Comparing the sound of the stream in the poems 'Con Son Ballad' and 'Night Scene'

Topic: Comparing the sound of the stream in 'Con Son Ballad' and 'Night Scene'

Comparing the stream sounds in the poems 'Con Son Ballad' and 'Night Scene'
 

Sample essay Comparing the stream sounds in 'Con Son Ballad' and 'Night Scene'

Nature in poetry is an endless source of themes: the moon, stars, clouds, mountains, birds, and more are vividly and aesthetically depicted. The use of stream sounds in poetry is relatively rare, but when evoked, it immediately brings to mind the harmonious connection between Nguyen Trai and Ho Chi Minh in their works 'Con Son Ballad' and 'Night Scene'.

It must be acknowledged that in any era, nature has always stirred the emotions of poets. Nguyen Trai and Ho Chi Minh, two individuals from different times, share a poetic element—the sound of the stream, the essence of the mountains and forests. However, the stream sound in each poem carries distinct beauties. The stream sound in 'Con Son Ballad' is:

The stream in Con Son flows melodiously
I hear it like the sound of a musical instrument by my ear.

Nguyen Trai finds the soothing sound of the stream as gentle to the ear, resonating 'like the sound of a musical instrument by my ear,' enchanting the author. This stream sound reflects the author's serene mood when immersed in nature, away from the chaotic world of political ambitions. The stream at Con Son allows us to feel the abundant vitality of all things, behind which lies the longing for a carefree life, returning to live amidst nature, forgetting all the struggles for fame and gain. Its purity cleanses poets of the burdens of the competitive world, leaving only tranquility in the soul amid the quiet space that wise individuals possess. Returning to nature, the poet escapes confinement and hesitation, freely wandering through life. In contrast to Nguyen Trai, Uncle Ho portrays the stream sound in 'Night Scene' with an emotional hue:

The stream sounds like a distant singing

The stream here is also pure, but likened to 'the sound of distant singing.' Amidst the silent mountains and forests, Uncle Ho hears the stream and imagines it as the distant singing echoing through space. It could be the song of the vast, inviting wilderness, beckoning artists to release their souls. However, while Nguyen Trai passionately releases his soul into that melody, Uncle Ho does not forget reality. His heart still burns, tirelessly worrying about the fate of the nation and its people. Despite being captivated by the warm and resonant singing, he does not completely lose himself in it. In his conscience, Uncle Ho still 'forgets himself for all' because the harsh reality of the Revolution is a silent note that makes the excitement before the scenery of the Viet Bac battlefield only temporary. Through this, we see the greatness in the heart of the beloved leader.