The 6 Best Analyses of "Đò Lèn" by Nguyễn Duy for Grade 12

A. KEY KNOWLEDGE

1. Author:

Nguyễn Duy is a poet who has made significant contributions to the revitalization of traditional poetry forms. His poems, while often rebellious, also carry a calm, contemplative quality, and they resonate deeply with readers, sometimes leading them to pause and reflect. Many of his works are loved by the public, including "Tre Việt Nam," "Ánh Trăng," "Ngồi Buồn Nhớ Mẹ Ta Xưa," "Đò Lèn," and "Sông Thao." He is particularly praised for his skill in the lục bát verse form, which might seem easy to write but is challenging to master. In 2007, he was awarded the State Prize for Literature and Art. His poetry is centered on the beauty of everyday life, revealing timeless values in the ordinary world. With sincere emotions and profound reflections, Nguyễn Duy's work blends a folk style with the essence of classical Eastern poetry.

2. The Poem "Đò Lèn":

Written in September 1983, "Đò Lèn" refers to the author's maternal hometown. The poem is structured in two parts. The first five stanzas depict the speaker’s memories of the hardworking, humble life of his grandmother, juxtaposed with the carefree, almost indifferent attitude of the child. The final stanza shows the speaker's awakening to the harsh, inevitable realities of life, leading to deep sorrow and regret for not having appreciated his grandmother enough.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1 (Page 149 of the textbook) How is the poet's childhood self depicted in the poem? What are the familiar and new aspects of the poet’s reflection on his past?

Answer: Childhood memories often evoke a sense of nostalgia, filled with beautiful moments and innocent dreams. However, for Nguyễn Duy, recalling his childhood brings to mind a period of hardship and poverty, the result of war’s aftermath. Yet, these memories do not erase his affection for that time, which appears both tender and playful, full of mischief and youthful innocence. The first two stanzas reveal the carefree joys of childhood, from fishing and catching birds to sneaking fruits or following his grandmother to the market. There is also the imagination of a world of deities and spirits, with visits to temples and festivals. The following stanzas depict the grandmother’s tough life, filled with toil and struggle. Despite poverty, she carries on, supporting herself and the poet through difficult times. Her resilience and love for the speaker are shown through vivid details like her collecting shellfish and carrying heavy baskets of green tea. The new aspect in Nguyễn Duy's poetry lies in his frankness about the flaws and mistakes of childhood. For instance, he mentions the guilt of stealing fruit, a moment of mischief that he recalls with a sense of warmth and forgiveness.

Question 2 (Page 149 of the textbook) How is the author’s deep affection for his grandmother conveyed in the poem?

Answer: The poet vividly portrays his grandmother as a selfless figure who sacrificed everything to care for him. Despite her hardships, she worked tirelessly—catching shellfish, carrying baskets of green tea, and even selling eggs during air raids. Her life was filled with struggle, yet her love for her grandchild was boundless. Nguyễn Duy captures this love with deep emotion, highlighting her devotion even during times of war and famine. His later reflection reveals a poignant regret, as he realizes too late how much he truly loved her: "When I learned to love her, it was too late. She was only a handful of grass now." This line conveys the sorrow of a lost opportunity, as the poet grieves the passing of his grandmother and the realization that he could never repay her sacrifices.

Question 3 (Page 149 of the textbook) How does the poet express his affection for his grandmother in a unique way? Compare the poetic imagery of Nguyễn Duy and Bằng Việt, both writing about the same theme.

Answer: In "Bếp Lửa" (The Fireplace), poet Bằng Việt recalls the sacred memories of his childhood with his grandmother. This affection is symbolized through the sound of the cuckoo and the image of the ever-burning fireplace, which represents the grandmother's enduring love: "Cuckoo, don’t stay with Grandma… The fire will always burn in her heart…" In contrast, Nguyễn Duy employs vivid contrasts and comparisons in his poetry to highlight the differences between his own carefree childhood and the hardships of his grandmother. His use of images such as "stealing fruit" and "carrying heavy baskets" contrasts the playful innocence of the child with the heavy burdens of the grandmother. There is also a deep, spiritual connection between the child and the grandmother, as she is compared to divine figures, yet still remains firmly grounded in the harsh reality of wartime life. Through these contrasts, Nguyễn Duy creates a profound sense of regret and reflection, as he acknowledges that he did not truly appreciate his grandmother until it was too late.

When I learned to love her, it was too late

She was only a handful of grass now

General Overview of the Work

Author

Nguyễn Duy: Born in 1948, from Thanh Hóa.
Poetry Style:
Nguyễn Duy's poetry blends charm and lyricism with a strong sense of realism.
Many of his poems reflect a bold, direct voice, filled with defiance yet contemplative, revealing a deep civic spirit.
Notable works include: "Cát trắng" (1973), "Ánh trăng" (1984), "Mẹ và em" (1987), and "Bụi" (1997).

Work Overview:

Creation Context: "Đò Lèn" was written in 1983, during Nguyễn Duy's return to his homeland, reminiscing about his childhood memories, both joyful and sorrowful. This poem was included in the collection "Ánh trăng".
Structure: Two parts
Part 1 (First 5 stanzas): Recollection of the hardworking grandmother contrasted with the carelessness of the child.
Part 2 (Final stanza): The child’s awakening to the harsh realities of life, leading to regret and sorrow.

Question 1: How is the poet’s childhood self portrayed in the poem? What are the familiar and new aspects in the author’s view of his past self?

Answer:

The poet’s childhood was marked by hardship and poverty caused by the war, but these memories still carry a sense of affection, sympathy, and youthful playfulness, capturing the innocent nature of children.
First two stanzas: A carefree childhood memory filled with mischievous activities of children, such as fishing, bird-catching, secretly picking fruit, and following the grandmother to the market.
Next three stanzas: The image of the grandmother appears, struggling through hardships. Life’s poverty forced her to "catch crabs and pick shrimp", "carry heavy baskets of green tea" with the villagers selling goods, eat "undercooked yams" to survive hunger; during the war, her house was bombed, and she sold eggs at the train station.
What is unique in Nguyễn Duy's poetry is that he doesn’t just recall the happy moments but also the less pleasant ones, such as the misdeed of "stealing Trần Temple's fruit", vividly presenting the mischievousness of childhood.

Question 2: How is the poet's deep affection for his grandmother expressed?

Answer:

The image of the grandmother: catching crabs, carrying green tea at night, selling eggs at the Lèn train station during the bombings, and cooking yams in times of hunger...
She is a woman who devoted her life to providing for her grandchild during the war, always protecting him with boundless love, even in the hardest of times.
The poet expresses this love, respect, and profound gratitude toward his grandmother.
Feelings of regret and sorrow appear too: When I learned to love her, it was too late / She was just a handful of grass.
This verse echoes like the cry of a child who, after being separated from home to fight, returns only to find that his grandmother has passed. The poet's tears, spilling onto his pages, make readers feel the depth of loss and sympathy.

Question 3: What makes the poet's expression of love for his grandmother unique? Compare the distinct styles of two poets, Bằng Việt ("Bếp lửa") and Nguyễn Duy ("Đò Lèn"), both addressing the same theme.

Answer:

In "Bếp lửa", poet Bằng Việt captures the sacred memories of the bond between grandparent and grandchild, symbolized by the persistent cry of the cuckoo and the image of the glowing hearth.
Nguyễn Duy uses literary techniques such as contrast and comparison to create powerful images in his verses.
Contrasting the playful, carefree child with the hard-working, worn-out grandmother.
Contrasting the poverty-stricken, difficult life with the immense love the grandmother offers.
Comparing the divine with the mundane, placing the grandmother alongside deities, Buddhas, and saints.
Depicting the contrast between sacred figures and the grandmother set against the backdrop of wartime.
Through a sincere, straightforward tone, Nguyễn Duy conveys deep emotions of regret, bitterness, and reflection on life.

Question 1: Page 149, Literature Textbook, Grade 12 - Volume 1
How is the poet’s childhood self portrayed in the poem? What familiar and new perspectives does the poet have when reflecting on their past?

In this poem, the poet’s childhood self is vividly brought to life. It’s a pure, innocent self, full of excitement about the world around him, depicted as a lively and mischievous boy, carefree and full of joy:

Delighting in typical childhood games: bird-catching, stealing fruit, following his grandmother to the market, and fishing.
Enchanted by a mystical world: playing at the Cây Thị temple, watching the Sòng temple ritual, remembering the scent of white lilies, incense smoke, and the sway of the spirit medium's chanting.
The familiar and new aspects in the poet’s view of his past self:

The familiar: cherishing beautiful memories of childhood, holding dear his homeland and memories of his beloved grandmother.
The new: a reflective self-awareness, questioning the poet’s earlier indifference to his grandmother when they were together.

Question 2: Page 149, Literature Textbook, Grade 12 - Volume 1
How is the poet’s deep affection for his grandmother expressed?

The poet’s deep affection for his grandmother is shown through:

Emotionally recreating the image of his beloved grandmother: quietly enduring hardships, trading back and forth, enduring danger to raise her orphaned, mischievous grandchild amidst the brutal war: the grandmother catches crabs, carries green tea at Ba Trại, stumbles through cold nights, and when American bombs destroy their home, she sells eggs at the Lèn station.
She was an integral part of the poet’s childhood, so precious and deeply bonded: holding her dress as they walked to Bình Lâm market, where the grandmother seemed to transcend into a deity, a Buddha, a saint.

The grandchild feels regretful for once being indifferent to her: "I didn’t know my grandmother’s hardships, I was unaware between the realms of reality and illusion, and when I finally understood, it was too late / She’s now just a handful of grass."
Before the grandmother, who lived simply and full of love for her family, strong and determined, the grandchild feels deep affection and respect but also sorrow for not having been there to repay and care for her.

Question 3: Page 149, Literature Textbook, Grade 12 - Volume 1
What makes the poet’s expression of love for his grandmother unique? Compare the distinct imagery used by two poets, Bằng Việt ("Bếp lửa") and Nguyễn Duy ("Đò Lèn"), who write about the same theme.

The poet’s expression of love for his grandmother is special because it comes from a place of self-awareness, as someone who has gone through many experiences and now realizes that they have overlooked many simple yet significant values in life.

Comparison of imagery in the works of two poets writing on the same theme: Bằng Việt ("Bếp lửa") and Nguyễn Duy ("Đò Lèn"):

Similarities: Both evoke beautiful childhood memories and the image of a hardworking grandmother; both are narrated from the present perspective of the grandchild reflecting on the past; both express profound love and respect for the grandmother who has passed away.
Differences: "Đò Lèn" conveys the grandchild’s belated regret for the carefree and indifferent childhood, living in a beautiful illusion, not understanding the grandmother’s suffering. The tone is filled with sorrow and regret. In contrast, "Bếp lửa" focuses on deep gratitude and the longing for the beautiful memories shared with the grandmother, especially the image of her hearth, which remains a symbol of warmth and care.

I. Author

Question 1 (Page 149, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1):

The poet's childhood memories come alive, vivid and innocent, yet filled with contemplation and regret.

+ The memories appear in contrast, subtly expressing the character's regret and self-awareness as they gain new understanding.

- The poet's childhood image:

+ The poet's childhood was marked by hunger and hardship caused by the war.

+ Innocence, carefree nature, and mischievousness: fishing at Cống Na, catching sparrows, stealing longans from the Trần Temple.

+ Fascination with the mythical world: visiting the Cây Thị Temple, watching rituals at the Sòng Temple, intoxicated by the fragrance of incense, lilies, and folk singing...

- Familiar elements: authentic, touching childhood memories.

- New elements: the poet dares to express not only the beautiful but also the harsh memories → the poet faces the truth openly, presenting a multi-dimensional perspective.

Question 2 (Page 149, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1):

The deep affection the poet feels for his grandmother:

- The image of the grandmother working tirelessly: catching crabs and shrimps, carrying green tea on cold nights, selling eggs during the American bombings, and eating boiled dong riềng during famine.

- The poet’s emotions when thinking of his grandmother:

+ Understanding the hardships and the deep love of his grandmother: expressing love and respect for his grandmother.

+ Regret and sorrow when it’s too late:

When I came to love her, it was already too late.

She was left with only a handful of grass.

Question 3 (Page 149, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1):

- The sacred emotions of Bằng Việt are expressed through his love for his grandmother:

+ Through the haunting call of the cuckoo and the sacred, moving image of the kitchen fire.

- For Nguyễn Du, the grandparent-grandchild bond is directly expressed, with rich, sincere, and honest memories.

- The poet conveys his feelings for his grandmother through self-blaming, as if repenting when recalling his youthful ignorance.

I. Author & Work

1. The Author

Nguyễn Duy, born Nguyễn Duy Nhuệ in 1948, hails from Thanh Hóa. He began writing poetry at a young age. His works uniquely blend grace, lyricism, and a deep sense of realism. Many of his poems carry bold, candid tones, with reflections on life and a strong civic spirit. He is among the few contemporary poets who have revitalized the traditional Vietnamese lục bát form by infusing it with modern inspiration, creating a distinctive and captivating style.

2. The Poem

The poem *Đò Lèn* was written in 1983, during a time when the poet returned to his hometown, revisiting his childhood memories filled with both sorrow and joy.

II. Guide to Composing the Lesson

Question 1 (Page 149, 12th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

* In the poem, the author’s childhood self is depicted:

- The image of a mischievous, carefree boy surrounded by the rustic simplicity of his hometown, with memories of both joy and sorrow, especially tied to his grandmother.

- Impressions of childhood:

+ The scent of incense smoke

+ The fragrance of white lilies

+ The sound of ceremonial songs, the shadow of the fortune-teller

+ The scent of white lilies

- A serene village life that feels intimate yet close-knit.

=> The narrative, told simply and authentically, conveys the innocence and purity of childhood, with memories that remain vivid in the poet’s mind.

* The familiar and novel perspectives in the poet’s reflection on his past:

- The familiar: The image of the young Duy, like any other child.

- The novel: The poet reflects on his past with the wisdom of adulthood, especially through the lens of his grandmother’s figure.

Question 2 (Page 149, 12th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

The deep affection the author holds for his grandmother is expressed through specific words and imagery:

- The grandmother's image: Collecting crabs and shrimp, carrying green tea from Ba Trại, struggling in commerce.

→ Hardworking, tireless, and worn out.

- The boy’s carefree attitude, unaware of his grandmother’s hardships:

+ “Didn’t know”: Thoughtless, unable to grasp her struggles.

+ “Transparent”: A child’s pure and innocent perception.

+ “One side real”: The grandmother’s tough and laborious life.

+ “One side unreal”: Includes gods, saints, and myths.

→ The innocence of a child who doesn’t understand the burden borne by the grandmother.

- The poet’s mature love for his grandmother, shaped by his experiences as a soldier:

+ Reveals a perspective shaped by real-life experiences. Nothing has changed in the world: “The old river still has its banks shifting.”

→ The grandchild confesses his late realization of love and regret:

“When I learned to love my grandmother, it was too late

She had already turned into a patch of grass.”

=> The growth and awakening of the grandchild.

Question 3 (Page 149, 12th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

The profound love for his grandmother reflects Nguyễn Duy's contemplation of life: love for his grandmother, and a sense of responsibility toward one’s homeland and present life, balancing awareness of the past and future.

Distinct characteristics:

Every grandmother is worthy of respect and affection for her hard work and sacrifice. In Bằng Việt’s *Bếp Lửa*, the grandmother symbolizes the resilience of the home front during the anti-American resistance, representing love and hatred through the sounds of the cuckoo and the flickering fire. In Nguyễn Duy’s *Đò Lèn*, the grandmother is a victim of war, embodying a small yet powerful figure, enduring the hardships of conflict. Despite the violence of war, she remains resolute, with her simple, everyday images like “gathering crabs and shrimp” showing her enduring spirit.

Overview of the Author and the Poem 'Đò Lèn'

I. Author Nguyễn Duy

- Nguyễn Duy, born Nguyễn Duy Nhuệ in 1948, is from Đông Vệ, Thanh Hóa province (now Thanh Hóa city).

- He lost his mother early and was raised by his grandmother.

- In 1966, he joined the military.

- From 1971 to 1975, Nguyễn Duy studied at the Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University.

- In late 1975, he was part of a unit that took over Vũng Tàu.

- In 1976, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City, worked as an editor for the newspaper Văn nghệ Giải phóng, and later became the head representative for the southern branch of Văn nghệ.

- His poetry blends grace and lyricism with the richness of real-life experience, often conveying bold, direct voices full of reflection and civic consciousness.

- He has been a key figure in modernizing the traditional Vietnamese verse form 'lục bát,' making it more dynamic and appealing through innovative structures, imagery, and language.

- In 2007, he was awarded the State Prize for Literature and the Arts.

- His major works include poetry collections: 'Cát trắng' (1973), 'Ánh trăng' (1984), 'Đãi cát tìm vàng' (1987), 'Mẹ và em' (1987); novels and essays like 'Khoảng cách' (1986), 'Nhìn ra bể rộng trời cao' (1986), and more.

II. The Poem 'Đò Lèn'

- Background: 'Đò Lèn' is a poem written by Nguyễn Duy in 1983 and published in the collection 'Ánh Trăng.' It reflects on his return to his homeland, filled with nostalgic memories of his childhood.

- Main theme: The poem reflects on the poverty and hardship of Nguyễn Duy's homeland, which had been devastated by the war. It evokes a sense of gratitude and the realization of the importance of one's roots, encouraging people to recognize the value of what they have, even if it is belated. The poem powerfully captures the love between a grandmother and grandchild, expressed through gentle yet profound reflections.

- Expression: The poem uses primarily emotional expression, intertwined with narrative and descriptive elements.

- Title significance: The title 'Đò Lèn' refers to a place, but it carries a deep resonance. It is the poet’s maternal home, where he lived with his grandmother and where she endured a life of hardship before passing away. The place holds a special place in his memory, stirring a mixture of love, longing, and regret every time he recalls it.

'Đò Lèn' represents more than just the poet's childhood memories—it also evokes love and respect for his grandmother, who sacrificed so much. The poem expresses deep sorrow and regret for not having fully understood the struggles she faced while she was alive.

Suggested Answers for Reading Comprehension on 'Đò Lèn' (Page 149, Literature 12, Volume 1)

Question 1 (Page 149, Literature 12, Volume 1)
How is the author's childhood self depicted in the poem? What familiar and novel aspects of his view of the past are expressed in the poem?

Answer:
- The poet’s childhood:
+ He endured hardship and poverty due to the war.
+ He was carefree, mischievous, and playful, such as fishing in the Na canal, catching sparrows, or stealing fruit from the Chùa Trần temple.
+ He was fascinated by the imaginary world of gods and spirits, captivated by the scents of incense and jasmine, and the ritual performances at the Cây Thị temple.
- Familiar: The poem vividly and emotionally captures childhood memories.
- Novel: The poem also speaks of unpleasant memories and truths that are often concealed or forgotten, such as stealing fruit. This reflects a shift in the way post-1975 writers approached reality, bravely confronting uncomfortable truths.

Question 2 (Page 149, Literature 12, Volume 1)
How is the poet’s deep affection for his grandmother shown?

Answer:
- The image of the grandmother in 'Đò Lèn' is one of silent suffering and sacrifice, enduring hardship for her orphaned grandchild. The poet expresses this with great emotion:
+ The grandmother worked tirelessly, enduring physical hardship with love: catching shrimp, carrying tea in the cold, selling eggs at Lèn station during bomb raids, surviving famine with boiled tubers... These images show her struggle, devotion, and affection.
+ The poignant image of her selling eggs at Lèn station amid the destruction.
- The poet’s feelings for his grandmother:
+ He understands her struggles and expresses profound love, respect, and gratitude.
+ There is a sense of late regret and sorrow for not having fully appreciated her sacrifices while she was alive.

Question 3 (Page 149, Literature 12, Volume 1)
What makes the poet’s expression of love for his grandmother unique? How does it compare with the poem 'Bếp lửa' by Bằng Việt?

Answer:
In 'Bếp lửa,' poet Bằng Việt expresses love for his grandmother through sacred, heartfelt memories of their bond, symbolized by the persistent cry of the cuckoo and the ever-present hearth:
'Cuckoo, don't you come stay with Grandma...'
'The fire of the hearth glows and keeps Grandma's spirit warm...'
Nguyễn Duy, however, presents a direct and raw expression of his love for his grandmother. His memories are not veiled in metaphor or imagery but are expressed openly and with deep sincerity. His regret for not having understood her struggles sooner is palpable in the lines:
'When I learned to love Grandma, it was too late,
She was already just a handful of grass.'