Reflection on the Third Passage of Phú sông Bạch Đằng

Prompt: Reflection on the Third Passage of Phú sông Bạch Đằng

Reflection on the Third Passage of Phú sông Bạch Đằng

I. Well-Structured Overview of Reflecting on the Third Passage of Phú sông Bạch Đằng (Standard)

1. Introduction

- Set the stage by introducing the poem Phú sông Bạch Đằng.
- Seamlessly guide into the third passage of the literary work.

2. Body of the Essay

Reflections and Commentary from the Elders on Ancient Victories:

a. Factors Leading to Our Victory Over the Foe
- Celestial timing: 'From the universe, the battle unfolds': aligned with favorable cosmic forces, following objective laws.
- Geographical advantage: 'Nature provides a treacherous terrain': Bạch Đằng River, with favorable topography for strategic deployment.
- 'Human harmony': heroes and talents in the world, individuals with wisdom ensuring 'electoral peace' → Playing a decisive role in our triumph.

b. Endless Grief for the Scenes of Old, by the Ancients
- Bạch Đằng River stands as testimony to a glorious history of the era.
- 'Fragrance of poetry': etching one's name in the glorious history of the nation. For a thousand years, people praise and take pride.
- 'Grief and longing': the river mourns with a 'damp face,' people remember with 'tear-soaked eyes.'

3. Conclusion

Affirm the value of the poetic passage.

II. Exemplary Essay on Reflecting on the Third Passage of Phú sông Bạch Đằng (Standard)

Throughout 4000 years of nation-building and defending, alongside glorious victories, numerous landmarks have etched into the nation's history with heroic and grand achievements like Cửa Hàm Tử, Chi Lăng, Đống Đa, and more. However, perhaps the most inspiring of all is the Bạch Đằng River – the river of triumph, of a resplendent history. Many literary works celebrate it with pride and admiration, especially Trương Hán Siêu's poem, Phú sông Bạch Đằng. Notably, in the third passage of the poem, the author borrows the words of the elders to convey their reflections and commentary on the ancient victories.

If in the second stanza of the poem, we relive a glorious historical period with the heroic decisive battle on the Bạch Đằng River by our people, then in the third stanza, we take even greater pride in understanding the additional reasons that led to our triumph over the enemy.

'However:
From the cosmos,
The land has its grandeur.
Indeed: the heavens and earth provide treacherous places,
Also, thanks to human talents preserving the electoral peace!'

The struggle to reclaim national sovereignty is a just war. This war conforms to the inherent laws; where there is oppression, there is resistance, supported by the people and favored by the heavens. All share a common will, fighting to reclaim the land for the Fatherland. Furthermore, in this battle, we gain the geographical advantage of 'nature providing treacherous terrain,' especially the Bạch Đằng River, with favorable topography for strategic deployment. More notably, the source of the resounding victory must acknowledge the 'human talent' - heroes, renowned figures in the world, individuals with sufficient wisdom to 'preserve the electoral peace.' The high virtue of Trần Nhân Tông, the insightful intellect of Trần Quốc Tuấn, and the talents of the royal generals at Bến Bình Than,... all contribute to the strength of our people in the anti-invasion battle. We still hear echoes of the exchange between General Trần Quốc Tuấn and King Trần Nhân Tông, 'This year, the enemy is idle,' when asked, 'What if the enemy attacks?'. We still see the phrase 'Sát thát' expressing determination, a unanimous resolve against the invaders by the entire Trần dynasty court. The perspective that the enemy is easy to defeat is not a subjective attitude but is based on strategic military command, foresight, and belief in the strength of the entire nation, the fighting spirit, and the experience gained from our two previous resistance wars. Trần Quốc Tuấn's words once again affirm the high talent, deep wisdom of this virtuous talent in the world, thereby reflecting the spirit, heroism of East Asia in the stature of the era, the stature of a heroic nation, a heroic country.

'The fragrance of poetry remains, the inscriptions on the stele endure.
Arriving at the river, we ủ mặt (rest our faces),
Remembering the ancients, tears chừ chan (soaked eyes).'