Buzz
1. Introduction
- It has been over 160 years since Uncle's passing, yet the pain of loss still lingers in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.
- One of the exemplary works expressing this grief is the poem 'Visiting Uncle's Mausoleum' by Viễn Phương, a stream of emotions conveying sorrow and respect from a Southern-born child visiting Uncle's mausoleum.
2. Body
* Stanza 1:
- The term of endearment 'Child -Uncle' illustrates a deep bond; the author sees Uncle as a beloved family member, deeply respected and cherished, evoking a sense of intimacy and familiarity.
- The imagery of lush green bamboo represents:
+ A depiction of reality, the scenery of lush bamboo surrounding Uncle's mausoleum.
+ Bamboo symbolizes Vietnam, its people, invoking a sense of familiarity, simplicity, and the peaceful atmosphere of the homeland through the ages, conveying a feeling of tranquility and warmth.
+ Furthermore, the image of bamboo standing in a straight line also symbolizes the Vietnamese people standing guard around the mausoleum, ensuring Uncle's peaceful rest.
* Verse 2:
- The imagery of twin waves 'Every day the sun passes over the mausoleum/ Seeing a red sun inside the mausoleum', asserts the greatness of President Ho Chi Minh, while also affirming Uncle as the shining red sun of truth in the heart of every Vietnamese person, illuminating our nation's revolutionary path towards peace and freedom.
- The image of people walking in remembrance, like an invisible thread of endless grief of the entire nation, flowing incessantly and the sorrow, respect forming into a beautiful bouquet offered to Uncle.
* Verse 3:
- Speaking modestly about Uncle's departure, while affirming his greatness through the imagery of 'moonlight' and 'blue sky'.
- Although knowing that Uncle will live forever in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, there is a truth that Uncle has permanently departed, becoming an enduring pain in every person's heart, impossible to forget.
* Verse 4:
- Viễn Phương's overwhelming emotion upon leaving Uncle.
- The feelings of appreciation, affection, and longing have stirred simple desires in the author's soul, the desire to become birds, flowers, bamboo trees to keep Uncle in peaceful slumber.
4. Conclusion
- Concluding the poem, although only consisting of 4 short verses, with a gentle poetic tone, like whispers, like confessions, Vieng Lang Bac by Viễn Phương has brought many emotions to the readers.
- Despite being written over 40 years ago, until today, when reading the poem no matter which generation, one cannot help but feel touched by its strong emotional appeal, along with the sincere affection that the author bestowed upon Uncle - the beloved leader of our nation for generations.
II. Exemplary Essay: Vieng Lang Bac - A Moving Tribute by Viễn Phương
It has been over 160 years since Uncle departed, yet the pain of loss still permanently resides in the hearts of every Vietnamese, with numerous works written about Uncle, about the pain of His departure, among which some have become timeless, seemingly representing the grief of millions of Vietnamese hearts. We can mention the tearful verses of Tố Hữu in the poem Oh Uncle!: 'For days we bid farewell/Tears flow, sky rains' these verses have left indescribable emotions in the hearts of readers, deep sorrow, tearful regret for the great leader in those days Uncle just passed away. In parallel with Oh Uncle!, the poem Vieng Lang Bac by poet Viễn Phương, we find a different emotion, that is the lingering sorrow, regret of a Southern child, only after the liberation day can one visit Uncle once. The poem is often referred to as a touching tribute of the poet to the beloved old father of the nation.
Talking about a moving tribute, it is easy to notice that Viễn Phương's poetry is very peaceful, gentle, but contains many emotions, every word, every sentence, though seemingly simple, rustic,...(Continued)
