Analysis of Rapids Crossing in The Boatman of Da River

Essay Prompt: Analyzing the Rapids Crossing Scene in The Boatman of Da River

1. Introduction:

2. Overview of the author Nguyễn Tuân and his work 'The Ferryman of the Đà River': Nguyễn Tuân (1910 - 1988) was a talented individual, eloquent and perceptive, who had a penchant for exploring the beauty of nature and humanity across the country, with an artistic style that was bold and distinctive. 'The Ferryman of the Đà River' is extracted from the collection of essays 'The Đà River,' representing 'the ten golden items that have been tested by fire' that Nguyễn Tuân discovered when he came to the Northwest.

3. Overview of the waterfall crossing scene in 'The Ferryman of the Đà River': The waterfall crossing scene in 'The Ferryman of the Đà River' is an unprecedented spectacle, depicting a fierce battle between vast nature and tiny humanity. It is portrayed through three instances of crossing the treacherous Vi Thach rapids, each presenting different daunting challenges and the skillful maneuvering of the ferryman to navigate safely through all three rapids.

4. The first instance of crossing the Vi Thach rapids:

- Confrontation between nature and the boatman:
+ The leaning rocks seem as if they are questioning the boat's name before engaging in battle.
+ The boatman is placed in a precarious situation, 'both hands gripping the oar', standing proud like a warlord charging straight at the opponent.

- The battle of armored leaves unfolds:
+ Fierce waves, shouts, 'rock strikes', 'pillow thrusts' into the boat's belly, its side, clinging to the boat like wrestlers, unleashing the most treacherous blows to 'squeeze tightly the boat's crew'.
+ The resilient boatman, crossing rivers, waters, rocky rapids 'suppressing the wound', 'face contorted', delivering precise strikes, trying to stay alert to wrestle with the rapids and safely navigate the stone battlefield in the first round.

d. Crossing the waterfall at the second stone battlefield:
- In this round, the stakes are higher with many death traps and only one path of life to deceive the boat into a black hole.
- The boatman has firmly grasped the strategies of the river deity, the stone deity, never resting his hands as he immediately breaks through the second stone battlefield, 'clutching tightly onto the current to swiftly dart into the path of life' leaving the stone general 'grumpily disappointed with his green face'.

e. Crossing the waterfall at the third stone battlefield:
- The third stone battlefield has fewer openings, both on the right and left are dead streams.
- The boatman emerged victorious with daring maneuvers, cleverly surpassing all the traps of the rapids and steering the boat to safety.

f. Evaluation:
- The scene of crossing the waterfall in 'The Boatman of Da River' praises the miraculous feat of the boatman amidst the contrasting nature.
- The boatman embodies the silent hero in the fierce battle with nature, showcasing the talent and sophistication of Nguyen Tuan's pen.
- The author has utilized rich descriptive art along with a series of verbs to affirm the beauty of the boatman before the perilous battle with the Da River.

3. Conclusion:

- Recapitulating the scene of crossing the waterfall in 'The Boatman of Da River'.

II. Exemplary essay Analyzing the scene of crossing the waterfall in The Boatman of Da River (Standard)

Every land we traverse leaves its own unique marks within us, bearing distinct characteristics of culture, history, and geography. Venturing into the remote Northwest amidst the misty haze, Nguyen Tuan couldn't help but be impressed by the nature and scenery here. Perhaps that's why the image of the Da River, meandering with its own path and unique personality, became a source of poetic inspiration for the writer. Amidst that majestic nature, humanity seemed smaller than ever. Through the scene of crossing the waterfall in 'The Boatman of Da River,' Nguyen Tuan extolled the simple beauty of the working people battling the fierceness and brutality of nature.

Nguyen Tuan (1910 - 1988) was a talented and sophisticated individual, fond of exploring the beauty of nature and humanity across the country. He was an artistically audacious writer, always seeking the golden essence of nature and the 'ten times refined gold' in the souls of laborers. 'The Boatman of Da River' was extracted from the essay collection 'Da River,' the 'ten times refined gold' that Nguyen Tuan discovered when visiting the romantic and majestic Northwest.

The scene of crossing the waterfall in 'The Boatman of Da River' was likened by Nguyen Tuan to a scene 'never before seen,' as it was a fierce battle between the vast sky and the tiny human. Nguyen Tuan highlighted the artistic talent of the artist, as for him, the artist's talent was not only evident in artistic creation but also in various other fields and activities. The scene of crossing the waterfall was reenacted in three stone battlefields with various daunting challenges, emphasizing the courage, intelligence, and bravery of the boatman in safely navigating all three stone battlefields.

In the first stone battlefield is the confrontation between nature and the boatman. Nguyen Tuan used the waterfall to depict the grandeur of the Da River, much like writers often use fire to describe water. The rocks along the riverbank form steep cliffs, but are narrow to the point of being 'tight as a noose' making it possible for deer, tigers to leap from one bank to the other. The creative use of language by the writer helps readers vividly imagine the dangerous and terrifying scene here. Approaching the waterfall 'white foam erases the entire horizon' and they are ready to rise to seize the boat. They are like organisms with minds to deploy troops, hindering the movement of the boat. The leaning rocks seem as if they are questioning the boat's name before engaging in battle. The boatman is placed in a precarious situation, 'both hands gripping the oar', standing proud like a warlord charging straight at the opponent. The boatman fights alone against the fierce river like a battle of supernatural forces, it simply awaits the opportunity to kill the boatman.

The battle of armored leaves between the boatman and the river unfolds with fierce waves, shouts, 'rock strikes,' 'pillow thrusts' into the boat's belly, clinging to the boat like wrestlers, unleashing the most treacherous blows to 'squeeze tightly the boat's crew.' The resilient boatman, crossing rivers, waters, rocky rapids 'suppressing the wound,' 'twisting his face in pain,' delivering precise strikes, trying to stay alert to wrestle with the rapids and safely navigate the stone battlefield in the first round. He endured physical pain from the struggle with the rapids to maintain alertness and steadfast intellect, battling the rapids, crossing the first stone battlefield safely.

Entering the second stone battlefield, difficulties continue to mount, demanding courage and skill from the boatman to overcome. In this round, the stakes are higher with many death traps and only one path of life to deceive the boat into a black hole. With an understanding of the nature of the river and the ambush tactics of the water rocks, the boatman changed his strategy in the second siege. The boatman calmly navigates the death traps and the roaring rapids. He grasps the strategies of the river deity, the stone deity, never resting his hands as he immediately breaks through the second stone battlefield, 'clutching tightly onto the current to swiftly dart into the path of life' leaving the stone general 'grumpily disappointed with his green face.'

The third stone battlefield is even more terrifying because it has fewer openings as both sides are dead streams. Nature becomes increasingly fierce as it battles with humans to assert its existence. The boatman emerged victorious with strong, decisive maneuvers, wise in surpassing all the traps of the rocky rapids and steering the boat to safety. In the third siege, he 'darts straight the boat, pierces through the central gate' then 'sweeps through the open and closing stone gates' swiftly. The boatman carries the demeanor of a silent hero but romantic in the aquatic battle, placing himself in the challenge with serene confrontation, as life has nothing more to add about the recent battle.

The scene of crossing the waterfall in 'The Boatman of Da River' extols the miraculous feat of the boatman amidst the contrasting nature. The boatman embodies the silent hero in the fierce battle with nature, showcasing the talent and sophistication of Nguyen Tuan's pen. The beauty of the boatman is the beauty of humanity in the new era because for Nguyen Tuan, 'heroes are not only found in battles but also in everyday life.' The author has utilized rich descriptive art along with a series of verbs to affirm the beauty of the boatman before the gripping battle with the Da River.