Commentary on the following poem: Remembering the selfless but non-heroic act

Prompt: Commentary on the following poem: Remembering the selfless but non-heroic act

3 sample essays Commenting on the poem: Remembering the selfless but non-heroic act

Sample Essay 1: Commentary on the poem: Remembering the selfless but non-heroic act

Nguyễn Đình Chiểu is a great poet of our country, forever deserving to be the shining star in the Vietnamese literary sky in the 19th century. He left behind a number of poetic works, the most representative of which is the poem Lục Vân Tiên. Through the lives of Lục Vân Tiên and Kiều Nguyệt Nga, the poet affirms and praises a beautiful way of life.

'In a time of filial piety, men take the lead
In a time of virtuous women, they plow the field together'.

Lục Vân Tiên stands as an ideal hero in the patriotic poet Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's work. The epic and poignant tales of this heroic figure are numerous, depicting his noble deeds and sense of camaraderie in a chaotic society.

After slaying Phong Lai, dispersing the mountain bandits, alleviating the people's suffering, and rescuing Kiều Nguyệt Nga, Lục Vân Tiên exhibited an incredibly noble and heroic demeanor. When the lady worried about 'repaying a favor with enmity,' Lục Vân Tiên 'simply laughed' and then firmly stated:

'Remembering the selfless but non-heroic act,
Being human, such is not heroic.'

'Remembering but not acting on noble deeds' means recognizing righteousness but not acting upon it. 'Not heroic' signifies not being a hero. These two verses present a principle, a way of life: Recognizing righteousness but not acting upon it renders one unworthy of the hero title, even ordinary. Self-negation to affirm the noble ethos of ancient heroes, exalting the spirit of camaraderie, and actions guided by righteousness; viewing righteousness as life's sacred responsibility.

Why is it that when one recognizes righteousness but fails to act upon it, they are not considered heroes? Here, righteousness refers to compassion, the act of protecting and defending the oppressed and the suffering. It's about steadfastly opposing evil, resisting cruelty and oppression to safeguard the happiness, property, and lives of the people. True heroes must sacrifice themselves for righteousness, considering it the noble essence of life, ready to use their talents and courage to make righteousness shine in people's hearts. The moral code of the people esteems and values righteousness. Therefore, those who recognize righteousness but do not act, indifferent to the pain and suffering of others, are not worthy of being called heroes; they are, in fact, morally hypocritical and quite ordinary. Heroes must be connected to the people, to their worries, sorrows, joys, and aspirations. They must protect and strive for the happiness of the people. Only then can they be deemed genuine heroes.

The two lines of poetry: 'Remembering but not acting on noble deeds, / Being human, such is not heroic' express a very accurate and positive view of heroism.

Compassion is the essence of the people's moral code. Those with compassion are beloved and respected by the people. A hero lives and fights for the people's interests, using their talents to protect them. That is a compassionate individual.

The unjust, the cruel and oppressive, lack compassion and righteousness. It is for righteousness that one must oppose cruelty and oppression. Wanting to fight against evil, against tyranny and oppression, is not something anyone can easily do. It requires courage and determination like iron and stone, it requires intelligence and the willingness to sacrifice for righteousness, to consider death lighter than a feather—only by achieving this, by possessing such qualities, can one be considered a hero. 'Self-sacrifice, righteousness' is the motto of ancient heroes.

Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's perception of heroes deeply resonates with the people. As Lục Vân Tiên descended from the mountain to Kinh for the examination, he encountered bandits along the way. Addressing the fleeing villagers, he said:

'I shall exert myself as a hero, / To rescue people from the hardships of this time.'

He 'turned a branch into a staff,' expressing his resentment towards the bandit leader Phong Lai:

'Indeed, you're part of the treacherous gang, / Don't make harming the people your habit.'

Afterward, he boldly rushed in and defeated the bandits! Vân Tiên acted in accordance with the noble principles of a heroic ally.

A heroic ally holds honor above all else. They value righteousness over riches. They work for justice, not personal gain, cherishing the steadfastness of their word. Their bond with comrades is profound, their loyalty to mentors unwavering, their camaraderie expansive. For them, loyalty is weightier than mountains, unshakable by any trial.

In summary, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's concept of heroism, as depicted in the story of Lục Vân Tiên, is lofty and beautiful. Heroes are inseparable from righteousness, which in turn is intertwined with loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and virtue. Living amidst turmoil, in a society rife with deception and betrayal, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu exalted heroes of righteousness, revealing his enlightened soul. As Bảo Định Giang praised: 'Though blinded, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's soul shines like the North Star.'

Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's verse originates from an immortal saying of old: 'To see righteousness and not act is cowardice.' A brave soul fears no danger, scoffs at death, and strives to save others. With the sword of righteousness, they live and act by the motto: 'Upon seeing injustice, brandish your sword to aid and defend.' The gallant heroes of yore wielded their swords to punish tyrants and vanquish the vile... they acted upon this principle. Characters like Từ Hải in 'The Tale of Kiều,' yearning for freedom, declared:

'The call of heroes echoes:
Amidst injustice, mercy still prevails.'

Our people's concept of heroism runs deep. Courage in all directions defines the stature of heroes:

'To be a worthy man among men,
Phú Xuân has witnessed. So has Đồng Nai.'

The notion of heroism also reflects the spirit of the times. Each era has its own ideal of heroism. Throughout our thousand-year history of nation-building and defense, our nation has had many shining examples of heroes immortalized in history books. With Trần Quốc Tuấn: '... Fierce and unyielding, I will not spare flesh, strip skin, devour the enemy's liver, or drink their blood. Even if these hundred bodies are exposed to the elements, if these thousand corpses are wrapped in horsehide, I would still rejoice.' For Nguyễn Trãi, a hero must be compassionate, talented, and courageous, capable of strong love and hatred:

'Eradicate venom, greed, and tyranny,
Embrace humanity, wisdom, and heroism.'

Nguyễn Công Trứ, a polymath Confucian scholar and military strategist of the early 19th century, was a man of many titles: 'First in the imperial examination, then as a diplomat, later as a governor...' He left behind numerous poems depicting the 'spirit of the southern man', the 'spirit of heroism', with a tone of grandeur and unparalleled determination:

'His fame echoes throughout heaven and earth,
What honor does he need from mountains and rivers?'

'Sometimes, when clouds surge and waves crash,
Determined, he sets sail amidst raging storms.
Only those who overcome mountains and fill rivers
Become true heroes.'

The ideals of heroism, the heroic ideals of our ancestors, are deeply rooted in the era and history. Our forefathers have exalted the ideals of heroism, bravely sacrificing for the nation and the people, upholding righteousness. It is a precious asset of the nation to be proud of.

In the past half-century, our people have conducted two great resistance wars, defeating French colonialists and American imperialists. Countless heroes emerged, truly living up to the saying 'heroes are everywhere.' Soldiers wielding guns to defend the Fatherland are 'loyal to the country, filial to the people, accomplishing every task, overcoming every difficulty, defeating every enemy.' In the past, 'even when the enemy came to women's houses, they fought', today Vietnamese women embody the spirit of the new era: 'Heroic, indomitable, loyal, and dignified.'

Through the character Lục Vân Tiên, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu praised an ideal of heroism for its noble righteousness:

'Remember, to see righteousness without acting,
Is to be no hero, just a commoner.'

In the hearts of millions of Vietnamese over the past century, the image of Lục Vân Tiên emerges with great admiration:

'With a golden helmet adorning his head,
Wielding a silver rod, he sits atop a horse.'

Nguyễn Đình Chiểu spent his life using literature as a weapon to defend ethics, morality, and contribute to fighting enemies for the nation and the people:

'Navigating countless treacherous boats,
Piercing numerous villainous hearts with his pen.'

Nguyền Đình Chiểu's concept of heroism has been closely associated with the moral principles of being human, oriented towards the people. It is the deepest lesson we can perceive. In the new era of industrialization and modernization of the country, we must awaken Vietnamese intellect to create a new driving force for Vietnam's strength, the Vietnamese heroism.

Alongside Commenting on the following poem: Remembering the saying 'seeing virtue without acting is not being a hero,' students should explore additional compositions such as Composing an inner description in autobiographical texts or the section Imagining 20 years from now, on a summer day, you revisit your old school. Write a letter to a friend from that time recounting the emotionally charged visit to the school. to reinforce their knowledge of Literature in grade 9.

Sample 2: Commenting on the following poem: Remembering the saying 'seeing virtue without acting is not being a hero,'

For over a century, countless individuals have cherished the work 'The Tale of Lục Vân Tiên' because it portrays characters who live and act according to a noble principle expressed by the author through the following verse:

Remembering those who see virtue without acting, they are not heroes.

Firstly, let's try to understand the meaning of that verse. The content of this line can be understood as: seeing virtue without acting does not make one a hero.

This ideology embodies a noble way of living. Noble because it requires doing virtuous deeds unconditionally: doing good deeds in any circumstance, facing any difficulty without fearing personal loss, danger, seeking praise, or expecting compensation. It's noble because it benefits life. It helps the weak when they are oppressed; it aids the poor in times of hardship; it dares to oppose the authority of the rich, the violence of the thugs to protect justice. It's noble because it upholds the spirit of sacrificing for virtue.

Clearly, the idealistic figures in Nguyen Dinh Chieu's work are noble. Luc Van Tien only needs to hear the cry for help of the victim to rush into the midst of the robbers to rescue them. Luc Van Tien only had time to break a roadside branch to use as a weapon to 'deal with the robbers' before the densely packed crowd. Having completed the task, he not only refuses to act in return, but also refuses to show gratitude. For him, living in this world, encountering such situations, everyone must act according to their abilities. Such characters as Hon Minh, Vương Tử Trực, and even Kiều Nguyệt Nga, in different circumstances, all act with that noble spirit.

In our country's history, there have been numerous examples of those who see virtue and act upon it. Especially during the era of Nguyen Dinh Chieu, before the invasion of the French colonialists, many patriots stood up, fighting against the invaders with that spirit. Sometimes they knew failure was inevitable, yet they persisted. Why? Because saving the nation from invasion, protecting the homeland from oppression, is the duty of every citizen. The spirit of sacrifice for virtue was so strong, as Nguyen Trung Truc, a hero, once said: 'Only when the Westerners uproot all the grass of the Southern land will the people of the South stop fighting against the West.'

The lifestyle of 'for virtuous deeds', 'ready to perform virtuous acts' is still an admirable way of life in our era. If there is something to clarify and emphasize in that way of life, it is: defining what constitutes virtuous deeds. Virtuous deeds aligned with the righteousness of the era, actions beneficial to the country, advantageous to the people. Therefore, Le Van Tam sacrificed himself by setting himself on fire to burn down the enemy's fuel depot, Be Van Dan used his body as a human shield to shoot the enemy, Phan Dinh Giot filled a bomb crater with his own body, ...

Today, in ordinary life, there are ordinary young people, a cyclo driver, a public security officer, daring to fight against robbers alone to protect the lives and property of the people. There are those who, without fear of reprisal, bravely accuse the wicked, expose the corrupt. They are the modern-day Luc Van Tiens....

Living nobly, living heroically, has always been an appealing lifestyle for our young generation. But one does not have to wait for heroics to live heroically. One does not have to wait to be great to do virtuous deeds. There are many ordinary virtuous acts. One must know and practice virtuous deeds from small actions like that. Helping a child, an elderly person, a disabled person cross the street, participating in teaching a class with love, sharing their breakfast money with orphaned children, participating in a social relief effort, ... all of these are virtuous deeds.

The Vietnamese people are a nation rich in righteousness. While not everyone becomes a hero, the heroic way of life, being ready to perform virtuous deeds, is the common lifestyle of the majority of our people. That beautiful way of life has become a traditional moral quality of the Vietnamese people.

Sample Essay #3: Commentary on the following poem: Remember the saying 'to see virtue and not do it is to lack courage'

Nguyen Dinh Chieu is hailed as the bright star of Vietnamese literature, his works always aimed at the people and noble principles. Therefore, in many of his works, he mentioned the righteousness of those heroes, which brought great value to his works. The notable phrase 'to see virtue and not do it is to lack courage' is also about heroes.

The verse by Nguyen Dinh Chieu not only educates people to live up to their responsibilities and duties but also to be worthy of those living in society at that time. The heroes in the country lived and served the people and the nation. The phrase 'to see virtue and not do it is to lack courage' implies that if one does not act accordingly, they do not deserve to be heroes of the nation. This statement has brought significant values to people, not only today but also for many years to come. In the social context of that time, these profound words strongly impacted people's lives and values, leaving lessons about the values of being human and educating the dignity and morals of those living in this society.

Heroes in the nation must do things worthy of their reputation and duty. In the poem, the author speaks of individuals with fame and power who have not done things to help the people and the country, causing the people to suffer and feel ashamed. Nguyen Dinh Chieu feels pity for the sufferings and atrocities inflicted by the enemies on the people, and his words stem from a loving heart for the people. His entire life was dedicated to the nation, caring for the people's lives, desiring them to live comfortably and happily, sparing them from hardships. These things provided him with strong inspiration to write excellent and valuable works, bringing him everlasting fame as the bright star of Vietnamese literature. Though his eyes were not bright, his soul was extremely pure and bright, a writer of the people.

The valuable verses and admonitions have impacted people's lives and the actions of heroes in the nation, urging them to live rightly and perform meaningful deeds that bring value and happiness to each individual. We always learn from meaningful words, which are great lessons for ancient heroes and have a significant impact today. Each person has a responsibility to the nation to do things that bring value to their people. They need to be aware of their duties and roles towards the nation. Everyone will learn and do the best for the nation, ensuring that the people live in comfort, peace, and moments of tranquility, contributing to their upward journey in life.

Heroes in the nation need to prioritize the interests of the nation and its people. Like the hero Luc Van Tien in Nguyen Dinh Chieu's poetry, he was a righteous person, ready to help those in need to earn the love of the people. He devoted himself to the nation, willing to sacrifice to help people in difficult situations. His entire life was dedicated to the people, and this is the true image of a hero in the eyes of Nguyen Dinh Chieu. These images bring great value and contribute greatly to the realization of the most valuable and beautiful things. In Nguyen Dinh Chieu's poetry, always aiming for beauty and nobility, many verses have awakened people to be aware of their duties and responsibilities to their nation.

People who only think of themselves and not for the lives of the people are not worthy of being heroes in society. They are only after fame, not truly contributing value to the lives of the people, just as Nguyen Dinh Chieu said, 'to see virtue and not do it is to lack courage.' This statement not only accuses those in power and responsibilities towards the nation and the country but who do not fulfill their duties and responsibilities. People who act like that are not worthy of being heroes in this society. These words have brought great value to each person, awakening the consciousness and responsibilities of those living in that society, understanding their consciousness and duties to a nation facing extremely difficult and arduous circumstances when facing the enemy.

Being human means understanding and empathizing with the suffering that the people endure, which is the mark of true heroes. They always uphold noble qualities and righteousness. In the society of that time, Nguyen Dinh Chieu recognized anonymous individuals who were truly heroes and worthy of praise. However, alongside them were people who made no contribution to their nation, merely holding responsibilities to protect the people but doing nothing meaningful. Such individuals did not deserve the title of true heroes in that society. Bearing a title but doing nothing only made the people resentful and contemptuous. Understanding this, Nguyen Dinh Chieu incorporated it into his poetry.

Through these verses, he gained immense value, not only bringing meaningful values to life but also leaving significant meanings for the nation and its people. Those holding important duties for the nation and the people should live up to the expectations of the people and their own responsibilities, only then can they truly become honorable and wholeheartedly serve the people. Not only today but in the past, there was a great need for people who always prioritize the interests of the nation, bringing value to their own lives and caring for the lives of others. This not only provides the people with a life of freedom and happiness but also contributes to the country's development with the emergence of such individuals.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu's words not only denounce those who fail to carry out valuable deeds for their nation but also educate the heroes of the nation about their responsibilities and roles towards their people. Noble individuals will be increasingly enlightened and honored for generations to come.

In the Vietnamese Literature curriculum for grade 9, analyzing the last eight lines of the excerpt from 'Kieu at Ngung Bich Pavilion' is an important topic for students to focus on and enhance their knowledge.