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Prompt: Reflection on Patriotism through 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns'
I. Outline
II. Sample essay
Reflecting on Patriotism through 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns'
I. Outline of Reflecting on Patriotism through 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns' (Standard)
1. Introduction
- Overview of nationalism in medieval literature specifically and in Vietnamese literature generally.
- General introduction to the two poems 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns'
2. Main Body
* Both poems express national pride, self-esteem, and affirm sovereignty over the country's territory
- Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics
+ Line 1: 'The Southern Emperor resides', affirming that the Southern region belongs to the Southern king, to all the people of Dai Viet, impervious to any invader.
+ Line 2: 'Heavenly script', embodies eternal human beliefs, clearly indicating that the celestial mandate has delineated the territory for the Southern region unmistakably,...(Continued)
>> See details of the Outline Reflection on Patriotism through 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns' here.
II. Sample Essay Reflecting on Patriotism through 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns' (Standard)
Patriotism is one of the prominent themes in Vietnamese literature in general and medieval literature in particular. It can be said that 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' by Ly Thuong Kiet and 'The Tribute Lanterns' by Tran Quang Khai are representative works of patriotism in the treasury of medieval Vietnamese literature. Although the time of creation of the two works is far apart, both works vividly express patriotism and national pride.
As we know, patriotism is a major theme in literature from ancient times to the present, and each work expresses it differently. Patriotism through the two poems 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' and 'The Tribute Lanterns' is first expressed in national pride, self-esteem, and affirmation of the country's territorial sovereignty. Reading 'Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics' - considered the nation's first declaration of independence, readers surely cannot forget the opening lines of the poem with its resolute and heroic assertion of the country's territorial sovereignty.
The Southern land of mountains and rivers, the Southern Emperor resides
Absolute destiny ordained by heavenly script
(Southern River, Mountain, and Pho Gia on Economics, the Southern king resides
Heavenly script distinctly divides the land)
Firstly, the author affirmed the national sovereignty of Nam country by using the phrase 'Nam Emperor resides', asserting that Nam country belongs to Emperor Nam and all the people of Dai Viet, impervious to any invader. The powerful opening verse resolutely affirmed the sovereignty of Dai Viet and furthermore, to affirm that sovereignty, the author also used the image of 'heavenly script' in the next verse. 'Heavenly script' is the divine law, the eternal belief of humanity, and it is clear that the heavenly script has clearly defined the territory for Nam country - something that cannot be denied or changed by anyone or anything. Thus, with resolute and heroic poetic tone, the opening verses of the poem affirmed the territorial sovereignty of Dai Viet and thereby expressed national pride and self-esteem.
Similarly, with 'Pho Gia on Economics' by Tran Quang Khai, the opening verses of the poem also expressed national pride through the portrayal of the victorious spirit of our army in the resistance war against the invading Mongol - Yuan army.
Seizing Chương Dương flute bridge
Grasping Hồ Hàm Tử military official
(Chương Dương snatches enemy spear
Hàm Tử captures enemy troops)
The opening verses of the poem vividly and authentically reenacted the resounding victories that held significant strategic importance, contributing greatly to our army's success in the resistance war against the invading Mongol - Yuan army. In these verses, the author utilized enumeration - Chương Dương, Hàm Tử - along with the use of contrast and powerful verbs 'seizing', 'grasping', combined with a fast-paced and rhythmic meter to highlight the heroic spirit in the resistance war and to express national pride in those resounding victories.
Furthermore, patriotism in both poems is also demonstrated in the strong determination and resilience in the struggle to defend and build the nation. In 'Rivers, Mountains, and Southern Waters', this resilience is vividly expressed in the closing verses of the poem.
As the enemy dares to invade this land
We, the equals, must defeat their schemes
(Why do the aggressors trespass here?
You must surely be shattered)
The verse 'Nhữ hà nghịch lỗ lai xâm phạm' may pose as a question, yet beneath it reveals a mocking disdain towards the invaders' treacherous acts, defying human conscience and divine will. This reaffirms our army's conviction of triumph. Furthermore, the poem's conclusion echoes with heroic grandeur, asserting our army and people's unwavering resolve in the struggle to safeguard our territorial integrity. It serves as a stern warning to the obstinate aggressors, destined to be vanquished not only for their defiance of natural order but also by the collective strength, will, and determination of the entire nation.
In 'The Tribute Lanterns', the determination and resolve to defend and develop the nation are vividly expressed in the two concluding lines of the poem.
With peace, let us apply our intellectual and physical strength
To the myriad rivers and mountains of our homeland
(In times of peace, let us exert ourselves
For the lands and rivers of our nation through countless seasons)
