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Essay Prompt: Reflections on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's poem 'Running the Enemy.'
Reflections on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's Poem 'Running the Enemy'
Written Work:
In the garden of flowers, not all blossoms can flourish and flaunt their beauty, and in literature, not every work can withstand the test of time. However, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, a shining star of the nation, infused life into his creation 'Running the Enemy,' making it one of the exemplary poems of the patriotic poetry genre during the resistance against the French.
We have known Nguyễn Đình Chiểu through various volumes of poems deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the nation, such as 'Lục Vân Tiên,' 'Chúng tử tế mẫu văn,'... Particularly, in the year 1858, when the French colonialists opened fire, initiating the invasion of our country with ruthless and brutal tactics, the poet's hatred for the invaders intensified.
With his eloquent pen, the poet depicted the painful reality of the invaded land in the early days of aggression. It was the moment when the French invaders attacked Gia Định, during the 'dispersed market' in the two opening lines:
'As the market disperses, the sound of Western guns heard,
A chessboard frozen in a moment, destiny slips away.'
The market gathering signals a tranquil, prosperous life for the people. Now, the market dissolves, disrupted by the sudden burst of 'Western gunfire.' This unexpected sound transforms the once vibrant market into a desolate, mournful scene. Using metaphor, the poet condemns the French invaders, labeling their gunfire as 'Western gunfire,' expressing strong disdain for their invasive actions. Similar resentment towards the enemy is evident in Nguyễn Đình Chiểu's 'Lamentation' as well:
'Carrying countless ideals, boats sail untamed,
Piercing through deceitful pens, unyielding.'
The 'Western gunfire' unexpectedly erupts, sending everyone into panic. Ideally, after the market gathering, households would revel in joyful moments. Children excitedly anticipate treats bought by their mothers or grandmothers, whether simple candies, peanuts, or new sets of clothes from the market. Families would gather to prepare the freshly bought fish or share stories of long-lost relatives unexpectedly reunited in the bustling market. Those moments are serene and bring immeasurable happiness. Yet, the gunfire shatters the tranquility of warm homes and simple joys. Who wouldn't feel heartache and sorrow witnessing such a scene?
The poet likened the state of the nation to 'a chessboard frozen in a moment,' symbolizing the swift defeat of the ruling dynasty, plunging the fate of the country into the hands of the invaders. Behind each verse lies a sense of unease and concern about the nation's destiny at that time. The French colonial invasion marked an era of enslavement for our people, living in constant sorrow and hardship under the oppression of colonial rule.
The poet vividly portrayed the heart-wrenching scene of people fleeing in two poignant lines:
'Abandoned homes, children running astray,
Losing their nests, flocks of birds scatter away.'
The words 'Abandoned homes,' 'running astray,' 'Losing nests,' 'scattering away' painted a picture of devastation and simplicity full of compassion as the enemy unleashed gunfire on the homeland. The poet employed vivid imagery, using 'children' to represent human life and 'flocks of birds' for the natural world. These two images became poignant symbols of the people's suffering, where even children had to flee from the enemy, and flocks of birds had to leave their nests to find hiding places. The art of inversion condemned the atrocities of the enemy, making readers feel transported back to the chaotic exodus, as children ran helter-skelter seeking refuge, and flocks of birds lost their nests and had to fly elsewhere. The evocative terms 'running astray' and 'scattering away' with their sculptural qualities immerse readers in the shared experience of fleeing from the enemy during that tumultuous time.
The author depicted that scene not only in rural areas, bustling markets but also in the once vibrant urban landscapes, now desolate, as stated in two poignant lines:
'Saigon Riverbank, where money once flowed like water,
Dong Nai competes with tiles tinted in the hues of clouds.'
We are familiar with Saigon Riverbank as a bustling hub of trade and commerce with bustling boats dating back around two centuries, while Dong Nai is one of the major rice granaries in the South. However, in the blink of an eye, it fell victim to French aggression, devastated to the extent that it resembled swiftly disappearing 'water bubbles.' The French invaders' ruthless sweep, like a flood, swept away everything, claiming countless lives and the people's possessions. They set ablaze the warm homes of our people, and the smoke and flames rose high, covering vast expanses of sky. The poet used the unique comparison 'where money once flowed like water' and 'tiles tinted in the hues of clouds' to vividly depict the cruel face of the invading forces. The devastation of war is truly horrific. War not only disrupts everyday life but also causes the loss of wealth and property, pushing the people into despair. Faced with such a tragic scene, no one can escape the overwhelming sorrow and pain for their own fate and that of the nation.
The atrocities committed by the enemy are beyond description; the poet cannot help but feel anxious and heartbroken witnessing the nation fall into a state of injury and tragedy. This is clearly expressed in the concluding two lines:
In addition to the Appreciation of the poem 'Fleeing the Invaders', you should explore the Analysis of the short story 'The Ivory Comb' as well as the content of Compose an essay on 'Fleeing the Invaders' to fully grasp this literary work.
