Analyzing the longing of revolutionary cadres for Viet Bac in the poem Viet Bac by To Huu

Prompt: Analyzing the longing of revolutionary cadres for Viet Bac in the poem Viet Bac by To Huu

2 sample essays analyzing the longing of revolutionary cadres for Viet Bac in the poem Viet Bac by To Huu

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Sample Essay #1: Analyzing the longing of revolutionary cadres for Viet Bac in the poem Viet Bac by To Huu

The poem Viet Bac is extracted from the poetry collection Viet Bac (1947 - 1954) by To Huu. The title of the poem has become the general title of the entire collection because the poem has expressed the typical sentiments for the whole collection. The poem has revealed the sincere, intense, intimate, loyal, and firm feelings of Viet Bac towards the cadres heading downstream and vice versa, the revolutionary cadres heading downstream also expressed those sentiments towards Viet Bac during the farewell by affirming their longing for Viet Bac.

Beginning the poem, Viet Bac asked the revolutionary cadre heading downstream:

I return, do I remember us
Fifteen years earnestly fervent

This question by Viet Bac means: Do you remember me when you return? Do you remember our intense bond over fifteen years in Viet Bac? And then a series of Viet Bac's questions also carry this content:

I remember when I leave but the days
Rain from the source, floods, clouds and mist together
I return with memories of the battlefield
A meal with a heavy salted grudge on our shoulders
I return, mountains and forests, remembering whom
Bamboo sprouts for us to age
I remember when I leave those houses
Damp gray moss, deeply colored with heart's blood
I return, still remembering the hills and mountains

During the resistance against the Japanese, while still Viet Minh, Viet Bac was afraid that the revolutionary cadre heading downstream would forget about it, so it kept recalling the images in Viet Bac, with many beloved images imbued with deep camaraderie. Viet Bac both revealed affection and

Analyzing the longing of revolutionary cadres for Viet Bac in the poem Viet Bac

yearned for affection, thus kept asking: 'When I leave, do I remember...', 'when I return, do I remember...', 'When I return, do I still remember...?'...

To answer Viet Bac's questions, the revolutionary cadre heading downstream affirmed with Viet Bac a very certain thing that they would never forget Viet Bac, always as one, never changing:

You and I, I and you
Our hearts intertwine, firm and assured
I depart, I remember myself
As much as the source of boundless affection

'You' with 'me' bound, entwined, tightly woven together as one warm love. The heart of the revolutionary cadre heading downstream has contained so much emotion for Viet Bac. The line 'as much as the source of boundless affection' speaks volumes about it.

To accentuate the poignant longing of the revolutionary cadre heading downstream for Viet Bac, the poet used the word 'remember' repeatedly and especially compared this longing to love: 'Remembering is like remembering a lover'. This is a unique comparison by To Huu because among the myriad memories in a person's life, perhaps the longing in love is the most acute, the most tormenting. Our ancestors also expressed this sentiment in a unique way:

Night lies, back not reaching the bed
Gaze at the swiftly brightening sky, eager to meet you

(Folk saying)

Noteworthy:

Remembering someone fervently
Is like standing in fire, sitting on coals

(Folk saying)

Hence, here the poet can only borrow the longing in love to fully express the longing of the revolutionary cadre heading downstream for Viet Bac. The landscape and people of Viet Bac vividly come alive in the departing soul. The longing for Viet Bac by the revolutionary cadre emerges in every hue, every image of the nature and people of Viet Bac. These images blend together, the beauty of Viet Bac and its people shining through.

The landscape of Viet Bac and its people emerge in the longing of the cadre through four seasons. Each season is beautiful, poetic, vibrant, and teeming with life:

Green forests, vibrant red banana flowers
High passes bathed in piercing sunlight
Spring days blossoming white in the forest
Remembering someone weaving hats, meticulously twisting each strand
The cicadas sing, forests echo with gold
Remembering a sister picking bamboo shoots alone
Autumn forests bathed in moonlight, enveloping peace
Remembering someone singing with loyal affection

The image of Viet Bac in the memory of the cadre heading downstream is also a majestic nature. That nature has become a protective figure for the soldiers, encircling the enemy, fighting alongside the people, becoming a vast battlefield:

Remember when the enemy came, searching
Forests, mountains, we fought together against the West
Mountains stretched with thick iron fortresses
Forests covering our troops, forests besieging the enemy
Vast mist on all sides
Our land and sky, a unified battlefield

The more one remembers Viet Bac, the more proud one feels of Viet Bac, as Viet Bac is where the glorious images of our troops and people during the resistance against the French are recorded:

Our Viet Bac roads
Nightly reverberating like trembling ground
Troops advancing step by step
Starlight at the barrel's end, comrades with steel helmets
Red torches of labor brigades
Footprints on shattered rocks, flames scatter
A thousand nights deep in thick mist
Headlights shining bright as the dawn

Viet Bac is also where many achievements of our troops and people are marked, bringing countless joys of victory to our nation:

News of victory from all regions
Peace, Northwest, Dien Bien rejoice
From Dong Thap, An Khe
Up to Viet Bac, Deo Pass, Hong Mountain

Those departing remember Viet Bac is also remembering the place where countless activities of the Party Central Committee and Government were marked:

Whoever returns, do they remember?
The red flag flutters, the wind echoes in the cave
The midday sun shines, stars gleam
The Central Committee, Government discuss public affairs
Directing winter campaign troops
Launching road construction in rural areas
Dike maintenance during flood season
Dispatching relief to backward areas

Revolutionary cadres heading downstream remember Viet Bac not only recalling the nature, mountains, and forests of Viet Bac but also the genuine people of Viet Bac, deeply rooted in comradeship, diligence in labor, and unwavering loyalty.

Remembering the mother, her back burnt by the sun
Carrying the child to the fields, picking each corn

Remembering Viet Bac, the revolutionary cadre returning downstream cannot forget the image of Uncle Ho during the years He lived here, for He is the light, the faith of the entire nation.

Wherever the enemy's darkness looms
Look up to Viet Bac: Uncle Ho shines bright
Wherever the pain echoes through generations
Turning towards Viet Bac to nurture unwavering resolve
Who could forget those fifteen years?
The revolutionary homeland built the Republic

In conclusion, the longing of the downstream revolutionary cadre through the poet's artistic expression is a longing as intense, as tormented as love's longing, a longing with many layers, many facets, many different perspectives. That longing is an entire heart of love, attachment, loyalty, and unwavering determination of the revolutionary cadre towards Viet Bac. This profound emotional relationship has eloquently expressed the noble revolutionary sentiments of the Vietnamese people.

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Thus, we have suggested Examining the reminiscences of revolutionary cadres regarding Việt Bắc in the text Việt Bắc for the upcoming section. Prepare for the analysis of the quadriptych painting along with Exploring national identity through Việt Bắc to gain a deeper understanding of this content.

Sample Essay 2: Analyzing the reminiscences of revolutionary cadres regarding Việt Bắc in the text Việt Bắc, by Tố Hữu

Following the victory at Điện Biên Phủ, with peace restored, Northern Vietnam was liberated. In October 1945, the central Party and Government agencies relocated from Việt Bắc to Hanoi. In light of this historic current affairs event, Tố Hữu composed the poem Việt Bắc.

Viet Bac comprises two parts: the first part recollects revolutionary memories and resistance; the latter evokes a bright vision of the country when peace is restored and praises the Party's merit to the nation by Uncle Ho. The excerpt belongs to the first part of the poem.

The main theme depicts the noble revolutionary sentiments of our people during the resistance against France. To Huu used a charming dialogue style between men and women in the famous gatherings in the North of our country. In folk songs, the motif of our common pair of words is widespread:

- When I return, do you remember me?
When I come back, I remember your smiling teeth

- If I return, you won't let me go back
I hold the hem of your shirt, I compose poems

- Upon my return, do I linger in your thoughts?
Returning, I feel like a lost scarf yearning for its owner.

- Upon returning, do I recall myself?
Remembering the dress I wore, recalling the love we shared.

To Huu substitutes the content of romantic love in folk songs with revolutionary comradeship, the steadfast loyalty to the Party, to the people, through the use of pronouns 'Me' and 'Us'. That noble sentiment becomes closer, more intimate:

- Upon my return, do I remember you?
Fifteen years of fervent longing.
Upon my return, do I remember at all?
Gazing at trees, remembering mountains, looking at rivers, recalling the source.

- As I depart, do I recall those days?
The source of rain, the floods, the clouds and mist?

- Between me and myself, myself and me
My heart, both behind and ahead, resolute and firm.
As I go, I remember myself again
The source of countless waters, so is the depth of affection...

The sentimental figure in the poem is the revolutionary cadre returning downstream. They symbolize the Kinh people and the people of Viet Bac, symbolizing the reversal of the nation. Hence, the revolutionary sentiment here also embodies the solidarity between the downstream and upstream regions, reflecting the ethnic policies of our Party and our state.

An analysis of the longing of the revolutionary cadre returning downstream for Viet Bac in the best poem Viet Bac

The first twenty lines are a heartfelt expression of Viet Bac's affection for the revolutionary cadre returning downstream. A series of poetic questions and metaphorical phrases:

- Upon my return, do I remember you?
- Upon my return, do I remember at all?
- Whose voice tenderly lingers by the riverside?
- As I depart, do I recall those days?

The author conveys to the reader a sense of lingering affection during the farewell between the departing and the staying. Remembering Viet Bac is recalling the revolutionary homeland, recalling the revolutionary source, where it shelters the revolutionary cadres, soldiers in the turbulent early days of the resistance:

- Upon my return, do I remember you?
Fifteen years of fervent longing.

The imagery of those fifteen years is a specific depiction, reminding of the early days of establishing armed forces, advancing towards seizing power into the hands of the people, until the victorious resistance against the French. Throughout that long period of hardship and bitterness, Viet Bac has shown gratitude, indebtedness to the revolution in such a way, hence: gazing at trees, recalling mountains, looking at rivers, recalling the source.

How can one departing avoid the sentiment of turmoil, confusion? The two adjectives 'confused', 'restless' both present in the verse change the mood even more vividly:

Whose voice tenderly lingers by the riverside
Restless in mind, confused steps
A farewell handkerchief bid farewell
Holding hands, what shall we say today...

The joy and sorrow of the months and days together from birth to death are left to the land. But the remembrance of the nurturing grace of the people of Viet Bac will forever remain in the hearts of the revolutionaries upon their return downstream. The questions of those staying behind are also self-reminders for those departing:

As I depart, do I recall those days?
The source of rain, the floods, the clouds and mist?
As I return, do I remember the battleground?
The grain of rice dipped in salt, the burden of enmity?

Remembering Viet Bac is also recalling the hardships, difficulties during the resistance. The verse enumerating 'the source of rain, the floods' is emphasized further by the words, along with 'the clouds and mist' to create a series, emphasizing the hardship, adversity of the resistance. The imagery of 'the grain of rice dipped in salt, the burden of enmity' is highly abstract. The poem's meaning conveys the solidarity of struggle, sharing hardships between the downstream and upstream regions is profound, deep, and firm.

Remembering Viet Bac is also remembering the comradeship of fellow countrymen. By speaking in a simple, heartfelt manner, the author expresses discreet yet earnest feelings, revealing the longing and nostalgia of those left behind:

As I return, the forests and mountains remember whom?
The leaves of trám falling, the bamboo shoots aging
As I depart, do I recall the homes?
The gray moss fluttering, the profound loyalty
As I return, still recalling the mountains and hills
Remembering the resistance against the Japanese, in the days of Viet Minh
As I depart, do I remember myself?
Tan Trao, Hong Thai, the banyan tree shrine?

Describing leaves to fall, bamboo shoots to age is a simple yet profoundly meaningful expression. Trám and bamboo shoots are familiar specialties of Viet Bac. These specialties used to be the food source for the people and the army during the resistance days. Nowadays, beyond the era of hardship and difficulty, recalling these products with heartfelt affection for Viet Bac is considered a deep memory in life. It highlights the steadfast loyalty of the upstream and downstream people.

The following passage is the continuation of the revolutionary cadre's affection before parting. To Huu successfully portrays the scene and people of Viet Bac with the most typical and beautiful details:

Between me and myself, myself and me
My heart, both behind and ahead, resolute and firm
As I go, I remember myself again
The source of countless waters, so is the depth of affection...
Remembering is like remembering a lover
The moon rising over the mountain, the afternoon sun on the back
Remembering each cluster of smoke and mist
Early and late, the beloved returns from work.
Remembering each forest of nứa and bamboo banks
Thia grass on Day River, Lê stream brimming
I go, I remember those days
Here and there, bitter and sweet...
Loving each other, sharing the cassava root retreat
Half a bowl of rice shared, blanket piled together
Remembering the mother's sunburnt back
Gently taking the child to the field, breaking each corn cob
Remembering the classroom in the dawn
Together lighting torches during festivities
Remembering the days of the organization
Life's hardships still echo in the mountain passes.
Remembering the forest bell in the evening
Grinding stones and pestles evenly by the distant stream...

Despite scarcity and hardship, the scenery and people of Viet Bac are beautiful and harmonious. That deep bond is expressed through symbolic images of 'sharing cassava root retreat, half a bowl of rice shared, blanket piled together' combined with the use of synonymous words for sharing. The smooth use of words expresses the sweet and bitter sharing between the people of Viet Bac and the revolutionary cadre. Countless deep bonds are carried within 'cassava root,' 'bowl of rice,' 'blanket,' which the revolutionary cadre owes to Viet Bac.

The selected poetry imagery carefully depicts the hardships and sacrifices of the people of Viet Bac for the revolution. The image of the mother with a sunburnt back evokes thoughts of the meticulousness, diligence of the Vietnamese mother-soldiers during the resistance, who wrapped, nurtured the soldiers, revolutionaries. It is a representative image of beauty, of affection in the resistance life that cannot fade in the memory of those returning downstream.

The remaining verse paints familiar scenes with images and sounds typical of activities during the resistance in Viet Bac. The contrasting verse highlights the optimistic spirit and love for life of the revolutionary cadre, despite the very difficult, challenging life:

Life's hardships still echo in the mountain passes

The sound of 'forest bell in the evening' and 'grinding stones and pestles evenly by the distant stream' are characteristic sounds of Viet Bac, reflecting peaceful, simple life in the mountains and forests, reminiscent of a bygone era.

Most notable is the nostalgic poetry about the beautiful scenery of the Northwest mountains through the four vibrant seasons:

As I return, do I remember myself?
I return and recall the flowers with the people
Green forests, bright red banana flowers
High mountain passes, the sun's glint tightening the belt.
In spring, dreaming of white apricot blossoms in the forest
Remembering those weaving hats, carefully threading each strand of river grass
The cicadas singing, the forest echoing with gold
Remembering my little sister picking bamboo shoots alone
In autumn, the moonlight shines in tranquility
Remembering someone's singing of faithful love.

A series of words depicting colors: green, bright red, white, and gold create a refreshing, delightful feeling in the landscape paintings. Spring with white apricot blossoms blooming in the forest. Summer with the sound of cicadas creating a lively atmosphere in the lush green forest. Autumn with peaceful moonlight shining bright. Amidst nature's flora and fauna, the people of Viet Bac appear gentle, humane, in diligent, confident labor. Images of 'the sun's glint tightening the belt,' 'carefully threading each strand of river grass,' 'picking bamboo shoots alone' bring strong vitality, making the natural scenery vivid and more meaningful.

Viet Bac also recalls the heroic deeds of our military and people during the resistance against the French. The verse radiates the majestic beauty of our people's army:

Our Viet Bac trails
Nightly rumbling like trembling ground
Soldiers marching resolutely
Stars at the gun's head, comrades with helmet

With echoing words, resolute marching, and consonant-initial language, the author vividly depicts the overwhelming spirit of our military and workers on the way to the front. With a resolute tone, footsteps crushing rocks, the author emphasizes the grandeur and steadfastness of our troops during this period. They walk in the light of patriotic and revolutionary ideals. They lead the nation towards a bright future. 'Stars at the gun's head' is a beautiful image, reminiscent of the 'moon hanging at the gun's head' in comrade Chinh Huu's poem, depicting soldiers in the early days of the resistance against the French. It's the same light, but now it's much stronger and dazzling.

Viet Bac homeland is the brain of the nationwide resistance, the unwavering faith of the people in the leadership:

Wherever the enemy is dark
Look up to Viet Bac: Uncle Ho brightly shines
Wherever the pain resembles roots
Look towards Viet Bac to nurture unwavering spirits.
Who could forget those fifteen years?
The revolutionary homeland established the Republic

The poem emphasizes the credibility of Uncle Ho, of the Party, towards the entire people and army during the harsh resistance period.

Viet Bac is a successful poem by To Huu and of the Vietnamese revolutionary poetry. Using the hexameter form with the sweet, earnest tone of folk songs, To Huu has captured the dialogues, poignant questions, and the enduring echoes of those parting in a farewell filled with nostalgia. From the vividness of life and profound emotions to the tender lyrical tone, from artistic techniques rich in national identity to the documents resonating with the sincerity of folk songs, the sentiments of the cadres and people of Viet Bac towards the revolution, resistance, and Uncle Ho are profound revolutionary feelings of the new era. These sentiments blend and continue the stream of patriotism, the principle of loyal affection, which is the enduring tradition of the nation.

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In addition to studying the content of Viet Bac, students need to prepare for the upcoming lesson on analyzing the imagery of Waves in the poem of the same name and understanding the soul of women in love, to grasp the knowledge of their Grade 12 Literature thoroughly.