The 6 Best Lesson Plans for 'The Lullaby for Children Growing on Their Mother's Back' by Nguyễn Khoa Điềm for Grade 9

A. KEY LEARNINGS

1. Author

Nguyễn Khoa Điềm was born in 1943 in Thừa Thiên Huế, in a family of intellectual revolutionaries. He belongs to the generation of poets who grew up during the intense period of the Vietnam War. Nguyễn Khoa Điềm has held prominent roles, including serving as the General Secretary of the Vietnam Writers' Association, a member of the Politburo, and the Head of the Central Propaganda and Culture Department.

2. The Poem

The poem 'The Lullaby for Children Growing on Their Mother's Back' was written by Nguyễn Khoa Điềm in 1971, during his work in the western Thừa Thiên war zone. The poem is a lullaby, but also a heartfelt message from a Tà-ôi mother to her child growing up on her back. It expresses the deep love of a mother for her child, her connection to her homeland, and the life of labor and struggle in the war zone, despite the difficulties. It also conveys a mother’s wish for her child to grow up healthy, strong, and become a citizen of a free nation. Nguyễn Khoa Điềm expresses the love for his child linked with his love for the country and the spirit of struggle through a sweet, affectionate tone in the lullaby. The poem contains many powerful, expressive images, such as: 'The beat of the pestle tilts your sleep'; 'The sun of corn lies on the hill – The sun of mother, you lie on her back…'

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: (Page 154 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook) The poem is a lullaby for the Tà-ôi children growing on their mother’s back in the war zone of Trị-Thiên during the fierce resistance against the American forces. The lullaby has three parts, each with two stanzas, starting with the lines: 'Em cu Tai... do not leave your mother's back,' and ending with a direct lullaby from the mother: 'Sleep well, A-kay...' (four lines). How does the repetition and rhythmic pauses in the lullaby create a particular rhythm, and how does it relate to the emotional content of the poem?

Answer:
The poem is a lullaby for the Tà-ôi children growing on their mother’s back in the Trị-Thiên war zone during the fierce American resistance. The lullaby has three parts, each with two stanzas, beginning with 'Em cu Tai... do not leave your mother's back,' and ending with a direct lullaby from the mother: 'Sleep well, A-kay...' (four lines). The repetition and rhythmic pauses create a soothing rhythm for the lullaby, like the gentle rocking motion of a mother putting her child to sleep. The lullaby expresses the close mother-child relationship, especially the mother’s loving affection for her child, wishing for the child to grow up strong and become a free citizen of the nation.

Question 2: (Page 154 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook) Analyze the image of the Tà-ôi mother in the poem. (Hint: In each part of the poem, how is the mother depicted in her various tasks and circumstances? Look for details and images that show the hardships and struggles of the mother in the war zone.)
Answer:
The image of the Tà-ôi mother in the poem 'The Lullaby for Children Growing on Their Mother's Back' is not only filled with deep love for her child, but also portrays her as a true 'soldier'—a working soldier contributing to the resistance. She sings the lullaby while carrying out various war tasks, like grinding rice to feed the soldiers, planting corn, or fighting off the American forces. The mother's love for her child is closely tied to her love for the soldiers, the village, and her country. The mother's activities such as: 'Mother grinds rice to feed the soldiers, / The beat of the pestle tilts your sleep'; 'Mother plants corn on the hill, / Mother moves camps, going through the forest,' represent her multifaceted role in both motherhood and the fight for independence. These images evoke strong emotions, symbolizing the heroic Vietnamese mothers who balance caring for their children with their patriotism and readiness to sacrifice for their country.

Question 3: (Page 154 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook) What do you understand from the two lines: 'The sun of corn lies on the hill / The sun of mother, you lie on her back'? Analyze the mother’s feelings towards her child in the second line.
Answer:
The two lines convey a beautiful philosophy of motherhood:
'The sun of corn lies on the hill / The sun of mother, you lie on her back.'
The lines use both metaphor and comparison, where the 'sun of corn' represents the universal sun that gives life and light to all, whereas the 'sun of mother' represents the source of life and hope for the mother’s world, which is her child. The child, lying on her back peacefully, gives her the strength to endure all hardships. The child is her driving force, her reason to keep going, and her hope for a brighter future. These lines reflect the profound, sacred love a mother has for her child—perhaps the most significant feeling for any person.

Question 4: (Page 154 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook) Through the lullabies, how do you perceive the mother's feelings towards her child? What can you observe about the connection between the mother’s direct lullaby and the work she is engaged in in each section of the poem, and the development of the mother’s emotions and hopes across the three lullabies?

Answer:
Through the lullabies, one can feel the mother’s immense love for her child. Her lullaby carries her dreams and hopes for her child. She always hopes for a bright future for her child, wishing that the child grows strong and healthy, capable of contributing to the country’s mission and becoming a responsible citizen. The mother’s love is intertwined with her labor, her participation in the revolution, and her service to the country, making the poem emotionally powerful, transcending the maternal bond and embodying the spirit of nationalism.
Each lullaby is linked to a specific task the mother is performing: grinding rice, planting corn, and fighting in the forest. In each of these, the mother’s wishes for her child evolve as the child grows and as the hopes for a free and independent future increase.
For instance, when grinding rice, the mother wishes for her child to be strong enough to help with labor in the future: 'I dream for you to help mother make white rice.' When planting corn, the mother hopes her child will assist in the expansion of the field: 'I dream for you to help mother expand the cornfield.' In the war zone, the mother hopes that her child will join her in the fight: 'I dream for you to meet Uncle Ho,' meaning the child will live freely in the future.
Through each lullaby, we see the mother’s humble but powerful wish for her child’s growth and for the independence of the nation.

Question 5: (Page 154 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook) How do you see the mother’s love for her child tied to other feelings? What do you understand about the hopes and will of the Vietnamese people during the resistance against the American forces as expressed in these lullabies?

Answer:
The Tà-ôi mother’s love for her child is intertwined with her love for the soldiers, the village, and, most significantly, her love for the nation. Her personal feelings are inextricably linked with her patriotism and dedication to the nation’s freedom. Through these lullabies, we see the deep affection a mother has for her child, combined with a powerful sense of nationalism. These lullabies reflect the fierce will of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for independence during the American War. The mother is both a mother and a fighter—her love for her child and her devotion to her country are inseparable, embodying the spirit of the heroic Vietnamese mother in the fight for freedom.

Exercise: (Page 154 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook) Comment on the significance of the narrative elements in the poem for depicting the life of the people in the Trị-Thiên war zone during the resistance against America.

Answer:
'The Lullaby for Children Growing on Their Mother's Back' is a lyrical poem with narrative elements that depict the life of the people in the western Thừa Thiên war zone during the American resistance. It presents the pure-hearted spirit of the Tà-ôi mother through her dreams for her child. The poem illustrates the challenges faced by the people of the Tà-ôi ethnic group, such as carrying children, farming, and enduring the hardships of war. The narrative elements enhance the emotional depth of the poem, highlighting the true feelings of the lyrical subject and the harsh realities of life during the resistance.

I - ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER

1. Nguyen Khoa Diem, born in 1943 in U Diem village, Phong Hoa commune, Phong Dien district, Thua Thien - Hue, came from a revolutionary intellectual family. He belongs to the generation of poets who grew up during the resistance against the Americans. His works are primarily poetry, and he was once the Secretary General of the Vietnam Writers' Association. Since 2000, he has been a member of the Politburo and Head of the Central Committee for Ideology and Culture.

2. The poem 'The Lullaby for the Children Growing on Their Mother's Back' was written by Nguyen Khoa Diem in 1971, while he was working in the western region of Thua Thien during the war.

3. Through his delicate and sensitive writing, combined with deep respect, the author praises the mother of the Ta-Oi ethnic group, a woman who loves her child, her village, the soldiers, and her country by working to support the resistance against the Americans.

II - GUIDANCE FOR READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Question 1. The poem consists of three parts, each with two stanzas that begin with the author's lullaby and end with the mother's lullaby. The repetitive structure and rhythmic pauses convey the gentle and lingering tone of the lullaby. While each part repeats, there is also progression. The author sings to the child, and the mother sings to the child, with both lullabies intertwining to reflect the love and hopes for the child to grow up strong and successful in the free, independent, and unified country.

Question 2. The Ta-Oi mother sings the lullaby to her child while simultaneously performing her duties for the revolution. She sings while grinding rice to feed the soldiers, while planting corn, and while trekking through the forest, directly fighting the Americans. Her love for her child is inseparable from her care for the soldiers, the village, and her love for the nation. This profound connection is what makes the Ta-Oi mother, and all Vietnamese mothers, truly remarkable.

Question 3. The two lines in the poem compare two suns. The sun of the corn is the natural sun, while the child, Cu Tai, is the sun for the mother. The natural sun provides light and life for plants, while the child brings light, hope, and belief to the mother. The natural sun is high and distant, but the child, as the mother's sun, is close, right on her back. The love a mother has for her child is boundless. The mother carries this tiny sun on her back and does everything to ensure it shines brightly forever.

Question 4. While singing the lullaby, the mother simultaneously performs tasks related to the war. Her affection for her child is tied to her love for the soldiers and her fellow villagers. While grinding rice, she hopes her child will sleep peacefully and dream of the white rice grains. While planting corn, she wishes for her child to dream of healthy crops and abundant harvests. While walking through the forest and moving camp, she wishes for the country to be unified and her child to grow into a free citizen. The mother's dreams are woven into her lullaby, hoping her child dreams beautifully. The mother's love and hopes grow broader, extending from personal to collective, from village to nation.

Question 5. The love the mother has for her child is deeply connected to her love for the soldiers, the village, and her country. The dreams she sends to her child include having enough rice for the soldiers, plentiful corn fields for the village, a unified country, and meeting President Ho Chi Minh. The Ta-Oi mother's feelings are the same as those of the people: a love for the homeland, a strong determination to fight for independence, freedom, and national unity.

III - EXERCISES

This poetic piece has narrative elements. These narrative elements reflect the hardships of the resistance against the Americans in the Trị-Thiên war zone. The Ta-Oi mother, with a thin body, carries her child while grinding rice, planting corn on the mountains, clearing fields, and trekking through the forest. These difficult tasks were carried out in a village suffering from hunger, amidst the harsh reality of 'Starving, yet entering the battlefield.' These narrative elements portray the tough life of the people while demonstrating their resolve to overcome the enemy and fight for a free life.

I. General Understanding

1. Author

Nguyen Khoa Diem (also known as Nguyen Hai Duong, born April 15, 1943) is a Vietnamese poet and politician.
He was born in U Diem village, Phong Hoa commune, Phong Dien district, Thua Thien - Hue.
2. Work

The poem was written on March 25, 1971, while the author was participating in the battle against the Americans in the western region of Thua Thien Huế.

II. Guide to Writing the Lesson

Question 1, page 154, Grade 9 Textbook, Volume 1

The rhythmic pauses within the poem create a lulling, gentle cadence that mimics the soothing rhythm of a lullaby.
Such a tone vividly expresses the deep and tender love a mother has for her child, hoping for the child to grow strong, healthy, and become a free citizen of the independent and unified country.

Question 2, page 154, Grade 9 Textbook, Volume 1

Analysis of the Ta-Oi mother:

"Cu Tai sleeps on mother's back,
Sleep well, my child, don’t leave my back.
Mother grinds rice to feed the soldiers,
With each rhythm, your sleep sways"
These lines depict a Ta-Oi mother singing a lullaby to her child, while simultaneously engaging in work for the resistance. She sings while grinding rice to feed the soldiers.
Each lullaby is paired with a specific task and a wish for the child's future—whether it's planting corn, moving camps, clearing forests, or fighting the Americans, the mother always hopes her child will grow up strong and free.
=> The love for the child is intertwined with affection for the soldiers, the village, and the nation, highlighting the greatness of the Ta-Oi mother.

Question 3, page 154, Grade 9 Textbook, Volume 1

"The sun of the corn lies on the hill,
The sun of the mother, my child lies on her back"
The first line's "sun" represents the natural sun that shines on the hills, nurturing the corn and sustaining life.
The second line's "sun" serves both as a metaphor and a comparison, with Cu Tai being compared to the sun for the mother—bringing light and vitality to her. The child is a small, intimate, and loving sun on the mother's back.
=> This imagery emphasizes the deep love a mother has for her child.

Question 4, page 154, Grade 9 Textbook, Volume 1

Through the lullaby, we see the mother's affection for her child, a love that blends with her patriotism. The mother wishes for her child to grow up healthy, strong, and live in peace.
Progression of the lullaby:

Wishing for the child to grow strong:

When the mother grinds rice, she dreams of the child growing up: "Swing the pestle in the yard"
When the mother picks corn, she dreams: "The corn grows strong"
Wishing for the child to grow in peace:

When the mother carries the child to battle, she dreams of President Ho Chi Minh: dreams of a unified country and hopes that "the child will grow into a free person."
=> The mother's love and aspirations grow, extending from personal affection to collective desires.

Question 5, page 155, Grade 9 Textbook, Volume 1

The mother's love for her child is intertwined with:

Love for the soldiers
Respect for President Ho Chi Minh
Hatred for the American enemy
=> The love for her child is connected with love for the homeland.

The people's dreams and will are reflected in the lullaby:

Wishing to live in peace and become free
The resolute determination to win independence for the nation.

III. Practice the Lesson

Question, page 155, Grade 9 Textbook, Volume 1

The descriptive elements in the poem make the portrayal of life in the Trị-Thiên resistance area more vivid:

Labor and production to support the struggle, overcoming hardship while
Fighting to protect the homeland
Subsequent lessons:

Author
Nguyen Khoa Diem was born in 1943, hailing from Phong Dien, Thua Thien - Hue.
During the resistance against the American invasion, he lived and fought in the Trị-Thiên battlefield.
As a poet who grew up amidst the struggle for national independence, his poetry reflects his deep reflections and intense emotions. His language is simple, yet powerful, drawing on elements of folk literature to create profound, yet accessible poetry.
''The land is where the birds return
The water is where the Dragon resides
Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ
Gave birth to our people in an egg"
(Excerpt from the poem 'The Land of Our Nation')

2. Origin
The poem 'Lullaby for the Children Growing on Their Mother's Back' was composed by Nguyen Khoa Diem in 1971 during the resistance in the Trị-Thiên region.

3. Theme
This poem praises the deep affection and boundless love of a mother, whose care for her child is intertwined with her love for the nation, for the soldiers, and for the people of her homeland.

Structure:

+ Part 1 (the first two stanzas): The lullaby sung by the mother while grinding rice to feed the soldiers

+ Part 2 (the next two stanzas): The lullaby sung while the mother picks corn

+ Part 3 (the last two stanzas): The lullaby sung by the mother while she moves camps, clears forests during the war against the Americans

Guideline for the Lesson

Question 1 (page 154, Grade 9 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

The poem is divided into three sections, each beginning with the author's lullaby and ending with the mother's lullaby.

- The repetition and rhythmic pauses create a soothing melody, reminiscent of the gentle rocking of a cradle.

- The tone reflects the mother's deep, tender love for her child, wishing for the child to grow healthy, strong, and become a free citizen of an independent and unified nation.

Question 2 (page 154, Grade 9 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

The Ta-Oi mother is depicted in this poem as a figure who sings a lullaby to her child while simultaneously carrying out tasks for the resistance, for the revolution.

- She sings while grinding rice, picking corn, moving camps, and clearing forests.

- Her love for her child is deeply connected with her love for the soldiers, the village, and her country.

=> This blend of familial love and patriotism highlights the greatness of the Ta-Oi mother.

Question 3 (page 154, Grade 9 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

Two lines use both comparison and metaphor:

+ The sun of the corn is the natural sun.

+ The source of life and energy for the mother, a small, cheerful sun.

+ The child always serves as the driving force, a boundless source of joy for the mother.

=> These lines beautifully depict the sacred and profound bond between mother and child.

Question 4 (page 154, Grade 9 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

Through the lullaby, we see the mother's vast, deep love for her child.

+ The mother wishes for the child to grow up in peace and independence.

+ Her love for the child is expressed through tender, heartfelt lullabies.

- While grinding rice, the mother dreams of the child growing strong: 'Swing the pestle in the yard.'

- While carrying the child to the battlefield, the mother dreams of President Ho Chi Minh, symbolizing hopes for a unified country and for the child to be a free citizen.

- The mother's love and aspirations expand, moving from the personal to the collective, from her homeland to the entire nation.

- The lullaby also expresses the desire for peace and independence during the struggle against American aggression.

Practice

The descriptive elements in the poem make the portrayal of life in the Trị-Thiên region during the war against the Americans more vivid:

- The people are hardworking, producing goods to support the war effort, enduring hardships (such as the mother grinding rice to feed the soldiers, the sweat falling from her face as her child's cheek grows hot, the mother picking corn...)

- They contribute to the struggle by fighting from the home front, with tasks like moving camps, clearing forests, and even carrying the child into the final battle.

Answer to question 1 (page 154 of the 9th-grade Literature textbook, Volume 1):

In your opinion, how does the repeated rhythm and pauses affect the lullaby's rhythm and its connection to the emotional content of the poem?

Detailed explanation:

- The poem is divided into three sections, each with two stanzas, both beginning and ending with the author's lullaby, followed by the mother's lullaby.

- Thus, the lullaby's rhythm combines repetition and development through the three sections. The repetition and pauses create a gentle, rhythmic tone for the lullaby, evoking the soothing motion of a cradle. However, each section not only repeats but also evolves. This rhythmic quality expresses the deep, affectionate emotions of a mother towards her child, wishing for the child's growth, health, and success as a free citizen of a unified nation.

Answer to question 2 (page 154 of the 9th-grade Literature textbook, Volume 1):

Analyze the image of the Tà-ôi mother in the poem.

Detailed explanation:

The Tà-ôi mother sings a lullaby to her child, but at the same time, she carries out the work of wartime resistance and revolution. She sings while grinding rice to feed the soldiers. She sings while planting corn. She sings while moving shelters, cutting through the forest, and directly confronting the American invaders. Her love for her child is inseparable from her devotion to the soldiers, the villagers, and her love for her country. This deep connection highlights the greatness of the Tà-ôi mother.

Answer to question 3 (page 154 of the 9th-grade Literature textbook, Volume 1):

What do you understand by the two lines, 'The sun of the corn lies on the hill / The sun of my mother lies on my back'? Analyze the mother's feelings toward her child in the second line.

Detailed explanation:

The two lines use both a simile and a metaphor. The 'sun of the corn' refers to the universal sun that brings light and life to all beings. Meanwhile, 'The sun of my mother' refers to the child, who is the light of the mother's life. The child is the mother's small, intimate, and beloved sun, shining in her world. This image deeply portrays the mother's profound love for her child.

Answer to question 4 (page 154 of the 9th-grade Literature textbook, Volume 1):

From the lullaby sections, how do you perceive the mother's love for her child? Comment on the relationship between the lullaby's direct expressions and the circumstances and work the mother is engaged in in each part of the poem, as well as the development of her feelings and hopes for her child through the three lullabies.

Detailed explanation:

The lullaby shows the mother's deep, boundless love for her child. She hopes for the child to grow strong and live in peace. Her love for the child transforms into lullabies with sweet, gentle wishes.

- While grinding rice, the mother dreams of her child growing up, 'Swinging the pestle, sinking into the yard' to grind the pure white grains of rice.

- As she grinds rice, the mother dreams of her child becoming independent, 'Swinging the pestle, sinking into the yard' to grind the pure white grains of rice.

- As she carries the child on her back, the mother dreams of Uncle Ho, symbolizing a unified country where North and South reunite and 'One day, you will grow up to be a free citizen.'

The mother's feelings and aspirations grow ever larger, from the personal to the communal, from the local to the national.

Answer to question 5 (page 155 of the 9th-grade Literature textbook, Volume 1):

How does the mother's love for her child relate to other emotions? What do you understand about the hopes and determination of our people during the resistance against the Americans through the lullaby sections?

Detailed explanation:

The mother's love for her child is intertwined with her love for the soldiers, for the struggling village, and for the nation. Personal and collective emotions merge into one. The mother's dreams are also the nation's dreams, wishing for the child to grow up, help the soldiers, care for the village, and join the fight for freedom. The mother is a soldier's mother, a soldier, a hero mother of Vietnam.

Practice

Comment on the significance of the descriptive elements in the poem in portraying the lives of the people in the Trị - Thiên resistance zone during the American war.

Detailed explanation:

The descriptive elements in the poem make the life of the people in the Trị - Thiên resistance zone during the American war more vivid:

=> They work hard to support the war effort, overcoming hardships: 'The mother grinds rice to feed the soldiers,' 'Mother's sweat falls, the child's cheeks are warm,' 'Mother is planting corn on Ka-lưi mountain,' 'The mountain's back is big, but the mother's back is small.'

=> They contribute to the fight to protect the homeland, fighting with guns: 'Mother is moving shelters, cutting through the forest,' 'The brothers carry guns, the sisters carry spears,' 'Mother carries the child to the final battle.'

Structure

Structure (3 parts)

- Part 1 (first 11 lines): The lullaby while the mother grinds rice.

- Part 2 (next 11 lines): The lullaby while working and producing.

- Part 3 (last 12 lines): The lullaby as the mother joins the villagers in the fight.

Main Idea

- Amid the hardships of life in the resistance zone, the mother’s love for her child grows deeper, wishing for the child to grow strong, healthy, and become a citizen of a free nation.

- Nguyễn Khoa Điềm portrays the mother's love for her child, which is connected with her love for the country and the revolutionary spirit of the mother from western Thừa Thiên in the poem.

Author

- Nguyễn Khoa Điềm, born in 1943 into a revolutionary intellectual family, is from An Cựu village, Thủy An commune, Huế city. After graduating from Hanoi University of Education in 1964, he returned to the South to fight in the war. He belongs to the generation of poets who grew up during the resistance against American imperialism.

- Nguyễn Khoa Điềm was the General Secretary of the Vietnam Writers' Association in its fifth term, a former Politburo member, and Secretary of the Central Party Committee in the ninth term. He also served as the Head of the Central Committee for Ideology and Culture.

Works

- "Khúc hát ru những em bé lớn trên lưng mẹ" (Lullaby for the Babies on Mother's Back) was written during the intense years of the anti-American war, during which the people and soldiers in the resistance zones (mostly in forested and mountainous areas) endured great hardship and scarcity. People both cultivated their land to support the army and were ready to fight to protect the base.

Text Analysis

Question 1 - Page 154 Textbook

The poem is a lullaby for the babies of the Tà-ôi ethnic group, sung while they are carried on their mothers' backs in the Trị - Thiên resistance zone during the intense phase of the anti-American war. The lullaby has three stanzas, each containing two lines that begin with the same words: "Em cu tai... don’t leave mother's back," and end with a soothing lullaby from the mother: "Sleep well, A-kay" (four lines). The lullaby's rhythm is regular, creating a rhythmic and soothing quality that mirrors the mother's deep affection. This repetition and rhythm also enhance the emotional connection in the poem, reinforcing the mother's protective and tender feelings toward her child.

Answer:

The lullaby has three sections, each consisting of two stanzas that start with the line "Em cu tai... don’t leave mother's back" and end with the lullaby: "Sleep well, A-kay" (four lines). The mother's lullaby maintains a regular rhythm throughout.

- The first part is sung while the mother is pounding rice.

- The second part is sung while she is trimming corn on Ka-Lui mountain.

- The third part is sung as they are moving their shelter.

- The repetition of the lines and the rhythm in the lullaby (Sleep well, A-kay!) creates a gentle, lingering melody, reflecting the mother's deep, affectionate love. The lullaby's melody captures the tender and loving feelings of the mother and unfolds through the three phases of the poem.

Question 2 - Page 154 Textbook

Analyze the image of the Tà-ôi mother in the poem.

Answer:

The image of the mother is connected to her specific environment and tasks in the poem:

- The mother pounds rice to support the resistance forces:

The rhythm of the pestle tilts the child's sleep.

The sweat of the mother falls, and the child's cheek is warm.

The mother's frail back forms a pillow for the child.

- The mother works diligently, voluntarily contributing to production in the resistance zone: "Mother is trimming corn on Ka-Lui mountain".

The mother's enduring hardships in the vast and isolated mountains are depicted in the line: “The mountain's back is vast, but the mother's back is small.”

- "Mother is moving the shelter, crossing the forest," "Mother carries the child to win the final battle": The mother joins her brothers and sisters in the fight to protect their base, moving to ensure long-term resistance.

Through these three stanzas, the poet gradually reveals the mother's work and her deep feelings for her child amidst the hardships of war. The mother is resilient and determined in her tasks.

- In the third stanza, as the enemy forces attack and drive the people out, the mother must move the shelter, cross the forest, and participate in combat. Despite the chaos of war, her child remains on her back.

From the mother's back, the child reaches the battlefield.

From hardship, the child enters the land of Trường Sơn.

Amidst the smoke of war, the mother wishes for:

Someday, my child will grow up free...

These three stanzas reflect the mother's labor and her heartfelt desire for the child to grow up strong and free, even as she endures the fierce trials of war. She continues to fight for her child and for the nation’s independence and freedom.

Question 3 - Page 154 Textbook

What do the two lines "The sun of the corn lies on the hill – the sun of the mother lies on the back" mean to you? Analyze the mother's feelings toward her child in the second line of this verse.

Answer:

The sun of the corn lies on the hill.

The sun of the mother lies on the back.

The image of the sun in the second line is symbolic, representing the child as the sun in the mother's life. The child is both a source of warmth and light, a deep and sacred joy in the mother's life. The child contributes to nurturing the mother's hope and love, just as the sun warms the world. The child remains radiant and vibrant in the mother's life, continuously bringing hope and joy.

Question 4 - Page 154 Textbook

How do you perceive the mother's love for her child through the lullabies? Comment on the connection between the lullaby and the mother's work and environment, as well as how the mother's love and aspirations evolve through the three lullabies.

Answer:

In the first and second stanzas, the mother's love for her child is intertwined with her care for the soldiers, her village, and her homeland's struggles. Thus, the mother wishes for plentiful rice, healthy crops, and hopes for her child to grow strong and productive in labor.

In the third stanza, the mother’s love is linked to her dedication to the resistance. As the war intensifies, her wish for her child is that they become a soldier, joining the national struggle for freedom and independence, reflecting the shared aspirations of the Tà-ôi people during the anti-American resistance.

Question 5 - Page 155 Textbook

How do you see the connection between the mother’s love for her child and other feelings? What do you think the mother's hopes and the people’s determination during the anti-American war represent in the lullabies?

Answer:

The mother's love for her child is closely tied to her love for the soldiers, the village, and the nation. Personal and collective emotions merge together. The mother's wishes are for the child, for the village, and for the nation—to grow up strong enough to serve the army, to work the fields for the village, and to fight for the nation’s freedom. The mother represents both a fighter and a symbol of courage, embodying the spirit of the heroic Vietnamese mother during the war.

Exercise

Task:

Discuss the significance of the descriptive elements in the poem, reflecting on life in the Trị - Thiên resistance zone during the anti-American war.

Suggested answer:

The descriptive elements in the poem paint a vivid picture of life in the Trị - Thiên resistance zone during the anti-American war:

➜ The people worked tirelessly to produce goods to support the war effort, despite the hardships: "Mother pounds rice to feed the soldiers," "Mother’s sweat falls, the child’s cheek is warm," "Mother trims corn on Ka-Lui mountain," "The mountain’s back is large, but the mother’s back is small."

➜ They also contributed to the national struggle, fighting to protect their homeland: "Mother moves the shelter, crosses the forest," "Brothers with guns, sisters with spears," "Mother carries the child to win the final battle."

Review

Common questions about the poem "Khúc hát ru những em bé lớn trên lưng mẹ":

Question 1: The lullaby is about babies from which ethnic group?

Answer: The lullaby is about the babies of the Tà-ôi ethnic group.

Question 2: Who is the lyrical subject in the poem?

Answer: The lyrical subject in the poem is the Mother.

Question 3: What does the poem fully express about the mother’s environment and tasks?

Answer: The poem fully expresses the mother’s environment and tasks as:
It highlights the grandeur of Ka-Lui mountain.
It portrays the mother’s small, frail stature.
It reflects the mother's hardships.

Question 4: What literary device is used in the line "The mountain’s back is large, but the mother’s back is small"?

Answer: The literary device used is metaphor.

Question 5: What does the line "dreaming of Uncle Hồ" symbolize when the poem was written?

Answer: It symbolizes the hope for victory in the resistance and the reunification of the country.

Remember

Despite the hardships of life in the resistance zone, the mother’s love for her child remains unwavering, filled with hopes for the child to grow strong and free, becoming a citizen of an independent nation. Nguyễn Khoa Điềm conveys this deep love for her child, intertwined with love for the homeland and the courage of the Tà-ôi people, in the poem "Khúc hát ru những em bé lớn trên lưng mẹ" with its sweet, affectionate melody.