Comparing the Portrayal of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and Squad without Goggles

Topic: Comparing the Portrayal of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and Squad without Goggles

Comparing the Depiction of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and Squad without Goggles

I. Outline Comparing the Depiction of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and Squad without Goggles (Standard)
 

1. Introduction

- Provide a general overview of the topic of writing about revolutionary soldiers
- Introduce the poems “Comrade” (Chính Hữu) and “Squad without Goggles” (Phạm Tiến Duật)

2. Body

a. Similarities

* The depiction of soldiers in both poems portrays them with admirable qualities:
- They are individuals rich in determination, willpower, always ready to overcome any difficulties, hardships, and challenges with belief and optimistic spirit
- Comrade:
+ Chính Hữu seems to have captured all the hardships, difficulties, and deficiencies that the soldiers had to endure
+ These soldiers have risen above all with a smile, the image of a 'freezing smile'
- Squad without Goggles:
+ Images of 'dust,' 'rain' are not only realistic but also symbolic of hardships
+ Yet, these soldiers have overcome everything with determination, perseverance, and belief: expressed through phrases like 'not having... well then...', repeating the structure 'not needing...' and a series of images like 'puffing on a cigarette,' 'looking at each other covered in mud, laughing ha ha,'...
- Both have a strong bond of comradeship.
- Comrade:
+ The soldiers understand each other's every emotion, standing side by side, sharing everything
+ The image of 'caring hands clasping each other'
- Squad without Goggles:
+ In the arduous journey to the battle, these soldiers, despite facing challenges, share warm and close bonds, symbolized by the phrase 'sharing the same bowl and chopsticks.'

• Both depict a proactive, relaxed posture, ready to fight the invading enemy

+ Comrade: The image of not 'waiting for the enemy to come,' as vividly depicted, shows the soldiers standing boldly, awaiting the enemy without any worry or fear.
+ Poem about the Squad without Goggles: Their upright posture is emphasized and highlighted through phrases like 'looking at the ground,' 'looking at the sky,' 'looking straight,'...

b. Differences
- Background:
+ Comrade: Originating from different farmers from various rural areas
+ Poem about the Squad without Goggles: Originating from young intellectuals
- The image of soldiers in the poem 'Comrade' appears simple and authentic because they come from farmers, while the soldiers in the 'Poem about the Squad without Goggles' appear youthful, innocent, mischievous, and lively.

c. Explanation of reasons
- Similarities: both write about the theme of soldiers with their inherent beauty
- Differences:
+ Characteristic of literature - literature is a field of innovation and creativity, therefore it does not allow copying or repetition.
+ The circumstances of the creation of the two works.

• The poem 'Comrade' was created in 1948, marking the early days of the resistance against the French.
• The poem 'Poem about the Squad without Goggles' was created in 1969, during the fierce and brutal period of the anti-American resistance.

3. Closing Thoughts

Summarize the portrayal of soldiers in both poems and express personal reflections.

II. Sample Essay Comparing the Portrayal of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and Squad without Goggles
 

1. Comparing the Portrayal of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and Squad without Goggles, Sample 1 (Standard)

The theme of soldiers is a rich literary landscape explored by many poets and writers, yielding captivating and unique works. The depiction of soldiers under each writer's pen appears with distinct characteristics, and Chinh Huu and Pham Tien Duat contribute to enriching this theme with two exemplary pieces - the poem 'Comrade' and the poem 'Poem about the Goggle-less Squad.' The portrayal of soldiers in both poems shares similarities, yet they also exhibit differences.

Firstly, the depiction of soldiers in both poems is similar in the admirable qualities and precious beauty they possess. The soldiers in both poems are individuals rich in determination, unafraid of difficulties and hardships, and ready to overcome everything with willpower, belief, and an optimistic spirit. Reading Chinh Huu's poem 'Comrade,' we cannot forget the vivid verses:

You and I knew each chilling shiver
Feverish, sweat-soaked foreheads
Your shirt torn at the shoulders
My pants patched in places
Mouths frozen with laughter
Feet bare.

Through realistic and vivid images, Chinh Huu seems to vividly present all the hardships, difficulties, and deficiencies that the soldiers had to endure during the intense resistance of the nation. From the chilling fever in the jungle to material shortages - 'torn shirt at the shoulders,' 'pants patched in places,' 'barefoot.' However, these difficulties and shortages cannot break the spirit of these soldiers. They rise above it all with a smile, the image of 'mouths frozen with laughter' clearly showing us their optimistic spirit, determination, and resilience.

Not only in the poem 'Comrade,' but also in the poem 'Poem about the Goggle-less Squad,' the beauty of these soldiers has been vividly depicted:

No goggles, so there's dust
Dust sprays, white hair like the elderly
No need to wash, casually lighting a cigarette
Looking at each other with muddy faces, laughing ha ha

No goggles, so the clothes get wet
Rain pouring down, drenching like the outdoors
No need to change, steering a hundred kilometers more
The rain stops, the wind quickly dries it.

On the marching route to the battlefield, on the Truong Son trail amidst countless rain of bombs, storms of bullets, and dangers, the driver soldiers exerted effort to overcome everything. We can see that the images of 'dust,' 'rain' are not only realistic descriptions but also symbolic images representing the difficulties and hardships that the soldiers faced on the way to the battlefield. However, these soldiers surpassed it all, and their determination, resilience, and belief are clearly expressed through the use of expressions like 'no goggles... so what,' and the repetition of the structure 'no need to...' along with a series of authentic images demonstrating their spirit, such as 'casually lighting a cigarette,' 'looking at each other with muddy faces, laughing ha ha,' 'no need to change, steering a hundred kilometers more,'...

Moreover, the soldiers in both poems share a strong comradeship, a bond that is enduring, cohesive, and heartfelt. In the poem 'Comrade,' camaraderie appears beautifully, vividly expressed throughout the poem. There, the soldiers understand each other's sorrows, standing side by side, sharing everything:

My homeland, salty water, and sour fields
My village, poor, with fields cultivated on rocky ground
You and I, two strangers
From different directions, meeting without prior arrangement.
Guns next to guns, heads close to heads
In the cold night, shared blankets become symbols of profound friendship
Comrade!

Your plowed fields are sent to cultivate for dear friends
In a humble house, indifferent to the swaying wind
A well rooted at the banyan tree remembers those who went to the front.

These soldiers, originating from different rural areas, answer the sacred call of the Motherland, sharing the same ideals, the common purpose of striving, and becoming comrades, companions, sharing the same blanket. And then, they understand each other's every concern, the situation, the ideal purpose, and the deep love for the homeland and the country. Simultaneously, these soldiers together overcome numerous hardships, shortages, and the harsh conditions of the dangerous battlefield with its wild and fierce nature. Ultimately, those sacred and precious feelings in them crystallized vividly through the verse 'Caring for each other, hands holding onto each other.' The image of 'holding hands' is a unique and meaningful poetic image, a handshake to strengthen the comradeship, to exchange the warmth of love, to provide each other with motivation and belief to fight and triumph.

Reading the poem 'Poem about the Spectacle-Free Squad' by Phạm Tiến Duật, we also witness the high and admirable camaraderie, comradeship:

The vehicles from falling bombs
Have gathered here, forming a small squad
Meeting friends along the way
They shake hands through the broken windows

On the arduous journey to the battlefield, amidst hardships, the soldiers meet in a fleeting moment, through the shattered windows due to the bombs of the battlefield. They exchange warm handshakes, symbolizing profound camaraderie. These handshakes convey countless trust and motivation, enabling them to strive together on the perilous journey to the front. Simultaneously, for the drivers among these soldiers, their camaraderie and brotherhood are simple yet profound. For them, those who share the same bowl and chopsticks are like siblings, like family. They are ready to love, support, and share every hardship together.

The Hoàng Cầm kitchen we erect in the sky
Sharing a bowl and chopsticks signifies family, indeed.

In addition, soldiers in both poems appear with a proactive stance, ready for battle. Reading the poem 'Comrade' by Chính Hữu, readers will surely not forget these verses:

Standing side by side, waiting for the enemy
Rifle barrels hanging like the moon

Against the backdrop of nature, amid the night in the wilderness, when the salt mist envelops everything, these soldiers remain steadfast, composed, standing 'waiting for the enemy.' The image of not 'waiting for the enemy' as portrayed before our eyes, the soldiers stand tall, waiting for the enemy without any worry or fear.

Alongside that, the upright, unyielding posture of the soldiers driving in 'Poem about the Spectacle-Free Squad' is also clearly evident:

No glasses because the car has no glass
Bombs blast, shaking, shattering the windows
Calmly in the driver's seat, we sit
Looking at the ground, looking at the sky, looking straight

Seeing the wind wiping bitter eyes
Seeing the road running straight to the heart
Seeing the stars and suddenly, a winged bird
Like silk, like rushing into the cockpit

On the road to battle, amidst bombing and gunfire, causing the vehicles' windows to shatter, but none of that can stop the footsteps of these soldiers. The drivers remain 'calm' holding their steering wheels firmly, standing tall in the cockpit to fulfill their mission. Particularly, their upright posture is emphasized through the use of language such as 'looking at the ground,' 'looking at the sky,' 'looking straight,'... These drivers not only fear nothing but are also ready to face everything, to make efforts to overcome challenges.

Thus, the image of soldiers in both poems appears with similarities, the similarity lies in the beauty of noble qualities and souls. However, there are differences. The differences are first reflected in their backgrounds. The soldiers in the poem 'Comrade' are from rural areas, hailing from different villages across the country, while the drivers in 'Poem about the Spectacle-Free Squad' are city boys, young intellectuals. Additionally, the image of soldiers in the poem 'Comrade' is portrayed with simplicity and sincerity due to their rural background, while the soldiers in 'Poem about the Spectacle-Free Squad' appear with youthful, innocent, mischievous, and lively traits.

2.  Comparing the imagery of revolutionary soldiers in the poems 'Comrade' and 'The No-Glasses Squad, Model 2':

As military poets who matured during wars defending the Fatherland, Chinh Huu and Pham Tien Duat lived, experienced, and deeply understood the lives of soldiers on the battlefield. In the skilled hands of these poets, not only did they wield guns against the enemy, but they also blossomed enchanting verses about soldiers. Two of these poetic expressions are 'Comrade' by Chinh Huu and the poem about the no-glasses squad by Pham Tien Duat. Both depict the image of soldiers in the Vietnamese People's Army, sharing commonalities easily noticed. Yet, in these two poems, each possesses its own unique beauty.

'Comrade' by Chinh Huu was born in 1948, during the early years of the arduous resistance against the French. Our government was just established, still in its infancy. The soldiers in 'Comrade' are those who fought against the French, coming to the resistance from the brown uniforms of farmers, from the poverty of rural areas:

My homeland, salty water, and sour fields
My village, poor, with cultivated land turned into rock and wild beasts

Pham Tien Duat's poem about the no-glasses squad was born in 1969, during the intense period of the resistance against the US to save the nation. The soldiers of this era were very young, mostly just leaving the school desks, their souls still basking in youth. They were individuals:

Ripping through the Truong Son to fight the US
With hearts brimming with future aspirations.

Different circumstances and conditions inevitably led to differences in the revolutionary consciousness of the soldiers in the two poems. The perception of war by the soldiers against the French was simple, not as vivid as during the resistance against the US. In 'Comrade,' the most sacred emotion mentioned is comradeship. In 'The Poem about the No-Glasses Squad,' the concept of patriotism, willpower, and national spirit begins to emerge:

'The vehicle keeps moving for the South ahead
As long as there is a heart within the vehicle.'

Living amidst the battlefield with sacred comradeship, the soldiers against the French reminisce about their families: elderly mothers, naive wives, and young children. Those resisting the US are different. They understand that the resistance is arduous, with more challenges ahead. Thus, the convoy on the road to the front line has become a shared home, and fellow comrades have become a close-knit family:

'Hoang Cam's kitchen set in the sky
Sharing a bowl and chopsticks signifies family.'

The fundamental difference between the two poems lies in the poetic techniques employed by the two authors. Chinh Huu uses a realistic and romantic approach to depict the images of soldiers in the early stages of the resistance, facing numerous hardships and lacking resources:

'His shirt torn, my pants patched here and there
Cold laughter, barefoot in the freezing cold.'

Romantic inspiration is distilled in the emotion of sacred comradeship: 'Comrade!' along with poetic images rich in allure like 'moonlight hanging on the gun's muzzle.' The poem 'The Poem about the No-Glasses Squad' is constructed with a romantic-realistic poetic technique. The hardships are not evaded:

'No headlights, no tail lights on the vehicle
No hood, scratches on the truck.'

But above all, the resilience and playfulness of the optimistic and life-loving young soldiers prevail:

'Skillfully using the steering wheel I sit
Looking at the land, looking at the sky, looking at victory.'

'Yeah, the dusty wind'
'Yeah, the wet clothes,'...

It can be said that in 'Comrade' by Chinh Huu, the poet paints a picture of soldiers with sacred comradeship sharing the hardships and toils of a challenging, deprived resistance life. Pham Tien Duat's poem 'The Poem about the No-Glasses Squad,' on the other hand, portrays the youthful, vibrant, life-loving, mischievous, and ambitious nature of the soldiers resisting the US.

Despite historical circumstances shaping some differences, soldiers in both poems still carry the precious traits of the people's military. That is a love for the country, comrades, and fellow soldiers.

Responding to the call of the homeland, they leave behind the 'original ferry terminals,' the streets, houses, and even their dearest ones. In the harsh conditions of combat, amidst deprivation, the fighting spirit of these soldiers surges, boiling with determination. They fear neither danger nor difficulty, steadfastly holding their guns to protect their homeland and country:

'Guns by guns, heads by barrels,'

'The vehicle keeps moving for the South ahead
As long as there is a heart within the vehicle.'

They stand closely together, beside their comrades, to bravely fight side by side. If in 'Comrade' it is:

'Affectionate hands clasping one another's hand','

In the Poem about the No-Glasses Squad, that imagery has become familiar:

Reaching hands through the broken window

Regardless of shortages and hardships, they accept it, remaining cheerful, optimistic, and more in love with life. That handclasp signifies a sacred comradeship, where they convey to each other the belief in victory, love, and that courageous spirit. Living and dying, it seems that in the heart of every soldier, there is no concept of surrender.

Despite the distinct similarities and differences, these characteristics bring forth Ho Chi Minh's soldiers in various vibrant and intimate hues. This primarily helps readers better understand these soldiers. Their images appear truly beautiful, embodying the hopes and aspirations of the people. Through these veterans, readers perceive a lofty and sacred light. Not only that, the differences in style of each author's expression enrich and beautify our homeland's artistic garden.
 

3.  Comparing the imagery of revolutionary soldiers in the poems 'Comrade' and 'The No-Glasses Squad, Model 3:

Poetry springs from life. Perhaps that's why each poem brings harmony between the emotions of the reader, listener, and the poet's soul. Especially, poems associated with the image of soldiers in two periods of resistance against the French and the US deepen our affection for the nation's arduous fighting life. However, the images of soldiers in each period have similarities and differences, thus depicting distinct soldiers, exemplified by 'Comrade' by Chinh Huu and 'The Poem about the No-Glasses Squad' by Pham Tien Duat.

Their first difference lies in the circumstances of their combat and background. The verses of 'Comrade' were penned by Chinh Huu in May 1948. These were the initial years when the French invaders returned after the August Revolution, making life incredibly challenging, especially in the resource-scarce war zones. Understanding the nation's pain, poor farmers from every corner of the country abandoned their fields and 'original ferry terminals' to heed the sacred call of the Motherland.

'My homeland, salty water, and sour fields
My village, poor, with cultivated land turned into rock and wild beasts.'

Unlike Chinh Huu, Pham Tien Duat - a young poet in the period of the resistance against the US for national salvation - gave birth to 'The Poem about the No-Glasses Squad' in May 1969. This period marked the most intense phase of our nation's resistance. Liberation forces entered the battlefield when they were very young, with shoulders reaching for the pink phoenix, hearts exposed to the youthfulness. These heroes 'crossed Truong Son to save the nation' disregarding the wide-open future, as their feet were firmly tied to the front lines by the words 'love for the country.'

Due to different circumstances and backgrounds, their ideals of combat and awareness differ. In 'Comrade,' the perception of war by the soldiers is simple, not profound. They only fight to escape the brutal domination of French colonialists, to regain freedom, to reclaim their humanity. In their hearts, comradery is the most sacred, precious gift they receive during their long time wielding guns.

'Guns by guns, heads by barrels,
Sharing the cold night, becoming intimate companions.
Comrade!'

Meanwhile, during the resistance against the US, the concept of patriotic spirit and national unity deeply engraved in the minds of individuals in the combat zones. They understood that, during this phase when the North was engaged in building socialism, the South continued to endure hardships due to the invasion of the American empire. 'Unity' became the top priority for our nation. In the hearts where the red blood of the Vietnamese flows, the soldiers of Truong Son carry an optimistic spirit, a determined will to liberate the South, and a comradeship formed since the resistance against the French.

'The vehicle keeps moving for the South ahead:
As long as there's a heart inside the vehicle.'

It would be remiss not to mention the beauty of these two poems when comparing them. 'Comrade' embodies the beauty of simplicity, naturalness, and depth. Comradeship is portrayed naturally, harmoniously, within the spirit of intense patriotism and sharing among friends. On the other hand, 'The Poem about the No-Glasses Squad' stands out as an illustration of youthful, optimistic, and courageous spirit with a burning love for the country in their hearts. Their aspirations and beliefs are embodied in the no-glasses vehicles, the means that propel them across the Truong Son range straight toward the beloved South.

Nevertheless, those soldiers, regardless of the era, carry an enduring nostalgia for their homeland. Living amidst the battlefield with sacred comradeship, the hearts of these farmers tighten whenever images of elderly mothers, foolish wives, and innocent children come to mind. They feel a deep sorrow thinking about deserted fields overrun by weeds and empty homes growing even lonelier.

'Fields, I send to my comrades to plow,
Empty home, indifferent to the swaying wind,
The well at the banyan tree remembers the one who left for the army.'

Soldiers against the U.S. differ, their nostalgia is the yearning for the battlefield, the regret for pristine notebooks. They mourn the end of radiant dreams on the journey to the future. Yet, they understand that the responsibility to their homeland remains, so they are determined to fight with all their might. They transform the path to the battlefield into a shared home, uniting hearts for the spirit of resisting foreign invaders.

'In the kitchen, a ruler stands under the sky,
Sharing a bowl and chopsticks signifies a family.'

Discussing the art of the two poems, it is not difficult to see a relatively clear difference. Hữu uses a romantic writing style, constructing in his poetry the symbol of comrade love: 'the gun's head hanging moon'. Inspiration surges and then settles in the soul, turning into images of battle and peace, bringing to life a poem full of sentimentalism but equally captivating. In contrast, Phạm Tiến Duật constructs the image of the soldier with what is real in the closest combat life: 'vehicles without glass'. This poetic image is truly unique, making readers marvel at the innovation and simplicity, yet full of the poetic essence of the 'poem about the glassless vehicle platoon'.

But despite the differences in circumstances, backgrounds, and ideals of the fight, they still share a single goal: to fight for the peace, independence, and freedom of the motherland. They take determination as the foundation, and the spirit as the basis to confidently step into a future built on comrade love. Knowing that in the battle of survival, there are many who have to sacrifice, but that is a greater motivation, propelling the dreams of the soldiers to soar high and far. The image of the soldiers in both eras embodies the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's army that we need to cherish and appreciate.

In summary, soldiers are forever the most beautiful and vibrant symbols of war, whether it's the resistance against the French or the fight against the U.S. They appear so close and dear, with the warm comradeship that has, is, and will forever be nurtured in the heart. They are resilient cacti, striving to rise in the vast and arid desert. They are the guiding lights illuminating the path of our homeland, leading the nation towards peace and development as we see it today.

4. Sample 4: Comparing the Images of Revolutionary Soldiers in the Poems Comrade and The Glassless Vehicle Platoon

On the topic: Our nation rose to conduct two intense revolutionary wars against the French and the U.S. Naturally, for over thirty years, the people have not laid down their arms. The image of 'Uncle Ho's Soldiers' is the 'most beautiful human' image, the most adorable in poetry, and a great pride of the nation.

About the work: Alongside many other poems, Comrade was composed in early 1948 when the author Chinh Huu fought in the Viet Bac campaign. The poem about the glassless vehicle platoon was written in 1969 when the author Pham Tien Duat participated in activities on the Truong Son trail, successfully depicting the theme of the soldier.

On the topic: The portrayal of the soldiers in the two poems has preserved in Vietnamese literature the beautiful and endearing faces of the soldiers in two historical periods.

Point 2: Historical Analysis

Commonalities: These are soldiers of the people, so they share common beauties:

Love for the country, love for the homeland, love for comrades:

Analyzing the lines 'The well at home remembers the one who goes to the front' (Comrade) and 'The vehicle keeps moving for the South ahead' (The Poem about the Glassless Vehicle Platoon).

Analyzing the hand-holding gesture containing countless unspoken emotions in both poems demonstrates the strong comradery bond.

Overcoming all hardships and suffering with the determination to defeat the enemy and fulfill the mission:

All the hardships, challenges, and trials are vividly depicted with realistic details, avoiding any evasion in both poems.

Yet, the soldiers all maintain a resilient posture, 'waiting for the enemy,' 'calmly facing the challenge.'

Optimistic belief: Both poems portray the optimistic spirit of the soldiers. From the 'frozen smiles' of the anti-French resistance soldier to the 'looking at each other with muddy faces, laughing heartily' of the soldier during the anti-U.S. period, they both express an optimistic spirit and heroic demeanor.

Points of divergence:

Comrade by Chinh Huu depicts the peasant soldier in the early days of the resistance against the French with a simple, rustic, and colorful beauty. The sacred comradeship blends with the communicative emotion when the fighting ideal shines brightly in the soul.

Gun next to gun, head beside head
Cold nights shared as loyal comrades
Comrade!

Pham Tien Duat's poem about the glassless vehicle platoon portrays the truck driver in the anti-U.S. resistance with a youthful, defiant beauty. This generation of soldiers is educated, resilient in battle, with sensitive souls and distinct personalities, exuding an adorable 'soldierly' charm. All of them are dedicated to the beloved South with a fervently patriotic heart.

The vehicle keeps moving for the South ahead
As long as there's a heart within the vehicle.

Point 3: General Evaluation:

The image of soldiers, whether in the resistance against the French or the resistance against the U.S., carries the noble qualities of 'Uncle Ho's soldiers' from that era. Providing poets with beautiful prototypes, they create emotionally stirring images. Writing about soldiers, poets speak about themselves and their comrades. Hence, the portrayal is authentic and vivid.