Analyzing the traveler's emotions in the poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand' sheds light on the weariness, exhaustion, and profound reflections of poet Cao Bá Quát regarding the path of fame and success.

Prompt: Exploring the emotional state of the traveler in the poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand'

Exploring the traveler's mindset while walking on the sand in the poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand'

Tip: Techniques for analyzing poetry effectively and uniquely to achieve high scores

I. Outline Analyzing the traveler's mindset while walking on the sand in the poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand' (Standard)

1. Introduction

Introduction to the work 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand'

2. Body

- The traveler's emotions in the first 4 lines:
+ Describing the uncertain steps of the traveler unable to determine the destination.
+ The traveler's sadness and sorrow. He feels disillusioned when realizing the vagueness of the path to success.
+ He is discontented with the social reality and dissatisfied with the current political regime.

- The traveler's emotions in the next 6 lines:
+ Self-blaming for not mastering the art of indifference to life, indifferent to the suffering of the people → The noble character of Confucianism always remains vigilant amidst the changing times...(Continued)

>> View Detailed Outline Analysis of the traveler's emotions while walking on the sand in the poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand' here.
 

II. Sample Essay Analyzing the traveler's emotions while walking on the sand in the poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand' (Standard)

Literature is where artists convey their emotions and sentiments. It's also where writers and poets express the ideals of a true gentleman. Cao Bá Quát is one of those poets. With his poem 'A Short Song Walking on the Sand,' he revealed his concerns and his disdain for the current political regime.

The first four lines have depicted the image of the traveler with a sense of sadness and sorrow:

'Spratly Islands recall the Spratly Islands
Once, twice, back in memory.
The sun sets, yet to stop,
The traveler sheds tears along the way.'

(Sand after sand stretches far
One step forward feels like a step back
The sun has set, but not halted,
The traveler's tears fall on the path.)

Cao Bá Quát frequented poetry gatherings in the imperial capital of Huế, so he was familiar with the continuous stretches of sand in central provinces like Quảng Bình and Quảng Trị. He incorporated these images into his poem to symbolize the arduous, challenging, and difficult path to success. The recurring phrases 'Spratly Islands', 'once' evoke a space overwhelmed with successive sandbanks. Each step on the sand feels heavy, 'one step' feels like 'a step back', moving forward but seemingly remaining in the same place. The protagonist's footsteps are uncertain, unable to determine direction or destination. He becomes disenchanted upon realizing the obscurity of the path to success. He is discontent with the societal reality, dissatisfied with the current political regime because it represents a stagnant, conservative society.

The traveler blames himself for not mastering the 'art of deep sleep' like the ancient sages, to be indifferent, indifferent to the times:

'Soldiers, ignorant of the sage's sleep,
Climb mountains, cross streams, their anger unrelieved!
Throughout history, fame and fortune,
All on life's path.
Amidst the wind, the aroma of wine in the tavern,
Countless inebriated, how many remain sober?'

(Unable to grasp the sage's sleep,
Climbing mountains, crossing streams, anger never abates!
Throughout history, fame and fortune,
All on life's journey.
In the wind, the scent of wine in the tavern,
Many intoxicated, how many remain sober?)

If he could attain the art of sleep, the author would not be concerned with life's affairs, not be discontent with reality, not worry about the hardships of people's lives. But ultimately, that would just be avoiding life, something Cao Bá Quát is not cowardly enough to do. It shows the noble character of a true Confucian scholar. 'Climbing mountains', 'crossing streams' are arduous tasks, the traveler self-blames for persisting on the path to success despite knowing beforehand it's a difficult and perilous road. For gentlemen of old, fame and fortune were the only paths to establish themselves, to showcase their talents before the world:

'Having a name known throughout heaven and earth,
What fame does it bring to mountains and rivers?'

(Nguyễn Công Trứ)

A true gentleman will feel immense shame if he cannot repay the debt of fame to life:

'A gentleman's fame still owes a debt
Shameful ears hear tales of Vu Hau'

(Phạm Ngũ Lão)

Cao Bá Quát highlighted the reality where countless people chase after fame and fortune, while few recognize its illusion. He poignantly asks: 'Countless intoxicated, how many remain sober?' He sorrowfully acknowledges the corruption of the path to success, where people exploit it for personal gain. It has become associated with mundane benefits, where individuals compete and trample over each other to achieve their goals. They vie for positions to enjoy wealth, power, and material possessions. Some even resort to cunning tactics to undermine each other for fame. Cao Bá Quát subtly compares the allure of 'fame and fortune' to the temptation of alcohol. Just as strong alcohol entices drinkers, leading them to lose sobriety, fame and fortune ensnare individuals in selfish competition. While many are blinded by fame and fortune, few recognize its true nature. The traveler is not seduced by alcohol or captivated by fame and fortune; he remains remarkably sober but is plagued by uncertainty regarding whether to continue pursuing the weary path of success he despises.

It seems the traveler has fallen into despair:

'Spratly Islands, Spratly Islands, why the bitter sea?
The loose reins bear many marks of authority.
Hearing a single shout along with the melodies,
North mountains with myriad peaks,
South mountains with myriad heights.
Armies here and there in victorious establishment'?

(Endless stretches of sand, oh endless stretches of sand!
What's the calculation here? The path is unclear,
The fearful road remains abundant, not scarce.
Listen to my song 'together on the road',
To the north, mountains in the north, countless layers,
To the south, southern mountains, waves surging.
Why stand on the beach?)