Crafting the Ode to Sublime Heights

Crafting the Ode to Sublime Heights on page 39 of Literature 11 Textbook Volume 1

Exploring the Magnificent Ode, Short 1

Question 1:
'Magnificent' is echoed four times at the end of sentences 4, 8, 12, and the final sentence. Each repetition of 'magnificent' carries a distinct connotation.
- The first 'magnificent' denotes military prowess and strategic brilliance of Nguyen Cong Tru.

Question 2:
Despite understanding the constraints of officialdom, Nguyen Cong Tru persisted because he saw this role as a condition, a means to fulfill his aspirations and societal ideals for his country and its people. Simultaneously, it was an opportunity for him to showcase his talents and personality.

Question 3:
- Throughout the poem, Nguyen Cong Tru narrates his own story, self-assesses, and evaluates himself. He is acutely aware of his talents and capabilities, as well as what needs to be done for the benefit of the nation and its people. Nguyen Cong Tru takes pride in leading an active life within society. He also takes pride in living for himself, disregarding the constraints of tradition and prestige.
- He affirms his unique and unconventional personality, highlighting a liberated lifestyle that transcends rigid and outdated norms.

Question 4:
Singing and speaking have regulations regarding the number of lines, the way of dividing verses, but the writer can still break the rules according to their own preferences to create a freely structured work in terms of lines, words, rhyme schemes, rhythms...

Practice Session

- The language of 'The Enchanted Ode' is very liberal, free-spirited, audacious, bearing the distinctive characteristics of the author, containing many narratives. This aids in the transmission of content as well as the style of Nguyen Cong Tru more effectively.
- The language of the poem 'The Ode to Huong Son Landscape' is gentle, containing numerous descriptive words about natural landscapes while also incorporating terms with strong Buddhist influences. This clearly reflects the author's passion for the natural scenery of the country as well as Buddhism.

Preview and review recent lessons to improve your study of Grade 11 Literature more effectively

- Prepare the Short Ode on the Sandy Beach
- Prepare the Practice Session for Analytical Argumentation
- Prepare the Essence of Love and Hate

Prepare the Ode: Enchantment on the Sandy Dunes, Short 2

I. About the Author and the Work

1. The Author
- Nguyen Cong Tru (1778 – 1858), known as Ton Chat, with the alias Ngo Trai, also known as Hi Van, hailed from a Confucian family in Uy Vien village, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province.
- Nguyen Cong Tru was diligent and passionate about learning. By 1819, he passed the Imperial Examination and was appointed as an official. Throughout his life, he demonstrated his talent and dedication in various social activities ranging from cultural to economic and military fields. However, Nguyen Cong Tru's career path was not smooth-sailing. He experienced irregular promotions and demotions.

2. The Enchanted Ode is a remarkable work by Nguyen Cong Tru. It was composed in 1848 and follows the poetic form of ca tru. The poem flaunts the author's rebelliousness, his defiance in lifestyle, a lifestyle that is incongruent with Confucian norms.

II. Guidelines for Preparing the Composition

Question 1 (page 39 of Literature 11 Textbook 1):
In the poem, aside from the title, the author uses the phrase 'enchanting' four times.
- The first 'enchanting' denotes the military prowess, talent, and audacious style of Nguyen Cong Tru as an official.
- The second 'enchanting' illustrates the author's rebelliousness even as a commoner.
- The third 'enchanting' emphasizes Nguyen Cong Tru's swagger, as he takes young girls to temples, sings love songs, etc., and praises these actions.
- The final 'enchanting' shows the author's superiority complex, as he dares to disregard fame and wealth, disregards public opinion, indulges freely in any pleasure, without being bound by societal expectations.

Question 2 (page 39 of Literature 11 Textbook 1):
Nguyen Cong Tru knows that being an official is restrictive, entails loss of freedom, yet he still chooses to become one because it is a means for him to showcase his talent and aspirations. Therefore, 'enchanting' essentially represents a lifestyle that values honesty, respects individuality, embraces freedom, and openness.

Question 3 (page 39 of Literature 11 Textbook 1):
In this narrative song, Nguyen Cong Tru recounts his own story, self-narrates, and evaluates himself. The narrative tone is assertive and full of character. Nguyen Cong Tru's persona emerges through the enchanting imagery: he has achieved great success, possesses a free-spirited soul, exhibits innovative living philosophies, transcending the rigid constraints of Confucianism.

Question 4 (page 39 of Literature 11 Textbook 1):
Compared to the rigid regulations of Tang poems, narrative songs offer much more flexibility. While narrative songs prescribe the number of lines and the division of verses, writers can completely innovate to create a free-form work regarding the number of lines, rhyme schemes, rhythms... The liberal nature of this poetic form is highly suitable for conveying the fresh existential views of the Confucian literati, eager to assert themselves, disregarding the constraints of traditional Confucianism.

III. Practice Session

(page 39 of Literature 11 Textbook 1): According to you...
The differences in language between Nguyen Cong Tru's 'The Enchanted Ode' and Chu Manh Trinh's 'The Scenery Ode of Huong Son':
- The language of 'The Enchanted Ode' is not only suitable for the content but also for Nguyen Cong Tru's style: liberal, free-spirited, with a hint of audacity...
- The language of 'The Scenery Ode of Huong Son' is gentle, deeply imbued with Zen philosophy and the fervor for the natural scenery of the country.

Prepare the Ode: Enchantment on the Sandy Dunes, Short 3

I. GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING THE COMPOSITION