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Composing on 'Mother' (by Do Trung Lai), 7th Grade Vietnamese Literature - Kite
Crafting a literary piece on 'Mother' for 7th Grade Kite literature
I. Preparation
1.1. About the Author
- Hailing from Phung Xa, My Duc, Ha Tay (formerly), Do Trung Lai (1950) was a versatile figure. He served as a teacher at the Military Culture School, a journalist, and later as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Military People's Weekend newspaper. Apart from his literary endeavors, he also delved into painting and journalism.
- Notable works include: 'Night on the Cau River' (1990), 'Brothers and Others' (1990), 'Poetry and Paintings' (1998), 'The Moon Lute Player in Hang Zhou' (2000), and more.
1.2. Literary Works
- The poem 'Mother' is excerpted from the poetry collection 'Night on the Cau River.'
- The poem, employing the familiar imagery of the areca tree, vividly portrays the mother's hardships and conveys the profound love and sadness of a child as the mother's old age approaches.
📝Reflections After Reading the Poem 'Mother' - 7th Grade Literature - KNTT
II. Comprehension
2.1. While Reading
1. Pay attention to the rhyme and rhythm of the poem.
- Establish foot rhyme.
- The rhythm varies between 2/2 and 1/3 depending on the line.
2. How are the words describing 'mother' and 'areca' in stanzas 1 and 2 related in meaning?
- The words describing 'mother' and 'areca' in stanzas 1 and 2 are contrasted in meaning: 'bent - straight,' 'green - silver,' 'tall - short,' 'sky - earth.'
=> The use of contrasting words to describe 'mother' and 'areca' accentuates the mother's aging process over the years.
3. Notice the nuanced expressions of the words 'lift' (line 15) and 'hold' (line 16).
- 'lift' means to raise gently.
- 'hold' means to keep within, not to outwardly express.
=> The words 'lift' (line 15) and 'hold' (line 16) signify the tender, reverent, nurturing affection of the child towards the mother, emotions that move the child to tears.
4. Is line 18 a question or an emotional outpour?
Line 18 ' - Why is our mother old?' serves as an emotional outpour: the child's sorrowful realization as their mother ages with time.
2.2. After Reading
1. Analyze the characteristics of the four-line poem in the poem 'Mother,' focusing on syllables per line, rhythm, and rhyme.
- Syllables per line: 4 syllables/line.
- Rhythm varies between 2/2 and 1/3.
- Rhyme scheme: Establish foot rhyme.
Crafting an Ode to Motherhood (by Do Trung Lai), 7th Grade Vietnamese Literature - Kite
2. Whose voice is the poem 'Mother,' and what emotions does it reveal? Provide your general impressions after reading the poem.
- The poem 'Mother' speaks from the perspective of a child witnessing the aging of their mother over the years, revealing emotions of sorrow, reverence, and deep love for the mother.
- General impression: After reading the poem, I feel deeply moved and saddened by the portrayal of the aging mother and touched by the child's affection towards their mother.
3. Identify the words used by the author to describe 'mother' and 'areca' in the poem. What literary devices does the author employ to depict the 'mother' and 'areca' imagery? Highlight the effects of these literary devices.
- Words describing 'mother': bent, silver-haired, diminishing, close to the earth, thin.
- Words describing 'areca': straight, lush green, increasingly tall, reaching towards the sky, dry.
- The author employs the following literary devices to depict 'mother' and 'areca' imagery:
+ Contrast (antithesis): 'bent - straight, silver-haired - lush green, diminishing - increasingly tall, close to the earth - reaching towards the sky.'
=> Effect: Emphasizes the image of the mother aging over time.
+ Simile: 'A piece of dry areca nut/ As thin as my mother.'
=> The image of the dry areca nut is likened to the mother, emphasizing the mother's frailty. Thus, it expresses the child's sorrow and pity towards the mother.
+ Metaphorical question: 'Why is our mother old?.'
=> Effect: Conveys the sadness and compassion of the child upon seeing their mother's old age approaching.
4. Identify and analyze the words, imagery portraying the child's emotions towards the mother in the last two stanzas of the poem.
- 'I lift her in my arms/ Unable to hold back tears'
- 'I raise my eyes to the sky/ - Why is our mother old?'
=> Reflects the child's poignant emotions towards the mother's aging.
5. Among the imagery used by the author to depict the mother, which one resonates with you the most? Why?
Among the imagery used by the author to depict the mother, the image of 'A piece of dry areca nut/ As thin as my mother' resonates with me the most. The image of the dry areca nut evokes the image of my mother's frailty and her sacrifices. She is modest, giving everything to care for her children, and now she is old. This evokes profound feelings of love and appreciation for my mother.
6. Observing my family members over the years, how do I perceive their changes? What emotions arise when I recognize those changes?
Students share based on personal perception.
Suggestion:
Over the years, the family members have undergone many changes: My parents have aged over time, wrinkles have appeared on their faces, and strands of gray hair have begun to show. My parents' eyes are no longer as sharp as they used to be. These changes make me even more grateful and loving towards my parents. I will strive to study hard to take care of my parents and make them proud.
Through the imagery of the areca tree, poet Do Trung Lai expressed the heartache of witnessing his mother growing old. The poem not only nurtures students' sacred and noble family sentiments but also conveys a profound message about the preciousness of loved ones!
Explore other exemplary 7th-grade literature compositions to better prepare and understand the lessons.
- Compose 'The Peddler' (by Vu Dinh Lien), 7th Grade Vietnamese Literature, Kite
- Compose 'Vietnamese Language Practice Lesson 2', 7th Grade Vietnamese Literature, Kite
