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The Nation - those sacred words resonate deeply within our souls, simultaneously lofty and dignified, yet tightly woven with simplicity and familiarity. The image of the Nation has inspired countless poetic spirits to take flight. The literature of the resistance from 1945 - 1975 flows in the underground currents, capturing not only the vibrant echoes of its era but also sculpting the monumental artistic representation of the Nation that is truly poetic and sublime. The Nation embodies the essence of a homeland in the cultural tapestry of Kinh Bac, rich in the colors of folk culture, tender and gentle, entwined under the invading footsteps in the poetry of Hoang Cam; A beautiful, yet poignant Nation, with robust health 'rising from the mud, shining brightly' vividly depicted in the poetry of Nguyen Dinh Thi.
From the battlefield of Binh Tri Thien, the fiery smoke, the epic of the Road of Aspiration by Nguyen Khoa Diem is a fervent song rising from the hearts of the youth hitting the streets to fight, where the verses portray the Nation as the freshest, most vibrant musical notes, resonating the most, shining under a fresh perspective full of the discovery spirit of the poet. Throughout the excerpt of The Nation, the idea of the 'Nation of the people' seamlessly intertwines with the form of the 'Nation of folklore and legend' like a red thread creating a deep, earnest flow of emotions for the poet.
Simple as a natural law, a moon halo conjuring the mystical in the 'once upon a time' world, a gentle soul soaring from the warm, loving heart of a mother in lullabies filled with cradle rims... all ingrained in the soul of every individual since when. The sweet flow of a mother's love bathes our souls, nurturing the first seeds of goodness that sprout into vibrant greenery embracing the winds and sunshine of life. The world of childhood - the world of imaginative flights, truly magical, deeply connected as if it becomes the breath, the lifeblood nurturing the soul. And also, unknowingly, the love for the homeland, rich and profound, from the mother's cradle, takes shape within us from the subconscious... Folk literature in general, folklore in particular, is the soul of the nation. It can be said that this is the most vibrant and expressive part of literature, reflecting the spirit of the nation - a gentle, charming, and graceful melody like no other than that of the people - the collective of laborers - in the process of laboring to transform nature, the author of the rich and creative folk literature. With the sincere and intense emotions of a poetry born from the abundance of folk milk, with the deep understanding of a cultured and knowledgeable youth experiencing firsthand the vibrant and fierce struggle of the people under the rain of bombs and bullets by the enemy, Nguyen Khoa Diem returns to the roots of 'folk poetry, folklore' to bring forth the light of the idea 'Nation of the people', both uniquely fresh and accurately, comprehensively expressing the poet's view of the country, of the people. That dominant ideology permeates from emotions to the use of artistic details in the poem. Throughout the excerpt, we encounter a world that is both familiar and intimate, magically profound, awakening the soul of the homeland. And Chapter V of the epic Road of Aspiration is immersed, enveloped in the folk cultural atmosphere, connected with the blood and flesh of every soul, where the resonance of the 'nation of the people' is the dominant note echoing throughout the 'nation' symphony.
As we grow up, the Nation has always been there
The nation is in those 'once upon a time' tales... my mother used to tell
The Nation begins with the betel nut she chews now
The Nation grows when our people learn to plant bamboo to fight the enemy
The opening verses of the excerpt, so natural and profound, tell us many simple yet sacred things, deeply touching. A fairytale world, ancient legends rushing back, living in the reader's soul: the story
Areca Nut with warm, loyal human love, the symbol of beautiful moral principles of the nation; the legend of Saint Giong as a magnificent heroic song, proud, symbolizing the magical strength of the Vietnamese people from the dawn of a young country building and defending. The breath stretches, quietly resonating like the voice of the nation's heart pouring forth since time immemorial, awakening the process of birth and existence of the nation. If in fairy tales, ancient legends, the people are like Tam, Thach Sanh... or embody in the beauty of Saint Giong, Coconut Sọ, then in the poetry of Nguyen Khoa Diem, the people appear affectionate, familiar through the figure of grandmother, mother, 'our people'. As for the nation, it is not a giant unfamiliar figure or an abstract concept, but rather what is simple, familiar in the daily life of every person. The nation takes shape from the fairy tales of mothers, the betel nut of grandmothers to the bamboo stake, the pillar in the house, the rice grain we eat every day. All those familiar, ordinary things in material life, along with customs and practices in the spiritual life of the people: chewing betel nut, planting bamboo, tying hair behind the head, how to name people..., and the love of human beings ('parents love each other with spicy ginger and salty salt') all make up the face of the nation - a nation full of meaning, profound as in the folk verse evoked within us:
Lifting the salt shaker, ginger on the plate
Spicy ginger, salty salt, let's not forget each other
Folk essence, the soul of the nation permeates every word. The nation originates from the everyday, yet it is deeply rooted, formed and existed since ancient times in the life of the people; from ancient customs that seem ageless, yet are sacredly passed down through generations. That is the depth of culture - history of the nation, manifested right in the daily lives of the people. It can be said that, through specific, vivid images full of inspiration. Nguyen Khoa Diem has presented a new, unique definition of the nation. Opening verses like a leisurely stroll lead the reader into the artistic world of the poem, both familiar and intimate, yet mystical and magical as if from ancient times.
Moreover, in the poetry of Nguyen Khoa Diem, the nation is also linked to the private memories of each individual, turning into the blood and flesh of everyone. Separating Land and Water into two elements, the poet illuminates the relationship of the Nation with space and time, with history and the present. The Nation is the familiar piece of land, intertwined with each person:
Land is where he goes to school
Water is where she bathes.
The Nation is the vast mountains, rivers, and forests, the expansive space for the survival and development of generations of Vietnamese people. And truly sacred, the Nation is the witness recording the memories of love:
The Nation is where we make promises
The Nation is where you drop your scarf in silent longing.
The verses showcase the talent and delicacy of the poet's pen. We seem to hear the folk song 'who remembers the scarf' gently woven into the poem. Beautiful, emotional memories of love resonate, sparkling in each line of poetry, hiding behind it are countless emotions, the nostalgia of 'that initial lingering.' Therefore, the impression of the intimate connection with each individual to the nation is even more deeply engraved.
The following verses are imbued with folk essence through the flexible use of selected materials from folk culture:
Land is where the 'phoenix flies back to the silver mountain'
Water is where the 'fish of the sea, the lord of the ocean, swims'
In the stream of thoughts, the author continues to perceive the nation in the historical aspect with the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co 'giving birth to our fellow countrymen in an eggshell', the legend of Hung Vuong on the ancestral anniversary. The verses evoke solemn emotions, sacred when turning towards the roots of ancestors. Those enduring traditional values, customs, and culture create an underground flow from the past, connecting the present and the future:
Those who have departed
Those who are present
Loving each other and giving birth to children
Advising descendants about the future
Every year, wherever we eat, wherever we work
We also know to bow our heads and remember the ancestral anniversary.
Perceiving the nation, Nguyen Khoa Diem discovered the explanatory relationship between humans and the nation, creating a 'harmony, deep affection':
In you and me today, there is a part of the nation
A 'Nation of folklore and legends' entering the soul of people since infancy, a 'Nation of the People' intimately bound, sacred in daily life, the nation has entwined in the breath, the blood of each individual. The verses are transitioning from monologue nature, turning inward into a dialogue, placing the responsibility of each individual towards the nation.
Oh my dear, the Nation is our blood and bones
Must know how to bond and share.
Must embody the figure of the homeland
Building a nation for generations. Though the verse takes the form of a command, with a sincere tone and intense emotions emerging from the heart, with a profound understanding of the nation, the poetic style is captivating, compelling, impacting the reader's soul and intellect. Each individual connected by blood to the nation must protect and preserve the land, and furthermore, be willing to sacrifice for the nation when the fate of the people is in jeopardy, ensuring the land remains lush and vibrant with the songs of freedom, much like the girl in the poem.
The homeland of Giang Nam: 'Now I love my homeland because within every handful of soil lies a part of my flesh and bones'. In the midst of the nation enduring the rain of bombs and bullets from the enemy, Nguyen Khoa Diem's verses deeply move people, awakening within each person the flames of love, fight, and sacrifice for the responsibility towards the nation, which is a responsibility to oneself and the cultural traditions of the people. The politically themed verses are not dry precisely because they 'originate from within the heart'' of the poet, permeating with emotions full of inspiration and conveying sacred insights about the nation and one's responsibility towards it.
Throughout the poem, delving deep into the poet's emotions, the idea of the 'nation of the people' shines brightly. The nation, seen from geographical, historical, and cultural perspectives, becomes dignified and extraordinarily beautiful.
Verses spreading endlessly along with the poet's gaze, encompassing the panoramic view of the nation's nature from North to South, from the sea to the mountains. The poet's eyes seem to want to embrace the magnificent and fascinating landscapes of the country:
Wives remembering their husbands contribute to the Nation like the Vọng Phu mountain
Loving couples together form the Trống Mái hill
The hoofprints of Saint Giong, leaving a hundred ponds and lakes behind
Ninety-nine elephants contribute to building the land of Hung Vuong
Imposing dragons lie still, contributing to the deep green river
Poor students contribute their part, the Bút mountain, Nghiên hill
Frogs, local chickens contribute to the splendor of Ha Long scenery
People who have contributed names like Ông Đốc, Ông Trang, Bà Đen, Bà Điểm.
The rich folklore spans across every page of the poem with new, profound, and delicate discoveries by the poet. Folk materials such as fairy tales, legends... from the legend of Vọng Phu mountain to the Trống Mái hill, from the story of Saint Giong to the legend of ninety-nine elephants serving the land of Hung Vuong, from the tales of the Bút mountain, Nghiên hill, Ha Long scenery, or the landmarks of Southern Vietnam... each beautiful landscape of the country is connected to its own legend, creating a world of magical fairy tales. However, perhaps more profound and talented is the perspective of the 'nation of the people', as every landscape of the country bears the imprint of human figures: wives remembering their husbands, loving couples, poor students, and ordinary people... even the familiar creatures of human life (frogs, local chickens) contribute to embellishing the beauty of the country's figure, the people not only through their activities, the cutting of legends but also by creatively crafting beautiful scenic spots imbued with the soul of mountains, rivers, and ethnicities. The nature of the country appears as a part of the flesh and soul of the people. From there, the author generalizes, elevating it as a philosophical thought:
And wherever across fields and hills
Carrying a form, a pond, and a way of life from our ancestors.
Oh, Country after four thousand years, wherever we look
Those lives have transformed into our mountains and rivers.
Standing boldly through the ages, looking far into the four thousand years of the nation, the glorious history of the country comes to life. Ancient folk poems speak of homesickness through the simple details of humble meals and the silhouette of rice fields in the morning mist.
I leave, but I remember my homeland
Remembering water spinach soup, remembering soy sauce with tomatoes
Remembering someone in the morning mist and sunlit roads
Remembering someone splashing water by the roadside that day
Reflecting on the long-standing history of the country, we often engrave the dynasties, praising the heroes who left their mark in the nation's golden history.
The senses of the 'Nation of the People' are like a red thread running through, dominating the poet's historical perspective. The people create the nation, fight to defend it. Phrases drawn from folk poems and proverbs, such as 'raise the child together' and 'when the enemy comes, even women fight,' bring a harmonious and evocative tone to the poetry. The highlight of the anthem praising the people is the shining point in the people's character:
They lived and died
Simple and tranquil
No one remembers their faces or names
Yet they created the Nation.
In Nguyễn Khoa Điềm's perception, the people are the anonymous heroes. They lived simply, died peacefully, fought not to have their names in history but for a sacred, humble, and noble cause: protecting the country. Short and concise, these lines compress the emotions of the work, containing sincere admiration for the silent sacrifices and significant contributions of these unknown, kind, and humble individuals.
With an insightful perspective, the author emphasizes the role of the people. The people, with their blood and bones, fought to protect and preserve the country; they are the heroes of the battlefield. Through creative labor, the people built and developed the nation, preserving and passing on cultural values and spiritual qualities to subsequent generations. From the rice grains in the water civilization to the flame that marks human progress, from cultural traditions to ancestral voices, village names, and more, they are cultural heroes. The people have nurtured love through generations, and their noble qualities are encapsulated in folk verses and proverbs that resonate in people's hearts, easy to remember and cherish. This is the root of beautiful emotions, love, and humor, expressed in witty folk verses:
Loving you since the cradle
You lying, crying, me sitting, soothing
It is the value of labor:
Holding gold and crossing the river
Gold falling is not regrettable, regrettable is the effort to hold gold
It is the indomitable spirit and deep-seated hatred for the enemy:
This grudge will last long
Plant bamboo, make a stick, wherever you meet, beat the crow
Utilizing creatively the folk poetry materials of folk literature, there seems to be a harmony and meeting in the souls of ancestors from ancient times and the present generation. To have a profound and fresh perspective on the concept of 'The Country of the People,' the author must understand and appreciate the cultural values of the nation.
Inspiration flows intensely to its peak, creating a core highlight in Nguyễn Khoa Điềm's perception of the country.
For this Nation is the People's Nation, the Country of the People, the Country of folklore and myths.
The excerpt concludes with the image of a river carrying water from distant lands, refreshing our souls and the beauty of nature. Perhaps, it is also the river of historical tradition flowing from time immemorial, enriching the soul for countless generations? The poet's sincere emotion resonates in the heartfelt words: 'I am choked up, oh Vietnam!' The poet's 'choked up' sentiment is truly precious, worthy of appreciation. It is the crystallization of intense emotions, profound reflections, and a deep understanding of the country, the significant role, and the noble beauty of the people. It is the sincere voice of a generation reaching out to the roots of the nation, to cultural traditions, and the enduring history that the people create, preserve, and pass on to future generations.
One can call The Country a poetic essay by Nguyễn Khoa Điềm, where the author not only writes based on the flow of emotions but also incorporates a wealth of knowledge in the synthesis of geography, history, and folk culture, with the focus on folk literature. The passage is constructed in a thesis-style, with a touch of 'logical thinking' that can make poetry lose its 'freshness and vitality,' becoming dry and intellectual. Moreover, with extensive and rich knowledge, the poem tends to indulge in lamentation, stiff like a social science essay. But no! Writing about the country, about a great source of inspiration for poetry in general and revolutionary poetry in particular, Nguyễn Khoa Điềm has extracted materials from folk culture, bringing familiar and common details into the poetic language, which not only resonate with the reader's soul but also easily touches the heart with the warm and folkloric language. The wise use of this language creates a poetic rhythm and a unique atmosphere for the poem, while clearly expressing the thought of 'The Country of the People' because the people have created a rich and vibrant folk literary culture, familiar to every Vietnamese.
On the other hand, the genuine and intense emotions of the poet bring a passionate and resonant melody to the poem, with various tones ranging from enthusiastic fervor to quiet contemplation. Each detail and image presented permeates the poet's soul, sometimes as a personal perception, sometimes filled with emotions like memories, a commemoration. The harmonious combination of sentimental substance and the main discourse gives the poem a unique and distinctive beauty. It is poetry that is not unfamiliar but enters the hearts of people, a voice of emotional and sincere sentiments yet still demonstrating intellectual qualities. We experience the self-expression of a poet - a soldier immersing himself in the flames of war, with a profound cultural background and love for the country. The poet values and praises the people who shine with thoughts and the soul of a poet.
Exploring the theme of the nation, anti-American poetry not only inherits the patriotic tradition from the previous literary period, especially anti-French poetry, but also contributes to enriching and deeply inspiring this abundant source of inspiration. While Nguyễn Trãi previously noted the role of 'tilting the boat to know the people as water,' and Phan Bội Châu wrote 'the people are the people of the nation, the nation is the nation of the people,' it was not until Nguyễn Khoa Điềm that the idea of the 'Country of the People' was clearly expressed and elevated into the artistic inspiration of anti-American poetry. With discoveries and insights into the depth of the country's culture and history, the connection between past traditions and the present, and a unique path - the path of folk literature that is close, magical, and the thoughts of Nguyễn Khoa Điềm seep into every image and language, with rich, unique, and intelligent associations and imaginations. It can be said that this is the most essential and profound part of Nguyễn Khoa Điềm's epic 'Mặt đường khát vọng' (The Thirsty Road).
Anti-American literature also holds profound perceptions of the people, laying the foundation for a love of the country. Nguyễn Duy contemplates the people through 'A Warm Breath on a Straw Nest' - or the image of Vietnamese bamboo, while Thanh Thảo, in the epic 'Those Who Go to the Sea,' has written the most touching verses about the people:
And thus, the people often speak little
Like my mother silently throughout her life
And thus, the people are lofty and vast
More than the solitary stars in the sky
Perhaps, the 'Country of the People' by Nguyễn Khoa Điềm with the melody 'The Country of Mythology,' shining light on the idea of the 'Country of the People,' is a unique note echoing in the harmonious composition of resistance poetry. It expresses the emotional soul of the poet in the face of the beauty of national culture, and this idea still retains its value over time as the responsibility to 'embody the image of the homeland' remains an eternal issue for poetry and life.
