My profound reflections on the life of writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu

Prompt: My profound reflections on the life of writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu

Exploring the profound reflections on the life of writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu through 3 exemplary essays

1. Sample Essay No. 1: Profound Reflections on the Life of Writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu

In the realm of poetry, the depth and intricacy in the literary works of Nguyen Dinh Chieu serve as grounds for appraisal, admiration, critique, affection, and disdain, all clearly delineated, morally upright, culturally harmonious, and in accordance with Vietnamese cultural standards.

NGUYEN DINH CHIEU, emblematic of the Vietnamese character during a period of national turmoil and pain, yet profoundly great. Amidst foreign invasion, familial tragedies, and life's adversities, burdening the shoulders of a blind man, his unfinished journey of fame and honor. Faced with such harsh challenges, Nguyen Dinh Chieu had to decide how to live and act fittingly as an intellectual in times of national peril. He chose the path of living and fighting with the pen of integrity, with a heart devoted to the nation's cause.

Viewed from a cultural perspective, Nguyen Dinh Chieu is a Vietnamese individual who values morality, emphasizes compassion, embodies the national identity, expresses clear admiration and criticism, and makes selfless sacrifices for others without seeking personal gain. For life, he accepts all challenges with resilience in the face of adversity, poverty, and hardship, unyielding to power and oppression.

With all the social roles and missions that Nguyen Dinh Chieu had to bear: poet, educator, physician, citizen, patriot... until the end of his life, he courageously overcame his fate, excellently fulfilling his divine mission, leaving behind an exemplary model of exemplary living:

'In life, rather lose flesh and bone
The heart's integrity mirrors on its own'

Humans are products of circumstances, but one's character is not merely a passive product of circumstances. Long ago, Nguyen Du believed: 'Throughout history, human determination has often conquered fate.'

Nguyen Dinh Chieu's personality is a vivid testament to the dynamism of human nature. Despite life's adversities, his life's work did not surrender to fate. Overcoming fate to stand firm in the face of life's challenges is a cultured way of life, exemplifying Nguyen Dinh Chieu's noble character.

In the role of a poet, the depth and subtlety in Nguyen Dinh Chieu's poetry serve as a platform for clear admiration, criticism, compassion, and hate, embodying moral clarity, adhering to cultural standards of Vietnam. The blind poet was one of the first to denounce the uncivilized actions and inhumanity of the invading colonialists. Regarding the atrocities that disrupted the peaceful lives of the people, he wrote:

'Leaving homes, children wander in despair
Nests of birds scatter, chaos fills the air'.

With the blatant cultural invasion, shamelessly looting property, and ruthlessly destroying our cultural heritage:

'The Ben Nghe river with its sparkling waters,
Dong Nai vying with colorful clouds.'

The wealth comes from the accumulation of a lifetime of incredibly hard creative labor. Roof tiles represent the entire foundation of a career, including homes, temples, shrines, ancestral halls, and pagodas that take hundreds of years and the hands and minds of many people to build such a great enterprise. In a time of national crisis, where so-called gentlemen cowardly surrendered to the enemy and betrayed the country, Nguyen Dinh Chieu early expressed disdain for these cowardly and culturally treacherous individuals:

'Better to hold fast to one's principles, even in poverty,
Than to have ancestors revered without eyesight.
Better to reject dishonor, even in want,
Than to have eyes that feed on rotten filth.'

With the view that the pen is a weapon of war 'Stabbing at villains with the pen, no mercy,' Nguyen Dinh Chieu directly attacked the Vietnamese traitors who wore the cloak of literature, like the type of Tôn Thọ Tường who often used the guise of righteousness to blur the lines between right and wrong. He wrote:

'Today, the literary circle gathers,
Like a leopard's hide, revealing truth.'

The literary works of Nguyen Dinh Chieu have a lasting impact on the people's sentiments. The aesthetic ideals embodied in the heroic characters highlight a cultured and heroic way of life characteristic of Vietnamese identity. It's a life that values morality, social justice, human dignity, and abhors oppression. The 'spirit of Dong Nai' is manifested through the actions of characters in the poem 'Luc Van Tien,' in the heroes of Can Giuoc, and the provincial heroes of Southern Vietnam who resisted the French. These values continue to be inherited and promoted in the cultural life of our people in the South. For over a century, few writers have produced works that have had such broad and lasting impact on the cultural life of the people.

In the field of education, as an educator, throughout his life, Teacher Do Chieu has been devoted to educating students, imparting to future generations the core values of Vietnamese culture regarding the traditional morality of the nation and the character of a scholar. The pride of Dong Nai, a cultural beauty of the Southern people, has been nurtured and promoted thanks to the educational career of countless generations of dedicated teachers, among whom poet-educator Nguyen Dinh Chieu is one of the most prominent figures. We all know that Nguyen Dinh Chieu was the second generation student of educator Vo Truong Toan in Gia Dinh, a famous teacher in education methods emphasizing moral teaching, nurturing talent, and cultivating ethics, an early renowned intellectual in Dong Nai - Gia Dinh, indifferent to fame and wealth, dedicated his life to educating generations of students with ambition, talent, and the spirit of 'immediate action as virtue.'

Vo Truong Toan was the teacher of Nge Chieu.
Nge Chieu was the teacher of Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

From the educational furnace of Hoa Hung by Vo Truong Toan, the generation of writers and poets before and contemporaneous with Nguyen Dinh Chieu, no matter how the nation's fortune unfolds, is filled with a spirit of righteousness. The knights of Gia Dinh are the product of the training style of an excellent teacher, so good that he taught students who became more famous than himself.

Teacher Do Chieu taught his students in that style.

Many generations of students of Do Chieu absorbed the education of their teacher, nurturing their willpower, honing their spirit to be ready to become the 'cleaners of chaos' that Teacher Do Chieu always dreamed of. From Nhiu Dau, Nhiu Guong in Mo Cay at the end of the 19th century to the Confucian scholars Le Van Dau, Tran Van An, Huynh Khac Man in Ba Tri in the first half of the 20th century, all were passionate generations of students deeply influenced by the educational imprint of Teacher Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

The personality of teacher Nguyen Dinh Chieu has a significant influence on the land of Ben Tre and beyond. The land of heroes has produced many heroic figures in the cause of national salvation. Today, to say Ben Tre is the homeland of Teacher Do Chieu is to speak of the Vietnamese cultural tradition that Nguyen Dinh Chieu exemplifies, a person who has contributed to protecting and passing on to future generations the best of that cultural heritage.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu was also a skilled physician, deeply understanding both Eastern and Vietnamese medical philosophy and ethics, with his ethics being the guiding principle of saving lives, both in terms of medical practice and moral duty, which is to save people and the nation. His major work in his later years was the book 'Ngư Tiều Medical Questions and Answers', a book teaching both how to be a good person and how to be a physician saving lives. Love for the country and compassion for people are the central themes of the work:

'In the past, praise from the state must
Help our people live according to heaven's will'

Professor Le Tri Vien wrote in the preface to the book 'Ngư tiều y thuật vấn đáp' in its 1982 edition: 'That medicine is the culmination of the pharmacy profession in hundreds of books over several centuries. Patriotism has the personal depth of a lifetime and the historical depth of thousands of years. But both are combined into a medicine ladder of revival, a philosophy of life, a path suitable for ordinary patriots in a situation where the homeland falls into the hands of the enemy: maintaining integrity without serving the enemy, doing meaningful work that helps the people and the country...'.

For physician Nguyen Dinh Chieu, medical ethics means humanitarianism, and his humanitarianism is very close to socialist humanitarianism:

'Seeing others in pain like oneself
Which way to cure, quickly heal.
Even the beggar born under heaven
Still deserving of medicine for free'.

Thanks to the compassion of our ancestor, when Mr. Do Chieu passed away, many patients were saved from severe illness, some even came to mourn him like family.

Ky Nhan Su, an ideal figure in Nguyen Dinh Chieu's work 'Ngư Tiều Medical Questions and Answers', sacrificed his own eyes to fully uphold medical ethics and humanitarianism, refusing to use his medical skills to serve the enemies of the homeland and the people. This noble character of Nguyen Dinh Chieu left a profound impact on subsequent generations of physicians. A true doctor among the people practices medicine for charitable purposes, not for profit by exploiting the suffering of fellow countrymen.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu wrote poetry to express patriotism, compassion for the people, and used it as a weapon against invaders; he taught tirelessly as Mr. Do, nurturing the 'spirit of Dong Nai' to preserve the Vietnamese identity in the cultural life of the people amidst turbulent times; he practiced medicine to save lives, not just for the profession's sake. It's a cultured way of life, being proud of one's nation, respecting true intellectuals, valuing human dignity, and maintaining the integrity of a true gentleman.

Through his life and career, Nguyen Dinh Chieu has contributed significantly to the nation's cultural life, enduring challenges while preserving and developing it. Living in the love and respect of the people, those who make history and create culture, Nguyen Dinh Chieu will forever be a great personality, a true cultural figure of the people.

Deeply impressed by the life of writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu, the essay question number 3 in assignment number 3, grade 11. To complete the essay with the highest score, students can refer to: 'Comparing the talents of Thuy Van and Thuy Kieu as depicted in the excerpt: 'Two beauties vying for victory... Amidst the eastern wall, bees and butterflies come and go, uncaring of anyone' (Nguyen Du, The Tale of Kieu), 'Nguyen Khuyen and Tu Xuong share similar feelings but their poetic voices differ'. Explain the statement above, 'The beauty of the peasant figure in Văn Tế Nghĩa Sĩ Cần Giuộc by Nguyen Dinh Chieu' selected and introduced by Mytour.

2. Model Essay Number 2: Deep Impressions of the Life of Writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu

Former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong once said about the life and poetry of Nguyen Dinh Chieu: 'In the sky, there is a star with extraordinary brightness'. What impresses us most about the life of Nguyen Dinh Chieu is perhaps a shining example of resilience and morality. He was someone who fought with all his might, lived uprightly, and possessed extraordinary resilience. A person who always stood for truth, righteousness, always fought for the people, truly worthy of admiration.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu, born in 1822 and passed away in 1888, commonly known as Do Chieu, was a highly educated individual who excelled in various fields. In 1847, he went to Hue to prepare for the 1849 imperial examination, but tragically, his mother passed away. Overwhelmed by grief, he cried until he became blind. Despite losing his sight, he actively used literature to inspire patriotism among scholars and the people.

He was a man of principles, deeply compassionate, and lived with a strong sense of righteousness. Nguyen Dinh Chieu always upheld and valued the national identity, expressing clear love and hatred. For the sake of saving others, Do Chieu was willing to sacrifice himself, disregarding personal gain. His unwavering determination never succumbed to tyranny. Nguyen Dinh Chieu stands as a shining example of resilience, using literature as a sharp weapon against enemies.

The name 'Cụ Đồ Chiểu' itself indicates his significant contribution to education. He was known as a lifelong teacher who cared for his students. Through his moral lessons, we see the greatness of his character. He devoted himself to the medical field, mastering Eastern and Vietnamese medicine, and was a reservoir of moral values. 'Ngư Tiều y' is one of his late works, teaching not only medical ethics but also moral conduct.

Undeniably, the life of Nguyen Dinh Chieu serves as a brilliant example. Exploring his literary works, we deeply feel his patriotism and compassion for humanity:

'In ancient times, praising the nation's merits
Helps our people fully embrace the sky's decree.'

Reading his patriotic poems, one can feel the fervor of the struggle against the French, the perseverance of the people in the South.

Through his eulogies, we also sense the praise for the scholars, the farmers who fought the invaders, and his sense of loyalty. The work 'Văn tế nghĩa Cần Giuộc' is considered a magnificent literary piece, eternally living in the history of the nation's resistance against foreign aggression. Additionally, one cannot overlook the story of 'Lục Vân Tiên' - an epic praising righteousness, a work that extols the cherished moral values in life, imparting to us a sense of compassion, mutual support among people in society.

Allow me to echo Prime Minister Pham Van Dong's remarks about him: 'In the sky, there are stars with extraordinary light, but our eyes must attentively observe to see and the more we see, the brighter it becomes. The poetry of author Nguyen Dinh Chieu is just like that.' His poetry vividly reflects his spirit. A person who consistently stands for what is right, fiercely opposing evil and unjust elements to the end. He lavishly praises those who sacrifice for justice, such as Van Tien, Hon Minh, and Tu Truc... He also praises and honors those who are loyal and pure, with meaning and affection like Kieu Nguyet Nga. He also condemns the unjust and unrighteous, such as Trinh Ham, Bui Kiem, Vo The Loan... Nguyen Dinh Chieu loves and hates clearly, distinguishes between good and evil, friend and foe.

Cụ Đồ Chiểu always aimed to impart how valuable learning to be a worthy individual was. One can feel the depth in Nguyen Dinh Chieu's literature lies in the clear praise, adherence to moral principles, and Vietnamese culture.

'Carrying countless boats across the rapids
Piercing through many villainous pens without fear'

Nguyen Dinh Chieu devoted his entire life to righteousness. Despite being blind and enduring hardships, he remained steadfast in upholding justice, determined to resist ruthless forces with his sharp poetic verses. We shall not forget a life, a brilliant literary career, and a truly noble character.

3. Sample essay #3: My profound reflections on the life of writer Nguyen Dinh Chieu

Nguyen Dinh Chieu stands as one of our nation's eminent poets and intellectuals. His life and career serve as a shining example, elevating the role and impact of literature and art, emphasizing the mission of soldiers on the cultural and ideological frontlines (Pham Van Dong). Some liken him to a bright star in the sky of Vietnamese literature. Indeed, through Nguyen Dinh Chieu's life and literary works, readers can vividly perceive this truth.

Firstly, concerning his life, Nguyen Dinh Chieu was born amidst tumultuous times in 1822 in Tan Khanh village, Tan Binh district, into a minor official's family in Gia Dinh. Growing up under the influence of the renowned general Le Van Duyet, as the firstborn in a large family and born to a concubine, Nguyen Dinh Chieu faced adversity from an early age. After Nam Ky was invaded, his father fled to the capital and was subsequently dismissed from his position before returning to the South. Nguyen Dinh Chieu was sent to Hue to live with a friend whose family had also fallen from grace, affording him a clear view of the corruption within the ruling class at the time.

Seven or eight years later, around 1840, Nguyen Dinh Chieu returned to the South. In 1843, he passed the provincial exams and was promised marriage to a wealthy man's daughter. However, ongoing wars with the Siamese and Cambodians left the population in extreme poverty, making it difficult for young men like him to find peace. In 1847, Nguyen Dinh Chieu left for Hue to study and prepare for the exams but received news of his mother's passing. He immediately returned home to mourn his mother. The long journey, coupled with grief and longing for his mother, caused him severe eye pain. His eyesight permanently deteriorated due to the illness. Complicating matters, his betrothed broke off the engagement upon learning of his blindness. Nguyen Dinh Chieu's life was not only marked by setbacks and hardships but also by a series of misfortunes rarely endured by any author in Vietnamese literary history. His dreams of fame unfulfilled, he became disabled, his love life troubled, and his future seemingly bleak. Yet, with extraordinary determination and resilience, he overcame every obstacle, turning pain into strength, rising to control his own destiny, proving to everyone that though he may be broken, he is not defeated. When he returned home, he remained there, devoting himself to mourning his mother. In addition to his studies, Nguyen Dinh Chieu also took on family responsibilities. He taught and mentored his younger siblings. His sonorous voice, calm demeanor, and compassionate nature attracted many students. Hence, he was called Do Chieu. Apart from teaching, he also delved into medical studies and provided medical care for the people.

It is said that the meaning of life lies not in what it brings to us but in our attitude towards it, not in what happens to us but in how we react to those things. Faced with adversity, Nguyen Dinh Chieu rose above his own pain. The most poignant lesson from Nguyen Dinh Chieu's life is his exemplary morality, resilience, lifelong commitment, and relentless struggle for justice and fairness for the people. Normally, someone who lives and fights wholeheartedly for the truth is already highly esteemed, cherished, and honored. But for Do Chieu, a blind man who still adheres to principles, that is even more admirable. His shining example is one that evokes emotions, admiration, and reverence in all who encounter it.

In 1858, French colonialists invaded Da Nang and Gia Dinh. It was then that the people, armed with determination and makeshift weapons, rose up to defeat the invaders and rid the land of evil. Nguyen Dinh Chieu, in these circumstances, demonstrated his patriotism in his own way, using his pen as a weapon to fight against the wicked. Hence, he can be regarded as a patriotic role model and artistic laborer of the early days of resistance against French aggression in the South. Despite living in poverty, Nguyen Dinh Chieu remained noble and pure throughout. The French colonialists attempted to bribe and entice him on several occasions, but they were met with his resolute refusal. It is only in times of national hardship that we truly appreciate the unwavering spirit and steadfastness of Do Chieu.

Not only did he live for righteous ideals, but his life was also a 'highly harmonious and beautiful integration of living ideals in real life and in literature.' Nguyen Dinh Chieu's patriotic poetry vividly depicted a sorrowful era in the nation's history, inspiring hatred towards the enemy and the determination of the people. He left behind many valuable works: 'Luc Van Tien,' 'Duong Tu - Ha Mau,' 'Ngư tiều y thuật vấn đáp,' 'Văn tế nghĩa sĩ Cần Giuộc,' among others. The value of these poetic works continues to resonate with readers due to their moral ideals, compassion, and profound love for the country and its people. Nguyen Dinh Chieu embedded his ideals and aspirations to serve the nation in his works and characters. They are heroes like Truong Dinh, who, despite yearning for a peaceful life, dared to defy royal orders for the sake of national righteousness. They are Phan Tong, who, despite mourning the loss of loved ones, led the army to fight the enemy, leaving behind a thousand shining examples. He praised those who sacrificed themselves for the nation, empathizing with their pain and losses. The sound of Western guns heralded a catastrophe. It began with scattered households, a once prosperous region in the Southernmost region of Vietnam suddenly enveloped in smoke, a pain not felt by one alone. Gradually, an entire strip of land in the shape of an 'S' fell into the hands of the enemy. The land of Southern Vietnam was covered in wounds inflicted by the ruthless enemy. In the face of this tragedy, Nguyen Dinh Chieu's poetry rose like an indictment of the enemy's crimes. This was especially evident in 'Văn tế nghĩa sĩ Cần Giuộc,' a hymn to the fallen heroes who bravely fought and died for their country. Through Nguyen Dinh Chieu's poetry, we see 'the sail of Do Chieu enveloping the wind, crying and wailing so much that now one cannot separate the spirit of the storm from the sail.'

In summary, the life of Do Chieu is a shining example of resilience and morality, particularly his lifelong commitment and tireless struggle for justice, for the rights of the people and the nation. Prime Minister Pham Van Dong once said: 'There are stars that shine unusually bright, one must look closely to see, the more you look, the brighter they shine.' Nguyen Dinh Chieu is like such a star! Although the poet's eyes are blind, his heart and poetry continue to shine in the hearts of readers, despite enduring the dust of time.