freedom and openness, forcing countless delicate souls to endure humiliation, reflecting upon it with deep sympathy and sighs.
'Her body like a thorny melon
Inside is white, outside is dark
Oh, taste and see
Only when tasted, you know how sweet and fragrant she is'
This, too, is a folk poem praising the physique but carries much more subtle meanings. While it's known that people often say 'flaws can overshadow beauty,' not everyone thinks that way. Under the harsh feudal regime, even those with beauty might not lead a happy life. Hence, less fortunate women become even more disadvantaged. However, they don't accept this fate; they realize their self-worth, desiring profound love. When likening themselves to a 'thorny melon,' seemingly unattractive outside but 'sweet and fragrant' within, it symbolizes the profound inner beauty amidst external imperfections. The folk poem reflects efforts in seeking happiness, emphasizing the inner beauty of ancient women alongside their physical charm. Simultaneously, there's a subtle sense of resentment and shame about the plight of women, about women lacking a bit in charm in the old society.
'Climbing the loquat tree for half a day
Who made it sour, oh loquat!
The moon matches the sun
Venus matches Mercury in the sky.
My love, do you remember us?
I am like a passing star waiting for the moon in the sky'
In contrast to the previous two folk poems, this one easily reveals the silhouette of a young man deeply in love with the girl he loves. The image of 'climbing the loquat tree for half a day' is quite unique and unusual. This peculiarity and illogicality provide us with accurate insights into the soul of the young man, love to the point of being entranced. Unable to express his feelings to anyone, he can only confide in the loquat tree, saying 'who made it sour, oh loquat.' One might think he is asking why the loquat is sour, but in reality, he is expressing his own bitterness, the sourness of his heart when faced with love. What kind of love makes a young man appear distressed, sorrowful to such an extent? The answer lies in a love corresponding to the imagery of the 'sun' and the 'moon,' the 'evening star' and the 'morning star,' all symbolic of distance, obstacles, an inability to be together. Loving without meeting, without being close, forever separated, only remembering each other in vain, is perhaps the most tormenting. However, the young man does not give up, still trying, akin to the star 'Venus,' persistently waiting for the moon to rise. Yet, faced with the obstinance, the separation, and the numerous difficulties, perhaps the most bitter is the indifference of the girl. The young man cannot help but exclaim, 'My love, do you remember us?' to reveal his emotions, to disclose the bitterness he endures, while also eagerly awaiting the dream girl's response.
'Scarf remembers someone,
Scarf falls to the ground.
Scarf remembers someone,
Scarf draped over the shoulder.
Scarf remembers someone,
Scarf wiping away tears.
Light remembers someone,
But the light never fades.
Eyes remember someone,
Restless sleep at night.
Last night, I was filled with worries,
Worries about an unsettling side of love...'
Similar to the folk poem above, this expresses a profound longing in love, but it's the love of a woman for her lover. The longing is so intense that it even causes a moment of stunned silence, 'dropping the scarf in silent longing,' as Nguyen Khoa Diem wrote, then remembering to the point that tears have soaked the handkerchief, waiting anxiously for dawn, restless. Perhaps this is the typical worry, the restlessness of every woman in feudal society, truly loving someone, but unsure of their feelings. It's also a fear of losing love, losing happiness, getting entangled in various reasons.
'Wishing the river were a broad avenue
North bridge adorned with a sash for you to cross'
Also about love, but in this folk poem, the longing is expressed more boldly, openly, and tenderly than the two previous poems. The love here, the longing here, is so intense that the girl has some very romantic thoughts. Because which river is only as wide as an arm, and which sash can span a bridge? In the end, all three folk poems I just analyzed express a passionate desire to be with the one they love, to be close, a genuine desire for true couple happiness, vividly revealed through simple, familiar images, through humorous and playful language. In it, we see many shades of love, with bitterness and bitterness, with worry, anxiety, with intense, passionate, and all enveloped in the characteristic longing of love, reflecting the rich inner life of our ancestors in the old society.
In the 10th-grade Vietnamese Literature program, the lesson on Humorous Folk Proverbs is an important topic that students need to pay attention to. Make sure to complete the preparation for the lesson on Humorous Folk Proverbs. In addition to the content above, you can explore the section on Farewell Messages to get ready for the Farewell Messages - Extract from the advice in the 10th-grade Literature textbook.
2. Analyzing endearing folk proverbs, example 2:
In our traditional folk proverb treasury, the section discussing the theme of endearment towards women constitutes a significant proportion. Notably, the short-form proverbs (either two lines or four lines) stand out as one of the best and richest aspects of folk proverbs, both in societal significance and proverbial essence. They often start with familiar traditional patterns like 'She is like...' or 'Her being is like...'. On the surface, they may seem similar when skimmed or listened to, but delving into each specific proverb reveals distinct nuances in both content and artistic expression:
'She is like a peach silk handkerchief,
Fluttering in the market, who will it end up with?'
This is the dilemma of a young girl, stepping into the age of marriage. The image of the resplendent peach silk handkerchief symbolizes the beauty and blooming youth of the girl entering puberty, indicating her clear awareness of her own value. However, this is not a peach silk handkerchief kept in a chest, squeezed inside a house but brought to sell in the middle of the market: fluttering in the market. The girl feels like she has come of age to be sold. In the conditions of lacking freedom in marriage, arranged by matchmakers, the girl feels like she is in the middle of a market. 'Who will it end up with' is a concern, not fear of being left on the shelf or sold cheaply, but only the fear of what her future spouse will be like. It is the question every girl approaching marriage age faces, a very genuine and human concern.
'She is like a young gourd with thorns,
White inside, black outside.
Don't believe in peeling to see,
Only after eating will you know how sweet and fragrant she is.'
The girl in this piece has a different sense of anxiety. She knows her inner qualities are fragrant and sweet, but it seems her outward appearance doesn't attract much. She has to introduce herself, invite, and promise about her qualities.
'Climbing the jujube tree for half a day,
Who makes this heartache, oh jujube!
The moon matches with the sun's face,
Star Hom matches with Star Mai so closely.
Do you remember us, my dear?
I'm like a star waiting for the moon in the sky.'
The girl in this piece already has a boyfriend; the two seem quite compatible, a beautiful pair like the moon matching with the sun, Star Hom pairing with Star Mai so closely. However, the young man appears to have some issues, as if he's having a change of heart. Yet, the girl remains steadfast, waiting with unwavering commitment.
Beloved folk proverbs express the emotions and confessions of the ancients.
Endearing folk proverbs, embodying thousands and thousands of emotions and human destinies, serve as a comprehensive encyclopedia. The verse 'Handkerchief of Remembrance' articulates the longing and love for a lover through the imagery of a handkerchief, a lamp, and an eye, profoundly touching many hearts. Hoai Thanh once said if only the last two lines, 'Eyes long for someone causing restless gazes,' were uttered, it would already be considered good, but a kind of good that can be understood. The first two lines, however, are so poetic that they remain somewhat unclear, creating an elusive beauty. I consider it one of the finest folk proverbs in Vietnam. Love-themed folk proverbs are numerous and diverse. The words 'longing' and 'remembering' continuously spoken are forever new and non-repetitive. This folk proverb is exceptionally unique; its content and artistry don't overlap with any other folk proverbs. Here, the words 'longing' and 'remembering' are used consecutively, linked with 'someone' to form a poignant phrase, and this phrase is repeated five times, each time sounding fresh and captivating. Because the phrase 'longing for someone' is attached to a specific subject. The subjects – Handkerchief, lamp, eyes – are different, yet they are all one, questioning changes while the answers remain the same. When one is in love, everything around seems to share in that love and throbbing. The beauty of this proverb lies there. 'Longing' and 'remembering' both mean love, but 'remembering' is a distant kind of love, and with distance comes an unsettled worry, easily understood: 'Last night, I was troubled with worries, worried about an unrestful unease on all sides.'
'Wishing the river were one strip wide,
A bridge across, a sash for you to cross over.'
Born in a country with numerous rivers and channels, the natural environment also influences the thinking of people. But the wish for a river as wide as a forearm is truly unparalleled. The width of the river must correspond to the material used to build the bridge, which is the sash. In folk proverbs, we have bamboo bridges, wooden bridges, constructed bridges, bridges adorned with rose branches, bridges made of silk threads, and more. Yet, the uniqueness in this piece lies in the sash bridge. When designing this sash bridge, the Vietnamese female architect was probably eighteen or twenty, at the onset of love, with abundant imagination. This bridge exists only in imagination, in the silent desire between him and her, exclusively built for him to cross over, not for everyone, not as a public bridge. It is the bridge of love. Love is always full of creativity and innovation, giving birth to marvelous bridges.
'Salt for three years, salt remains salty
Ginger for nine months, ginger stays spicy
Our commitment, profound and enduring
Even if we're apart, three thousand six hundred days seem only a moment away.'
In Vietnamese folk proverbs, references to spicy ginger and salty salt are common when discussing relationships. Salt is not only an essential mineral for life but also a precious spice for food; it's only truly flavorful when salty. Salt symbolizes both the saltiness and depth of relationships. In Russia, when welcoming an esteemed guest, they offer bread and salt, considering them as part of the same household. Ginger is a symbol of life's bitterness. Spicy ginger and salty salt symbolize life's hardships, sweet and bitter together. The first two lines of this folk proverb set the tone, subtly affirming the enduring nature of saltiness and spiciness even after three years and nine months. It's akin to 'Our commitment, profound and enduring, Even if we're apart, three thousand six hundred days seem only a moment away.' Three thousand six hundred days is a hundred years, a lifetime, 'lasting through a hundred generations.' Saying three thousand six hundred days is not just for rhyme; it also implies that our love is not measured in years but in days. We love each other every day, and it's only by counting each day that we truly understand our love. Saying 'only a moment away' is not distant at all but, in other words, only until death do us part.
Vietnamese folk proverbs about love and affection are truly rich and diverse. Just a brief exploration of six pieces reveals countless human emotions, aspirations, ideals, and the beauty of various images and skillful language created by ordinary people. This genre of folk proverbs not only nurtures beautiful, profound, and distinctly national sentiments but is also an extraordinary treasure trove of unique and surprising linguistic artistry, enough to inspire admiration, respect, and stimulate our creativity.
""""--END""""---
Therefore, Mytour has suggested Analyzing the sentiments of folk verses expressing love and solidarity to help you understand the lessons and messages conveyed in these folk verses. Additionally, you can explore other articles such as: Expressing thoughts on the image of women in ancient society through Lamenting verses, Comparing the similarities between lamenting verses and the poem Floating Rice Cake, My impressions of the fate of women through verses expressing love, affection, and solidarity, Introducing a collection of lamenting verses to gain a deeper understanding of human destiny in society.
