Buzz
1. Sample 4
2. Reference Article No. 5
During the New Poetry movement (1930-1945), Nguyễn Bính carved out a unique position for himself. His poetry is a blend of both modern and traditional elements, though it is his traditional poetry that stands out more. While other poets such as Đoàn Văn Cừ, Bàng Bá Lân, and Anh Thơ focused on realistically depicting rural scenes, Nguyễn Bính's works delve deeply into the emotional essence of rural life.
Chân quê (The Simple Soul) is a representative poem that embodies Nguyễn Bính's deep connection with rural life. It could be seen as his artistic manifesto, one he remained faithful to throughout his creative journey.
Reading the poem, the image of a young man confronting the tragedy of trying to hold on to the simplicity of rural beauty in his love for a girl who, upon returning from the city, has been influenced by Western lifestyle—yet remains beyond his reach—is haunting.
Rural love, simple and rooted in local traditions, defines their relationship—through their words, attire, and lifestyle. When the girl returns from the city, the boy anxiously waits by the village dyke to greet her.
The dyke, a symbol of protection for the village, is also a common gathering place for local activities. The boy's anxious anticipation is emphasized through the repeated use of the word “Đợi” (Wait) in the poem:
Yesterday you returned from the city
Waiting for you by the village dyke
But the boy is shocked by the change in his lover's appearance. Before him, his once familiar love now seems a stranger:
Velvet scarf, silk trousers, so fancy
Buttoned-up shirt, you’re tormenting me
Velvet, silk trousers, and buttoned-up shirts are all foreign to the countryside. These items, products of the city, particularly the small mechanical buttons, represent an urban lifestyle that seems out of place against the rural backdrop.
However, this is only the external change. More troubling is the shift in the girl's inner spirit. With just the word “fancy,” Nguyễn Bính powerfully conveys the transformation not only in the fabric’s rustling but in the girl's mentality. The word “fancy” evokes an image of a girl giddy with joy, excited about her new city clothes.
It is this internal transformation of his love that causes the boy’s heartbreak. Despite his attempts to hold back his feelings, he cannot help but express a soft reproach for his beloved, reflected in his gentle complaint: “Buttoned-up shirt, you’re tormenting me.” The use of “I” instead of “you” when referring to his lover signals his discontent.
The boy’s sorrow deepens as he recalls the traditional, simple garments that once defined her beauty:
Where is the silk tunic?
The hemp belt dyed in spring?
Where is the four-piece outfit?
The black trousers and the headscarf?
He contrasts these familiar, rustic items with the foreign, city-made clothing his lover now wears, emphasizing the stark difference between rural simplicity and urban modernity.
Despite realizing that he cannot turn back time, the boy clings to his ideal of rural tradition. The buttoned shirt, velvet, and silk trousers are not the real problem—they are simply misplaced. The real issue is the girl’s disconnection from the rural world, which now feels alien and unacceptable.
Recognizing this, the boy adjusts his approach. He shifts from referring to himself as “I” to “you,” signaling a softer, more reconciled tone:
Afraid of hurting you, I beg
Keep your rural ways
Like when you went to the temple
Dress like that, to please me
The phrase “Like when you went to the temple” uses mostly flat tones, with the fourth tone of the sixth verse—a typically sharp tone—switched to a neutral one. This shift in tone represents a subtle yet significant change in emotional expression, from reproach to pleading. According to traditional poetic rules, this balancing of tones is a delicate and effective technique that creates a profound emotional impact.
The boy’s words in this stanza are gentle, reserved, and full of affection. His love is earnest, simple, and heartfelt, conveying a deep, almost innocent longing for his beloved. The language closely mirrors the tone of folk poetry, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
The boy goes beyond pleading for his lover to return to her simple, rural ways. He urges her to hold on to the values of their heritage and the timeless human virtues that their rural upbringing represents:
The citron flower blooms in the citron garden
Our parents, we, are all rural souls.
The boy’s appeal to the importance of tradition and rural values is convincing, especially to someone from the countryside. “The citron flower blooms in the citron garden” is a metaphor, yet it affirms a natural law that underscores the message: “Our parents, we, are all rural souls.” The message is clear: cherish and preserve the traditions of one’s homeland and avoid being swayed by foreign influences.
The poem concludes with two lines:
Yesterday you returned from the city
The scent of the countryside has faded, just a little.
“Yesterday” is repeated to emphasize the irreversibility of the change in the girl, marking the end of an era. However, the pain of that change still lingers, for it happened just recently, only after one visit to the city. The phrase “Yesterday” initially expresses eager anticipation, but at the poem's end, it carries a sense of sorrow, highlighting the irreversible loss of the rural essence in his lover. The metaphor of “the scent of the countryside” evokes the rural soul that Nguyễn Bính so dearly cherished.
The poem is filled with anxiety, regret, and a premonition of the rapid changes that threaten the core values of rural life and national identity. The poem’s structure, with its steady 2/2 rhythm, underscores the fluctuating emotional states of the boy. The line “Our parents, we, are all rural souls” shifts to a 3/3/2 rhythm, breaking the pattern and intensifying the message of preserving traditional values. This effective poetic technique conveys the poet’s deep concern for maintaining the cultural heritage of the countryside, a theme that still holds relevance today.
3. Sample Reference 1
Nguyen Binh is a son of the land of Vu Ban, Nam Dinh. This is a northern rural area known for its tradition of scholarly achievements and literature. It is also the birthplace of renowned figures like Trang Luong Luong The Vinh and Trang Nguyen Nguyen Hien. This region is famous for its traditional folk music, especially the chèo songs sung by local performers. Growing up in this culturally rich environment, Nguyen Binh created poetic works that were unique and different. While his contemporaries embraced free-form, Western-influenced poetry, he followed his own path. People often compare his work to the sound of a traditional đàn bầu amidst a grand orchestra. Using traditional themes, he crafted poems that deeply moved the soul. One of his most famous poems, 'Chân quê' (The Roots of the Countryside), has become closely associated with his name. The poem was set to music and continues to be cherished by many audiences.
According to the Vietnamese dictionary, the simplest understanding of 'chân quê' here refers to the deep roots of one's homeland—those fundamental aspects of one's rural origin that every person inherits from their birth.
However, a more profound and literary explanation would describe 'chân quê' as the humble and simple beauty of rural life. It represents the sincere and unpretentious nature of country people, their honesty, straightforwardness, and purity—qualities that are free from selfishness and deceit. This is the serene and rustic beauty that permeates the land and lives of rural communities. All these elements are encapsulated in the term 'chân quê'. Perhaps it is this beauty that the author sought to preserve and celebrate in his work, wishing to affirm that everyone should maintain their 'chân quê'.
'Chân quê' is, in fact, a love story between a rural boy and a village girl. The poet introduces the female character from the very first line: 'Yesterday you came back from the city/Waiting for you at the end of the village dike'. The term 'waiting anxiously' conveys the boy's nervous anticipation as he awaits her return from the city. In the past, traveling to the city was a rare and significant event, a break from the rural world, making the boy's worry about how the girl would change upon her return understandable.
All the longing and excitement turn into heartbreak when the boy sees the girl appear, but in an unexpected way:
Her velvet scarf and pleated pants are bustling.
Her clothes fastened with buttons, she tortures me!
The velvet scarf, pleated pants, and buttoned blouse are urban clothes—luxurious and fashionable, worn by city girls who lead lives of extravagance. Yet, now these clothes are worn by the girl from the countryside, leaving the boy to feel sadness and regret.
When analyzing the poem 'Chân quê' by Nguyen Binh, we realize how much society influences individuals. Just one trip to the city changes the girl's appearance, her clothes, and even her walking style. No matter where a girl comes from—whether from the countryside or the city—the clothes she wears reflect her personality. The boy sees his beloved girl transformed, and in her new city attire, he feels that the true rural beauty of 'chân quê' has vanished.
Where is the old silk blouse?
Where is the dyed hemp belt from last spring?
Where is the traditional four-piece dress?
Where are the headscarves and black pants?
Repeatedly, the poet asks these questions, as if trying to salvage what is left of the 'chân quê'. These traditional clothes are not just garments, but memories shared between the boy and the girl, forming an integral part of their love. How did the boy know about these clothes? They were worn during their countless encounters, leaving a lasting impression on his heart. The boy's sorrow is not just because the girl's rural innocence is fading, but also because he senses a change in their relationship.
The poem discusses the countryside, but at the same time, it reflects the boy's inner turmoil as he longs for the girl to return to her roots. He wishes she would value the rural traditions that she was born with and not be swayed by the superficiality of the city.
In the following verses, we understand more about the boy's feelings and the delicate situation. He realizes that if he expresses his feelings, the girl might feel hurt or upset. Perhaps, she changed because she wanted to look better in his eyes, to gain his love and admiration. But ironically, this change only makes the boy feel more sorrowful. Despite all this, he decides to ask her:
'I fear to hurt your feelings,
I beg you, please keep the country charm intact.'
It is not a mere request, but a plea from the boy, who recognizes the girl's desire to change but wishes for her to reconsider. The use of 'beg' indicates his deep plea. He sincerely accepts the simplicity of rural life and cannot accept the half-hearted urban change.
The boy continues, recalling a time when the girl dressed modestly for a visit to the temple:
'Like when you went to the temple,
You wore that outfit to please me!'
How clever the boy is! He specifically mentions the temple visit, an occasion where respect and reverence are expressed through modest clothing. By mentioning it, the boy subtly suggests that the girl should return to her humble and respectful appearance—not just to please him, but to show respect to everyone, including the gods.
To further convince the girl, the boy gives more examples, reinforcing the idea that the rural life and simplicity are not just personal choices but collective values that should be preserved. The poet asserts:
'Lemon flowers bloom amidst the lemon garden,
Our ancestors and we are 'chân quê.'
Just as a lemon flower in a lemon grove can never be something else, the boy argues, they, too, are 'chân quê'—part of a proud tradition that should be upheld. This is not just for the boy but for their entire family, community, and country. The girl, by returning to her roots, would not only honor her love for the boy but also her lineage and heritage.
The poet moves from describing the changes to expressing his feelings about these changes, and finally to asserting the importance of preserving one's true self. Through these arguments, he makes it clear that the girl must reflect on her choices, as the change is not simply a personal transformation but one that affects her identity.
Yet, despite all this reasoning, even if the girl returns to her 'chân quê', the boy still feels a sense of loss. 'Yesterday you came back from the city/But the scent of the city still lingers on you.' The girl may have returned to her village, but the traces of the city's influence remain, leaving the boy with a lingering sadness. The city’s scent has replaced the pure, rural essence of her spirit.
In conclusion, by analyzing the poem 'Chân quê' by Nguyen Binh, readers gain a deeper understanding of the poet’s love for his homeland and his sorrow over societal changes. The poem is a heartfelt love story, and its message remains poignant and relevant today.
4. Reference Poem 2
The poem 'Chân quê' is a prominent work by Nguyễn Bính that captures the essence of rural life. It reflects the tragic emotions of someone longing to hold onto the cultural values of the past, but ultimately realizing the impossibility of doing so, which leaves them in a constant state of anguish.
The poem begins with lines filled with anticipation, showcasing the simple, yet profound love between young people in the countryside. The eagerness and anxiety are evident in the actions of the young man, who waits for his lover, even going to the end of the village embankment to meet her.
Yesterday, you came back from the city
I waited for you at the village embankment
The silk scarf, the linen pants, all in lively fashion
Buttoned-up shirt, you make me suffer
The embankment symbolizes the rural village, offering protection from floods, and acting as a boundary between regions. It's a familiar image in rural areas, where the young man is anxiously waiting, filled with both longing and nostalgia. This setting enhances the emotional depth of the poem.
In 'Chân quê,' Nguyễn Bính portrays how the girl from the village has changed, particularly in her appearance. The young man is shocked to see her dressed in foreign, city-style clothes, like a stranger to him. The silk scarf, the linen pants, and the buttoned shirt are symbols of urban fashion, completely out of place in the peaceful rural setting.
Where is the silk blouse?
Where is the belt dyed in spring colors?
Where is the four-piece dress?
Where is the crow's bill scarf, the black pants?
However, the change is not just external. The poet subtly hints at the internal transformation in the girl's heart. The word 'lively' expresses not only the sound of her new clothes but also the change in her spirit, as she embraces the new, urban lifestyle with excitement.
This change causes pain for the young man. He tries to hold back his feelings and gently reproaches her: 'The buttoned-up shirt, you make me suffer.' This shift from addressing her as 'you' to 'I' reveals his sorrow, a sorrow for the loss of traditional rural values.
The young man, using traditional rural items like the silk blouse, the four-piece dress, and the crow's bill scarf, expresses his longing for these symbols of the village life. He realizes that these items are no longer relevant in the current context. Yet, he understands that it is impossible to return to the past. The poem ends with a subtle shift in his tone, as he begins to address her with more formal respect, symbolizing his acceptance of change.
It is hard to speak, fearing it might hurt you
But I beg you, please keep the rustic ways
Just like when you went to the temple
Wear them for my sake
In this part of the poem, the young man expresses his heartfelt plea for his lover to retain the simple rural traditions, as they are a core part of their identity. This final plea signifies the poet's deep sense of regret and forewarning about the cultural changes that are sweeping through rural life.
The bitter-sweet tone of the last lines of the poem reflects a deep longing to preserve the traditional ways of life, even as they are inevitably fading away.
5. Reference Example 3
The rural regions of the Red River Delta have shaped the poetic soul of Nguyễn Bính, a poet from the New Poetry movement. When reading his poem "Chân quê" (True Rural), one is transported to a village where a young man waits for someone by the village entrance. The poem exudes an overwhelming feeling of unspoken love, while carrying the sorrowful gaze of a man disappointed by a woman who has forsaken her rural roots. With simplicity and sincerity, the verses reflect the deep connection to the countryside, with scenes of jasmine and oleander flowers, spring rain drifting by, and the fluttering of butterflies over the mallow vines. Nguyễn Bính sings the song of the village with genuine love and tenderness.
The essence of the countryside, the heart of the rural identity, has become the hallmark of Nguyễn Bính's poetry, creating a vivid portrait of the poet in "Chân quê." The poem is structured in a six-eight meter, which feels like a heartfelt conversation between the poet and "em"—the lyrical subject in the poem. With soft whispers and unvoiced desires, the young man in the poem shares his hopes, waiting for his love to return:
Yesterday, you came back from the city
I waited for you by the dike at the village entrance.
The tension and excitement of the young man waiting for his beloved reveals the joy of reunion. However, things have changed:
With velvet headscarf, and lively trousers
Your buttoned-up shirt has caused me sorrow.
The change in "em" becomes the central theme of the poem, shifting the young man’s emotions from longing to disappointment. The clothing—buttoned shirts, velvet scarves, and trousers—symbolize urban influence. "Em" is no longer the rural girl he once knew. Has she lost the innocence of rural life? The young man's sorrow is evident in his lines, lamenting the loss of a simpler, unspoiled past:
Where is the silk scarf from the countryside,
The belt dyed in spring's first light?
Where is the four-part dress,
The crow's headscarf, and the black cotton trousers?
The change in "em" leaves him lost, confused, asking with deep regret. The poet desperately pleads for her to hold on to her rural roots:
Please, keep your simplicity.
The beauty of your rustic charm is what I love, and it's enough to warm my heart.
Just like when you went to the temple...
Wear those clothes for my sake.
In his simplicity, the poet gently asks her to return to her old, humble self, offering a sense of peace. He continues with his passionate plea to preserve the rural identity:
Like the fragrant lime flowers blooming in the garden,
We, too, were born from a humble background.
Yesterday, you came back from the city
The scent of the countryside faded just a little...
Through these verses, Nguyễn Bính emphasizes the purity of their shared origin—one from a rural life, untouched by the corruption of urbanization. He remains unchanged in his commitment to the simple, true life, standing in contrast to the allure of city sophistication. This thematic choice in "Chân quê" not only highlights the poet’s deep connection to his rural roots but also offers a timeless reflection on identity and tradition.
