Prompt: Analyze Nguyen Cong Tru's self-important persona through the poem An Ode to Grandeur
I. Outline
II. Sample Essay
Analyzing Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self through the poem An Ode to Grandeur
Tip: Techniques for analyzing impressive poetry passages for examiners
I. Outline of Analyzing Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self through the poem An Ode to Grandeur (Standard)
1. Introduction
- Introduction to the author Nguyen Cong Tru (writing characteristics, major works, etc.).
- Overview of the poem An Ode to Grandeur (origin, circumstances of creation, summary of content and artistic value, ...)
2. Body
a. Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self is evident in how he boasts his talents and prestige
- Nguyen Cong Tru has showcased all his prestige, displaying all his titles and talents with a demeanor full of pride, demonstrating a clear consciousness of his own talents and prestige.
- The talents he showcases carry a broad implied meaning, ultimately tied to matters of power and influence: 'Scholarly Talent' then 'First Laureate,' 'District Magistrate,' 'Deputy Governor,'...
→ His display of talent is not only a manifestation of his arrogance, his grandiose self, but more than that, it is a way of showcasing talents of a person keenly aware of his own talents and contributions, efforts of himself...(Continued)
>> See detailed Outline Analyze Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self through the poem An Ode to Grandeur here.
II. Sample Essay: Analyzing Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self through the poem An Ode to Grandeur (Standard)
In the garden of Vietnamese literature, myriad-colored flowers always emit their fragrance. Amidst that fragrant garden, Nguyen Cong Tru stands out like a flower with a very special scent, with a grandiose style. Particularly, Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self is vividly expressed through the poem 'An Ode to Grandeur.'
First and foremost, Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self is vividly expressed in how he boasts his talents and prestige with a sense of dignity and enthusiasm.
The cosmic core without human
Mr. Scholarly Talent has entered the cage
When First Laureate, when Deputy Governor, when Deputy Grand Governor
Including strategy has become an elevated hand
At the Binh Tay grand chessboard
Sometimes returning to the Residence of Diem Thua Thien
Nguyen Cong Tru flaunted all, exhibited all the prestige of himself, showcasing all the literary and martial arts talents with an attitude full of pride of a person keenly aware of his talents, his prestige. The talents that he flaunted to everyone carry a broad implied meaning, considering that they are associated with the world of power and influence. What he narrates, from the title of 'Scholarly Talent' then 'First laureate,' 'District magistrate,' 'Deputy Governor,'... are all titles, positions, and achievements that he has participated in and left a significant mark for future generations. What he boasts is not empty talk, but it is all true because he is a person of true talent, true prestige throughout his life. Thus, his showcasing of talent is not only a way to express his arrogance, his grandiose self, but more than that, it is a way of displaying talents of a person keenly aware of their own talents and contributions, efforts of himself.
At the same time, Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self is also manifested in a lifestyle that is different from others, different from the norm when he 'puts down his sword to wash his sword' to return to a different way of life amidst life - a mundane yet free, unrestrained lifestyle.
The fairy's heels following the mountain peak
Even the deity finds it amusing, his self-importance
Nguyen Cong Tru has chosen for himself a life contrary to the norm, contrary to the common standards of society. Once a deity, a general, a deity known as the 'archer's hand,' now, Nguyen Cong Tru chooses to live a simple life, even to 'become a compassionate person.' Even when wandering around temples, visiting famous landscapes, he still brings along with him 'a pair of maidens,' those are beautiful maids with 'fairy heels following the mountain peak' - a scene never seen before, an action different from others that even makes the deity 'find it amusing, his self-importance.' An action contrary to the common ethical standards yet for Nguyen Cong Tru, there is no problem with that, it even makes the deity smile and overlook it. Perhaps, that is how Nguyen Cong Tru demonstrates the genius, the talent within him and it makes even the deity 'if not in agreement then just overlook him with a smile.'
In addition, Nguyen Cong Tru's grandiose self is also clearly manifested in the resilience of living of a talented person, paying no attention to praise or criticism.
Being praised or criticized, he remains indifferent
Exposing the praises and criticisms like autumn wind
With just two lines of poetry, Nguyen Cong Tru seems to vividly demonstrate before the readers his resilience in living. Even though he has a different lifestyle, he has never cared about how people will praise or criticize him, and what he may gain or lose. This attitude towards life of Nguyen Cong Tru shows a solid resilience, disregarding his own reputation. Furthermore, Nguyen Cong Tru is a true Confucian scholar, hence the Confucian ideals always live within him, that is the ideology of loyalty to the nation as he once said:
Neither Shu nor Yue will enter Han, Phu district,
My king's loyalty remains steadfast from the very beginning.
So, we've explored together the exemplary analysis of Nguyen Cong Tru's towering ego through the poem Ode to Grandeur most effectively. Next, you can delve into further commentary on Ode to Grandeur by Nguyen Cong Tru, analyzing his self-portrait in the poem, the Mind Map of Ode to Grandeur, etc., to study, review, and appreciate the work more deeply.
