My Impressions of the Poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng'

Prompt: My Reflections on the Poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng'

4 Essays Reflecting on the Poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng'
 

I. Outline: Reflections on the Poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng' (Standard)
 

1. Introduction

- Providing a brief overview of the poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng'
- General reflections on the value of the poem
 

2. Body of the Essay

a. The poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng' portrays a picturesque scene of nature in the moonlit spring night

- The moonlit scene is depicted through vivid descriptions of nature's creations.
- The author employs the phrase 'blooming' to describe the moonlight enveloping and illuminating the entire space, creating a unique perception: 'The spring water blends with the sky, adding to the spring atmosphere'

b. The poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng' embodies the love for nature and the revolutionary optimism of the revolutionary soldier

- 'Moonlit enjoyment' and 'discussing military matters' harmoniously depict the relationship between nature and the country's mountains and rivers.
- The moonlight shining creates a perception of 'moonlight flooding the boat', demonstrating trust and hope in the revolution's victory.
- The boat flooded with moonlight portrays the poet's and soldier's essence in the heartfelt soul of the character. 
 

3. Conclusion

Overview of the content and artistry value of the work.

II. Exemplary Essay: Reflections on the Poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng'
 

1. My Reflections on the Poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng', Sample 1 (Standard):

'Ancient poetry often favors beautiful nature
Clouds, winds, moon, flowers, snow, mountains, rivers'

(Thoughts on 'Poems of the Ancients' - Ho Chi Minh)

In ancient poetry, 'moon' has always been one of the familiar elements for artists to express harmonious souls, empathizing with nature. Therefore, in Uncle Ho's works, 'moon' is always an endless source of inspiration, creating the beauty of poets blending with the essence of soldiers in the soul of the romantic subject. This has been clearly demonstrated through the poem 'Rằm tháng giêng'. Through the poem, readers can see the harmony of love for nature with love for the mountains, rivers, and country, and the belief in the nation's victory in the emotional flow of the romantic character.

The poem 'Rằm tháng Giêng' was born in 1947, associated with the summary meeting on the military situation, resistance, and revolution of the Party Central Committee and the Government. According to the original, the poem was composed in the form of a quatrain with the title 'Nguyên tiêu':

'On the fifteenth night, the moon shines bright,
Spring comes, adding to the springtime water.
The tranquil night deepens the military discussions,
At dawn, the moon sets, the boat overflows.'

The poem was translated and transformed into the hexameter by poet Xuân Thủy:

'On the full moon night, the moonlight shines,
The spring river blends with the color of the sky.
Amidst the military discussions,
At midnight, the moonlight floods the boat.'

The poem begins by portraying a beautiful natural scene under the shimmering, mystical moonlight:

'On the full moon night, the moonlight shines bright
The spring river blends with the color of the sky'

The moonlit scene is depicted through vivid descriptions of nature's creations. The author uses the phrase 'shimmering' to describe the moonlight in the 'Rằm tháng Giêng' night with its full beauty and warm light enveloping and illuminating the entire space, creating a unique perception: 'The spring water blends with the sky, adding to the spring atmosphere'. The moonlight spreads and shines, creating a full picture of spring and its colors: spring river, spring water, spring sky all harmonize, opening up unique ideas about faith and vitality. Against this backdrop of beautiful nature, the image of the revolutionary soldier emerges:

'Amidst military discussions,
At midnight, the moonlight floods the boat'

2. My Reflections on the Poem 'Full Moon in January', sample 2:

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in 1948, aboard a boat anchored in the midst of a river in the Northern Vietnam battlefield, President Ho Chi Minh, along with the Central Party and Government, held a conference to review the military situation during the early stages of the resistance against the French (1947 - 1948). As the meeting adjourned, night had fallen. The full moon illuminated the vast land. The scenery of the rivers and mountains became even more beautiful and poetic in the night. Inspired by the surroundings, Uncle Ho composed a quatrain in classical Chinese, titled 'Nguyên Tiêu':

Golden moonlight bathes the earth serene,
Spring water greets spring under the moon's sheen.
Amidst the quiet night, discussions on military affairs,
Upon selling dreams, the boat returns under the moon's glare.

Subsequently, poet Xuân Thủy translated the poem into Vietnamese using the lục bát form, titled 'Full Moon in January'. The translation largely preserves the poetic essence of the original, portraying President Ho Chi Minh's deep love for nature and his homeland.

If in the poem 'Midnight Scene', Uncle Ho described the beautiful moonlit forest, then in this poem, he depicts the moon over the river:

Spring full moon shines bright,
River blends with the sky's spring hue.

The full moon glows brilliantly, illuminating the sky and earth on the night of Nguyên Tiêu. The vast scene gives the impression that the river seamlessly merges with the sky: River blends with the sky's spring hue. Everything brims with spring vitality: the spring river, spring water, and spring sky intertwine, harmonizing to create a universe teeming with life, stirring the hearts of people. The motif of spring is repeated multiple times, signifying the creation of beings and uplifting the spirits of all.

Amidst military discussions on the river,
Midnight fills the boat with resounding moonlight.

On a small autumn boat amidst the misty waves (quiet depths of the homeland), Uncle Ho, along with the Government and Central Party, deliberated military and state affairs. The importance of the task was immense, especially in the challenging early days of resistance, fraught with shortages and hardships. Yet, hardships did not diminish the emotions, the inspiration in Uncle Ho's heart. The meeting concluded at midnight. The full moon shone brightly in the sky (round full moon) illuminating everything. The river scene at night became even more poetic. The river turned into a vast expanse, and the boat seemed to be filled with the resounding brightness of the moon (moonlight fills the boat). Before the beautiful moonlit night, Uncle Ho's soul soared. He released his soul to merge with nature, which he considered a true friend. In his heart surged joy and faith in the revolution's victory, in the resistance. The image of the moonlit boat gliding gently on the river under the moonlight is a deeply symbolic romantic image. Only with a relaxed and optimistic attitude towards the future can a poet create such a unique artistic image in such a special circumstance.

The poem 'Full Moon in January' with its robust, cheerful atmosphere brings elevated and pure emotions to the reader. The poem is a typical example proving that Uncle Ho is not only a talented revolutionary leader but also an artist with an extremely sensitive heart.

3. My Impressions of the Poem 'Full Moon in January', sample 3:

'Nguyên Tiêu' is among the collection of classical Chinese poems written by Ho Chi Minh during the 9 years of resistance against the French, in the Northern Vietnam battlefield: 'Nguyên Tiêu', 'Báo Tiệp', 'Thu dạ',... After the victory in Northern Vietnam, in the winter of 1947, through the spring and summer of 1948, our army once again achieved significant victories on Route 4. The joy of victory flooded the frontline and the rear. In that lively and exhilarating atmosphere, Uncle Ho's poem 'Nguyên Tiêu' appeared in the 'Cứu quốc' newspaper like a fragrant and radiant spring flower. Xuân Thủy translated this poem quite well. Written in classical Chinese, following the quatrain form:

'Golden moonlight bathes the earth serene,
Spring water greets spring under the moon's sheen;
Amidst the quiet night, discussions on military affairs,
Upon selling dreams, the boat returns under the moon's glare.'

On the night of Nguyên Tiêu, the moon shines brilliantly in a vast expanse. The poem expresses the emotions and profound joy in the soul of the historical leader on this significant night.

The first two lines depict the splendid scene of Nguyên Tiêu night. In the sky, the moon is perfectly round (round full moon). The full moon of January has an unusually fresh and beautiful appearance due to spring, making it more enchanting. And the moon also enhances the picturesque beauty. The vast homeland is painted in a lush green hue. The sparkling green color of the 'spring river'. The emerald green of the 'spring water' seamlessly blends with the azure of the 'spring sky'. The three 'spring' words in the second line are distinctive strokes highlighting the 'spirit' of the landscape of rivers, water, and sky.

'Spring water greets spring under the moon's sheen'.
(River blends with the sky's spring hue)

'Xuân' in Uncle Ho's classical Chinese poem refers to spring, youth, and fresh beauty. It also evokes the springtime of rivers and lands. It demonstrates the beauty and vigorous vitality of our country: amidst the flames of war, there is still a youthful and abundant vitality. Besides describing the beauty of Nguyên Tiêu night, the verses also delicately express feelings of pride and boundless joy of a poetic soul stirred amidst a beautiful spring night, a historic spring night, when the nation bravely fights.

For Uncle Ho, loving the beauty of Nguyên Tiêu night, loving nature is also loving life passionately. Uncle Ho loves nature, so rivers, mountains, grass, flowers, and creatures in his poetry are very intimate. There's 'Lantern moon on ancient trees, shadow of lanterns on flowers'. There's 'Moonlight at the window demanding poetry' in the joy of victory. Uncle Ho loves the mountain flowers, forest birds of Northern Vietnam: 'Reading books, birds come to the door - Enjoying cultural mountain birds pecking curiously'; loves the mountain peaks, forest birds announcing the sudden arrival of autumn... Nature in Ho Chi Minh's poetry is one of the elements creating a romantic melody and classical colors.

The last two lines speak of the river, waves, and the moonlit boat:

'Loving the quiet depths of the homeland, discussions on military affairs,
At midnight, dreams return under the full moon's glow.'

The moonlight of the past days (1942-1943) shone into the cold prison of foreign lands, while on this Nguyên Tiêu night (1948), the moon once again illuminated the boat where Uncle was 'discussing military affairs' (military discussions). The Nguyên Tiêu moon is a moon of anticipation, heralding the lunar seasons of the year, eagerly awaited by the people with hopes and heartfelt emotions. Furthermore, moon appreciation is not the usual scenario in the courtyard, alleyways, or 'mountaintop moon gazing pavilions'... but rather moon appreciation amidst smoke and waves, in the 'quiet depths of the homeland' - a secretive realm on the river, amidst the vast expanse of mountainous battlefields! Those appreciating the Nguyên Tiêu moon not only possess the demeanor of ancient scholars, but also act as soldiers fighting the enemy, leaders 'discussing military affairs' to lead the people in resistance, protecting the nation's land and rivers. Truly, this is a very special moon appreciation: 'Amidst the quiet depths of the homeland, discussions on military affairs'. 'Quiet depths' refer to smoke and waves, an ancient poetic motif creatively employed by Uncle to compose the poem 'Nguyên Tiêu' with a Tang poetry flavor. The phrase 'discussing military affairs' distinguishes Uncle's poetry from that of the ancients, giving the verse a modern hue and the historical atmosphere of the era.

After lengthy discussions on military affairs amidst the deep smoke and waves, the night fell. At midnight (midnight), Uncle returned to the shore, feeling extremely refreshed. The boat of the supreme leader, the boat of resistance, became the moonlit boat of the poet gently floating on the vast waters, filled with golden moonlight:

'At midnight, dreams return, under the full moon's glow'.
(Returning at midnight, the moon fully illuminates the boat).

'The moon fully illuminates the boat' is a beautiful and sentimental image, reminiscent of poetic verses:

'Did you play last year? The moon over the water is as ripe as ever.'

(Triệu Hỗ - Tang Poetry)

'Boats are sparse, silence dominates the west,
A lone moonlight floods the river's heart...'

(Bạch Cư Dị)

'Azure water, green hills, boats rest on the shore,
In the tranquil night, silver moonlight, guests ascend the tower.'

(Nguyễn Trãi)

.etc...

Returning to Ho Chi Minh's poem, we see a boat gently drifting on the river, hidden amidst the mist, carrying countless moonbeams. It portrays a military leader rich in poetic soul, leading our people's army in the struggle to regain independence, freedom, and to preserve forever the tranquil moonlit nights of our homeland. The image of the moonlit boat in this poem reveals Ho Chi Minh's profound love for nature, his optimism towards life amid the hardships of war.

Through the poem 'Nguyen Tieu,' we can say that the water moon in Uncle Ho's poetry is very beautiful. That moon has shown the graceful demeanor and noble soul of the talented leader of the nation, possessing the character of an artist and an Eastern philosopher.

'Nguyen Tieu' is written in the form of a poem with seven-word verses, imbued with the essence of Tang poetry. The poem encompasses all the elements of ancient poetry: a boat, a moon, the spring river, water, and sky, with smoke and waves. The poetic rhythm is gentle and light. The vast, tranquil space... Only one difference: amidst that serene natural landscape, the poet does not have wine and flowers to enjoy the moon, nor does he engage in elegant literary conversations from chapters. Instead, he 'discusses military affairs.' The poem is like a beautiful spring flower in the national garden, the quintessence crystallized from the soul, intellect, and morality of Ho Chi Minh.

Literature is the person. Poetry is the heart, the harmonious voice from one person to many. Although Uncle Ho's poetry speaks of 'moon, flowers, snow, moon...' it reflects his thoughts, emotions, and noble way of life. Because Uncle Ho loves his country and cares deeply for the people, he loves the Nguyen Tieu night even more with its poetic spring moon. Amidst the hardships of the resistance, Uncle Ho looked towards the full moon night of January, towards the spring sky with a pure soul and graceful demeanor. Life cannot be without the moon. Knowing how to love the moon is also knowing how to live beautifully.

'Nguyen Tieu' is a masterpiece of moon poetry by poet Ho Chi Minh. The moonlit boat is also a boat of resistance heading towards victory and the joy of triumph...

4. My Reflection on the poem 'Full Moon of January', sample 4:

Our beloved Uncle Ho is not only a great leader, not just a talented military strategist, not just the father figure of the nation. He is also a talented artist. A soul passionate about literature and art, even though he once said:

'I'm not particularly fond of reciting poetry.' That is a poetic soul that loves nature, loves the earth, and all things. Through the poems 'Nguyen Tieu' and 'Full Moon of January,' we will understand that even better.

The original poem is written in the form of seven-word verses according to the rules of classical Chinese poetry, composed during the early stages of the anti-French colonial resistance in 1948. The poem reflects the sincere feelings of the narrator about the natural surroundings on the full moon night of January, just as the title suggests.

The poem begins with two lines describing the scene of the full moon night in January.

'In the quiet moonlight of Lunar New Year's Eve
The river of spring merges with the color of the sky, adding to the spring'

Translation:

'On Lunar New Year's Eve, the shimmering moonlight shines
The spring river blends with the color of the sky, adding more spring'

A scene of the spring night opens before our eyes. Above is the spring night sky, high and clear with the golden moonlight 'shimmering', while below lies the spring river, reflecting the shadow of the sky. The phrase 'shimmering' emphasizes the radiant beauty of the shimmering golden moonlight, almost as if it were the connection between the river and the sky. Just the word 'merge' brightens the entire line, making it more vivid and spirited. Spring and moonlight envelop both the sky and the river, as if they are seamlessly connected. The author has a unique association from a reality, imagining the beauty of nature. The space becomes longer, wider, higher, and full of vitality. From there, we can feel the poet's soul harmonizing with the scenery of the land, the rivers, and the spring with intense love.

Against the backdrop of the natural scene of the Lunar New Year's Eve night, human presence adds an extra flavor.

'In the serene, deep land, military discussions take place,
At midnight, the moonlight fully illuminates the boat.'

Translation:

My impression of the poem Rằm tháng Giêng is that it is a very heartfelt piece by the Mytour team. The samples have clearly presented the content, artistry, and the portrait of the revolutionary soldier Ho Chi Minh. In the Vietnamese literature program, the sections Composing Wordplays and Composing My Spring are two rather difficult and important lessons, so students need to pay attention to preparing in advance to grasp this content before class. Wishing all of you great success in studying Vietnamese literature!