Nguyen Duy's emotional reflection on his grandmother in the poem 'The Ferry'

Topic: Nguyen Duy's emotions when thinking about his grandmother in the poem 'The Ferry'

Nguyen Duy's Sentiments Reflecting on his Grandmother in the Poem 'The Ferry'
 

I. Outline of Nguyen Duy's Emotions Regarding his Grandmother in the Poem 'The Ferry' (Standard)

1. Introduction

- Engaging the audience
- Introducing the poem 'The Ferry'
- General impressions of the grandmother

2. Body of the Essay

- The first two verses: Grandmother, a figure of immense love, raised and guided me, imparting valuable lessons and taking me to spiritually uplifting places...(Continued)

>> See the detailed outline of Nguyen Duy's emotions regarding his grandmother in the poem 'The Ferry' here.
 

II. Sample Essay on Nguyen Duy's Emotions When Thinking About his Grandmother in the Poem 'The Ferry'

Family bonds are always incredibly precious and sacred. However, it's not always easy for us to realize and appreciate the importance of our loved ones. The poet Nguyen Duy is no exception. Hence, he poured his emotions and memories about his beloved grandmother into the poem 'The Ferry.' Through this poem, readers can somewhat sense that the poet's grandmother endured a life of hardship, working tirelessly to provide for her small grandchild. Deep within her lies boundless love for the little one.

The poet's grandmother makes her appearance right in the first verse:

'In my childhood, I fished in the Na ditch,
held onto grandmother's dress to go to Binh Lam market,
caught sparrows at the ear of the Buddha statue,
and sometimes stole lotus seeds from the Tran temple.'

Childhood memories flood back into the author's mind. During his youth, he accompanied his grandmother to Binh Lam market for trading. Moreover, together with his grandmother, he attended temple festivals, worshipping Buddha.

From an early age, the author accompanied his grandmother to sacred places like the Tran temple, giving us a glimpse into a serene and virtuous woman. Due to frequent visits to the temple, Nguyen Duy engaged in playful antics like 'catching birds' and 'stealing lotus seeds,' but these are perhaps joyful memories the poet will never forget.

Childhood is a time of peaceful days spent with his grandmother. The memories gradually unfold through the author's emotionally charged recollections:

'In my childhood, I visited the Cây Thị temple,
walked on the ground at night to watch the Sòng temple festival.
The scent of white orchids mixed with the fragrant smoke of incense,
the ancient songs echoed in the shadow of the bronze statue.'

Perhaps, the author is the one who truly understands the love his grandmother bestowed upon him. Wherever she went, she took her little grandchild along. She brought him to the doorsteps of Buddhism, to the 'Cây Thị temple,' the 'Sòng temple,' all sacred places where people find inner peace. Perhaps, the poet became so accustomed to the abundance of white orchids and the lingering scent of incense in these places that, as he grew older, he embraced the sacredness within the cultural and religious atmosphere.

The 'cô đồng' and the ritualistic dances are deeply embedded in folk culture and beliefs. The term 'lảo đảo' associated with the 'cô đồng' image brings readers into a culturally rich and valuable space. At that time, the author was simply a playful boy, drawn to new and exciting places, perhaps not fully grasping the sacred significance of these religious actions. Nevertheless, the footsteps of the 'cô đồng,' the poetic verses, the scent of white orchids, and the fragrance of incense became unforgettable memories in the author's childhood years.

'I never knew my grandmother struggled so
she hunted crabs, caught shrimp in the Quan field,
carried green tea leaves in Ba Trai,
Quan Chao, Dong Giao, struggling through cold nights.
I stood amidst the blurred boundary between illusion and reality,
between my grandmother and celestial beings, saints.
that year of hunger, boiled dongri and ginger scent wafting
just hearing the fragrance of white orchids and the aroma of incense.'

In the fourth verse, the author Nguyen Duy vividly expresses his genuine emotions towards his grandmother's hardships. Her struggles are portrayed and relived through specific tasks: catching shrimp, hunting crabs, carrying tea leaves, and more. She doesn't limit herself to a single job but takes on various tasks. From 'hunting crabs and catching shrimp' to 'carrying green tea' and going to 'Quan Chao, Dong Giao,' she works tirelessly, regardless of day or night, weather, or temperature. It reflects not only her hardships but also the silent, noble sacrifice she endures.

In the eyes of the grandchild, at this moment, the grandmother is no different from a divine figure, a saint. For the grandchild, her sacrifice and hardships for him are akin to the blessings bestowed by the Buddha upon all beings.

'American bombs hit my grandmother's house away,
Sòng temple flew, all temples and shrines
holy with Buddha scattered everywhere,
my grandmother went to sell eggs at the Lèn station.'

At this moment, the author's grandmother emerges with courage and resilience. American bombs destroy her small house, taking away her sacred spiritual life. However, within her, carrying the spirit of the indomitable heroic Vietnamese mothers, she does not falter in the face of the enemy's destructive, modern weapons.

She takes up a different job, selling eggs, to continue her livelihood. The grandmother never shows fatigue in the face of a painful life; instead, she becomes even more courageous, a solid support for her small grandchild.

Although the grandchild, when young, may not fully understand the grandmother, when grown, especially during his time in the military, the poet comprehends and perceives his grandmother more clearly. Despite the belated realization, as she is gone forever, the poet will never forget her. The grandmother will live on eternally in the memories and thoughts of her grandchild.