Buzz
In the emotional state of both the inhabitant and the traveler, the silhouette of the mountains and forests - the people of Northern Vietnam remains intact along with memories, featuring simple yet moving images. Even today, these verses still resonate with the vivid colors, sounds, and the warmth of the mountainous combat zone, the warmth of human affection spreading: 'We return... the loyalty of water and land.'
Approach B: Everyone, as a person, has a lifetime to remember and cherish. There are pieces of land that may not be where they bury their roots, yet they never fade in the heart. Because that is flesh and blood, a place that records the most beautiful memories of a person's life. As Che Lan Vien once philosophized: 'When we stay, it's just a place to live - When we leave, the land has become the soul.'
Northern Vietnam - the homeland of resistance, revolution in the early days of the Republic has become a symbol of the devoted bond with the revolution, the nation. Poet To Huu recorded the deep ironclad love of 'those fifteen years so devoted and intense' in the poem Northern Vietnam, with all the intense emotions of a poetic soul deeply committed.
Through the years, the fluctuations of history, that earnest voice still resonates in people's hearts. The Northern Vietnam of yesteryears still remains intact in the hearts of people today: 'We return... the loyalty of water and land.' Perhaps, the heartfelt loyalty of that time has deeply permeated into the collective loyalty vein of national poetry, so the passage of time does not fade the impressive image of an ancient majestic mountainous combat zone?
1. The enchanting vitality of the Viet Bac poem, in general, and this particular stanza lies in its melodious, folksy tone, rich with the colors of folk poetry. The emotional thread flows like an underground stream hidden within the Vietnamese soul, a fundamental characteristic of To Huu's poetic style—always profoundly rooted in the national spirit.
2. Emotions intertwine with images of the homeland—with evocative strokes that elicit nostalgia. It's the spiritual essence flowing through the length of history, touching the most sacred threads of Vietnamese sentiment: 'You leave, you remember your homeland...'
3. Political inspiration permeates the entire poetic journey of To Huu. Viet Bac is the crystallization of his personal and collective emotions. The natural harmony of two emotional streams: nationalism and revolution. The sincere voice of the protagonist also reflects the poet's contemplations and sentiments. It's challenging to separate the subject from the character, where the 'self' is attached to the qualities and emotions of the nation. The self-expression—politically sincere, like whispered confessions shared with the people, persuading hearts.
B. Detailed Analysis :
1. Remembrance:
a. It's the dominant emotion throughout the poem, intertwined with the 'self' and 'others,' the earnest spectrum of emotions, an unfading realm of departing souls.
b. Remembrance here borrows the hues of folk poetry, a delicate continuation, a subtle aspect in the intimate relationship between flowers and people. The homeland materializes in specific beauty: the refined beauty of nature (flowers) harmonizing with the beauty and vitality of human beings.
c. Each image of 'flowers with people' creates a distinct impression of the beauty of the mountains and forests of Viet Bac. The intertwining, blending of colors form the emotional fabric of the stanza; remembrance through each line becomes more profound and intense. Based on this, the poet directs all thoughts towards people—ordinary yet magnificent.
2. Homeland Portrait:
a. Tố Hữu skillfully employs the infinite space of poetry to encapsulate the four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—in the most beautiful and harmonious colors. The rhythmic progression of time chosen by the author occurs at poetic moments, leaving an unfading impression in memory. Remembering scenes to remember people.
b.
Lush green forests, vibrant red banana flowers
Sunlight embraces the high mountain pass, cinching the waist
The vermillion touch of the mountainous painting here is the vibrant red of banana flowers. A punctuation in the watercolor landscape, a spot of red in the expansive green space, a space brimming with intense vitality. This is the perspective of the Eastern poet, evoking a familiar emotion found in the poetry of Nguyen Trai:
Green moss clusters densely covering
Jadeite bamboos still emit a red glow...
(Landscape Mirror, page 43)
Winter in Tố Hữu's verse also spreads the warmth of summer, devoid of any chill, as the red of banana flowers erupts amid the green of the forest.
Alongside the beauty of flowers is the beauty of robust people—'Sunlight cinches the waist' depicts the image of the hardy mountain dwellers. The metaphorical choice of the jungle knife for forest expeditions—a vital tool for the mountain people—is a characteristic aspect of life in Viet Bac. The individuals stand out in the high pass, even more so in the sunlight, becoming a bright point in the winter scene, carrying the noble and majestic pride of the mountains.
c.
Spring day dreams blossom across the forest
Remembering those who weave hats, combing each strand
The spring space bursts with the brilliance of apricot blossoms. The vitality of spring spreads across the mountains of Viet Bac. Amidst the white plum blossoms, the image of the 'hat-weaving person' stands out. The specific remembrance here comes from each detail of 'combing each strand.' The people of Viet Bac emerge with meticulous beauty, enduring and industrious. In the depiction, there is no echo of the mountains, but the beauty of spring remains vibrant thanks to human activities. Threads of remembrance, threads of affection intricately woven in thoughts; natural beauty of people shines in their daily meticulous tasks.
d.
Cicadas sing, the forest echoes with gold
Remembering the younger sister harvesting bamboo shoots alone
The space of remembrance seems clearest, most vivid in the summer painting. And imprinted is the sweetest image of the 'younger sister harvesting bamboo shoots.' The poetic line depicts a richly expressive scene, the cicada's song calls forth the yellow color flooding the space. The space becomes more radiant as the yellow color pours down. The impression of yellow is as beautiful as a realistic painting, stirring the hearts of people with the lively sound of cicadas calling for summer, summoning the yellow of the earth and sky to cover the entire forest canopy.
Prominent amidst the scene is the image of the 'younger sister.' The term expresses the endearing affection of the people. The poetic line evokes the poetic beauty of a 'dream-harvesting girl' in Nguyen Binh's poetry (Faintly in the dream forest, a dream-harvesting girl). Yet, here, the Viet Bac girl carries a more robust and simple beauty. Alone, yet not conveying a sense of loneliness, for the entire space is bathed in radiant yellow.
đ.
Autumn forest, moonlight gently blends
Remembering someone singing the faithful love song
The space shifts to night. Completing the perfect picture of the Viet Bac mountains and forests. The autumn night and moonlight seem to diffuse into the green of the mountains. The beauty of the forest under the moonlight conjures an enchanting scene. The landscape beckons the soul of poetry.
Remembrance is as vast as moonlight, becoming the 'song of faithful love.' It doesn't specifically recall any particular object. Like a folk saying:
Remembering someone, lost in reverie
Remembering someone, who remembers, now who remembers someone
The sentiment of human connection in the verse resonates harmoniously between those staying and those departing. Embedded in the remembrance is the surging 'faithful love song.'
C. Summary :
After grasping the initial 10 lines of the Viet Bac poem, you can delve into interpreting the four-panel painting in the Viet Bac poem or refer to Understanding Viet Bac poem to reinforce your knowledge.
In the 12th-grade Vietnamese literature curriculum, Preparing for the essay The Boatman of the Da River is an essential topic to prepare for. In addition to the above content, you can explore the Analysis of the poem This Thon Vi Da section to get ready for this lesson.
