Exploring the Best Interpretations of Vũ Đình Liên's 'Ông đồ' through 7 Expressive Essays and 2 Poems

The decline of the Confucian education system has left a group of people in agony. Vũ Đình Liên's 'Ông đồ' serves as a testimony to a beauty that will never return. It's an image deeply embedded in the collective subconscious, not entirely lost, especially for those nostalgic for the past like Vũ Đình Liên. In a time when noble ideals have lost their place, relegated to the sidewalks and streets, it becomes a commodity... and only then do people sigh, startle, and feel sorrow for the once radiant glory. This sentiment is portrayed in the poem, creating a synergy of empathy between the sentimental character and the sentimental subject:

Every year, cherry blossoms bloom

And there, the old scholar is seen

Displaying red ink and paper

By the bustling street.

These are images etched deeply in the memories of a very young man. The cyclical nature of cherry blossoms, the old scholar, the ink and paper, all contribute to the sacred atmosphere of the national cultural space during Tet and the arrival of spring. However, one cannot help but be moved by the sight of the old scholar struggling on his path of livelihood. Is it the pitiful aging or the imminent decline of the scholar? Ironically, where he can preserve the cultural beauty and make a living is 'by the bustling street.' The solitary figure of the scholar, helpless, confronts the harsh reality. In the rapid flow of life, the image of the old scholar, diligently crafting each word with talent and dedication, emerges in the midst of the marketplace:

Many hire writers

To praise their talent

Hands embellish the verses

Like phoenixes and dragons in dance.

It echoes the echoes of an era, both a poignant scene in the futile struggle and a radiant light at the end of the day, ablaze as the day is about to fade. The crowded scene, pushing and shoving to buy a couplet, a new Confucian phrase, is painful. In each person, does anyone truly feel sorry for the deplorable degradation of the Sacred Confucian – a spiritual value placed on par with material values?

In the first 2 stanzas, the image of the old scholar in his prime is revered and admired by the author, Vũ Đình Liên, also expressing deep appreciation for the good traditional values of the nation.

Emerging in the New Poetry movement like a breath of fresh air, Vũ Đình Liên left a lasting impression with the poem 'Ông đồ' – a work of nostalgia and fondness for the ancient values of the nation. Reading the poem, we can't help but feel compassion for the image of those 'òng đồ,' the 'pitiful relics of a bygone era.' And the first two stanzas of the poem depict the image of the old scholar when Confucianism was still revered, allowing us to sense the traditional cultural value of Vietnam:

'Every year, cherry blossoms bloom

And there, the old scholar is seen

Displaying red ink and paper

By the bustling street

Many hire writers

To praise their talent

Hands embellish the verses

Like phoenixes and dragons in dance'

The old scholars were those who failed the imperial examinations and returned to their hometowns to teach the sacred Confucianism to young children. Although they did not achieve fame, they were talented individuals, committed to noble ideals, and therefore, deeply respected and loved by everyone.

The image of the old scholar in Vũ Đình Liên's poem is accompanied by the image of the 'cherry blossoms,' a familiar image from past centuries, deeply ingrained in the human psyche, something natural and intimate. Cherry blossoms signify the transitional moment of the new year, and at that moment, the old scholar appears with red paper, a feather pen, and ink amidst the bustling crowd. He appears like a law of nature in the cyclical flow of time, a unique feature of the Vietnamese people every Tet and spring. 'Every year – again' – it is a regularity with the appearance of the old teacher on the street, something so familiar, serene in the midst of the busy streets, yet not losing its attraction:

'Many hire writers

To praise their talent'

Vũ Đình Liên painted a vivid picture with the image of the old teacher as the center, surrounded by countless people standing, admiring each word on the red paper. The soaring words with numerous positive meanings are perhaps the most beautiful image in the memories of past springs. Everyone wants to have a pair of red couplets hanging in their homes on Tet, to be proud and to add more luck. People scramble to ask for a word, a beauty from the old teacher. It is what makes the old teacher feel the importance and significance of his life. Each word of praise, each 'praise of talent,' makes the old teacher feel warmer, more motivated, and each word floats like 'phoenixes and dragons in dance.' Everyone who comes to the old teacher to ask for words is people who value the meaning of words, love the talent of the old teacher. It can be said that during this period, the old teacher is the center of attention. To achieve that, the old teacher must be a talented person with excellent writing skills, and Vũ Đình Liên used two verses to prove the talent of the old teacher:

'Hands embellish the verses

Like phoenixes and dragons in dance'

For those who understand calligraphy, Confucianism, each word is a painting, an artwork that not everyone can create, but requires profound knowledge and skillful hands. The image of the old teacher carefully writing each word to dance on the red paper, the clear and bold strokes, the flying and resolute lines are extremely admirable. Each word not only contains the talent of the teacher but also holds his thoughts, essence, aspirations, and ideals.

In this period, the old teacher becomes a distinctive cultural image in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, when Confucianism is still in its flourishing period. It is a time when everyone values words, and those who receive the words also appreciate the noble cultural values of Confucianism, promoting the high and beautiful cultural essence. The first two stanzas of 'Ông đồ' by Vũ Đình Liên are like praise, like nostalgia for the ancient values of Vietnamese culture. Now, the image of the old teacher is no longer present, but with those first two stanzas, we – the later generations – are reliving the picture of Tet and spring with the image of the old teacher sitting with red paper, feather pen, ink, simple amidst the bustling street.

Amidst the festive atmosphere of Tet and the arrival of spring on every street, poetry enthusiasts gently immerse themselves in the simple yet humane rhythm of poet Vũ Đình Liên: the poem 'Ông đồ'. The poem was born when the old scholar had become a relic of a bygone era. Confucianism had fallen out of favor, and people raced to embrace the modern era with Western letters.

The appearance of the old scholar is closely tied to the steady rotation of time, as it inevitably goes:

Every year, cherry blossoms bloom

And there, the old scholar is seen

Displaying red ink and paper

By the bustling street

Many hire writers

To praise their talent

“Hands embellish the verses

Like phoenixes and dragons in dance”.

Time is measured by cherry blossoms blooming, a signal announcing spring, colors woven by vibrant cherry blossoms, the rhythm of life measured by the bustling street, people's emotions expressed through the image: Many hire writers, praising their talent.

Standing out against the vibrant, joyful background is the portrait of the old scholar, the artist in the admiration and awe of everyone:

Hands embellish the verses

Like phoenixes and dragons in dance.

Cherry blossoms yield to the skilled hands of the old scholar, spreading beauty wherever they go. The characters from those hands seem to have a magical quality, compared to phoenixes dancing and dragons soaring. It is a beautiful and rich metaphor in Vũ Đình Liên's language, depicting the soft yet sublime characters, as if soaring amidst the brilliance of the spring sky and the vibrant cherry blossoms. It is a beautiful drawing, praising the old scholar, an artistic talent.

We recall the magical pen of Lê Mã Lương in an ancient Chinese tale, where the pen's strokes brought everything to life, with birds flying when drawn, and peacocks spreading their wings to dance... The countless talents and passion of the old scholar are embedded in those skilled characters. This is his most privileged era: beauty reigns, talent is revered.

The familiar figure of the old scholar emerges during every past Tet, tasked with writing festive couplets for people to adorn their homes, wishing for a lucky and peaceful new year. The old scholar holds a respected position within the intellectual class.

The images of the old scholar appear as a recurring pattern:

Every year, cherry blossoms bloom

And there, the old scholar is seen

Displaying red ink and paper

By the bustling street

The appearance of the old scholar signals the arrival of spring, closely tied to the cycle of time that always repeats itself. The use of 'every' indicates the familiarity of this image to the people. The red color of the paper, the black ink, and the joyfulness of the bustling streets approaching Tet enhance the festive atmosphere. The poem, though gentle, still conveys the joy of the blooming spring, with the image of the old scholar at its center.

The old scholar embellishes verses that dance like phoenixes and dragons:

Many hire writers

To praise their talent

“Hands embellish the verses

Like phoenixes and dragons in dance”.

With his talent, the old scholar is hired by many to write, and they all express respect and admiration. He is indeed the center of attention for everyone. His beautiful writing is compared to the essence of beauty and perfection, 'like phoenixes and dragons in dance.' The author uses a beautiful and valuable metaphor to describe the beautiful and elegant characters. With this comparison, the author praises the old scholar as a talented person dedicated to art.

In stanzas 1 and 2, that is the image of the old scholar from the past. He appears annually during Tet to write couplets for everyone, and his artistic talent is highly valued. This is the beauty of the old scholar from the past.

The poem was composed in 1936 and published in the magazine “Tinh hoa”. It emerged at a time when classical Chinese studies were losing their influence due to the encroachment of Western culture. This was also when the scholars were no longer revered as the era had changed. The title of the poem recalls a beauty that has deeply receded into the past, accompanied by profound nostalgia. Mentioning the scholars reminds us of the ancient Confucian teachers, who used to appear on the streets during Tet to write red couplets:

“Every year, peach blossoms bloom

And we see the old scholars

Displaying red ink and paper

On the bustling streets.”

This image became familiar as every Tet, the old scholars would appear with ink and red paper. It was a time of prosperity, the golden age for them. Like a cycle of time, every transition between the old and the new year, when the pink peach blossoms proudly displayed their beauty, the scholars would also appear. Their workspace was on the streets.

Imagine under the blooming peach blossoms and the chilly weather, an old scholar is delicately writing characters, amidst the lively footsteps creating a vivid picture. The use of “every” and “again” somewhat expresses that rhythmic pace.

The peach blossoms and the scholars went hand in hand, creating a harmonious scene for Tet. The pink of the peach blossoms, the black of the ink stick, and the red of the paper formed a vibrant painting. The calligraphy talent of the scholars was praised and admired by everyone:

“Many people hire for writing

Praising the skill with admiration

Gracefully writing with their hands

Like phoenix and dragon in dance.”

Many people hired the scholars to write, not only valuing their calligraphy but also holding deep respect for them. The scholars demonstrated their talent through red couplets, with characters resembling the dance of phoenixes and dragons. To write such exquisite characters, one must be knowledgeable in classical Chinese, Confucian teachings, which the scholars possessed. The simile “like phoenix and dragon in dance” expressed admiration and respect from Vu Dinh Lien as well as our people for the scholars.

This also signifies the appreciation for the traditional cultural values of the nation. Playing with words is a hobby that reflects the noble qualities of its enthusiasts. At the same time, the person writing the characters is considered a talented artist, as the characters express the creator's heart and mind. Not only writing beautifully but the scholars also wrote quickly, which is truly admirable.

The flowing characters under the skillful hands of an educated person made everyone want to hire them to write red couplets. It can be said that during their prosperous era, the scholars had a large clientele; people came to them for the admiration of the free-spirited characters. Both the writer and the player of words seem to have a deep connection because they both are individuals who understand and appreciate beauty.

The scholar, a familiar figure in Vietnam's ancient society, symbolizes the unsuccessful Confucian scholars who often turned to teaching. After the Confucian examination system was abolished, scholars were pushed to the sidelines and had to resort to writing for hire during the Tet holidays.

As time passed, things changed, and the scholar gradually faded away, becoming a pitiful relic of a bygone era. With his talented pen, Vũ Đình Liên revealed his compassion for the decline of Confucianism through the poem 'The Scholar.' The poem begins with the familiar image of the 'scholar.'

Every year, peach blossoms bloom

And we see the old scholar

Displaying red ink and paper

On the bustling streets

In the lively and bustling atmosphere of Tet, the old scholar with red ink and paper sits on the street corner, waiting for someone to hire him to write poems and couplets. Traditionally, people give away words; no one sells words. Yet, now the scholar has to sell words. The deep tone of the poem creates a melancholic mood, stirring the hearts of the audience. However, at this moment, the scholar finds solace because people still appreciate that artistic style to decorate during the New Year:

Many people hire for writing

Praising the skill with admiration

Gracefully writing with their hands

Like phoenix and dragon in dance

With skillful artistic comparisons, the poet eloquently depicts the cleverness and talent in the scholar's characters. Those artistic strokes are like phoenix and dragon in dance, beautiful in both color and line. Everyone praises the skill. At that time, everyone desires to have red couplets to beautify their homes during the new spring.

Such generous praise, but upon closer reflection, it's only the admiration of those outside the literary circle. Writing couplets for hire is already a tragedy, a step back for those pursuing scholarly careers. Passing the exams for high-ranking officials, military officials, or even low-ranking officials is better than being an unsuccessful scholar, returning to the village to teach, smoke tobacco, or consult horoscopes, as Tản Đà once did.

On Tet days, grinding ink and selling words on the sidewalk is probably an involuntary act for Confucian families. Selling words is the ultimate suffering for scholars in every era. The admiration and applause from the people, who may not understand calligraphy but praise it, console the scholar a lot. It is the sentiment of the people during his unfortunate fate.

Author's introduction: Alongside peach blossoms, every new year, there's a rare occurrence - red paper, black ink, and characters laden with saintly meanings are displayed on the streets. Don't think about scholarly matters; think about the perspective of the seller. These two verses are joyful because they express the high demand. The scholar still survives, able to exist in this ever-changing society.

Every Tet, as spring approaches, the ancient Vietnamese had a habit of seeking words to convey wishes and aspirations for the new year. These were words in the Nho script, a visually rich and meaningful form of writing. Learning and understanding the Nho script was already challenging, and writing it beautifully was even more difficult. Those with skilled hands transformed writing into what seemed like painting.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the streets of Hanoi preserved the image of elderly Nho scholars meticulously writing each round and square character, as described by Nguyễn Tuân, on delicate paper to sell to the Hanoians for Tet. This image deeply impressed Vũ Đình Liên and inspired a vivid and simple poetic painting:

Every year, peach blossoms bloom

And we see the old scholar

Displaying red ink and paper

On the bustling street

The structure of 'every...again' shows the repetition that has become a familiar pattern. Peach blossoms have long become messengers heralding the arrival of spring. Therefore, saying 'peach blossoms bloom' is a reminder of the sacred moment of transition between the old and the new year approaching. Whenever peach blossoms bloom, the old scholar reappears with ink and red paper on the busy streets, ready for the Tet shopping crowd. The poem speaks tenderly but carries profound affection.

Though it occupies only a small corner 'on the street,' in this poetic painting, the old scholar becomes the focal point. Serene and quiet, the scholar harmonizes with the lively and bustling life using his most precious possessions. The twenty-character verse fully introduces space, time, characters, laying the groundwork for the continuing story in the subsequent stanzas:

Many people hire for writing

Praising the skill with admiration

Gracefully writing with their hands

Like phoenix and dragon in dance

From the busy street, the space narrows down to where the old scholar sits writing. The warm verse comes alive with the use of the quantity-indicating 'many' and the appreciative term 'praise,' expressing admiration, applause, and respect. The ancients believed that the Nho script was a sacred form of writing. Learning it was not for a living but for the highest purpose - to become a person capable of serving the king, assisting the nation, and helping society.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Vietnam underwent profound changes in all areas. The situation 'Western studies have not reached the summit while Chinese studies have been uprooted' and the final imperial examination dealt a blow to the dreams of the disciples of Khổng sân Trình.

To find a livelihood, they only had one option left: selling words, just like the circumstances of the old scholar in the poem. Even though trading sacred words for a piece of bread and some clothing was a forced act and not joyous or prestigious, the admiration and praise from people somewhat comforted the sorrows of those living in unfortunate times. They hired the old scholar to write words, marveling at his talent also meant appreciating both talent and beauty.

In the next two lines, the poet vividly describes the scene, portraying the artistic prowess of the old scholar:

Gracefully writing with their hands

Like phoenix and dragon in dance

The verse evokes an image similar to what Đoàn Văn Cừ recorded in a Tet market:

A teacher, hunched over, winged pen in hand

Meticulously writing spring poetry

Readers feel as if they are seeing before their eyes the slender, nimble fingers of the old scholar gracefully maneuvering the brush. The brush strokes, guided by the pen, reveal characters with ink that gradually appear soft as 'phoenix and dragon dance.' Within those characters, the old scholar seems to pour all his aspirations, desires, and ideals.