Top 5 Best Analyses of Lưu Trọng Lư's Poem 'Nắng Mới'

In the vibrant current of the 'New Poetry' movement, Lưu Trọng Lư does not ascend like Thế Lữ, nor does he burn with madness like Hàn Mặc Tử, nor is he as passionate as Xuân Diệu... Instead, he quietly looks back to the past, feeling the deeper emotions in his soul. 'Nắng Mới' carries a nostalgic, poignant feeling, particularly through the image of the mother.

The poem weaves emotions between the past and present, focusing on the poet's beloved mother. Amidst the distant sound of the midday rooster, the sunlight brings back memories, filling the air with a wistful, tender sadness.

'Each time the new sunlight spills through the window, the rooster's afternoon cry echoes mournfully, my heart carries the sorrow of the past, and the lost days revive.'

The words 'new sunlight' carry a heavy sadness, expressed through the onomatopoeic phrases 'xao xác' (fluttering) and 'não nùng' (mournful). The poet's language is simple yet powerful, evoking a profound emotional response. Memories flood back, awakening a long-lost past. The 'new' fades to give way to the 'old,' a time that might symbolize the author's carefree childhood. Perhaps this past rekindles within the poet an unending longing for his mother.

The poem travels back to the poet's childhood, recalling the moments with his mother:

'I remember my mother in my childhood, when she was still alive, I was ten years old, each time the new sunlight shone through the fence, she would hang up the red shirt to dry.'

The mother appears subtly through the red shirt hanging in the sunlight, a delicate and loving memory preserved in the poet's mind. Her image remains cherished, though only a faint memory lingers in the poet's heart, as he recalls a time when he was a carefree child of ten.

'The figure of my mother is not yet erased, still faintly imagined when she comes and goes, the smile hidden behind the sleeve, in the summer light before the sparse fence.'

The poem concludes with the image of 'the black smile,' a fleeting, gentle smile, not a full grin, but a delicate gesture that passes by too quickly to hold onto. This subtlety brings a touch of grace to the memory, similar to the way 'the smile of the dark-toothed girls shines like autumn sunlight.'

The poet’s mother, though never fully depicted, is subtly represented by three symbols: 'new sunlight,' 'red shirt,' and 'smile.' These simple images carry deep meaning, representing the love and sacrifice of Vietnamese mothers. The poem’s style is soft and wistful, with a rhythmic flow that enhances its musicality, using simple language typical of Northern Vietnam’s countryside, making it feel familiar and intimate.

'Nắng Mới' captures the poet’s deep affection and gratitude for his mother, evoking feelings of love and nostalgia that resonate with poetry lovers: 'Lưu Trọng Lư's poetry is not just a poem, it is not just a work of art, it is a heart's whisper harmonizing with our own heartbeats.'

The lyrics from the song 'Mẹ Tôi' by composer Trần Tiến perfectly capture the emotions of poet Lưu Trọng Lư when writing 'Nắng Mới,' taken from the poetry collection 'Tiếng Thu.' The poem conveys the poet's deep yearning and boundless love for his mother. Among the many themes in literature, the theme of motherhood is always one of the most profound, as the bond between mother and child is the most sacred in life. Poems about mothers always evoke strong emotions, and 'Nắng Mới' is one of those poems. After reading it, I felt a rush of unique emotions.

The poem begins by immersing the reader in a peaceful and picturesque natural scene bathed in 'new sunlight':

'Each time the new sunlight spills through the window, the rooster’s cry echoes mournfully, my heart follows the past’s sadness, and lost days revive.'

For me, 'new sunlight' represents the gentle sunlight of early spring, a warmth that melts away the lingering chill and dampness of winter. As the new sunlight enters the room through the window, it creates a peaceful yet melancholic scene. The sound of rustling leaves and the midday rooster's call fill the quiet air, invoking a sense of sorrow. 'What scenery doesn’t carry sadness? How can anyone truly be happy in a sorrowful setting?' In this wistful spring scene, Lưu Trọng Lư’s memory drifts back to old, cherished memories. Though I didn’t yet know which memories were returning, I couldn’t help but feel the sorrow with the poet. Perhaps it’s because of his masterful use of words that I felt as if I were in the new sunlight scene: beautiful yet sorrowful, making me empathize with the poet, for the setting indeed stirs emotions.

As the poet leads me through the landscape of his memories, I felt his deep longing and love for his late mother:

'I remember my mother in my childhood, when she was still alive, I was ten years old; every time the new sunlight shone outside, she would hang out her red shirt to dry.'

Lưu Trọng Lư expresses his longing for his gentle mother directly through the line 'I remember my mother in my childhood.' Perhaps the poet had repressed his feelings for so long that the sight of the 'new sunlight' unlocked a flood of emotions. When his mother was still alive, he was just a ten-year-old child. In his memories, she would often wear a familiar red shirt. When the new sunlight arrived, she would hang clothes out to dry, ensuring her child had fresh, clean clothes. In his memory, the poet feels an overwhelming sense of happiness and peace because, back then, his mother was always by his side. The poet’s love for his mother would stay with him for the rest of his life, as he insists, 'The image of my mother has not faded.' He still recalls her movements, busy coming and going to care for the family. The most cherished detail about his mother is the memory of her 'black smile,' not a full smile but a subtle, reserved smile that the poet still remembers after all these years. This smile reveals the mother’s gentleness and warmth. The poet must have deeply loved his mother to have such a vivid recollection of her smile after so many years. Lưu Trọng Lư’s mother is a symbol of the traditional Vietnamese woman, gentle and hardworking, caring for her family throughout her life.

'Nắng Mới' has evoked many unique emotions in me. Through the poem, I feel the poet’s deep longing and love for his mother. It has reminded me of my own duty to care for my mother, and I love her even more now. I believe that after reading this poem, everyone, just like me, will feel the powerful message about motherhood that Lưu Trọng Lư conveys.

'No one is better than a mother, no one suffers like a father. The vast sea cannot measure a mother's love, and the sky's clouds cannot cover a father's heart. Day and night, a mother raises her children, and a father shields his child from life's hardships. If you still have a mother, do not make her cry, do not let sadness cloud her eyes. Tonight, as I sleep soundly, my mother is the wind that will guide me forever.'

The bond between a mother and her child is perhaps the most sacred love in the world. A mother is the one who gave us life, loved us unconditionally, and cared for us tirelessly. It is no wonder that this bond has been an endless source of inspiration for literature and art. Among countless works written about mothers, Lưu Trọng Lư’s poem 'Nắng Mới' from the collection 'Tiếng Thu' stands out as a beautiful expression of a son's yearning for his mother. From the very first lines, the poet dedicates the poem 'To the spirit of my mother,' as his mother has passed, but his love for her and the memories of her remain. The first stanza sets a nostalgic scene of 'new sunlight,' bringing forth the poet’s memories:

'Each time the new sunlight spills through the window, the rooster’s cry echoes mournfully, my heart follows the past’s sadness, and lost days revive.'

The 'new sunlight' represents the gentle light of early spring, soft yet powerful enough to dispel the chill and dampness left by winter. The light shines through the window, and together with the rooster's mournful call, creates a peaceful yet solitary scene. This tranquility, though beautiful, evokes a sense of longing, and the poet’s heart is filled with a deep, bittersweet sorrow. This sorrow leads him back to his memories of a time when his mother was still alive, bringing back fleeting yet poignant recollections.

Returning to these memories, the poet expresses his longing for his late mother:

'I remember my mother in my childhood, when she was still alive, I was ten years old. Each time the new sunlight shone outside, she would hang her red dress to dry.'

Lưu Trọng Lư’s words reveal the depth of his longing for his mother: 'I remember my mother in my childhood.' The poet recalls his mother when he was ten, how she would hang clothes out to dry in the sunlight, and how this simple act filled the poet with happiness and comfort. The sunlight itself seems to 'rejoice' because, like the poet, it is accompanied by the presence of his mother. In the next stanza, the poet reinforces that the image of his mother has never faded from his memory. Her form is as vivid as ever in his mind, still 'coming and going' as she tended to the household. The poet does not directly describe his mother’s appearance, but the tenderness of her 'black smile' hints at her kindness and gentle nature. Even after many years, the poet vividly remembers her smile, a smile that was soft, subtle, and fleeting. This simple image of his mother, standing in the sunlight and tending to the household chores, remains a comforting and cherished memory that stays with him throughout his life. Through simple yet evocative words, Lưu Trọng Lư successfully conveys the deep love and longing for his departed mother, and the poem imparts a powerful message: 'If you still have a mother, don’t make her cry; don’t let sadness reach her eyes.'

'Mother, I am old now, sitting here remembering you and crying like a child. Mother, I am old now, sitting here blankly remembering the old house. In the past, father sat drinking wine, and mother sat knitting clothes. Outside, the winter wind blew, and the leaves of the maple tree fell.'

...

The sea roars with waves, and on a day of remembering mother, the waves surge from afar. The sky is full of wind and clouds, and on a day of crying for mother, a hundred thousand stars fall.'

'Mother, the world is vast, but nothing is greater than home. Childhood is like a soft pillow, a pillow for the elderly to rest their faces on.'

These lyrics from the song 'Mẹ Tôi' by composer Trần Tiến perfectly capture the emotions of the poet Lưu Trọng Lư when writing his poem 'Nắng Mới,' from the collection 'Tiếng Thu.' The poem expresses the poet’s deep longing and immense love for his late mother. Among countless themes in literature, the bond between mother and child is one of the most meaningful. The love between a mother and child is a sacred and unparalleled emotion. Therefore, works that explore this theme, like 'Nắng Mới,' always resonate deeply with readers. After reading this poem, I was filled with many powerful emotions.

The poem opens with the poet guiding us into a serene and poetic natural scene bathed in the 'new sunlight':

'Every time the new sunlight spills through the window, the rooster’s cry echoes sadly, my heart is filled with sorrow as the past revives, and memories stir faintly.'

The 'new sunlight' refers to the gentle warmth of early spring, which is enough to chase away the chill and dampness left behind by winter. When the new sunlight shines through the window, it creates a peaceful yet melancholy scene, with the wind rustling and the rooster’s sad cry filling the quiet air. In this sorrowful spring scene, the poet’s heart is filled with sadness, as old memories resurface. Even without knowing exactly what memories the poet is recalling, I felt a sense of sadness, deeply moved by the poet’s masterful use of language. The scene is beautifully described but tinged with sorrow, allowing me to empathize with the poet’s emotions. It made me understand that 'sorrow accompanies the scenery,' and the poet's melancholy intertwined with nature’s stillness.

Then, I was transported back into the poet’s memories, where the poet's love for his late mother shines through in his words:

'I remember my mother from my childhood, when she was alive, and I was ten years old. Every time the new sunlight shone outside, she would bring out clothes to dry before the fence.'

Lưu Trọng Lư directly expresses his longing for his gentle mother in the line 'I remember my mother from my childhood.' The poet recalls being ten years old when his mother would hang clothes outside to dry, so that her child could wear clean, fresh-smelling clothes. The new sunlight seemed to 'sing' outside the field, and both the sunlight and the poet felt joyful because his mother was there. The image of his mother in the poet's memory is full of warmth and happiness. Through this, I could feel the poet’s deep sense of contentment and security when his mother was alive. The poet confirms that his memories of her 'have not faded,' and he can still clearly picture his mother moving about, taking care of their small home. The most beautiful detail about his mother is her 'dark smile,' a subtle and gentle smile that left a lasting impression on the poet. This smile represents her kindness and warmth. The poet’s love for his mother is evident in how deeply he cherishes this memory of her. The mother in the poet’s words embodies the ideal of a traditional Vietnamese woman—gentle, diligent, and devoted to her family. After reading this poem, I was filled with special emotions, and I felt more deeply the responsibility of showing love and respect to my own mother. I believe that everyone who reads this poem will come away with the same profound message about the sacred love of a mother.'