Commentary on the following poem: Resonating through the heavens and earth/What name shall be held in reverence by the mountains and rivers

Prompt: Commentary on the following poem: Resonating through the heavens and earth/What name shall be held in reverence by the mountains and rivers

I. Outline for Analyzing the Poem: Resonating through the heavens and earth/What renown shall grace the mountains and rivers

1. Introduction

Providing a general overview of

2. Body

a. Two lines of poetry declare boldly the heroic spirit of the romantic character in the cosmic context.

- 'Echoes resound throughout heaven and earth': the hero emerges within the vastness of the universe.

- Two words, 'Must prevail,' resonate with a grandeur affirming the resolute determination to establish glory and fame of the hero.

b. Two lines of poetry demonstrate the positive spirit of striving for glory and fame by the poet.

- 'Danh': meaning 'reputation and career', embodies the spirit of striving for glory and fame by the hero.

- The term 'danh' transcends ordinary personal notions and is exalted, accompanying the metaphor of 'mountains and rivers.'

→ Humanity must establish reputation and achieve great deeds by transcending personal interests and linking one's reputation to the common cause of the nation.

c. The positive notion of striving for glory and fame by Nguyen Cong Tru is a continuation of the ideal of reputation established by heroic figures throughout the nation's history.

3. Conclusion

Affirming the significance of the positive notion of striving for glory and fame by the author

II. Sample Essay: Analyzing the Poetry: Echoes resound throughout heaven and earth/What fame should be associated with mountains and rivers

In the literary landscape of Vietnam in the first half of the 19th century, Nguyen Cong Tru was one of the authors with unique views on heroic spirit, striving for glory and fame, and masculine ideals - familiar themes of medieval literature conveyed through the grandiose tone of poetry. This was clearly demonstrated in the work 'Self-Praising Examination,' particularly through two lines of verse:

'Echoes resound throughout heaven and earth
What fame should be associated with mountains and rivers'

In the first line of verse, within the cosmic context - 'throughout heaven and earth,' the romantic protagonist emerges with resolute declaration and noble demeanor of a great gentleman: 'What fame should be associated with mountains and rivers'. The phrase 'What fame should be' resonates with a heroic grandeur affirming the determined will to establish glory and fame of the hero. 'Fame' here signifies 'reputation and career' - one of the familiar concepts in Confucian ideology, and also the ideal of the gentlemen in feudal times. However, in Nguyen Cong Tru's conception, the term 'fame' transcends ordinary personal notions and is exalted, accompanying the metaphor of 'mountains and rivers' - a metaphor for the nation, the homeland, and the people. This demonstrates the positive connotation of the concept of 'fame' that Nguyen Cong Tru presents: humans must establish reputation and achieve great deeds by transcending personal interests and linking one's reputation to the common cause of the nation.

The positive notion of striving for glory and fame by Nguyen Cong Tru is a continuation of the ideal of reputation established by heroic figures throughout the nation's history. Through glorious and heroic historical pages, in the nation-building and defending process, the masculine spirit has become the ideal light and guiding principle of the heroic. It is General Tran Hung Dao with the determination 'not to die in the enemy's gate' and the will to defeat the invading Yuan enemy. It is Pham Ngũ Lão with a glowing heart of striving for glory carrying the positive spirit of Confucian thought in the position of 'holding a horizontal spear.' Despite having made significant contributions to the cause of protecting the nation's borders and territory, he still carries within himself a sense of 'shame' with the desire to possess great strategical talents like Prime Minister Gia Cat Luong to save the country and help the people.

'A gentleman's reputation still owes a debt
Feeling ashamed, listening to the tales of Prime Minister Vu'

(Excerpt from 'Expressing Feelings' - Pham Ngũ Lão)

In his works, Nguyen Cong Tru has often referred to the spirit of striving for glory and fame being closely linked to 'reputation and career':

'Why does reputation stand amid the cycle?
With spirit and ambition pledged to the nation'

('Debt of Ambition')

Such as:

'The spirit of striving for glory and fame knows no bounds
Exerting strength, waving expansively across the four seas'

('Heroic Spirit')

'With loyalty and filial piety, one stands amidst heaven and earth,
Without reputation and career, time fades away with the grass and trees'

(Fate as a man)

Thus, the positive notion of striving for glory and fame, escaping from personal fame to share fame with mountains and rivers through the career of serving the country and saving lives, has formed a unique system of thought, creating the author's distinct identity in Vietnamese literature. At the same time, these viewpoints also reflect the author's awareness and affirmation of personal talent and position.

Through the two lines of verse above, we can see the author's progressive view on masculine ideals - a concept originally derived from Confucian ideology. Meanwhile, the resolute poetry about striving for glory and fame to survive with the nation's territories has affirmed the personality and talent of Nguyen Cong Tru. It is a shining example of the beauty of an ambitious and responsible lifestyle, along with the determination to realize ideals and connect personal career closely with the common cause of the nation.

Self-Praising Examination is a famous poem by Nguyen Cong Tru about the spirit of striving for glory and fame. In addition to the essay 'Analyzing the Poetry: Echoes resound throughout heaven and earth/What fame should be associated with mountains and rivers,' you can also refer to: 'Analyzing The Song of Ecstasy by Nguyen Cong Tru', Analyzing the self-portrait poem (Memoirs) by Nguyen Cong Tru, Analysis of the poem Expressing Feelings (Longing). The true personality of Confucian scholars in The Song of Ecstasy by Nguyen Cong Tru.