Analysis of Nguyen Duy's poem Moonlight

Assignment: Analyze Nguyen Duy's poem Moonlight

3 sample essays on Analyzing Nguyen Duy's poem Moonlight

1. Analysis of Nguyen Duy's poem Moonlight, sample number 3

White Sand and Moonlight are two poetry collections by Nguyen Duy, a poet who matured during the resistance war against the United States. A youthful poet's soul radiates freshness like the waves lapping the poetic childhood river, faintly smelling of the countryside:

When I was young, I fished in Na Canal
I held onto grandma's skirt to go to Binh Lam market
I caught sparrows at the Buddha's ear
And sometimes stole lychees from Tram Pagoda.

(The Rowboat)

Bamboo Vietnam, Warmth of the Straw Nest, Moonlight, The Rowboat... are some of the famous poems by Nguyen Duy. The poem Moonlight is excerpted from the collection of the same name, written by the author in 1978, in Ho Chi Minh City. 3 years after the complete liberation of the South. The poem is like a sincere confession: the moon is not only the natural beauty of the country but also intertwined with childhood, with the harsh days of resistance, the moon for each of us is something we can never forget and should never carelessly forget.

While in the poem Bamboo Vietnam, the hexameter lines are sometimes split into 2 or 3 lines to create an artistic expression that leaves an impression, in this poem Moonlight there is a new feature. The initial letter of the line, the verse, is not capitalized. Perhaps the poet wants the emotions to gently flow with the passage of time, memories?

The first two stanzas speak of the moon of childhood and the moon of wartime. The moon of childhood spreads over a vast space: 'When I was small, I lived with fields - with rivers and then with the sea'. Two ten-word stanzas, rhyming (fields - rivers); the word 'with' is repeated 3 times to describe a childhood spent wandering, feeling the happiness of experiencing the wonders of nature, having admired the moon in the countryside, admired the moon on the river, and admired the moon on the shore. How many of us have the fortune of such a childhood like the poet's? When he was a child, poet Tran Dang Khoa could only admire the moon in his yard: 'The moon shines brightly - Illuminating my yard... Only the moon shines brightly - Illuminating my yard... '(The moon shines in my yard).

Childhood admiring the moon is so cherished, like a distant nostalgic memory. The next two lines speak of the fiery past, the moon with the soldiers, the moon has become a 'bosom friend':

During the war in the forest
the moon became a bosom friend.

The best analyses of Nguyen Duy's poem Moonlight

'Bosom friend': knowing others as oneself; a bosom friend is a very close friend, understanding oneself. The moon with the soldiers, with the poets during the years in the wartime forest has become bosom friends - The soldiers sleeping under the moon 'Pillows are soft beside the river moonlight' (Ho Chi Minh). Amidst the late-night mist in the forest, the soldiers stand waiting for the enemy 'The gun muzzle hanging in the moonlight' (Chinh Huu). The marching route of the soldiers on many nights has become a 'road paved with golden moonlight'. The moon has shared the sweet joy in victory with the soldiers on the frontline. The country went through long years of bloodshed, the moon with the soldiers has transcended all destruction from the enemy's bombs and bullets:

And the moon, the moon of the homeland
Surpassing through the fire, rising high.
(Pham Tien Duat)

Ancient scholars often 'ascend the tower to admire the moon', while comrade Ho's soldiers, during the desert campaigns, often stood on high hills, traversing mountains, mesmerized by the moon over the plateau. It's truly fascinating to read Nguyen Duy's verses as they have sparked in many a train of thought: 'during the war in the forest - the moon became a bosom friend'.

The second stanza serves as a reminder from the author about the arduous years of the soldier's life intertwined with nature, the humble and gentle homeland. Another rhyming couplet emerges - A metaphorical comparison highlighting the down-to-earth nature, the innocence of the soldiers during their years in the forest. That's their essence:

Down-to-earth with nature
Innocent like grass.

The moon is a beautiful symbol of those times, it has become a 'bosom moon', a 'moon of camaraderie' seemingly never to be forgotten. A verse that touches the depths of the soul, like a moral awakening to the indifferent: 'seemingly never forgotten - the moon of camaraderie'

The change in human hearts is truly frightening. Living conditions change, people change easily, sometimes becoming indifferent, some easily become 'money-oriented'. From living in the forest, after victory to the city, being presented and enjoying luxuries: suits, skyscrapers, familiar with electricity, mirrors... And the 'bosom moon', the 'moon of camaraderie' have been forgotten by people, indifferent. The poignant comparison leaves many hearts aching:

From returning to the city
familiar with electricity, mirrors
the moon passes through the alley
like a stranger crossing the street.

The moon is personified, quietly crossing the street, like a stranger passing by, no one remembers anymore, no one cares. Only those with conscience, with wisdom know how to repent. Knowing repentance to perfect oneself, to rise, to direct the soul towards light and lofty ideals. No big words, no grandeur, on the contrary, the poetic tone is like a conversation, expressing feelings, the poet is conversing with himself. The sincerity of poetry becomes profound, genuine.

Just as rivers have rapids, twists, and turns, life also has many intriguing fluctuations. Recording a situation of 'urban life' for those who have just returned from the forest to the city, the poet uses only 4 lines, 20 words. The words 'suddenly', 'hastily', 'abruptly' depict an expressive state of being. There's a philosopher who says: 'Life teaches us more than books.' Nguyen Duy's poetry speaks volumes to us:

Suddenly the lights go out
the room darkens with luxury
hastily opening the window wide
the moon abruptly appears.

The moon of old comes to us, still 'round', still 'beautiful', still faithful to everyone, every home, to poets, to soldiers. Those who gaze at the moon then ponder nostalgically:

Looking up at the sky
there's something moist like a field,
like a sea like a river, like a forest.

Nguyễn Tuân once regarded the moon as a 'companion of old', while poet Xuân Diệu, in a poem written 60 years ago, also said: 'Beloved moon, moon of reminiscence, oh distant moon'. Returning to the soldier's mood in this poem. A gaze full of poignant regret: 'Looking up at the face'. The two 'faces' in the verse: the moon's face and the human face both 'confronting the soul'. The moon doesn't speak, the moon doesn't blame, yet the soldier feels 'something moist'. 'Moist' means being moved, tears welling up, about to cry. Tears make the heart serene again, pure again, goodness revealed. Countless beautiful memories of a lifetime rush back, the soul connected, harmonious with nature, with the old moon, with fields, with seas, with rivers, with forests, with the homeland. The parallel sentence structure, with simile, with the copula 'is' shows Nguyen Duy's penmanship:... 'like fields, like seas - like rivers, like forests'. The poem's beauty lies in its sincere expression, in its expressiveness, imagery, and depth, the language of images entering the heart, deeply engraving what the poet wants to convey to us in a gentle yet profound way.

The last stanza of the poem carries a unique philosophical meaning, leading to profound philosophical thoughts:

The moon remains full and round
why tell it to the indifferent
the moonlight is silent and abrupt
enough to startle us

'Full and round' is the full moon, a perfect beauty. 'Silent and abrupt' is quiet as a leaf, not a single sound. The moon remains full and silent, 'why tell it to the indifferent' is a symbol of tolerance, of complete loyal affection in the light without requiring reciprocation. That is also the noble quality of the people that Nguyen Duy, like many poets of the time, discovered and deeply felt during the anti-American resistance war.

Nguyen Duy belongs to the generation of poets who matured during the resistance against the United States. Rising to fame with his poem 'Vietnamese Bamboo,' Nguyen Duy won the Văn Nghệ newspaper prize with his piece 'The Warmth of the Straw Nest.' Currently, Nguyen Duy continues to compose poetry consistently and vigorously. 'Moonlight' is one of his poems that many people appreciate for its sincere emotions, profound insights, and unexpected poetic expressions.

The first two lines of the poem evoke beautiful memories:

'In childhood, living with fields
With rivers and then with seas
In the war, in the forests
The moon becomes a cherished friend.'

The moon has been closely associated with the author since childhood. It is linked to fields, rivers, and oceans. Wherever he goes, the moon is always by his side. But it is when he is in the forests, meaning when the author is living on the distant Truong Son trail far from family and homeland, that the moon becomes a 'cherished friend.' The moon is an indispensable companion for the author, sharing both sweetness and bitterness, sharing joys and sorrows.

The author outlines the beauty of the moon, affirming their love and appreciation for it:

'Pure with nature's essence
As innocent as grass
It seems never to forget
The circle of moon, a bond of love.'

The moon possesses an incredibly simple beauty, a beauty that needs no adornment, beautiful in an effortless, innocent way. Symbolizing the beauty of nature, the moon blends into the natural world, merging with the grass and trees. 'The circle of moon, a bond of love' because the moon has shared both sweetness and bitterness, sorrows and joys, as a true friend, a soulmate, as the author has expressed above.

Yet there are times when the author confesses to having forgotten that 'circle of moon, a bond of love':

'Since returning to the city
Accustomed to electric lights, mirrored doors
The moon passing through the alley
Like a stranger crossing the street'

An analysis of Nguyen Duy's poem 'Moonlight'

Previously, the author lived with rivers, with seas, with forests, but now the living environment has changed. The author has returned to live in the city. Life has also changed accordingly, 'accustomed to electric lights, mirrored doors,' 'electric lights,' 'mirrored doors' symbolize a prosperous, luxurious life... gradually the 'circle of moon, a bond of love' once forgotten by the author. 'moon' here symbolizes the years of hardship. It is friendship, camaraderie formed during those difficult years. 'moon' now becomes a 'stranger.' People often change like that. Therefore, people always remind each other: 'remember the sweet in the bitter,' in the city because they are used to 'electric lights, mirrored doors,' accustomed to a life full of conveniences, so people do not pay attention to the 'moon' that used to be a close friend.

It wasn't until the entire city experienced a blackout:

'Suddenly the lights go out
The room is dark and quiet
Hurriedly opening the window
Suddenly, the full moon shines.'

The appearance of the 'moon' is truly unexpected, in that moment, that second,... the author, astonished by the miraculous beauty of the moon. So many old memories suddenly rush back, making the author 'tearful':

'Looking up at the face
There's something tearful
Like fields, like seas
Like rivers, like forests'.

Nguyen Duy meets the moon as if meeting a childhood friend, as if meeting a friend who stood by each other during difficult times. The author cannot hide their intense emotions. 'The moon' reminds the author never to forget those difficult years, never to forget friendship, comradeship, the companions who shared bitterness and sweetness during the challenging years of struggle.

At the end of the poem, Nguyen Duy leads the reader to immerse themselves in contemplation, in reflection on the 'circle of moon, a bond of love' of the past:

'The moon keeps its perfect roundness
Why tell it to the indifferent
The moonlight silent, abrupt
Enough to startle us...'

The moon remains faithful despite anyone's changes, indifferent to the moon. The moon is tolerant and generous beyond measure! That tolerant and generous heart 'enough to startle us' even though the moon doesn't utter a word of reproach. The moon symbolizes the noble qualities of the people, the enduring beauty of friendship, the fighting spirit during the 'unforgettable' years.

Nguyen Duy's 'moonlight' evokes many emotions in multiple generations of readers through its simple portrayal like confessions, self-revelations, sincere reminders. The calm, profound poetic tone. The unexpected, fresh poetic expressions. 'moonlight' also carries philosophical meaning about loyalty that makes readers 'startle' in contemplation, reflecting on themselves to live better, more meaningful lives.

3. Analysis of Nguyen Duy's poem 'Moonlight,' sample number 3:

Returning to the distant urban area
Can still see the mountains and hills
The bustling streets still remember the village
The lamplight still recalls the piece of moon in the forest.

Tố Hữu

The moon is a timeless theme in poetry. With its mystical light, with its mysterious phases, the moon has inspired ancient poets with profound ideas. Nguyen Duy, a poet raised in the countryside, sees the moon as an obsession. Then, with time and space, the moon still follows the poet, thus becoming poetry, becoming philosophy.

Nguyen Duy chose the five-word poetry form with flexible rhythm to express the movement of space, of the era.

In childhood living with fields with rivers and then with seas in the war in the forest the moon becomes cherished.

Memories are recounted through images. The images transition quickly. The beauty lies in the images of space (fields - rivers - seas - forests) describing the movement of time - the poet's maturity (a poet raised in the countryside). When the image of the moon appears, the poetic rhythm slows down, harmonizing with contemplation:

Pure with nature's essence as innocent as grass it seems never to forget the circle of moon a bond of love.

Analysis of Nguyen Duy's poem 'Moonlight'

The poet says 'during the war in the forest, the moon becomes cherished' which is already profound, yet the poet further emphasizes the bond between the poet and the moon. The soldier living in the forest 'pure with nature,' saying 'pure' the poet wants to convey the intimacy with nature, with the moon, nothing separates (like high-rise buildings, mirrored doors for example). The soul of the soldier is so innocent to the point of 'like a tree.' Therefore, the moon is not only 'cherished' but also 'bond of love':

it seems never to forget
the circle of moon a bond of love.

The initial self-expression rhythm is reenacted with the movement of space, with the shift of emotions. The 'seems never to forget' has forgotten:

Since returning to the city accustomed to electric lights, mirrored doors the moon passing through the alley like a stranger crossing the street.

The anthropomorphized image 'the moon passing through the alley' is very effective. The moon isn't distant or aloof, it's still intimate and dear, yet 'like a stranger crossing the street.' That's when you realize how circumstances can profoundly affect people! Tố Hữu predicted this decades ago. Now Nguyen Duy further emphasizes, the more poignant.

The poem develops into a quatrain with a touch of drama:

Suddenly the lights go out the room is dark and quiet hurriedly opening the window suddenly the full moon shines.

Looking up at the face there's something trembling like fields, like seas like rivers, like forests.

The moon suddenly appears in the midst of 'the lights go out,' 'the room is dark and quiet' stirring emotions for people accustomed to 'electric lights, mirrored doors.' The moon is 'cherished,' the moon is 'bond of love' still 'round.' 'The full moon shines' appearing amidst the 'dark room' disrupts the poet's soul. Looking at the moon, the poet recalls childhood memories, memories of war, memories of soldier's life:

Looking up at the face there's something tearful like fields, like seas like rivers, like forests.

In the line 'looking up at the face,' the author uses the word 'face' very effectively. If the second 'face' were specified as 'moon face,' the line would be ordinary. 'Looking up at the face' is looking at the face of cherished, the face of bond of love that has been silent for so long. The loyalty of the moon has touched the 'indifferent.' Turns out 'we and us, though separate, are one.'

Opening the window of the dark room to the full moon is opening up to the vast world, the poet's soul also opens up to profound depths:

The moon remains perfectly round
Why does it speak to the indifferent
Moonlight silent and stark
Enough to startle us.

The image 'the full moon' is revisited by the poet: 'perfectly round,' truly beautiful, a complete beauty (the beauty of light, of loyal love, of humanity). Seeing the 'perfectly round moon,' the indifferent see their own 'flaws' even more. The 'indifferent' encounters the cherished illuminated by purity, loyalty, humanity, yet silent, it's truly frightening:

Moonlight silent and stark
Enough to startle us.