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Topic: Analyzing the portrayal of the Da River in the essay 'The Boatman of the Da River' by Nguyen Tuan.
Sample essay: The depiction of the Da River in the essay 'The Boatman of the Da River' by Nguyen Tuan.
I. Outline of Analyzing the Depiction of the Da River in 'The Boatman of the Da River' Concisely
1. Introduction:
- Introduce the author and the work.
- Provide an overview of the depiction of the Da River in the literary piece.
2. Body:
2.1. Overview:
- The Da River is the mother river of the North Delta, originating from Yunnan province, China.
- The unique beauty of the Da River is evident in the opening lines: 'Waterways thawing in the winter - Da River flowing northward alone.'
2.2. Analysis:
a. The fierce, menacing, and dangerous beauty of the river:
* River scene:
- The riverbank rocks 'stand like walls'.
- The Hat Loóng rapids 'water clashes against rocks, rocks clash against waves, waves clash against the wind', always like a 'persistent debt' to the boatman.
- Ta Muong Vat has 'water vents like concrete wells,' 'breathing and moaning like a spouting drain cover.'
* Da River waterfall:
- From afar, the sound of the waterfall 'sounds like accusing, then begging, then mocking, a growl mocking the dream of a thousand buffaloes…'.
- When approaching:
+ 'White foam erases' the waves.
+ 'The rocks here for a thousand years still conquer all in the river... grabbing the boat'.
+ 'The river surface vibrates like a turbine in the dam pit.'
II. Sample Essay: The Portrayal of the Da River in the Exceptional Essay 'The Boatman of the Da River' by a Talented Student
1. Model Essay Analyzing the Superb Depiction of the Da River:
The Da River stands out as a prominent feature of the Northwestern natural landscape. With a sensitive soul and artistic brilliance, Nguyen Tuan has presented readers with a vivid 'portrait' of this river through the essay 'The Boatman of the Da River.' The beauty of the Da River in the work is both majestic and intense, yet poetic, sentimental, and full of romance.
The Da River is known as the mother river of the North Delta. Originating from Yunnan province, China, the Da River is the largest tributary of the Red River. It is also intertwined with the historical battle between Mountain God and Water God. The beauty of the river has been documented by many writers, and Nguyen Tuan could not resist the grandeur of this place, penning the essay 'The Boatman of the Da River.' The opening lines of the work capture the uniqueness of the Da River: 'Waterways thawing in the winter - Da River flowing northward alone,' signifying that while other rivers flow eastward, the Da River goes north. This distinctiveness has piqued the curiosity and exploration of the author.
The initial appearance of the Da River is one of majestic and intense beauty, like an unrelenting foe to the people of Northwestern Vietnam. Upon entering the text, readers immediately encounter vivid and realistic descriptions. The Da River, majestic with 'riverbank rocks standing like walls, the river's face only sees the sun at noon.' Just a few words are enough to create a sense of darkness and chill. Phrases like 'the Hat Loóng rapids stretch for miles, water clashes against rocks, rocks clash against waves, waves clash against the wind, constantly demanding debts from any boatman crossing there.' The Tà Mường Vát stretch is described as having 'water vents like concrete wells dropped into the river to prepare for bridge foundations,' 'the water here breathes and sounds like a drain cover gurgling,'... Nguyen Tuan has used a series of vivid and unique similes and personifications, highlighting the fierceness of the Northwestern natural landscape.
Most intense is the mention of the Da River waterfall. Even from a distance, the author can hear the water's sound 'like accusing, then as if begging, then as if taunting, a growl mocking a dream of a thousand dreaming buffaloes amidst the bamboo forest bursting with fire.' Getting a bit closer, 'the foam has whitened the entire stone sky.' In the battle with the boats, the Da River appears as the number one enemy of humans, ready to swallow any passing boat. Countless rocks here are arranged by nature as if 'setting up a stone formation on the river.' Waves, water, and rocks relentlessly attack humans, even delivering the most treacherous blows, causing the boatman's face to twist in agony. Through Nguyen Tuan's pen, the Da River emerges as an antagonist, 'year after year and generation after generation, making itself disagreeable to the people of Northwestern Vietnam and reacting with unjustifiable anger towards boatmen.'
However, alongside that fierce beauty is a gentle, charming, and highly sentimental aspect of the Da River. Its appearance from above is like 'flowing long like a romantic hair, with the head and feet hidden in the clouds of the Northwestern sky blossoming with Bauhinia and rice flowers in February...' The river water also changes color with each season. In spring, it is 'a jade green flow,' different from the 'moss green color of the Gam and Lo Rivers.' Come autumn, the 'Da River water slowly turns red like the face of a beggar gone from wine, slowly, the angry red color of an dissatisfied person every autumn.' Just a few descriptions make the reader see another interesting side of the Da River.
The beauty of the Da River is also a sensual, poetic allure like a fairyland. Nguyen Tuan sees the river as a 'kindred spirit.' Meeting this 'kindred spirit' brings a feeling of 'warmth and depth.' The riverside scene is 'quiet,' full of dragonflies, butterflies, water lilies, grass, or a herd of deer 'bowing their heads to nibble on dew-drenched grass at night.' The scenery is peaceful, whimsically reminiscent of a fairyland. 'The wild riverbank is like a prehistoric shore. The innocent riverbank is like a fairy tale from ancient times.'
Amidst the river's tumultuous stretches and rocky cascades, the waterway unfolds like a stony battlefield, threatening to engulf novice boats at every turn of the helm. It becomes apparent that the river has strategically laid out a stone formation resembling a treacherous battlefield. The clustered rocks and boulders form three rows across the river, posing a perilous challenge to navigating vessels. The art of personification is skillfully employed to describe this rocky formation as a cunning tactic. The river segment unfolds into a wickedly strategic maneuver, reminiscent of a perilous game. It reveals five battles in the circular formation, with four gates leading to death and one to life, the life gate strategically positioned on the left bank.
Adjacent to the images of ferocity and danger is the serene and enchanting portrayal of the Da River. Both riverbanks are adorned with vibrant and joyous scenery.
* The idyllic and gentle Da River:
The Da River flows gracefully like a romantic cascade of hair, its head and feet hidden within the clouds of the Northwest sky... The river's water transforms with each season: In spring, it glistens with a green hue akin to an emerald... In autumn, the waters of the Da River flow steadily, tinged with a deep red.
Along the riverbanks, there are stretches of tranquility that seem to have remained serene since the times of the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties. The riverbanks exude an innocent charm, reminiscent of ancient fairy tales. This gentle demeanor enhances the landscape, causing passengers on the boat to daydream as if they hear the whispers of a deer: 'Oh, river guests of the Da, have you also just heard the whispering horn (...) of the first train journey' in the author's imagination.
Personification and metaphorical expressions come into play: The river appears to be listening to the soft voices of those descending, and the river is flowing its boats, blossoming like cloth sails...
The banks of the Da River overflow with the vibrant scenes of a new beginning. Corn stalks rise like clouds of young corn leaves at the beginning of the season (...) a herd of deer bowing their heads to nibble on dew-drenched corn cobs (...), a school of fish splashing on the surface of the river with silver bellies glistening. Overall, the beauty of the Da River sometimes arises from its majestic and intense features, and at other times from its graceful, gentle, and smooth aspects. This is depicted in a unique style, with carefully chosen images, precise words, and richly musical sentences.
Nguyen Tuan contemplates nature and humanity in harsh circumstances, simultaneously appreciating the beauty and talent of both. The Da River in general, and the boatman of the Da River, serve as poetic symbols in prose praising our beautiful homeland, showcasing the belief in the new life unfolding in our country.
