I. Detailed outline
II. Sample essay
Outline for analyzing the poem 'Vinh Khoa Thi Huong'
I. Structural Analysis Outline of the Poem 'Vinh Khoa Thi Huong (Standard)'
1. Introduction
- Introducing the poem
+ One of thirteen poems under the theme of 'examinations'
+ Using the imagery of examinations to depict the country's situation, expressing personal sentiments.
2. Body of the Essay
- Poem Content: A depiction of a Hương exam at the end of the Nguyen dynasty with chaos, disorder, and coinciding with the supervision of the French colonialists.
- First two lines: Introduction to the examination center
+ Begins with common features in traditional examination procedures. The state opens the examination every three years
+ Unusual: Both Nam and Hà examination centers are combined
· Nam Center: Examination center in Nam Định, Hà Center: Examination center in Hà Nội
· Reason: French colonialists occupied Hà Nội, the examination center in Hà Nội was abolished => Students from both centers had to take the exam at the same location.
+ 'Intermingling': Indicates disorder, in harmony with the seriousness of the examination.
- Actual conditions: Examination scene:
+ Chaotic scene, examinees, and officials mixed together
+ 'Examinees': Those taking the exam, supposed to be dignified and elegant, but here it is 'sloppy'
· 'Sloppy': Indicates negligence, sloppiness
→ Inverted the sentence to emphasize the image of a group of examinees
· 'Inkwell': Indicates an inkwell or water container, worn on the shoulder: the misalignment, collapse, and deviation
--> The pillar of the nation that looks really sloppy, crooked. The literati cannot maintain their own demeanor.
+ 'Officials': The officials overseeing the exam
· Shouting on the loudspeaker
· 'Inept': Tú Xương's creation, indicating unclear and messy sound, exaggerated => The arrogant attitude of the corrupt officials
=> Corrupt officials lose the dignified and solemn demeanor of the ruling class
- Next two lines: Welcoming the ambassador and his wife
+ 'Foreigner in a dress': Reflects the reality of the country being controlled by the colonialists.
+ The invaders are welcomed with great respect and courtesy
+ Puts parallelism between 'barrel - dress': a mocking attitude
+ Calls the 'ambassador' but also calls the 'dress': Contemptuous attitude, sarcasm ('mụ': refers to women who are worthless)
=> Bitter laughter, laughing with tears at the pain of losing the country.
- Last two lines: A call to the literati:
+ Sorrow bursts out
+ 'Northern land': Refers to the capital Hà Nội - where the essence and talents gather
+ 'Talented people': From the colloquial term, indicating those who are literati in society, those who turn a blind eye to human affairs.
+ 'Turn neck': Look back
=> The painful sorrow before the lost country scene of Tú Xương, although not fierce, also reveals his deep feelings for the country's situation.
- General conclusion:
+ The poem is written in the form of Eight-lined regulated verse
+ Describes the examination scene in a Hương examination but portrays a part of the country's reality at that time.
+ Reveals the deep hidden feelings of the author.
3. Conclusion
- Reaffirmation of the issue
II. Model Essay Analysis of the poem 'Vịnh khoa thi hương (Standard)'
Tú Xương is a renowned poet known for his satirical and humorous poems on the Vietnamese poetry forum. In his extensive career, he wrote up to thirteen poems that are both poetic and prosaic, revolving around the theme of 'examinations,' expressing his sarcastic and indignant attitude towards the contemporary examination system. 'Vịnh khoa thi Hương' is one of those thirteen poems. Through this poem, Tú Xương aims to depict the chaotic and oppressive reality of a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society by portraying a significant Hương examination. Simultaneously, he uses this depiction to convey his sentiments regarding the country's situation.
Explore the unique content and artistry of the poem 'Vinh Khoa Thi Huong.' In addition to the outline for analyzing the poem 'Vinh Khoa Thi Huong,' students can refer to other notable essays for 11th grade, such as 'Compose the poem Vinh Khoa Thi Huong,' Analyze the poem 'You Come to Visit Nguyen Khuyen's House,' 'Creative circumstances of composing Vinh Khoa Thi Huong,' and the friendship depicted in the poem 'You Come to Visit My House' by Nguyen Khuyen.
