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Assignment: Analyze the poem 'Evening' and discuss Uncle Ho's sentimental artistic style.
Sample essay analyzing the poem 'Evening' and expressing thoughts on Uncle Ho's sentimental artistic style.
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Sample: Analyzing the poem 'Evening' and expressing thoughts on the romantic artistic style of Uncle Ho
Ho Chi Minh, a great leader of the people's movement, is also a significant poet contributing to the richness of Vietnamese literature with diverse forms and unique artistic styles. The poem 'Evening' is part of the poetry collection 'Prison Diary,' an outstanding work in Vietnamese literature. Composed during Uncle Ho's imprisonment in the harsh camps of Quang Tay, China, the poem reflects the decay of the ruling regime of Tường Giới Thạch. Through the poem, the author also helps us understand more about the image of the great communist soldier with boundless love.
The first two lines paint a picture of the natural scenery of the mountains and forests of Quang Tay in an evening.
'The scorebook records the essence of noble knowledge
The teacher gracefully controls the vast sky'
Translation:
'Birds tire returning to the forest to find rest
A cluster of clouds floats gently in the sky'
The focal point of the natural picture is birds returning to the forest and a lonely cloud. With a dotting technique, the poet has helped the readers envision a majestic natural scene with an endless clear sky, dense and peaceful mountains and forests. These two lines carry the classical essence of a Tang poem.
The image of evening birds is a familiar theme in classical Eastern poetry, symbolizing space and time. It evokes the sky scene during dusk, as Nguyen Du wrote, 'Birds tire returning to the forest.' In Uncle Ho's poetry, the brilliance lies in the word 'weary,' conveying not only the external state but also the inner fatigue of flying creatures. Bác's keen perspective reveals the exhaustion within the birds despite being viewed from a distant standpoint. The word 'weary' is easily understood after a hard day's work; fatigue is natural. However, for prisoners like Bác stranded in a foreign land without a known stopping point, the weariness is profound. The metaphorical connection intensifies, allowing us to perceive Bác's emotions conveyed to the evening birds.
The image of a solitary cloud in the sky, a common theme in classical Eastern poetry, symbolizes eternity. 'Gracefully floating' describes the slow and gentle movement of the cloud, portraying the composed and determined spirit of the communist. Thus, the first two lines, through the dotting technique and scene description, provide a deeper understanding of Bác's love for nature, sensitive soul, and steel character. The juxtaposition of classical and modern styles in 'Evening' successfully portrays scenery and emotions, utilizing nature to express sentiments and showcasing the optimism and resilient determination of communist soldiers.
If in the first two lines, Bác used classical techniques, then in the last two lines, there is a touch of modernity.
Transcription:
'Mountain village maiden grinding maize
Maize ground, the charcoal stove glows pink'
Poem Translation:
'The mountain hamlet girl grinds corn in the dark
After grinding, the charcoal stove is ablaze with pink'
Freshness emerges through the image of the laborer. In classical poetry, laborers are portrayed as fishermen, farmers, shepherds, and woodcutters, small and oppressed by nature. In Bác's poetry, individuals are depicted up close, showcasing simplicity in their everyday labor of grinding maize, becoming the focal point of the evening scene. They are not oppressed by nature; instead, the laborers bring a new vitality, making the picture more lively.
In terms of language and tone, the original Han script exudes a dignified and tender tone, showcasing Bác's respect for the laborers in the rural areas. Bác immerses himself in nature and the people here, revealing the profound beauty of his soul in the evening. Bác's emotions extend not only to the Vietnamese people but also to people worldwide.
The term 'maiden' in the original poem signifies youth, vitality, and the industrious beauty of the girl grinding corn in the dark. The saying 'Normal is the death of art' holds true. The brilliance of the two lines lies in the rhythmic repetition of 'ma bao túc' and 'bao túc mà hoàn,' evoking the rhythmic motion of the corn grinder. This detail allows readers to perceive the diligence of the laborer and feel the progression of time from evening to night. The absence of 'dark' in the original, left for readers to sense the changing time, is complemented by 'the charcoal stove glows pink'.
The night descends with darkness, but not in the poem. The word 'pink' dispels all that darkness with warm light from the stove. 'Pink' is the 28th word in the poem, according to poetic rules; this is the 'eye word' (concluding word) of the poem. When 'pink' appears, it dispels the cold, gloomy atmosphere, replacing it with warmth and comforting the reader. The poem employs classical methods but exudes a modern touch. Additionally, the poem's eye word contributes to portraying the unwavering spirit of the communist soldier in prison, demonstrating resilience and contentment.
With a blend of classical and modern styles and the familiar quatrain structure, 'Evening' is a successful piece by President Hồ in depicting scenery and emotions, utilizing nature to express his sentiments. The poem also carries a modern essence in portraying laborers with their daily familiar work, showcasing the optimism of the communist soldiers and their resilient determination to overcome all hardships. As the young generation of the nation, we need to strive and study diligently to build and protect our homeland.
