Reflection on the poem Autumn Fishing - Sample Writing for Grade 11

Reflection on the poem Autumn Fishing - Sample Writing for Grade 11

Concise outline and sample essay Reflecting on the poem Autumn Fishing

I. Outline Reflecting on the poem Autumn Fishing - Concise Version

1. Introduction:
- Introducing the author and the work.
- Expressing general impressions about the work.
2. Body:
a. Impressions on the content of the poem:
* Portrait of rural Vietnam in autumn:
- The serene autumn scenery depicted through:
+ 'The chilly autumn pond, clear water': evokes the image of a village pond with clear, cool water -> a familiar scene of the Northern countryside.
+ 'A tiny fishing boat floating quietly': stands out amidst the pond is the image of a small, silent boat.
+ 'Blue waves following the gentle breeze,/ Yellow leaves lightly swaying': gentle movement of the waves and yellow leaves.
+ 'Cloud layers drifting in the deep blue sky': portrays the sky filled with clouds -> the natural scene seems to expand, becoming vast and distant.
+ 'The winding bamboo lanes deserted': describes deserted bamboo lanes, desolate.
- The tranquil and serene atmosphere of the countryside:
+ The scenery in the poem moves very softly, very subtly: the water waves 'following the gentle breeze', the yellow leaves 'lightly swaying before the wind'.
+ Throughout the poem, only one sound is heard 'where the fish lazily swim beneath the duckweed'.
* The discreet confession of the sentimental character:
- Quietly expressing longing, secret love for the homeland.
b. Appreciation of artistic form:
- Simple, rustic language, rich in descriptive power.
- Familiar, simple imagery.
- Successful use of colloquial words.
3. Conclusion:
- Reaffirming the value of the poem.

II. Reference Essay on Reflecting on the poem Autumn Fishing - Nguyen Khuyen

1. Sample Essay Reflecting on the poem Autumn Fishing - Sample No. 1

Autumn has long been a familiar theme in literary works. When it comes to this topic, we cannot overlook Nguyen Khuyen's trio of autumn poems. Among them, the work 'Autumn Pipe' or also known as 'Autumn Fishing' has deeply ingrained itself in readers' minds with its serene depiction of Vietnamese countryside.

The poem starts with the highly familiar image of a village pond:

'The chilly autumn pond, clear water'

'A tiny fishing boat floating quietly.'

In autumn, the pond water seems dyed with the chill of the weather, becoming 'chilly'. At the same time, the water becomes so 'clear' that one can see through to the bottom of the pond. Standing out amidst the fresh, clear space is the image of a 'fishing boat'. The term 'tiny' eloquently paints a vivid picture of the small boat. The poet is also astute in noticing the 'blue waves following the gentle breeze'. The natural scenery at this moment is incredibly tranquil. Then, the familiar image of golden leaves of autumn disperses the serene atmosphere, 'Yellow leaves lightly swaying before the wind'.

The simple and serene autumn scene continues to be depicted by the poet:

'Cloud layers drifting in the deep blue sky'

'Winding bamboo lanes deserted, desolate.'

The rural scene becomes more harmonious with the green hues of the high clouds. The azure sky appears vast before human eyes. Next, the 'curving' lines of the bamboo lanes emphasize the simplicity of the scenery.

The serene autumn scenery in 'Autumn Fishing' is also depicted through the harmonious combination of colors. It is the clear water color of the pond. Or the golden leaves and the deep blue color of the sky. All of these unveil a rustic autumn scene.

If observed closely, one easily notices that 'Autumn Pipe' has very few sounds and movements. The landscape moves ever so gently, 'as if not there': the water waves are 'gently rippling', the yellow leaves 'lightly swaying'. Moreover, humans seem to disappear from the picture when 'bamboo lanes deserted'. It's as if the whole poem only resonates with a single sound 'where the fish lazily swim beneath the duckweed'.

Deeply hidden within the natural scene is the sentiment of the character. Standing before the silent and vast scenery, the sentimental character adeptly expresses a heartfelt longing, a silently kept love for the homeland.

With simple yet evocative language and familiar, humble imagery combined with the repetitive use of terms like 'chilly', 'tiny', 'drifting', the poet Tam Nguyen Yen Do has provided readers with vivid imagery of the rustic countryside.

'Autumn Fishing' is truly a remarkable and outstanding work, epitomizing Nguyen Khuyen's poetic style. Through the poem, we also feel the poet's deep love for nature and the homeland.

Selected exemplary essays on appreciating Autumn Fishing for gifted students

2. Sample Essay Reflecting on the poem Autumn Fishing - Sample No. 2

Nguyen Khuyen has made significant contributions to the national literature in the field of poetry depicting rural areas and villages. Among them, the poem 'Autumn Fishing' stands out. The work has provided readers with authentic imagery of the peaceful and serene Vietnamese countryside.

Referring to 'Autumn Pipe', Xuân Diệu once affirmed: 'Autumn Fishing' is the epitome of Vietnam's countryside autumn'. Indeed, the autumn scenery in the poem is portrayed with utmost delicacy by poet Tam Nguyen Yen Do.

Firstly, we encounter the familiar image of a village pond in the Northern region:

'The chilly autumn pond, clear water'

'A tiny fishing boat floating quietly.'

Amidst the autumn weather, the pond seems soaked in a chilly atmosphere. The water in the pond also becomes clearer, fresher. Standing out in that serene space is the image of 'a tiny fishing boat floating quietly'. The boat stands silently on the water's surface as if afraid to disturb the tranquil atmosphere.

The autumn scene continues to be adorned by various landscapes:

'Blue waves following the gentle breeze,

Yellow leaves lightly swaying before the wind.'

In ancient poetry, 'yellow leaves' often appear when describing autumn. Now, Nguyen Khuyen continues to borrow that material but creatively, uniquely. The yellow leaf gently detaches from the branch, swaying lightly in the wind before slowly falling. From there, it instills in the human soul a gentle, soothing feeling.

The serene, simple autumn scene is also depicted through the space of the sky 'Cloud layers drifting in the deep blue sky' and the bamboo lanes 'Winding bamboo lanes deserted, desolate'. The autumn atmosphere seems to linger in that vast expanse of blue sky. The blue hue of the water blends with the blue of the sky, making the natural landscape more spacious, more abundant. Moreover, the lines in that painting are delicate, subtle thanks to the 'winding bamboo lanes'.

In 'Autumn Fishing', the scenery hardly moves. If it does, it's just very subtle movements of the waves 'blue waves following the gentle breeze', or the yellow leaves 'lightly swaying before the wind'. Using words like 'gentle breeze' and 'lightly swaying', the poet skillfully depicts the smooth, far-reaching movements of the waves and leaves. The autumn scene becomes even more tranquil due to the absence of human figures 'deserted winding bamboo lanes'. After all, the poem only has one sound 'fish flipping beneath the weed-covered bank'.

Great poet Nguyen Du once wrote 'Every scene seems to bear sorrow'. Indeed, in 'Autumn Fishing', behind the simple village scene lies the protagonist's deep thoughts. It's the feeling of emptiness, the complexity of loneliness. It's also the melancholy sighs, the silent love for the country amidst the changing times. The image of a person sitting fishing, immersed in contemplation and silence 'leaning on a pillow, the fishing rod slack' evokes the image of someone burdened with heavy thoughts. Fishing, yet not caring about catching fish. Thus, the protagonist uses fishing as an excuse to ponder life, the essence of life.

In addition to its outstanding content, we cannot overlook the unique artistic form. With the use of rustic language, simple, familiar imagery, along with the repetitive use of words like 'chilly', 'tiny', 'drifting', the poet successfully portrays a harmonious autumn scene through imagery, lines, and colors. Furthermore, the use of internal rhyme with 'eo' also leaves a strong impression on the reader.

It can be said that 'Autumn Fishing' has brought forth the fresh, simple scenery of Vietnamese countryside. From this, we further admire and respect the talented penmanship of Nguyen Khuyen in depicting rural scenes. Hopefully, over time, this work will retain its value, significance, goodness, and beauty.