Buzz
Prompt: Analyze stanza four of the poem 'Here comes autumn' by Xuân Diệu.
Response
Carrying the fervor, enamored with the anticipation of spring and youth, poet Xuân Diệu exclaimed, 'Oh rosy spring, I long to sink my teeth into you' (Hastily) - an intense emotion for the desire to seize the essence of spring. Xuân Diệu's poetry always exudes joy and passion, but in 'Here comes autumn,' specifically, the last stanza reveals a subtle shift towards the melancholy of autumn, as the autumn scene gradually blends into the hearts of readers.
'Here comes autumn' is excerpted from the renowned collection 'Poetry Poetry' by Xuân Diệu, published in 1938. This collection is a representative masterpiece of the 'New Poetry' movement. In this poem, the poet not only depicts the scenery as autumn arrives but also intertwines the human element, specifically the personal self gradually 'invading,' a characteristic of the 'New Poetry.'
With the first three stanzas, the author expresses excitement and delight as the muse returns. By the last stanza, emotions undergo a slight transformation, and the poetry at this point becomes serene, contemplative, and subtly melancholic.
'Clouds still drift, birds have flown away'
The weather begrudgingly embraces parting,'
Reading these two lines, the reader senses a melancholic and solitary atmosphere. The poet employs two symbolic images to describe the sky at this moment: 'clouds' and 'birds.' While there is stagnation and slowing down in the 'clouds,' the wings of the 'birds' are in motion, 'flying away.' Upon reading this verse, the audience perceives the sense of separation. At this point, the actions of the two 'characters' differ, one being still, the other in motion. The clouds remain stationary, but the birds have flown away, both no longer connected. In contrast to this poem, in Xuân Diệu's 'Poetry of Fate,' he stated:
'Birds hear the vast sky adding wings,'
It depicts the intimate connection between bird wings and the sky. However, in 'Here comes autumn,' these two symbolic images lack any binding and, on the contrary, convey a sense of division and separation more distinctly. The drifting clouds belong to the clouds, and the flying birds belong to the birds. The author is clever in using stillness (clouds) to depict movement (bird wings), creating a melancholic autumn sky, evoking a sense of separation. In the second line, the author does not 'minimize or avoid' but directly points out the 'parting.' 'Gloomy' carries a tone of sadness, blended with a touch of resentment, perhaps due to 'parting sorrow.' For Xuân Diệu, he was always enthusiastic, passionate about the beauty of life, the beauty of the land and sky. He cherished the youthful exuberance in nature and in life. Therefore,
'Yearning to embrace,
The freshness of life unfolds'
(Hastily)
He is one who always desires to 'possess entirely' the beauty and youth of the land and sky. So, when witnessing the image of autumn gradually turning melancholic, nature beginning to 'scatter,' he feels a poignant sense of 'regret' for the inevitable 'fading.' However, this sorrow doesn't just linger in the scenery; it spills over into the hearts of people.
'Subtle melancholy in many a maiden's silence,
Leaning by the door, contemplating what.'
In the final two lines, the poet introduces a sincere character. The image of the 'maiden' suggests youthfulness and vitality, accompanied by the phrase 'sadness unspoken' as a veiled expression of emotions hidden within. The poet encapsulates the inner sorrow of the maiden, kept secret from everyone. Clearly, the character is in the age of 'blossoming youth,' yet carries a profound melancholy instead of the expected joy of her age. It is evident that the melancholy scene has permeated into the hearts, burdening the thoughts of those who witness it. The use of the phrase 'few to some extent' reflects the contemplative nature of the maiden. Readers cannot determine whether 'few to some extent' is a lot or a little, but it certainly indicates a degree of sadness. The discreet demeanor of the maiden adds an element of mystery and privacy to her sadness.
The author adds another layer to help readers visualize this character more vividly. The action of 'leaning by the door' evokes a sense of sadness, coupled with the act of 'gazing afar' - blurry and indefinite. 'Lost in thought' describes contemplation, constant pondering about something. The word 'what' suggests uncertainty, a vague unknown that occupies the thoughts of the maiden, likely triggered by the evoked scenery. Each word in these lines elicits reflection, indicating that within this character lies many untold stories.
The melancholy arises from the autumn scene or, more precisely, autumn becomes the lever elevating contemplative silence. Even though the sadness is portrayed through the image of a 'maiden,' as we read, we can sense the personal emotions of the author. Perhaps the author himself carries many sorrows, a touch of nostalgia as the day draws to a close. This is the fresh identity of the poet, as rightly stated by Hoài Thanh: 'Xuân Diệu is a new poet among new poets.'
Reading through numerous poems by poet Xuân Diệu, we rarely encounter the yearning in his poetic soul, but the final stanza in 'Here comes autumn' brings about a peculiar emotion. The autumn picture no longer bears the cheerful demeanor but instead, a contemplative, meditative 'coat.' Through the autumn imagery, the author reveals a sense of regret towards the flow of time, a conscious appreciation, and the fervent love of an individual passionate about nature and life.
After having analyzed stanza four in the poem 'Here comes autumn' (Xuân Diệu), you can delve into analyzing the poem 'Here comes autumn' or refer to analyzing the poem 'Poetry of Fate' to reinforce your knowledge.
