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1. Analytical Essay on the Poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh No. 4
"Sang thu" is a five-line poem by Hữu Thỉnh, widely beloved by many. The poem is composed of three stanzas; each four-line stanza depicts a serene, beautiful autumn scene, capturing the essence of nature and creation in the early days of autumn – the sudden arrival of the season.
"Sang thu" reflects a delicate and artistic writing style, expressing the author's feelings and emotional responses to the beauty and marvelous transformation of nature in the early days of autumn. The scene described is that of the autumn landscape in the rural areas of northern Vietnam.
For poet Xuân Diệu, the first signs of autumn are the "fading yellow" of the leaves, woven by the hands of nature amid countless trees:
"Here comes autumn, my autumn
With fading yellow fabric woven into leaves." (Here Comes Autumn)
However, for Hữu Thỉnh, it is the "guava fragrance" from the rural garden, "blown into" the cool autumn breeze. This intoxicating aroma from the garden of one's childhood remains forever in the soul, carried through life:
"Suddenly realizing the guava scent
Blown into the gentle breeze."
The word "blown" implies a strong and widespread release (Vietnamese Dictionary - Hoàng Phê). Hữu Thỉnh doesn't explicitly describe it, but evokes in the reader's mind images of ripe, golden guavas with their fragrant aroma drifting from the garden in the late summer, early autumn days. As the autumn breeze grows cooler, the guava scent becomes even more intoxicating, spreading through the land and stirring the spirit.
Many are familiar with how Thạch Lam, Vũ Bằng, Nguyễn Tuân, Bằng Sơn, Nguyễn Đình Thi, and others have beautifully written about the scent of Vòng's green sticky rice (Hà Nội), a beloved autumn flavor of the homeland:
"Cool and fresh as the mornings of old
Autumn breeze carries the fresh green sticky rice scent..."
(Homeland - Nguyễn Đình Thi)
The "guava scent" in "Sang thu" is a new element in Hữu Thỉnh's poetry, filled with rustic charm. After the "guava scent" and the "cool breeze", the poet introduces autumn fog. It is not the "cold autumn fog... The autumn mist builds the city" in Tản Đà's "Cám thu tiền thu". Nor is it the cold dew drops and the sad autumn sounds of the past: "Dew on tree branches, the sound of rain falling" (Chinh phụ ngâm). Instead, it is autumn fog imbued with a slow, lingering mood, deliberately drawn out to stretch time:
"The fog drifts lazily through the alley
It seems that autumn has arrived."
The autumn fog is personified; the phrase "drifts lazily" vividly depicts the slow pace of autumn arriving. While the phrase "suddenly realizing" expresses surprise, "it seems" indicates a vague, fleeting sense of autumn being sensed and recognized. The word "cool" rhymes with "come" (foot, middle, and rhyme) enhancing the rhythm and melody of the poem, making it light, vast, and evocative.
The artistic space in "Sang thu" expands, showing the vastness of the sky with flying birds and drifting clouds, and the length of the river in the following stanza:
"The river is gently flowing
Birds begin to hurry
There are summer clouds
Stretching half its body into autumn."
The river in northern Vietnam during autumn is clear, calm, and flows smoothly: "The river stretches white, still and smooth" ("Autumn Afternoon" - Bà Huyện Thanh Quan). The river is full, flowing gently, as if moving slowly, deliberately dragging out time... The birds fly "hurriedly", symbolizing the migratory birds, like the reed warblers, snipe birds, and others heading south to escape the cold from the north.
Among the hurrying birds, could there be the wild geese that poet Nguyễn Khuyến mentioned in "Autumn Mood": "A sound above, which geese fly from?" The river, the birds, and the autumn clouds are all personified. The autumn scene becomes more poetic, full of charm. Hữu Thỉnh does not use words like: wandering, floating, or drifting, but instead, he uses the word "stretching".
"There are summer clouds
Stretching half its body into autumn."
The cloud seems to stretch out, placing itself across the sky, hanging low. Hữu Thỉnh's depiction of the autumn cloud is both beautiful and unique: his choice of words is highly creative. The last stanza expresses the poet’s thoughts and reflections upon observing the early autumn landscape:
"There is still some sunshine
The rain has almost ceased
Thunder is less surprising
On the old trees."
Sunshine, rain, and thunder—natural phenomena during the transition from summer to autumn—are depicted by Hữu Thỉnh with great subtlety. The words: "still there", "gradually fading", and "less surprising" vividly portray the duration and presence of nature, like autumn sun, autumn rain, and early autumn thunder. It feels as if summer is reluctant to leave. The sunlight, rain, and thunder from summer seem to linger on the trees and the sky.
Looking at the autumn scene during this transition, the poet reflects on life. The "thunder" and "old trees" are metaphors that deepen the meaning of "Sang thu". Sunshine, rain, and thunder represent changes and challenges in life. The image of the "old trees" symbolizes those who have experienced and endured life’s difficulties:
"Thunder is less surprising
On the old trees."
Hữu Thỉnh wrote "Sang thu" in the early 1980s. At that time, Vietnam, though independent and unified, faced new economic and social challenges. The final two lines of the poem assert the resilience and strength of the people during these difficult years.
"Sang thu" is a beautiful poem by Hữu Thỉnh, included in the collection "From the Trenches to the City" published in May 1985. A surge of emotions fills the beautiful, poetic verses. The poet does not use vibrant colors to paint the autumn landscape; instead, he offers a few strokes that evoke much, creating the soul of autumn—light, pure, serene, and vast, full of poetic charm.
Personification and metaphor, along with a careful selection of words, are Hữu Thỉnh’s artistic achievements that leave a profound and beautiful mark on "Sang thu". The five-line verse structure of "Sang thu" expresses a new, reflective, and innocent way of feeling, thinking, and conveying thoughts. "Sang thu" is a heartfelt expression, a message heralding the arrival of autumn in the homeland; a warm, earnest autumn sound.
2. Essay analysis of the poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh number 5
In late 1977, after the war had ended and peace had been restored, one autumn afternoon, as I traveled to the outskirts of Hanoi to visit a ripening guava orchard, the gentle aroma of the fruit filled the air... There was a touch of surprise, a hint of nostalgia, and Huu Thinh, moved by the scene, was inspired to write his poem 'Sang Thu'. Imagine yourself standing in the orchard with the poet, softly reciting the verses of his beautiful work.
The poem is composed in a five-line verse form, compact and succinct. The tone throughout is gentle, sometimes contemplative, reflecting the poet's emotional response to the changing nature of the world as autumn arrives, a stunning portrayal of the changing seasons. In the opening lines of the poem, we can immediately feel Huu Thinh's delicate perception of the autumn air:
"Suddenly, I notice the scent of guavas
Blowing in the cool breeze".
The word "suddenly" captures the sense of an unexpected, fleeting realization. But it is precisely this surprise that adds to the charm of the moment, evoking the magic of an autumn afternoon in a rural northern village. What did the poet suddenly realize? "The scent of ripe guavas drifting in the cool breeze". Why guavas? Why not other sweet autumn scents like corn, green rice flakes, or jasmine blossoms? The poet, standing in a guava orchard, notices the distinct sweet-sour flavor of the ripe guavas, an earthy, humble scent that is so familiar to his rural homeland, yet often overlooked. With his keen senses, the poet becomes aware of the subtle signs of autumn's arrival, deeply stirring us with his moment of recognition.
The poet's deep connection with nature and his homeland must have given him this heightened sensitivity, allowing him to perceive the smallest nuances of the changing season. The signal of autumn's arrival is also reflected in the cool breeze that carries the guava scent. A cool breeze is a gentle, slightly chilly wind, often called 'heo may'. This breeze brings with it a tender, stirring sensation, evoking feelings of restlessness.
The use of the verb 'blowing' in the line "Blowing in the cool breeze" is a brilliant choice! It conveys the wind's movement while emphasizing the suddenness of the poet's awareness: the guava scent was always there, but it was only now that Huu Thinh became aware of it and felt stirred by the rural, earthy fragrance. The transition to autumn also introduces the image of: "The mist lingers through the gate".
The phrase "lingers" brings to mind several interpretations. The poet personifies the mist, describing its deliberate, slow movement. It drifts through the gate, weaving through the dry fences and trees in front of the village. The mist exudes a graceful, delicate quality, like a young woman or a girl. Moreover, the use of the reduplicated word 'lingering' evokes a mood of indecisiveness or contemplation. Could it reflect the poet's own inner hesitation?
The first stanza concludes with the line: "It seems that autumn has arrived". The phrase 'it seems' does not imply uncertainty, but rather captures the poet's astonishment, wonder, and a sense of being caught in a moment of surprise. From the cool breeze carrying the fragrance of ripe guavas to the graceful mist slowly drifting by the gate, everything suggests that autumn is softly making its entrance.
The poet perceives the gentle, yet distinct transformation of the weather and nature at this seasonal crossroads, seen through the discerning eyes and sensitive soul of a poet who deeply loves nature and autumn, who is connected to rural life, and who has experienced the harshness of war. Without Huu Thinh, could we truly grasp the charm of autumn's fragrance, or feel the poet's sentiments?
The folk song, "The echoing flowers"
Blooming purple by the Thương River
The autumn sun is slowly fading
While the grapefruit rind shows a crescent moon
The wharf waits for the young buffalo
As the autumn evening flows across the river?
(Afternoon by the Thương River)
'Sang Thu' is deeply imbued with the spirit of rural folklore, capturing the essence of the countryside while also presenting a clear philosophical reflection.
"Thunder becomes less sudden
On the aging trees".
The rain lessens, the summer thunder becomes scarce as autumn arrives, and the trees no longer tremble in sudden surprise. This is a natural law. But these two lines also have a deeper meaning: "Thunder" represents the unexpected, the disturbances of the outside world, of life. The "aging trees" symbolize those who are experienced, who have weathered life's storms, and are now more grounded, unmoved by external forces.
When Huu Thinh composed 'Sang Thu', the nation had just emerged from the brutal years of war. That war, like the oppressive summer heat, had left an indelible mark. In contrast, the peaceful years that followed, embodied in an autumn afternoon in the countryside, brought the poet a sense of tranquility, as if "the river is now gently flowing"—a symbol of the peacefulness the poet feels after the turbulence of life. Despite past hardships, the poet remains calm and resolute, undeterred by any challenge life may present.
The lines convey reflections on human life and experience. If in the first stanza, the poet's emotions were captured by the words 'suddenly', 'it seems', then in the later stanzas, the movement of autumn is more clearly represented through vivid changes in nature:
"The river is now gently flowing
While the birds begin to rush".
Why is the river 'gently flowing' while the birds are 'rushing'? These are delicate observations, supported by scientific facts, yet rich in emotional expression. The river flows slowly because, as autumn arrives, the water level decreases, the current slows, and the flow is no longer as tumultuous as in the summer; it is calm and relaxed. Meanwhile, the birds are in a rush, for they seek food and shelter in the south during the autumn as the weather becomes drier. Though seemingly opposite actions, the poet humanizes both the river and the birds, infusing them with personality, making them more relatable, and capturing the beauty of the space and time at the crossroads of the seasons. Another sign of autumn's arrival is vividly illustrated through the image:
"There’s a summer cloud
Halfway through autumn".
This is a creative and intriguing image. Summer clouds are typically dark and heavy, creating a sense of oppression. Autumn clouds, however, are clear and bright. 'Who dyed the sky so intensely blue?' (Nguyen Khuyen). In reality, no cloud is quite like this. The transition from summer to autumn is symbolized by half a cloud, lingering, drifting slowly in the sky. This half-cloud captures the beauty of the changing seasons, evoking a sense of beauty and serenity that readers can sense. This is perhaps the most beautiful and iconic pair of lines in the poem, epitomizing the arrival of autumn. How else does the poet perceive the weather's transformation as summer fades into autumn?
"There is still some sunshine
The rain has mostly passed".
The general term 'some' refers to an indeterminate amount. How can one count sunshine? Yet the poet senses that as summer gives way to autumn, the heat and intensity of the sun diminishes, and the torrential rains gradually recede, becoming less frequent.
Huu Thinh has also written similar lines, but none are as masterful, surprising, or evocative as these. For instance:
"Walking through the entire autumn day
Still not yet dusk"
'Sang Thu' is a delicate, poetic, and thoughtful depiction of the changing season, rich with both personal reflection and national sentiment. It continues the tradition of autumn poetry in Vietnam, contributing a soulful voice about the beauty of autumn and the connection to our homeland, presenting a vivid picture of Vietnam's autumn landscape.
3. Analysis of the Poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh - Version 6
Perhaps, out of the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—autumn often sparks the most inspiration for poetry, music, and art. We can find the autumn poems by Nguyễn Khuyến, "Tiếng thu" by Lưu Trọng Lư, or "Đây mùa thu tới" by Xuân Diệu... and also writing about autumn, poet Hữu Thỉnh with his poem "Sang thu" captures the delicate, subtle, and gentle moments of the season’s transition from late summer to early autumn. The poem, written in 1977 and included in the collection "Từ chiến hào đến thành phố", exemplifies Hữu Thỉnh's characteristic style of soft, earnest, and profound poetry.
The poem begins with the poet's initial impressions of the gentle signs of autumn in a very intimate and narrow autumn space:
"Suddenly, the scent of guava
Blows through the crisp breeze
Fog drifts slowly through the alley
It seems autumn has arrived"
The first sign of the season’s transition is the image of "guava scent" carried by the crisp breeze. The sweet fragrance of ripe guava, both familiar and fresh, reflects the simple and rustic beauty of the countryside, characteristic of Vietnamese rural life. In earlier poetry, autumn was often associated with ponds, the autumn sky, yellow chrysanthemums, or a dry yellow leaf. However, here, Hữu Thỉnh uniquely captures the first sign of autumn through the scent of guava.
This brings a refreshing novelty to the poet’s perception and description of autumn. The fragrance of guava is described with the verb "blows," which conveys a rich and intense aroma spreading through the crisp breeze. "Crisp breeze" is a kind of wind unique to autumn, slightly chilly and cool. And it is this early autumn breeze that carries the scent, filling the space and defining the beauty of autumn.
Autumn arrives not just with wind and guava scent but also with the presence of fog. The autumn space is enveloped in a mist, which adds a romantic touch to the scene. The fog is personified through the verb "drifts slowly," evoking a gentle, delicate fog, as if it intentionally lingers, reluctant to fully enter autumn. The alley here is not only the real alley of a village but also a symbolic threshold of time, reflecting the transition between two seasons—summer reluctant to leave and autumn hesitant to arrive.
The poet’s emotion in response to these signs of autumn is conveyed by the word "suddenly," expressing surprise and wonder at the unexpected discovery of these signs. The poet fully embraces the scene with all the senses, capturing the subtle and gentle reactions: smell (the guava scent), touch (the crisp breeze), sight (the drifting fog). From all these signals—wind, scent, fog—the poet concludes: "It seems autumn has arrived."
This is a conjecture based on feeling, based on intuition. The word "seems" expresses a low level of certainty, still vague and unclear. This emotional state not only suits the autumn scene but also aligns with the mood logic. The signals of autumn are intangible, lacking definite shapes, colors, or clear features, hence the poet’s feeling of surprise, hesitation, and a hint of confusion upon encountering autumn’s signals.
In the first stanza, autumn is confined to a very small, intimate space, but by the second stanza, the autumn space broadens, shifting the perspective from the ground to the sky:
"The river flows lazily
The birds begin to hurry
There are summer clouds
Stretching halfway into autumn"
The river is personified through the phrase "flows lazily," meaning it moves slowly, leisurely. The river no longer rushes rapidly due to summer rains but instead becomes calm, gently drifting. It seems the river is also hesitant, unwilling to leave summer behind.
In contrast to the river's "laziness" is the "hurry" of the birds, which are quickly flying away to avoid the chill of the early autumn air. The balance of the two lines creates a beautiful, harmonious image that expands the autumn space, making it appear vast and boundless.
The stanza ends with the personified image of the cloud "stretching halfway." This poetic image is rich in visual meaning, expressing the movement of time. The soft, graceful cloud stretches across the sky like a silk veil, gentle and delicate. The cloud also symbolizes the boundary between summer and autumn.
The scene becomes both ethereal and real, the product of the poet’s imaginative yet original and fresh interpretation. In conclusion, with a series of beautiful, spatially vivid images, combined with personification and contrast, the poet masterfully depicts the autumn sky and earth with elegance, subtlety, and gentleness.
Hữu Thỉnh must surely be a talented pen, a soulful artist with a deep love for nature, to create such beautiful, romantic verses about autumn. From the lingering emotions and intense sensations during the transition into autumn in the first two stanzas, the poet shifts to a reflective, contemplative tone about life:
"There’s still much sunshine left
The rain has faded away
The thunder is less sudden
On the trees that have aged."
The poet's sensitivity is evident as he notices the subtle changes in the weather. The summer sun, once harsh, has dulled, no longer as intense as it was in mid-summer; the sudden, torrential rains have faded.
The thunder, accompanied by storms, has also lessened, becoming more sparse. Words like "still," "faded away," and "less sudden" convey the diminishing intensity of natural phenomena (thunder, rain, sunshine) as the seasons transition from late summer to early autumn—quiet, barely perceptible.
However, with a delicate and sensitive soul, the poet detects this shift in the natural world and, from these natural phenomena, reflects on life:
"Thunder is less sudden
On the trees that have aged"
"Thunder" is a metaphor, representing the external forces that shape the changes in life. "The trees that have aged" symbolize enduring, mature individuals who have weathered countless storms in life. These trees stand firm, their roots deeply embedded in the ground, resilient through many seasons of adversity. They embody people who have endured life's hardships and emerged stronger.
This perspective likely stems from his background as a soldier, enduring hardship, loss, and sacrifice in the battlefield, which honed the poet’s resilience and strength to face life's uncertainties.
When placed alongside the earlier lines such as "fog drifting through the alley" and "clouds stretching halfway into autumn," one realizes that the poet’s reflection on the transition to autumn in nature mirrors the transition to autumn in human life...
The poem follows a five-line format, with vivid, evocative imagery and clear, expressive language. It effectively captures the poet's delicate and sensitive perception of nature, space, and the universe as autumn approaches. Upon reading the poem, we experience the refreshing perspective Hữu Thỉnh brings to autumn and his deep love for life and nature.
4. Analysis of the poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh, number 7
5. An Analysis of the Poem 'Sang thu' by Hữu Thỉnh Number 8
This is the autumn that has arrived, autumn has come
With the fading gown woven from yellow leaves
This is the joyful, cheerful cry of poet Xuân Diệu, celebrating the arrival of autumn, a modern verse still steeped in classical charm. And then, with the poet Hữu Thỉnh, we experience a very familiar, very Vietnamese autumn through his poem 'Sang thu'.
'Sang thu' does not use extravagant or overly elaborate language; instead, it is simple, natural, and combines beautifully with heartfelt emotion, bringing a fresh perspective to the depiction of autumn in Vietnamese poetry:
Suddenly, I sense the scent of guava
It drifts into the cool breeze
The mist meanders through the alley
It seems that autumn has arrived
'Suddenly'—a sudden, natural feeling rushes in, the scent of something both familiar and new, that of the guava. This is the quintessential rural fragrance of Vietnam, wafting in the autumn breeze as it drifts far away. The scent is not faint but strong and dense, carried by the cool winds, filling the entire space with the gentle fragrance of the countryside.
Not only does the poem allow the reader to experience the scent, but it also evokes the golden, ripe color of guavas hanging heavy on the branches. Beyond the scent of guava, Hữu Thỉnh also calms his heart to perceive autumn through the lazy, slow-moving mist in the sky. Finally, he suddenly exclaims, 'It seems that autumn has arrived.' The word 'seems' captures the feeling of surprise and the joy of welcoming autumn.
If the first stanza conveys a fragile sense of autumn, then in the second stanza, the arrival of autumn becomes clearer. Continuing with simple and unpretentious language, Hữu Thỉnh carefully reveals the signs of autumn:
The river becomes slow and languid
The birds begin to hurry
There’s a cloud from summer
It stretches itself halfway into autumn
The language is so simple that it almost feels like a conversation, a personal chat with the reader. However, this simplicity is perfectly complemented by artistic techniques, giving the poem its poetic beauty. The river is personified, flowing slowly with the gentleness of autumn. The water is no longer rushing but heavy with silt, meandering lazily. Above, the birds are only just 'beginning to hurry' toward the south to escape the cold.
Especially striking is the image of a cloud carrying both seasons: one half of summer and the other of autumn. This cloud is no longer just a simple cloud; it appears as a thin veil draped across the sky, making the abstract concept of time tangible. The cloud is half reluctant to leave the lively summer and half eager to lean toward autumn to explore its wonders.
Not only that, but the natural phenomena of thunder, lightning, and rain gradually lessen and fade. At this point, autumn has truly materialized. With just a few simple strokes, Hữu Thỉnh’s talented pen creates a vivid picture of autumn filled with warmth, love, and life. The autumn is not bleak or withered but vibrant, full of life, and wonderfully simple.
The poet uses reduplication effectively with words like 'chùng chình,' 'dềnh dàng,' and 'vội vã,' while the tone of the poem shifts from surprise to joy, celebration, and enthusiasm, guiding the reader into an authentic depiction of autumn in rural Vietnam. The final lines of the poem carry a clear metaphor:
Thunder no longer comes unexpectedly
By the old trees
Much like the trees, after enduring a summer full of storms, they have grown more mature. And a late summer rain, accompanied by sporadic thunder, no longer scares the trees. Similarly, people, after facing many storms in life, gradually become more mature and composed. Therefore, they are no longer surprised by life's challenges and are ready to face adversity. This is the key point of the poem, where the autumn landscape also carries profound philosophical reflections on life and humanity.
'Sang thu' is not just a simple, rustic song describing nature’s transition from summer to autumn. It is also a poem steeped in philosophy about human life. With its simple language, flexible five-syllable meter, rhythmic flow, and artistic techniques, it leaves a deep impression on the reader.
6. An Analysis of the Poem 'Sang thu' by Hữu Thỉnh Number 9
Autumn has always been a timeless subject in both ancient and modern poetry, reflecting the essence of the season in works such as Nguyễn Du's: “People ride horses, others part with their coats/ The autumn leaves have stained the forest with the color of distant mountains”; and Xuân Diệu's contemporary portrayal: “Here comes autumn, here it comes/ With the fading dream-dyed clothes, the yellowing leaves”. Poets have their own unique ways of discovering and portraying autumn. However, few poets have captured the subtle transition from summer to autumn as skillfully as Hữu Thỉnh in his poem “Sang thu”.
Written in 1977 and published in the collection “From the Trenches to the City”, the title itself evokes the image of a momentous change in nature, perhaps even hinting at the transformation of life itself. The first stanza reflects the poet's keen sensitivity and ability to grasp the delicate signs of autumn's arrival:
Suddenly, I smell the scent of guava
Wafting through the cool breeze
The mist slowly drifts through the alley
It seems autumn has arrived.
The poet's first perception is the familiar and comforting scent of guava, which, paired with the word “suddenly,” conveys a feeling of unexpectedness and surprise. The verb “waft” further emphasizes how the aroma blends seamlessly with the cool autumn breeze. Moreover, the word “waft” suggests the active presence of the guava’s fragrance, intensifying as it mingles with the crisp air.
The guava’s scent evokes an image of rural life, with its abundant trees and foliage, creating a distinctive autumn atmosphere unique to Hữu Thỉnh's poetry. The phrase “The mist drifts slowly” employs personification, allowing the mist to appear as if it is lingering, unwilling to rush into the cool embrace of autumn, still holding onto the warmth of summer. Through his use of vivid imagery and artistic expression, the poet cleverly portrays the subtle early signs of autumn.
In the face of these natural signals, the poet's own emotions seem to be filled with uncertainty and anticipation. The word “It seems” expresses a sense of ambiguity, leaving the poet unsure and surprised: has autumn truly arrived? The stanza captures the poet's refined and fresh perspective as autumn begins to unfold.
Behind the seasonal changes lies the poet's sensitive soul, full of joy and anticipation for the arrival of autumn. The poet's doubts in the previous stanza are now answered by the more unmistakable signs of the season:
The river flows gently
The birds begin their hurried flight
A summer cloud
Stretches itself towards autumn
Starting with the “gently flowing” river, which moves at a relaxed pace, the poet conveys the quiet tranquility of autumn, no longer the rushing torrents of summer. The river seems to rest after a turbulent summer. The personification here gives the river a peaceful, reflective quality, as if it is contemplating the change of seasons.
In contrast, the birds are in a hurry to migrate south to avoid the coming cold, reflecting the hurry and busyness of life. The most striking image is the summer cloud “stretching itself toward autumn”. This personification transforms the cloud into something both ethereal and real, symbolizing the transition of time. The poet captures the essence of this moment by visualizing time itself through the cloud.
The delicate moment of the seasonal change comes to life through these evocative lines. The poet’s sharp sensitivity to the world around him enables him to see the subtle shifts in nature during the autumn transition. The final stanza continues to highlight the poet’s refined observations of the subtle transformation from summer to autumn:
There’s still some sunlight left
The rain is slowly fading
Hữu Thỉnh skillfully uses the contrast “still some – slowly fading”, “sunlight – rain” to depict the opposing forces of nature, symbolizing the two seasons in transition. The summer rain gradually diminishes, and the intense heat of the summer sun is replaced by the softer, honey-colored light of autumn.
The signs of autumn are now unmistakable. The poet’s delicacy is reflected in the gradual shift of the season, from the fading summer to the strengthening presence of autumn. The last two lines convey the poet’s deeper reflections on life and human nature:
The thunder no longer surprises
Beside the mature trees
These lines carry both literal and symbolic meanings. Literally, thunder, often a harbinger of summer storms, now fades in the autumn. The mature trees, weathered by seasons, no longer react to the distant thunder, symbolizing their resilience. Metaphorically, the thunder represents the unexpected challenges in life, while the “mature trees” symbolize those who have endured the storms of life and grown stronger. The storms no longer disturb them, and they face life’s trials with calmness and wisdom.
Through his sharp observations, Hữu Thỉnh masterfully captures the moment of transition from summer to autumn, painting a vivid picture of nature’s beauty and its seasonal changes. His use of the five-syllable verse, with its rich rhythm and simple yet profound language, contributes greatly to the success of the poem.
7. An analysis of Hữu Thỉnh's poem "Sang thu" number 10
Autumn is the poetry of the earth and sky, the 'cool dawn' of the human soul (Xuân Diệu). Many masterpieces have been written about autumn, but perhaps only when we encounter Hữu Thỉnh do we truly feel the 'essence of loyalty within' it. Every facet of autumn's beauty — from its 'behind, its depth, its distance' — is embodied in the poem 'Sang thu', a work we will likely continue to cherish for years to come.
Hữu Thỉnh is one of the poets who grew up during the resistance war against the American invasion. His deep connection with nature allowed him to capture the vibrant emotions surrounding his homeland, people, and country. His pen is particularly sensitive to the delicate, almost intangible elements of life. This is why, when his emotions stirred in the mild autumn air, at the turning of the season, the poet could not contain himself and wrote the poem 'Sang thu' (1977).
It is often regarded as a sincere reflection of a sensitive soul witnessing the changing seasons, while also containing subtle reflections on the new autumn of life, humanity, and the nation. 'From Homer to the Book of Songs, to Vietnamese folk songs,' autumn has always been an endless source of inspiration for poets. In the world of Vietnamese poetry, we've encountered 'Autumn fishing' in Nguyễn Bính’s work, 'Autumn sounds' in Lưu Trọng Lư’s verses, 'The grace of poetry' in Xuân Diệu’s lines...
Yet, the autumn in Hữu Thỉnh’s work remains the most memorable and impactful, with its delicate transitions from late summer to early autumn. The timing of this choice uniquely captures the movement and transformation of time and space. The more one reads, the more one admires the poet’s talent. In the first stanza, we are immersed in a beautiful rural landscape of Vietnam, so vividly depicted:
“Suddenly, I recognize the scent of guava
Blowing in the cool breeze
Dew lingers along the alley
It seems autumn has arrived”
The opening line with the phrase 'suddenly recognize' perfectly conveys the surprise and delight at nature's sudden change. The first element that captivates me is the mention of the 'guava scent', a detail that was rather unique and original in poetry at the time.
While past poets spoke of autumn through images like 'the sycamore leaf falling', Xuân Diệu welcomed autumn with a 'wilted willow standing in mourning' ('Here comes autumn'), and Tam Nguyên Yên Đổ admired it with 'the golden leaf fluttering in the breeze' ('Autumn fishing'), Hữu Thỉnh chose the 'guava scent'. He confides, 'In the vast sky and land, during the strange moment of seasonal change, what strikes me, what makes my heart tremble, is the guava scent.'
For me, and perhaps many others who don't write poetry, that fragrance brings memories of childhood, of golden afternoons by a peaceful river, of a boat drifting slowly, cattle grazing playfully, and children hidden among the ripe guavas by the riverbank… It’s the scent of the riverbanks, of childhood…”
It turns out that this fragrance is familiar, rustic, and eternally lingering in the hearts of those who love their homeland. It is the scent of youth, of laughter, of tranquility and happiness. What’s remarkable is that this fragrance is not only rich and intense but also subtle, soft, and gently spreads throughout the space. This is best captured by the verb 'blow', which can be considered an artistic success of the poem.
In this space filled with the essence of autumn, the image of 'Dew lingering' subtly drifts along the street and through the village, much like the delicate form of a young maiden, light and graceful, awakening the poet’s soul. With just the images of 'guava scent' and 'dew', rich in evocative and sensory value, the poet paints a vivid picture of autumn in a rural Vietnamese village during the crisp, pleasant weather, evoking a feeling of nostalgia and emotional stirrings within the reader.
The fourth line shifts from a portrayal of nature to one of the poet’s inner emotions: 'It seems autumn has arrived.' I recall Xuân Diệu, the passionate poet, once exclaimed: 'Here comes autumn, here comes autumn!' His words seemed filled with joy and excitement, but also a sense of regret and fear of time passing.
In Hữu Thỉnh’s poem, however, we sense doubt, hesitation, and uncertainty in the poet's feelings. Could it be that nature isn’t yet ready to fully embrace autumn, or perhaps the poet’s soul is not prepared for the change of the seasons? The poet perceives autumn through many different senses, and each line of the poem reflects the poet’s subtle and profound way of experiencing life. The poet’s worldview and philosophy of life are expanded further in the next stanza:
'The river flows lazily
The birds begin to hurry
There are clouds of late summer
Halfway into autumn'
The first image introduces a river 'flowing lazily', drifting slowly, evoking the feeling of a serene autumn. It mirrors the attitude of a 'wandering traveler' (Thế Lữ), calmly strolling and enjoying the view along the riverbanks. Above, birds are already 'hurrying', heading south for warmth. Hữu Thỉnh cleverly uses the phrases 'at the moment' and 'flowing lazily' to indicate that such changes only occur at the onset of autumn. These are the transformations of nature during the fleeting moments of seasonal transition.
What especially captures the reader’s attention is the image of 'the cloud of late summer stretching halfway into autumn'. This is not a literal description, but a metaphor that reflects the poet’s inner world. The image of the cloud stretching across both summer and autumn mirrors the poet's soul: autumn has arrived, but too quickly and abruptly.
At this moment, the poet’s soul lingers in hesitation, reluctant to let go of the lingering warmth of summer. What else could this be if not the poet’s heart, full of love, reluctant to part with the past, clinging to the brightness and intensity of summer?
Not only is Hữu Thỉnh adept in word choice and imagery, but he also demonstrates a deep sensitivity and profound attachment to his homeland. This is why the autumn in 'Sang thu' appears so vivid and alive. While the first two stanzas portray autumn in nature, the final stanza shifts focus to an autumn of the human soul, intertwined with the poet’s own personal experiences.
'There is still some sunshine
The rain has almost stopped
The thunder is less sudden
On the trees that have weathered time'
These are still images of late summer: sunshine, rain, thunder. Yet, the poet's expression is nuanced: the sunshine remains but no longer blinding, the rain has stopped but not in a rush, and the thunder is present but less fierce. All that was characteristic of summer seems to be slowly fading, diminishing unexpectedly and hastily. This fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the changing seasons.
Summer is not completely gone, yet autumn is already upon us. One season follows another, contributing to the larger symphony of life. More impressively, the metaphorical layers behind the words suggest how external forces affect humanity. 'The trees that have weathered time' represent people entering middle age, those who have surpassed youth — a time of exuberance, when people can afford to waste dreams and aspirations.
Now, for those who have accumulated life experience, everything is more composed and steadfast, in the face of life's challenges and societal change. The poem is tender but profound, filled with the poet's reflections on life that resonate with each of us. 'Poetry moves from the horizon of one person to the horizon of all,' and Hữu Thỉnh has achieved that.
This poem helps us understand and appreciate the silent, sincere reflections from the hearts of those who have come before us. As Hemingway once said, a great work is based on the principle of the 'iceberg theory': one part submerged, seven parts visible. I believe 'Sang thu' is a poem that embodies this principle.
With just three short, modest stanzas, the poet conveys unique emotions to the reader. The poem has a clear structure, coherent flow, expressive language, vivid and multi-layered imagery, and a tone that conveys subtle, profound changes. Not only does it capture the quintessential autumn of the rural Vietnamese landscape, but it also leaves us with a deeper appreciation for autumn in the course of life, along with emotions that touch the heart.
Spring, summer, autumn, and winter — the seasons continue to change. With the constant development of literature, new standards are always set. Yet, perhaps Hữu Thỉnh's 'Sang thu' will transcend 'the decay of time' and continue to live on, adding to our lives emotions that linger about nature, homeland, and country, enriching the human soul.
8. An analysis of the poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh, Essay 1
Just like spring, autumn has always been a theme that evokes many emotions in poets. Each poet has their own perspective and way of describing this season, imbuing it with their personal touch. Some see autumn as the melancholy figure of a willow, a faded dress, or the soft crunching of falling leaves under the hooves of a wandering deer.
Hữu Thỉnh also brings a fresh perspective to the autumn poetry of the nation. He is a poet who has written extensively and beautifully about rural life and autumn. His autumn verses are filled with a gentle nostalgia, evoking a quiet sense of change as the clear skies shift subtly. This is particularly evident in his poem 'Sang thu,' written in late 1977.
The poem expresses a sense of awe and surprise at the changing landscape as summer transitions into autumn. Unlike other poets, who often sense autumn through the golden hues of chrysanthemums or the rustling of sycamore leaves, Hữu Thỉnh experiences autumn through a different sense: the fragrance of guava.
'Suddenly, I recognize the smell of guava
Blowing gently in the cool breeze.'
'Suddenly, I recognize' conveys a feeling of unpreparedness, as if by accident, the poet is struck by the sensory details of the world around him—the sounds, smells, and colors that announce the arrival of autumn. The poet notices the seasonal shift through the soft, cool breeze, which carries with it the scent of guava.
'Blowing' is a verb that implies an active force, emphasizing the presence of autumn's breath in the space: 'the scent of guava.' This isn't a strong, overpowering fragrance, but a subtle, gentle scent that wafts through the early autumn air, enough to stir deep emotions in the reader.
Not only does the poet experience autumn through his sense of smell, but he also feels the autumn mist during this transitional moment. The mist seems reluctant to leave, savoring the fleeting moment of autumn's arrival:
'The mist lingers in the alley
It seems that autumn has arrived.'
The use of the onomatopoeic word 'lingers' evokes a feeling of hesitation, creating a sense of stillness and serenity. 'Lingering' represents a rhythmic pause, a slow movement, or perhaps the poet’s own inner reflection—a bit of hesitation, a moment of wonder as he discovers the unique beauty of the autumn landscape.
'It seems' is a modal verb expressing the author's sense of discovery, as he comes to realize that autumn is indeed present. The mist and guava scent catch him by surprise, not as the familiar, idealized symbols of autumn, but as something new and fresh.
For Hữu Thỉnh, the guava fragrance is both familiar to the Vietnamese people and strikingly unusual in poetry, where it appears naturally, without pretense. He then expands his observation of autumn to a broader, more layered landscape:
'The river flows lazily
The birds start to hurry
A cloud from the summer
Spreads half its body to autumn.'
While the first stanza depicts autumn in a tentative way, with some uncertainty, in this stanza the poet confidently declares: autumn has truly arrived. It is everywhere, unmistakable. The river is no longer rushing and tumultuous as it was in the summer storms, but flows smoothly and serenely.
Everything seems to slow down, except for the birds, which begin to rush. The cool autumn air compels them to prepare for their long journeys south before the winter cold arrives. The poet subtly suggests that the birds' sudden haste is difficult to notice, for autumn has only just begun, gently and softly. The poet’s perspective shifts from the river to the vast sky above:
'A cloud from the summer
Spreads half its body to autumn.'
The way Hữu Thỉnh portrays the seasonal transition is both clever and unique. The cloud, still embodying the essence of summer, gently stretches its form into autumn, thus creating a beautiful, dynamic image of change. This imagery of the cloud 'spreading half its body to autumn' adds liveliness and depth to the season's transformation.
In the final stanza, the poet reflects on the seasonal shift not through direct perception, but through contemplation:
'There is still so much sunlight
The rain has gradually faded
The thunder is no longer so surprising
On the aging trees.'
The last rays of summer are still warm and bright but are gradually fading. The rains of the transition period have subsided, and the thunder, though still present, no longer carries the same shock it did during summer storms. The two final lines invite intriguing thoughts and connections.
'The thunder is no longer so surprising
On the aging trees.'
The tone becomes more solemn, as if the poet is not merely observing but reflecting deeply. The phrase 'the aging trees' evokes multiple layers of meaning. It could be a metaphor for human life, where the tree matures and eventually grows old. Perhaps the aging of the tree symbolizes the aging of the person. The image carries both literal and symbolic meanings.
The maturity and calmness of the trees in the face of autumn storms mirror the experience and wisdom of people as they age. Perhaps autumn in human life is the moment when the youthful, passionate days end, and a quieter, more composed season begins. In this 'autumn of life,' one is no longer startled by the unpredictable changes of life, but instead meets them with calm understanding.
Throughout history, autumn has been symbolized by the image of falling yellow leaves and dry, rustling leaves. One might think that only such objects define autumn. However, in Hữu Thỉnh's 'Sang thu,' readers are surprised to discover the scent of guava, the autumn mist, the river, the clouds, and the first rays of sunlight. These familiar elements also contribute to the unique beauty of autumn in Vietnam, and this is what makes 'Sang thu' so captivating.
The poem follows a natural sequence, reflecting the emotional progression of the poet as he experiences the arrival of autumn. It paints a vivid picture of the rural autumn landscape, capturing the beauty of the changing seasons in northern Vietnam. Hữu Thỉnh’s verses are introspective, subtle, and resonate with the quiet wisdom of rural life. The poem conveys the poet's deep love and appreciation for nature.
With its short, five-line structure and simple yet profound language, Hữu Thỉnh has created a masterpiece that conveys a deep emotional connection to the changing seasons. Reading his poetry fosters a greater love for the homeland and a greater desire to contribute to the development and prosperity of the nation.
9. Analysis Essay on the Poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh, Version 2
Autumn has always been a theme that stirs the hearts of poets, for it is a season of gentle, soothing beauty, a time of tranquility and deep emotional resonance. In the poems of Nguyễn Khuyến, autumn is depicted simply and intimately; in Nguyễn Đình Thi's work, it echoes the timeless voice of the land. In Hữu Thỉnh's poem "Sang thu," autumn is portrayed as beautiful, poetic, and lyrical, with the poet's heart reflecting such charm. The poem successfully captures the magical transition of seasons and the changes in the world and the human soul.
"Sang thu" is a poem that subtly reimagines the delicate shift from summer to autumn, where the sky and earth seem uncertain, hesitant, yet filled with awe and wonder as the poet realizes the changing of seasons. As autumn arrives, it brings the most melodious and tender melodies to humanity.
The signs of autumn in Hữu Thỉnh's poetry are simple and relatable. It is not the smell of young rice or the stillness of the pond, nor the falling leaves of the season. Instead, autumn in his poem is embodied by the "guava scent," a distinctive fragrance of rural Vietnam whenever autumn arrives.
Brought by the breeze, the scent of guava
Whispers through the cool winds
It takes great sensitivity and skill for the poet to recognize such a delicate fragrance, one that the wind could easily carry away. The phrase "brought by" captures the surprise and excitement of discovering something beautiful. It reflects the poet's astonishment upon realizing that autumn has arrived with nothing more than the familiar, nostalgic scent of guava, a smell that evokes strong memories for those far from home.
The guava scent "whispers" through the first cool breezes of autumn, a gentle, crisp breeze. The verb "whisper" conveys the essence of autumn, and the fragrance of guava mingles with the cool autumn wind. In these first two lines, Hữu Thỉnh introduces the reader to a new experience of autumn—its subtle, gentle transition and the quiet beauty in the world around us.
The mist hesitates as it drifts through the alley
It feels like autumn has arrived
These two lines are delicate and insightful, yet deeply profound, evoking the vague moment of seasonal change. The image of "the mist hesitating through the alley" makes one picture the mist lingering, unsure, at the entrance. The onomatopoeic phrase "hesitating" perfectly captures the nature of autumn, which is not in a hurry, but instead evokes a sense of uncertainty and mystery.
The poet's use of "it feels like" suggests a moment of uncertainty, but in fact, he is affirming that autumn has truly arrived. Perhaps autumn is here, the autumn of both the earth and the human soul, full of moods and contemplation. By the second stanza, the arrival of autumn becomes clearer in the poet's perception.
The river is now calm
The birds begin to hurry
A summer cloud
Shifts halfway into autumn
The autumn water rises gently, the river slow and serene. The birds now "hurry" as they fly. Nature, when autumn arrives, takes on a sense of urgency, weightier yet still holding onto its distinctive spirit. The lines define autumn clearly, no longer vague as in the first stanza. This is the transition in both nature and in the poet's awareness.
The poet's keen observation is reflected in the image of the "summer cloud" as it seems to "shift" into autumn. His skillful and imaginative description gives a sense of the cloud moving, rhythmically and gracefully, with the changing pace of autumn.
The verb "shift" is apt, as it describes the transition of autumn with smoothness and elegance. Autumn feels whimsical, playful, yet undeniably charming in Hữu Thỉnh's portrayal. The season has indeed arrived, bringing with it everything that is pure, gentle, and soothing.
The depiction of the seasonal shift through Hữu Thỉnh's poetry is soft, graceful, and fluid. This is the poet's talent, using words as a brush to paint the picture. The surprise lies in the final stanza, where autumn has truly arrived, and the world has shifted in ways that are perceptible to human consciousness. The poet's reflections on autumn mirror the reflections of a lifetime:
Still some sunshine remains
The rain has lessened
The thunder is less shocking
On the tree that has stood for years
Autumn brings sunshine that is soft and pure, with a slight chill in the first winds of the season. Nature becomes quieter and more contemplative. The thunder no longer startles, and it becomes more subdued among the trees that have stood the test of time. The poet uses the metaphor of the "tree that has stood for years" to reflect a lifetime's experience.
The thunder and the tree in the final two lines seem to represent those who have lived through the years—people who have passed through youth's impulsive and hurried stages. In later years, everything becomes steadier, more grounded, and quieter. The poet uses the image of the "tree that has stood for years" to symbolize the later stages of life, much like autumn, which is a time of reflection on life's experiences.
The rhythm of autumn and its movements are gentle and serene. Perhaps as one grows older, after the rush of youth, there comes a time when one looks back and quietly absorbs the world. The final stanza's tone is reflective, helping the reader recognize the deeper meanings of life.
Through his unique and insightful poem "Sang thu," Hữu Thỉnh offers a fresh perspective on autumn, with its delicate and subtle observations and reflections that invite the reader to contemplate. Closing the book, the autumn of Hữu Thỉnh lingers in our minds, forever present.
10. Analytical essay on the poem "Sang thu" by Hữu Thỉnh, Part 3
The poet Huu Thinh, whose full name is Nguyen Huu Thinh, was born in 1942 in Tam Duong District, Vinh Phuc Province. In 1963, he enlisted in the army, joining the Tank-Armored Corps, later becoming a cultural officer and propaganda officer in the military, and began composing poetry. He served as a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association's executive committee during its third, fourth, and fifth terms. Since 2000, Huu Thinh has held the position of General Secretary of the Vietnam Writers' Association.
Huu Thinh is a poet who has traveled extensively, written extensively, and created several notable poems about the people and life in rural areas. His poem *Sang Thu* was written at the end of 1977 and was first published in the journal *Van Nghe*. The poem reflects the poet's sense of nostalgia and restlessness as he observes the subtle changes in nature, capturing the beautiful landscape of the North's rural areas as the seasons transition from summer to autumn.
Suddenly, I recognize the fragrance of guava
........
On the row of trees standing old.
From late summer to early autumn, the changes in the land and sky are gentle yet distinct. These transitions are felt by Huu Thinh through the stirring of his poet's heart and expressed through vivid, emotive imagery in his poetry.
In the first stanza, the sign of autumn is not described as: "The sycamore leaves fall, and all the world knows it's autumn," as in ancient poetry; nor is it described as: "The willow stands weeping, its hair falling, tears endless," as in Xuan Dieu's poetry from two-thirds of a century ago.
Having a deep understanding of rural life, Huu Thinh incorporated simple, familiar images of rural life into his poem:
Suddenly, I recognize the fragrance of guava
Carried by the cool breeze
The mist lingers across the gate
It seems that autumn has arrived.
This is the scene of a morning at the beginning of autumn in a Northern village. First, the poet unexpectedly senses the seasonal shift from the breeze carrying the fragrance of ripe guava. The cool breeze, also known as *heo may*, carries a slight chill. The scent of guava is intertwined with the poet's childhood memories, a nostalgic aroma tied to his homeland, which each autumn evokes.
Next is the image of mist weaving through the gate. As autumn sets in, the weather becomes cooler. Mist is often present in the early mornings and evenings during this time, and it serves as another sign of autumn's arrival. The mist seems to linger as if to remind those waiting that autumn is indeed here. The poet is startled yet delighted and exclaims: *It seems that autumn has arrived.*
The words *suddenly* and *it seems* heighten the sense of wonder and unease, perfectly capturing the poet's emotions in the face of the autumn scene—an eternal inspiration for poetry, song, and art. The poet feels autumn with his entire being, with all his senses. It begins with his sense of smell: *Suddenly, I recognize the fragrance of guava, carried by the cool breeze.*
The next step is visual perception, expanding to take in all the signs of autumn's arrival. From the mist weaving through the trees and hedgerows to the river that has passed the flood season, now gently and serenely flowing. Against the backdrop of the clear autumn sky, the birds seem to hurry along.
The poet expresses the feeling of the changing seasons with an unexpected and poetic image: *There is a summer cloud, half of it leaning towards autumn.* This is a distinctive image depicting the lingering summer while autumn quietly enters. The strong, abrupt rains of summer still persist, but there is a sense of melancholy as autumn gently enters the soul, almost imperceptibly. The last rays of summer still remain, but they are no longer as intense, and the sudden downpours have gradually diminished:
There is still so much sunshine
The rain has lessened.
The poet successfully conveys his emotions through words that describe feelings and states: *suddenly, carried by, lingering, it seems*; *drowsy, leaning halfway*. The entire poem is a beautiful depiction of nature at the threshold of autumn, painted by the delicate stirrings of the poet's heart. It is this emotional depth that gives life to every word and image.
In the last two stanzas, Huu Thinh encapsulates the essence of the summer-autumn transition with vivid imagery:
The thunder is less sudden
On the row of trees standing old.
These two lines have a dual meaning. The first meaning describes the real phenomenon of thunder and the image of the trees in the stormy weather. The second meaning carries an allegorical message through artistic imagery. The thunder symbolizes the sudden upheavals of life; the row of old trees represents people who have weathered life's trials.
As autumn arrives, the violent and unpredictable thunder of summer storms has diminished. The trees, now standing tall, are no longer startled by the thunder. Huu Thinh shared that with this image, he wishes to express a reflection: *When a person has lived through many experiences, they become more resilient to life's challenges.*
Through his sensitive perceptions and the use of natural, genuine words, along with his skillful use of metaphor and personification, Huu Thinh has created a vivid picture of the transitional period between summer and autumn in the rural areas of the Red River Delta. In *Sang Thu*, Huu Thinh adds his unique touch to the timeless beauty of autumn poems in Vietnamese literature.
