Portrayal of a National Hero in the Poem 'Rock-Breaking at Con Lon'

Topic: Depiction of a National Hero in the Poem 'Rock-Breaking at Con Lon'

3 Sample Essays on the Depiction of National Heroes in the Poem 'Rock-Breaking at Con Lon'

1. Depiction of a National Hero in the Poem 'Rock-Breaking at Con Lon,' Sample #1:

Con Dao, once known as the 'hell on earth,' where the French colonizers established prisons to confine patriotic and revolutionary soldiers, subjecting them to various forms of torture and inhumane treatment. Their determination aimed to shake and crush the spirits and ideals of these Vietnamese prisoners. They mistakenly believed they could easily break the patriotism of the Annamese captives.

However, these individuals, with the fiery blood of the Vietnamese soul, demonstrated unwavering strength, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite constantly enduring hardships, brutal labor, and the harsh conditions of the remote island prison, amidst the vast sea, the oppressive environment of confinement, these patriotic prisoners like Phan Chu Trinh always stood defiant before their enemies, before the heavens and the earth:

Standing as a Man on Con Lon's Soil
Shining brilliantly, making the mountains and hills bow

'Being a man' - Phan Chu Trinh takes pride in being a valiant figure standing between heaven and earth. Proud and heroic, the man affirmed himself with fervent aspirations dedicated to life. The image of a steadfast man standing on Con Lon's soil, head held high, feet on the ground, facing nature boldly, evokes memories of Nguyen Cong Tru with that same determination:

Having made a name in the heavens and earth
What fame is needed with mountains and rivers.

Essay Reflecting on the Image of a National Hero in the Poem 'Rock-Breaking at Con Lon'

Continuing the traditional belief, Phan Chu Trinh vividly embodies the spirit of heroic Vietnamese people. His majestic beauty is demonstrated through actions and the strength of the laborers: 'Shining brilliantly, making the mountains and hills bow.',

The valiant man shows no fear in the face of the strenuous task of rock-breaking. Determined to create 'landslides in the mountains,' he expresses the core of his resilience and the desire to 'shine' and gain fame in heaven and earth. This hero, with a proactive stance, rises above the identity of a prisoner to assert his own strength:

Wielding the hammer to crush seven piles
Taking action, breaking hundreds of stones.

Rock-breaking is no longer a laborious task, no longer a haunting burden in the prisoner's work. For Phan Chu Trinh, it becomes a conquest of nature, revealing the heroic posture of a mythological figure, magnificent and extraordinary. Employing traditional literary techniques, rock-breaking showcases a formidable strength, 'crushing seven piles' and 'breaking hundreds of stones' with decisive, swift, and gentle actions of 'wielding the hammer' and 'taking action.' These two lines truly dazzle in the reader's mind, portraying the image of a patriotic prisoner as beautiful and extraordinary, standing boldly in the universe with admiration and reverence.

Inside the hero, full of pride and dignity, within the resounding tone of courage, lies an iron-willed individual, steadfast in belief, a person filled with emotions towards the era, expressed in a romantic tone:

Days preserving a resilient soul
Rain and sunshine fortify the iron-clad heart

Embarking on the path of nation-saving and liberating the people, the heroic figure Phan Chu Trinh embraced enduring all hardships and challenges, facing the passage of time, rain, and sunshine. The more arduous the journey, the more resilient and unyielding the hero became. Enduring imprisonment and labor only brought out the noble qualities of the patriot, vividly portraying the strong and determined character of the soldier saving the nation. The assertive words, full of vigor and firmness, reveal the prisoner's spirit, deepening our understanding, love, and admiration for someone who disregards every hardship and challenge, unwavering in their fighting spirit.

Not everyone is like Phan Chu Trinh, exhibiting such audacity in such harsh conditions:

Those who mend the sky when they stumble
The hardships are mere tales of a small child

In Chinese mythology, there's a goddess Nüwa who mends the sky with stones. Similarly, in today's nation-saving endeavors, there are daring and heroic individuals who proudly proclaim themselves as 'those who mend the sky,' expressing their greatness in the face of arduous challenges on the battlefield. Phan Chu Trinh transformed the laborious task of 'rock-breaking' into a truly beautiful and meaningful poetic image. For him, breaking rocks was both a conquest of nature and a challenging battle, realizing revolutionary ideals on a perilous journey.

Self-proclaiming as 'those who mend the sky' also signifies a position of authority, a righteous endeavor to confront the enemy. When entering the realm of harsh imprisonment, the hero sees it as a momentary misstep, a minor affair. Disregarding circumstances, the hero refuses to yield to ordinary hardships to uphold willpower, faith, and to articulate proud verses with audacious rhetoric. We witness and sense a beautiful soul of a patriotic prisoner, an elevated, resilient spirit committed to the revolutionary cause, dedicated to the nation's freedom.

The beauty of Phan Chu Trinh's soul and stature has created a heroic figure that is both majestic and emotionally profound. The poem carries the fervent atmosphere of revolutionary soldiers while encapsulating a beautiful heart and spirit, rich in emotion. Therefore, the image of the patriotic prisoner Phan Chu Trinh naturally, gently etches itself into the reader's mind, evoking endless admiration.

Phan Chau Trinh, an early patriotic Confucian scholar, hailed from Tay Loc village, Tien Phuoc district, Tam Ky prefecture, Quang Nam province. Born to Phan Van Binh, a martial artist who participated in anti-French activities during the Can Vuong movement. His father passed away in 1885 when he was just 13 years old.

In 1892, he pursued education and gained renown for academic excellence, being classmates with Huynh Thuc Khang. In 1900, he earned his bachelor's degree, alongside Ngo Duc Ke and Nguyen Sinh Sac. Though appointed to a position in the ceremonial ministry by his father for a period, he chose to abandon official duties and engage in patriotic endeavors. His patriotic activities contributed to igniting the revolutionary struggle in the early 20th century. Like many other revolutionaries, Phan Chau Trinh also composed literature and poetry to awaken the patriotic spirit of the people.

Speaking of Con Lon, now Con Dao, it is an island of our country, located at the farthest reaches, surrounded by rivers and seas. It was occupied by the French from 1861 to 1945 to imprison political prisoners. There are legendary verses from that prison that say:

Con Lon Mountain mixed with blood
Con Lon soil, six layers of human bones
Every step conceals a lifetime.

Depiction of national saviors through the poem 'Breaking Rocks in Con Lon, selected exemplary literature

The poem 'Breaking Rocks in Con Lon' was crafted by Phan Chau Trinh during his unjust imprisonment on Con Lon Island for leading the tax resistance movement in Central Vietnam:

Standing as a laborer in the land of Con Lon
Gloriously causing mountains and hills to crumble.
Lifting hammers to shatter seven mounds,
Intervening to break hundreds of stones by hand.
Days and months add resilience to the gravel,
Rain and sun solidify the iron-hearted spirit.
For those who mend the heavens when they falter,
The tale of hardship recounts the deeds of the brave!

Upon revisiting the poem, a deeper understanding unfolds of the revolutionary's heart and charisma devoted to the country in the early 20th century.

Except for the two words 'Con Lon,' the poem no longer speaks of imprisonment or confinement. The author depicts scenes of prisoners breaking rocks in Con Lon, adopting the posture of those who mend the heavens, moving mountains and filling seas. Readers no longer feel the arduousness of the labor but witness powerful, energetic movements as if exerting strength to reshape the nation's landscape. The poem takes the form of a 'poetry of atmosphere' with two meanings: a literal description and a hidden allegorical meaning. The literal meaning portrays the author's plight as a political prisoner under French colonial rule in Con Dao, while the second meaning reflects the spirit of a hero.

First two lines:

'Standing as a laborer in the land of Con Lon,
Gloriously causing mountains and hills to crumble.'

Interpreted literally, these lines depict the harsh reality of those political prisoners in Con Lon: A region surrounded by the sea, where all inmates are patriotic martyrs captured by the French and brought to this island. They face exhausting labor or are shot dead without any fair trial. Yet, Phan Chu Trinh boldly writes: 'Gloriously causing mountains and hills to crumble.'

It's the stance facing the enemy, right where the oppressor inflicts torment. For that man, it's just a routine. The verse radiates pride and arrogance: the soldier is performing remarkable deeds, resounding with fame.

Lifting hammers to shatter seven mounds,
Intervening to break hundreds of stones by hand.

The image of breaking rocks embodies the strength and prowess of humanity. The stone symbolizes the most formidable obstacles - hard as rock, yet the person breaks it with their hands. The verse vividly describes seven mounds, hundreds of stones, allowing us to envision the grueling labor of the prisoners: lifting hammers, intervening to break. The towering rock mountains, the continuous labor required for achieving the quantity of seven mounds, breaking hundreds of stones. The verse also holds a metaphorical meaning: revolutionary action breaking the chains of oppressive rule. The national salvation cause, revolutionary action, remains uninterrupted despite the enemy's constraints. The verbs 'lifting' and 'intervening' are robust, vigorous actions. The numerical details of seven and hundreds underscore that strength. These two lines exude an advancing spirit, as if the invincible strength of the hero will shatter any obstacle, no matter how challenging.

Indeed, the ideologies of the two revolutionary Phan siblings have converged:

Running weary feet, then enduring imprisonment.

The prison prominently showcases the indomitable spirit and heroic qualities of the two revolutionaries:

Days and months add resilience to the gravel,
Rain and sun solidify the iron-hearted spirit.

During that time, the scene of Con Lon is an easily stirring spectacle of human spirit. A prisoner once wrote:

Con Lon, an island amidst the vast ocean,
Where a hundred thousand prisoners face
The harshness of lying and hunger.
Pity the immense suffering, unstoppable,
Early to work, returning late and worn.
Does the land and sky truly comprehend? Through multiple calamities?
Sighing heavily
For risks that bring unfortunate fate.
Upon reflection, even more
Tears shed and contained
The four cardinal virtues in the vast expanse of the nation.
Separated from wife and child
Nightfall, profound yearning....
Submerging in the sea, scaling the mountains
When did the square and circle begin...?

On the contrary, harboring grand aspirations, engaged in revolutionary actions, the Phan siblings themselves, as soldiers, never mention their robust and resilient bodies, willingly accepting hardships and dangers. As long as they uphold the steadfast commitment to the revolutionary cause: like loyal, faithful, and enduring wax. The poem delves into the revolutionary qualities of the soldier, serving as the most resolute pledge to the land and rivers:

Days and months add resilience to the gravel,
Rain and sun solidify the iron-hearted spirit.
For those who mend the heavens when they falter,
The tale of hardship recounts the deeds of the brave!

The verse evokes the legend of Nu Oa mending the heavens, vividly emphasizing the image and significance of the rock-breaking task, akin to mending the heavens, as if supporting the fate of the nation. Such monumental stature starkly contrasts with the plight of faltering steps. Indeed, hardship is a common theme for heroes when they stumble.

With intense, genuine emotions, the character's portrayal reflects the soul, charisma, and revolutionary fervor of the scholar Phan Chau Trinh in a moment of stumbling. It also epitomizes the spirit and image of an entire generation of patriots in early 20th-century Vietnam, such as Phan Boi Chau, Huynh Thuc Khang, Phan Dinh Phung, and others...

3. Depiction of the national savior through the poem 'Breaking Rocks in Con Lon, model 3:

Breaking rocks in Con Lon is the rhetoric of a fallen hero who remains dignified. This rhetoric is as firm as the author's own charisma—a patriotic scholar on the revolutionary path, imprisoned and exiled. It can be said that with 'Breaking Rocks in Con Lon,' Phan Chau Trinh affirmed that there is a poetic stream of patriotism against foreign invasion, exalting the indomitable spirit.

Firstly, the author erected a monument portraying a heroic figure rescuing the nation. Despite being a prisoner, the poetic image evokes the posture of someone in control of themselves, of life, utilizing their strength and determination to reform the chaos, the universe:

In the heart of Con Lon's land stands a stalwart figure,
Eminently making the mountains and hills yield.

Truly majestic, truly imposing is the stance 'standing amidst Con Lon's land.' Here, the position of the laborer takes center stage. Con Lon's land becomes a condensed image of a life filled with harrowing challenges. With this stance, the laborer asserts their strength in moving mountains and filling seas, a strength on par with the heavens and the earth, right in the midst of the heavens and the earth. They affirm that in that position, with that strength, they will 'make the mountains and hills yield.' This stance is accompanied by action.

Lifting the hammer to shatter seven piles,
Taking action to break hundreds of stones.

These two lines utilize numerous powerful verbs, or in other words, verbs that govern the entire idea of the lines: 'lifting,' 'shattering,' 'taking action,' 'breaking'... The vivid imagery and poetic ideas intersect, portraying the real depiction of prisoners wielding hammers to break stones in their laborious sessions, while metaphorically expressing the heroic spirit of those with great determination.

Depiction of the national hero through Phan Chau Trinh's poem 'Stone Breaking in Con Lon'

In conjunction with the artful use of verbs, the rhythmic cadence of the two lines gives the poetic image a solid, intense quality:

Lifting the hammer to shatter seven piles,
Taking action to break hundreds of stones.

The 2/2/3 poetic rhythm creates a powerful action, the determined will of those with the spirit to mend the sky and fill the seas.

And next, the following two lines (5-6) depict the extraordinary determination of the laborer in an extremely harsh situation:

Days and months, the body is resilient,
Rain and sunshine, the spirit is as tough as iron.

'Days and months,' 'rain and sunshine,' the challenges of time and circumstances do not make the soldier falter or lose heart; on the contrary, the poem affirms a determination to overcome all hardships and keep the heart as steadfast as iron.

In the closing lines, the author directly reveals the thoughts and feelings of 'those who mend the sky when they misstep.' If we say that the dominant theme of the poem is the heroic spirit of someone who, though disadvantaged, still nurtures dreams of moving mountains and filling the seas, then in the concluding lines, that idea is most prominently expressed:

Alongside Phan Chau Trinh, Phan Boi Chau is also a revolutionary figure, a representative poet of Vietnamese literature. Please refer to the article Analysis of the poem 'Entering Guangdong Prison' - one of the prominent works by Mr. Phan to better understand the vigor and spirit of the revolutionary figure.