Analysis of the Octopus excerpt (Gwyn Véc-nơ)
Analyzing the work Octopus (Gwyn Véc-nơ)
I. Outline of Analyzing the Octopus excerpt:
1. Introduction: Introduce the author, work, and excerpt.
2. Body:
2.1. Theme and main content of the story:
- Main content: narrates the battle between the ship No-ti-lớt and the giant sea monster.
- Story theme: ambition, conquest, ocean exploration.
a. Content:
* Challenges and difficulties the ship faces:
The main challenge is the giant sea monster:
- The octopus is incredibly large and heavy.
- It cannot be defeated by guns, sharp objects, or bullets.
=> The giant octopus symbolizes the power of nature.
* Brave fight of Nemo and the crew.
- Unexpected, dramatic circumstances.
+ The ship is stuck in shallow water with its propeller no longer turning.
+ Character's prediction: 'I predict that a tentacle of an octopus got entangled in the propeller, making the ship unable to move.'.
=> Forecasting a prepared battle.
- Before the battle: Captain Nemo outlines strategy and direction to defeat the octopuses.
=> Assessing the situation based on observation is that octopuses cannot be defeated by modern weapons because their bodies are very soft. Captain Nemo demonstrates determination.
- Battle development:
+ Everyone unites, cooperates, and is determined to defeat the sea monsters of the No-ti-lớt ship.
+ Courage, readiness to face challenges, and difficulties are shown through Nemo's actions in cutting off the octopus's tentacle and the crew's brave fight.
- Outcome: The octopus group is partially injured, partially dead. A fellow countryman of Nemo is swallowed by the sea.
b. Art:
- Rich imagination of the author, expressed through detailed descriptions of the size and appearance of the octopus and the diving ability of the ship.
- Unique, dramatic story situation when the No-ti-lớt ship encounters a giant octopus and fights against them.
- Character development through speech and actions.
2.3. Evaluation:
- Regarding content: Through the excerpt, the author conveys lessons and messages:
+ Courage, readiness to face difficulties and challenges.
+ Unity, mutual support.
+ Dream of a vehicle capable of exploring the mysteries and wonders of the ocean, expressing the desire to conquer and master nature.
- Regarding art: praising imagination, deep understanding of the author's science.
3. Conclusion: Affirm the value of the work.
II. Sample essay analyzing the Octopus excerpt:
The vast ocean has always been a big question that humans desire to decode and answer. Through rich imagination and profound scientific knowledge, French writer Gwyn Véc-nơ created the novel 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.' In it, the excerpt 'Octopus' is an exceptionally remarkable passage.
The text narrates the battle between the ship No-ti-lớt and a group of giant sea monsters. Throughout the conflict, the overarching theme in the entire text is the desire for exploration and conquest of the ocean.
To highlight the theme, author Gwyn Véc-nơ vividly depicts the challenges and difficulties the ship faces, symbolized by the giant sea monster. In the dialogue between the character 'I' - Professor A-rôn-nác with Nét and Công-xây, readers gain initial imagery of the sea monster. It proves impervious to modern weapons like guns, bullets, or sharp objects. The author employs detailed descriptions of its appearance, portraying it as extraordinarily long, around eight meters, with gray eyes, eight legs that double the length of its body, and more than two hundred suckers inside its tentacle. Its horn-like teeth resemble a parrot's beak, opening and closing eagerly to swallow prey. The sharp, vibrant tongue emerges every time it extends from the mouth. The color constantly changes from lead gray to reddish-brown. Weighing approximately twenty-five tons with a body resembling a spindle in the middle, it is undoubtedly a giant sea monster, posing a threat to anyone who encounters it. Moreover, the octopus also symbolizes the power of nature.
Analysis of the Octopus excerpt (Gwyn Véc-nơ)
The theme of the text is not only revealed through the challenges and obstacles the ship faces but is also portrayed through the courageous battle of Nemo and the crew. The circumstances of the battle are unexpectedly dramatic. Despite the ship being in calm water with gentle waves, its fins seem to be entangled in something. It stands still without any movement. The character I speculates, 'I predict that a tentacle of an octopus got entangled in the propeller, making the ship unable to move.' This forecasts a prepared battle.
Before the battle begins, Captain Nemo declares decisively, 'Make the ship rise to the surface and then exterminate these devils.' It demonstrates Nemo's determination to defeat the enemy. Additionally, he formulates a strategy and direction to defeat the octopuses, using spears and sharp knives for the attack. Nemo assesses the situation based on real observations, concluding that they cannot be defeated by modern weapons due to their soft bodies.
Entering the battle, everyone gathered at the central staircase, armed with spears, ready for combat. It was a spirit of unity, collective strength, solidarity, and determination to defeat the sea monster. Prominent in the excerpt is the courageous and resolute action of Captain Nemo. Upon seeing the long tentacle creeping down the stairs, he hesitated not and swiftly severed it with a spear. The battle ignited, a test of strength and skill. The octopus sprayed black fluid, dragging down the unfortunate fellow countryman of the character 'I' into the sea, further fueling the fighting spirit of the sailors. Nét Len thrusts sharply into their eyes. The character 'I' rushes to rescue Nét Len while Nê-mô uses a spear to 'stab into the monster's mouth'. Nét escapes death, stands up, and thrusts a spear into the heart of the enemy. Despite numerous difficulties posed by the sea monster, no one surrenders, despairs, but remains ready to help and support each other.
The outcome of the battle is that the octopus group is partially injured, partially dead. A sailor, also a compatriot of Nemo, is swallowed by the sea. It can be seen that whether victorious or defeated, losses and pain still occur.
The uniqueness and allure of the excerpt come not only from the content but also from artistic elements. It is the rich imagination of the writer, expressed through detailed descriptions of the size and appearance of the octopus and the ship bearing the characteristics of a modern submarine. The unique and dramatic story situation also contributes to expressing the theme of the excerpt. Additionally, characters are primarily developed through speech and actions.
Through the excerpt, the author conveys lessons and messages about courage, readiness to face difficulties and challenges; unity, mutual support; and the dream of a vehicle capable of exploring the mysteries and wonders of the ocean, expressing the desire to conquer and master nature. Particularly noteworthy is the author's praise for rich imagination and deep understanding of science.