Crafting the Poem 'Water Glutinous Rice Cake' by Ho Xuan Huong

Crafting the Poem 'Water Glutinous Rice Cake,' Short 1

I. Reading and Understanding the Text:

Question 1:
* The poem 'Water Glutinous Rice Cake' belongs to the genre of seven-word quatrains, following the rules of this genre:
- The poem consists of 4 lines
- Each line has 7 words
- Each line follows a 4/3 rhythm
- Rhyme is placed at the end of lines 1, 2, and 4.

Question 2:
a. In the first meaning, Ho Xuan Huong vividly describes the appearance of the glutinous rice cake and the process of making it: the cake is white from the flour, molded into a round shape, firm or crumbly depending on the hands that mold it, boiled by boiling water, and when cooked, the cake will float.
b. In the second meaning, the image of the water glutinous rice cake symbolizes women in ancient times:
- Appearance: beautiful and 'round as can be.'
- Qualities: pure, maintaining a heart of gold, loyal, and resilient: 'keeping a heart of gold.'
- Fate: floating and swaying through life: 'three sinkings, seven floatings.'
c. In the two meanings, the second meaning is the main focus of the poem, revealing its ideological value.

II. PRACTICING WATER GLUTINOUS RICE CAKES:

Question 1: Record the lines expressing affection starting with the two words 'Dear me'

- Myself is like a drifting weed
The wind pushes waves, unsure where to go.
- Myself is like a raindrop
Falling on the pavilion, rolling to the plowed field.
- Myself is like a raindrop in a downpour
Falling into the well, into the garden of flowers.

* The lines expressing affection learned in lesson 4, including the additional reading part, share many similarities in emotions. This is a voice expressing the injustice of the old society towards women, a life full of vicissitudes, floating, enduring many injuries, and having no right to decide one's own destiny.
 

Crafting the Poem 'Water Glutinous Rice Cake,' Short 2

 Structure:
- Part 1: Image of water glutinous rice cake
- Part 2: Fate, qualities of women through the image of water glutinous rice cake

Additionally, Prepare the essay Practical application of some rhetorical and syntactic measures is a crucial lesson in the 12th-grade Literature curriculum that requires special attention.

In addition to the content covered, you should prepare for the upcoming lesson with the section Social discourse on dreams and aspirations to solidify your knowledge of 12th-grade Literature.