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Prompt: Elaborate on your thoughts regarding the poetic closure of Moonlight
Sample Essay Expressing Thoughts on the Concluding Verse of Moonlight
Sample Essay Presenting Thoughts on the Concluding Verse of Moonlight
With a smooth and youthful poetic voice imbued with profound philosophical insights, poet Nguyen Duy stands out as a representative figure during the post-war resistance against the United States. We have known a 'Vietnamese Bamboo' with its simple yet prideful writing, and we have experienced 'Sitting sadly, remembering our mothers of old' with its emotions dedicated to mothers. Now, we encounter 'Moonlight.'
The poem 'Moonlight' captures a moment of awe in the poet's encounter with the gracious beauty of the moon. Amidst the bustling life, people have forgotten the memories of the past. However, the moon remains intact, faithfully preserving deep affection. The poem imparts profound and poignant lessons to readers, particularly the concluding verses, which evoke lasting impressions and unforgettable emotions.
'The moon rounds its radiant rim
Why speak of someone indifferent?
Moonlight quietly startles us
Sufficient to make us shudder.'
The poem was written in 1978, in Ho Chi Minh City - where soldiers returning from the battlefield settled amidst a luxurious and modern city, leaving behind the glorious past. Throughout the poem, the image of the moon symbolizes the past and eternal beauty, a timeless existence. The more beautiful the image of the past, the more the poet blames himself, feeling guilty. The earlier verses depict a neighborhood in a blackout, and suddenly the lights go out. In that moment, the poet realizes he has forgotten the past. With a gentle yet profoundly contemplative tone, the opening lines provoke deep reflection for the reader:
'The moon rounds its radiant rim'
The moon is one of the symbols of peace, representing memories of the past. The moon has accompanied soldiers through many hardships, from childhood to becoming a warrior defending the nation's independence. For the poet, the moon is like a sympathetic friend:
'Someone gazes at the moon outside the window
The moon peers through the door crack, admiring the poet'
But now, the moon is a symbol of the past that never fades away. The phrase 'round its radiant rim' brings an essence of completeness and eternal remembrance. That beauty seems like the eternal beauty of nature, a beauty that captivates the heart. The moon's halo is the embodiment of memories, and undoubtedly, those memories always remain unchanged. The poet's reflections serve as a self-reproach:
'The moon rounds its radiant rim'
'Someone indifferent' - a phrase that serves as a reproach to the poet himself. Blaming oneself for forgetting memories, youth, why so indifferent, why modern city life makes one forget the past. This self-reproach reflects the beauty of character. Originally a person who always knew how to respect and remember the past, but then forgetting, only when awakened by the moonlight, does the poet overflow with emotions:
'Moonlight quietly startles us'
If the previous verse was about the 'moon,' now we encounter the presence of the 'moonlight' in this verse. As a symbol of nature, of peace, the moonlight also signifies the tolerance of loyal relationships. This is the noble quality the author aims to cultivate. The silence of the moonlight is not a sign of helplessness or resignation; instead, it gently reminds those who have inadvertently forgotten the past - a part of life. Memories, recollections - seemingly inconspicuous but possessing their own soul and vitality. People may change, but memories endure with time, and suddenly in life, the moonlight awakens us:
'Sufficient to make us shudder'
The shudder comes from realizing one's own indifference. A jolt of regret for forgetting the days of hardship and poverty, with kindness and compassion. This awakening forces the author to reevaluate himself and those around him. The conclusion of the verse, like the entire poem, is a profound lesson in self-awareness. Perhaps, each of us, when reading these lines, poses a question to ourselves. That is the beauty of character within each of us.
Crafted in a poetic form of five lines, flexibly applying creative expressions and a gentle, profound emotional tone, the poem 'Moonlight' provides readers with moments to pause and reflect on their actions. And the concluding verse indeed leaves a distinctive mark on us. The sentiment and attitude of remembering the kindness of those who came before us are among the precious traditions of our nation. It is our duty to preserve and promote them.
