Văn tế nghĩa sĩ Cần Giuộc, a monumental artwork depicting the heroic farmer

Prompt: The Heroic Farmer, a monumental artwork depicting the heroic farmer

Exploring the Literary Legacy of Nguyen Dinh Chieu, a Beacon of Patriotism and Inspiration

Insight Techniques for Analyzing Poetry Passages Effectively and Scoring High Marks

Sample Piece 1: Nguyen Dinh Chieu - A Monumental Figure Celebrating Farmer Heroes

Nguyen Dinh Chieu stands as a poet with an unwavering love for his country. Throughout his literary journey, he held firm to ethical principles, dedicating his pen to the welfare of his people and nation. While addressing various themes, his enduring commitment to nationalistic verses, rallying spirit for the country and its people, remained paramount. The piece honoring the virtue of Cần Giuộc epitomizes the patriotic fervor of the author, presenting a fresh perspective on literary heroes.

Honoring the Valor of Can Giuoc Martyrs through Duong-style Prose, a Testament to Nguyen Dinh Chieu's Literary Success

The Can Giuoc Martyr Eulogy stands as a rare artistic monument, grand yet poignant, depicting a new perspective on heroism by Nguyen Dinh Chieu, previously unseen in patriotic literature.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu's concept of heroism differs from ancient Confucian scholars. While previous writers often portrayed exceptional leaders, Chieu's poetry celebrates the humble, honest farmers deeply devoted to their country. He discovers and celebrates the heroism of simple, honest farmers, collectively known as the Can Giuoc Martyrs.

The focal point of the work is the selfless soldiers, originating from poor farmers, unaccustomed to the luxuries of life, yet resilient and diligent in their toil. Despite their humble origins, when the nation was invaded, these villagers courageously volunteered to defend their homeland. Nguyen Dinh Chieu eloquently captures their patriotism through simple yet profound prose.

Seeing the fluffy white cover, craving for liver; watching the dark smoke rise, eager to bite the neck.

The writer vividly portrays a battle of resilience and courage of Can Giuoc soldiers, armed with mere cloth uniforms, bamboo spears, or makeshift guns. Yet, they achieved feats, beheading officials and burning down enemy religious schools. Nguyen Dinh Chieu erected an artistic monument to these unwavering heroes, ready to sacrifice for the nation.

Demonstrating that the Can Giuoc Martyr Eulogy stands as an artistic monument to farmer heroes

Despite the wind's howls and empty threats, they stride forward, facing the enemy with indifference; unafraid of Western bullets or assaults, they charge ahead as if fearless.

These are masterful words. The battlefield atmosphere is truly vibrant, with drums beating, soldiers charging, fearless in their assault. They attack like a hurricane onto the enemy stronghold. With heroic prose and vivid descriptions, the spirit of the brave Can Giuoc soldiers is exalted. Author Nguyen Dinh Chieu bestows upon them the most beautiful emotions, praise, admiration, and pride.

What sets Nguyen Dinh Chieu apart is his recognition of the heroic figures among us, not as exceptional talents but as humble, hardworking farmers. They are always close to us, part of our daily lives. Nguyen Dinh Chieu's perspective on farmer heroes makes readers realize that greatness is not distant but right beside us. His progressive view on revolutionary farmer imagery is a pioneering concept.

The martyrs lived bravely, died gloriously. Their fighting spirit and sacrifice are immortal, shining brightly through generations, enduring alongside our rivers and mountains. The greatest lesson they leave for the nation and people is the lesson of life and death. To live with dignity, to die unyielding. This spirit enriches the profound essence of the 'Artistic Monument to Farmer Heroes Fighting the Enemy'. The eulogy is distilled into a philosophy, a living belief of our people.

To fight the enemy, to defy them even in death, their souls persist in aiding our struggle, seeking vengeance through countless lifetimes...

The epic of the Noble Peasant Martyr from Cần Giuộc is hailed as a splendid literary gem of the medieval era. Through a blend of heartfelt sentiment and stark realism, expressed in simple yet refined language, this work authentically captures the poignant and courageous spirit of our people amidst tumultuous times. It stands as a monumental artistic tribute to the indomitable peasant-hero uprising, showcasing the enduring strength of our nation against invading forces. The ode of praise in this literary piece, penned by Nguyen Dinh Chieu, immortalizes these valiant souls, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of the populace, filled with gratitude, admiration, and pride.

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Alongside the exemplary exposition of the Noble Peasant Martyr from Cần Giuộc, students can further explore the summary of the text or delve into the portrayal of the peasant-hero figure. These aids serve to revise knowledge and enhance their writing skills.

Sample Article 2: The Noble Peasant Martyr from Cần Giuộc, a Monumental Artistic Tribute to the Peasant-Hero

Nguyen Dinh Chieu was a patriotic Confucian scholar at the end of the 19th century. His life was filled with hardships. Yet, through extraordinary determination, he became a shining example in many aspects... 'With the Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc,' Nguyen Dinh Chieu erected a monumental statue honoring the patriotic peasant intellectuals who fought against the French invaders at the end of the 19th century.' The praise is well-deserved for the success of the work. More than a century later, revisiting that memorial, who wouldn't be deeply moved, as the 'tears of heroes' have never dried up?

The beginning of the work saw the author lamenting:
Oh, alas! The enemy's guns shake the earth; the people's hearts reveal themselves to the sky!

This was the situation, the backdrop upon which Nguyen Dinh Chieu erected the timeless memorial. The country was invaded. The enemy's guns echoed throughout the mountains and rivers. The ruthless foe had arrived. Villages trembled before 'iron ships, bronze ships, and gunfire.' Perhaps, this was the moment:

The Ben Nghe River with its frothy waves
The Dong Nai River stained with the color of clouds
It was also the moment:
Abandoning homes, leaving the children to flee
Losing nests, flocks of birds scattered in flight

(Fleeing to the West - Nguyen Dinh Chieu)

From this intense, devastating, and painful situation, the hearts of the people shone brightly amidst the blue sky!

Who are they?

They are not scholars, not heroes, nor are they wealthy elites favored by royal favor. They are just ordinary people:

Engaged in farming, worrying about poverty
... Only knowing fields and buffaloes, staying within the village
Plowing, hoeing, harrowing, planting, hands accustomed to work;
Training with shields, training with guns, training with sickles, training with flags, eyes never wandering

They are entirely peasants, 100% peasants who have never stepped out of the bamboo hedge surrounding their village! Moreover, they are poor peasants, very poor. The phrase 'struggling alone' from Grandpa Do is truly heart-wrenching! It means, on ordinary days, but during those long, dense years, they were not 'guided' as the officials claimed. A lifetime, generations selling their faces to the land, selling their backs to the sky! Yet, it is these abandoned people who are the first to rise, even if they are not military officers. They gather under the flag for the sake of righteousness.

A distant relationship letter, who will wield the machete to chase away snakes and deer
Two suns and moons shining brightly, where are the youth herding goats to sell dogs.

Guidelines for proving the assertion: The Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc, an artistic monument to peasant heroes

With the two sentences above, Grandpa Nguyen Dinh Chieu has indeed shown us that they are true scholars, individuals with great responsibility towards the land, individuals carrying the indomitable bloodline. Therefore, they decided 'Let this bamboo raft face the current... This voyage requires the strength of tigers on land.'

That is the ideology of figures like Trieu Thi Trinh, the daughter of King Phung Hung who once fought sea monsters in the East Sea, and captured wild tigers in the deep forests of our national history.

But Grandpa Do Ben Tre never forgets that they are the grassroots people with hearts filled with hatred towards the enemy down to the bone:

When they see the white-wrapped ghost nets, they want to feast on the liver

Seeing the black smoke pipes, they want to go out and bite their necks!

It is this hatred that drives them to overcome difficulties and shortages, without waiting for weapons, uniforms, military training, without fear of powerful enemies, with modern weapons, ruthless mercenaries, cunning traitors... they are determined to enter the battle immediately with rudimentary homemade weapons:' Sparrows fight with straw, swords are made of sharp blades', meaning they'll use whatever is at hand, as long as it kills the enemy! Without the heart for a righteous cause, how could they have such courage?

And when they enter the battle, they are truly extraordinary:

Ignoring the wind urging the drum, rushing past the barriers, treating the enemy as nothing; not fearing the Westerners' small bullets, big bullets, rushing into the fray as if there were none.

The sideways thrust, the reverse strike, causing chaos in the enemy's ranks; those in front, those behind, disregarding iron ships, bronze ships, and gunfire.

It was a fierce battle, resolute to the point of sacrificing lives for the sake of hatred! Strong verbs like 'trample - rush - push - charge - sideways thrust - reverse strike...' make readers hundreds of years later feel the overwhelming momentum of the righteous army. Amidst the blazing flames, the gleam of bare arms, the glint of steel blades, the thunderous footsteps, the deafening cries of killing the enemy...

In Vietnamese literature up to that time, rarely has any depiction been so vividly realistic! Without a hint of sentimentality, the narrative and description by the Confucian scholars are truly precious! Why would someone who'is surrounded only by darkness' be able to see so clearly? Talent or heart? Perhaps both!

It was the spirit of determination of these righteous scholars that achieved highly commendable feats. They eliminated the wicked commanders, burned down the nests of spies, whether they were visible enemies, hidden enemies, flesh-and-blood enemies, ideological enemies (religious teachers)... Their achievements were even more significant as they were accomplished with rudimentary weapons! The grandiose memorial statue is all the more imposing.

Heart-wrenching! They have fallen! Their brave sacrifice has deeply pained the land and sky of the Mekong Delta:
The Can Giuoc riverbank, miles of sorrowful grass and trees;
Looking at Truong Binh market, both young and old suffering in silence.
The land and sky are hazy! Everyone mourns! This tragic sorrow knows no bounds! Behind the hero's death will be:
The utmost agony! Old mothers weeping for their sons, dim lamps flickering in tents; aching hearts! Weak wives searching for husbands, shadows creeping silently at the door.

It can be said that Nguyen Dinh Chieu mingled blood and tears to write such heartfelt words!

Although Nguyen Dinh Chieu wiped away tears to praise the intense sacrifice of the soldiers with a heart as resolute as the full moon,'living to fight waterfalls also fights enemies, the soul follows to aid the military, wishing to repay in the next life', meaning those people died but still live! Yet our hearts cannot help but ache with sorrow!

The monumental statue that Nguyen Dinh Chieu erected with his own pen will forever exist alongside the rivers and mountains of Vietnam! This is the first monument to peasant fighters against invaders! We all know, from the moment the Vietnamese learned to use branches to sow seeds, they also learned to sharpen stakes, sharpen bamboo tips to fight against all enemies on four legs and two legs! They are truly the masters of the country. But in mainstream literature before Nguyen Dinh Chieu's time, they never became central characters! Now, Nguyen Dinh Chieu has rightfully restored the rightful place for these mud-covered, hardworking people. Nguyen Dinh Chieu has become a shining star in our country's literature at the end of the 19th century with the worthy contribution of 'The Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc'! 'The Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc' will forever be 'a song about the fallen heroes' (Pham Van Dong).

A candle is lit to remember, twice remembered, remembering the fallen heroes, remembering the patriotic poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

Sample Essay 3: The Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc, an artistic monument to peasant heroes

Nguyen Dinh Chieu was a blind poet but his heart was very bright. When the French invaded the South, he couldn't join the scholars to fight the West, but he still followed the times, the war. He composed poems praising the leaders of the righteous army, praising the virtuous ones who bravely fought the West for the greater cause. He expressed condolences for the nameless heroes who sacrificed for the Fatherland. The essay 'The Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc' is a masterpiece of his, the pinnacle of thought, emotion, and art in Nguyen Dinh Chieu's literary career. With this tribute, for the first time in our national literature, the image of peasants rising up to defend the country against foreign invaders is portrayed as a majestic artistic monument honoring patriotic peasants.

The insight of Nguyen Dinh Chieu has channelled his talent and brilliance to praise the fallen heroes.

In the lofty cries of the poet, in the tears of the people's compassion, the image of the virtuous peasant of Can Giuoc emerges clearly:

The enemy's guns roar
The people's hearts shine

The contrasting images depicted the profound, fierce contradictions of the era, the contradictions of invasion and resistance, affirming the role of the people in defending the country. The 'people's hearts' gleamed amidst the flames, in the echoes of war. Only the artists of the people could sculpt the peasant so solemnly amidst the vast sky and land, in such turbulent times.

The 'Monument of Art' was further detailed by the artists of the people with magnificent, vivid strokes. They are the compassionate, hardworking peasants, who have never engaged in military affairs or resistance.

Struggling in their trade, burdened by poverty and hardship,
Unfamiliar with riding horses, let alone the hunt,
They only know the fields, living the life of peasants.

They are the 19th-century peasants of the Southern region, the peasants of feudal Vietnam, backward, conservative, impoverished. They are gentle, diligent in their work, only familiar with the fields where 'a buffalo is more cherished than an emperor' - as spoken by a Greek poet.

The Memorial to Virtuous Scholars in Can Giuoc, an artistic monument to peasant heroes
 

They are completely unfamiliar with military matters 'unfamiliar with riding horses, let alone the hunt', not to mention 'training shields, training guns, training spears, training flags', or even 'eighteen martial arts stances'.

But when the French invaders seized our homeland, those peasants, seemingly only familiar with 'struggling in their trade, burdened by poverty and hardship,' rose up to fight the enemy, to save the nation with a deep love for their homeland, with a profound hatred for the enemy. These virtuous peasants became remarkable, indomitable heroes.

Seeing the white-covered gravestones, longing to feast on courage
Watching the smokestacks billow dark, eager to confront the foe
A distant letter of grandeur, who will dare to chase away serpents, pursue deer?
Two suns and moons glaring bright, where are the children selling dogs?

They entered the fray with an unwavering spirit: 'not waiting for anyone to demand or command', 'not bothering to escape either way', because they had no hope left in that rotten dynasty.

They fought under harsh conditions, their military attire just 'a ragged piece of cloth', their weaponry just 'a sharpened bamboo stick'. It can be said that their sharp weapons were their love for the country. With this precious spiritual weapon, they fought with extraordinary courage.

Using straw to ignite fires, they also burned down that missionary house
Wielding swords made of sharpened blades, they also decapitated those corrupt officials

With a noble spirit of patriotism, they transformed tools of production into sharp, formidable weapons. The artistic monument to the peasant warriors of Can Giuoc now appears before us, clad in ragged cloth, one hand holding a smoky straw, and the other brandishing a sharpened blade!

They described their daring actions, regardless of the modern weapons of the French enemy at the time:
Marching with determined steps, beating drums, trampling barriers, treating the enemy as if they were nothing
Unafraid of the Westerners' small or large bullets, rushing through doors, risking their lives as if they were nothing.
Striking from the side, attacking from behind, causing fear and panic among the enemy.

This is an 'artistic monument,' or more accurately, a group sculpture, vividly portraying the uprising of the Can Giuoc peasants against the French in the early days of French colonialism in our country. The sculptures are colorful, with sharp lines and rough shapes that allow readers to imagine the fierce actions and the resounding fury of the peasant uprising.

The ideals of the peasant philosopher are simple yet noble:
Why live this life, following the warrior's path, tossing incense, overturning altars, only to feel more sorrow?
Why live this life as a 'horse soldier', sharing stale wine, munching on bread, feeling even more ferocious.

With magnificent strokes, the folk artist sculpted a 'monument of art' in a grand manner. Grand because it's the action of heroes for a great cause. Grand in the beautiful ideals, noble qualities of the peasant philosopher. Grand because it's erected in a time of turmoil, storms, in the crucial moments of survival for the nation.

Grand yet sorrowful because they are heroic but defeated. Describing it as a 'monument of art with a heroic character' is accurate. The poet erected a 'monument of art' for the peasant philosophers amidst tears, amidst the cries of the poet and the people. But it's a monument of grandeur, not of ruin. In tears, in cries, we sense the poet's desire to erect an artistic monument - the peasant philosophers - within people's hearts. They live forever in love, in the hearts of loved ones, in the hearts of the people.

At the Tông Thạnh Pagoda in the Year of the Rooster, warmth is returned with a full moon's shadow
At the Lang Sa outpost, a moment to repay grudges, the fate of silver drifts along the rushing water.

They become immortal. It seems their brave fight is still ongoing along with the great national defense cause:

'To live is to fight the enemy, even to die is to fight the enemy, the soul continues to assist the soldiers, praying for revenge forever'

Monuments, stone tablets, often erode over time, due to time, due to human destruction, but the artistic monument to the peasant warriors erected in people's hearts is enduring, indestructible.

In his article 'Nguyễn Đình Chiểu - a shining star in the national literature and art', Mr. Phạm Văn Đồng once placed this eulogy on par with Nguyễn Trãi's 'Cáo Bình Ngô' and argued that while one is a song of victorious heroes, the other is a song of defeated heroes, yet both stand tall. The 'monument of art' with its heroic character about the patriotic peasant warriors against foreign aggression by Nguyễn Đình Chiểu lives forever in the heroic hearts of the Vietnamese people.