Top 5 Best Essays Analyzing the Setting Sail Scene in Huy Can's "The Fishing Boat"

Huy Can is one of the prominent poets in the New Poetry movement with his poetry collection 'Sacred Fire' (1940). After 1945, he became a representative poet of Vietnam's resistance literature. Before the August Revolution, Huy Can's poetry reflected a sorrowful and melancholic 'self' – 'a stream of sorrow, silently flowing through the land' (Hoai Thanh). After the revolution, his writing focused on harmony between the individual and the collective, expressing joy and integration into the new life. 'The Fishing Boat' is an exemplary poem for Huy Can's cosmic inspiration, marking a turning point in his literary career. It was published in the poetry collection 'The Sky Grows Brighter Every Day' (1958). Through the poem, we witness the majestic and harmonious beauty between nature and the working people of the coastal fishing community as they face a new life after peace was restored.

The poem was written in 1958 during a period when Northern Vietnam was liberated and beginning to build socialism. In mid-1958, during a long field trip to Quang Ninh’s mining region, Huy Can witnessed the nation's revival, the people's rebirth, and the hardworking laborers striving to beautify their homeland. This experience inspired him to write the poem.

The work is a unique artistic creation, using vivid imagery, imagination, and compelling metaphor. The general tone of the entire poem is vigorous, joyful, heroic, and optimistic.

The first two stanzas depict the scene of the fishing boats setting out to sea and the eager mood of the workers. It paints a magnificent, awe-inspiring sunset landscape:

The sun descends into the sea like a fireball

The waves lock the door of night

The 'sun' is personified (descending into the sea) and compared (to a fireball), bringing vibrancy and grandeur to the scene. It signals the passage of time, marking the end of day and the coming of night. 'Waves' and 'night' are also personified, with actions like 'locking' and 'closing the door.' The universe is imagined as a large house entering the night, with actions similar to humans: extinguishing the fire, locking the door, and closing it. The night descends like a massive door, while the waves are the locks. Nature seems to prepare for rest after a cycle of activity.

While nature transitions into a state of rest, it is the moment for humans to begin their labor:

The fishing boats set out to sea again

The song lifts the sails with the wind

One by one, the boats cast off, setting sail. The adverb 'again' contrasts the activities of the universe with the boats’ activities, while also suggesting the proactive, urgent, swift, and positive attitude of the fishermen, repeating the daily cycle of work: 'setting out to sea again.' Yet, their enthusiasm and eagerness remain, accompanied by lively sounds of voices and songs. The 'song' symbolizes the optimistic spirit, joy, and strength of the laborers. The workers appear as masters of nature, controlling the vast sea. The song harmonizes with the wind, inflating the sails, propelling the boat further into the open sea. The fisherman's thoughts are expressed in the song: excited, passionate about the work, and hopeful to catch abundant fish to bring back and contribute to the country.

Singing that the silver fish of the East Sea are silent

The mackerel of the East Sea are like weaving looms

Day and night, the sea weaves thousands of lights

Come to weave our nets, oh fish!

By listing different types of fish—silver fish and mackerel—Huy Can showcases the abundance of the East Sea. The sea is teeming with fish, waiting to be harvested. The fish are compared to looms, working quickly and abundantly, just like the weaving shuttle. The song rises with excitement and enthusiasm, expressing the fishermen's joy at the generosity of nature. The last two lines bring the fishermen’s wish for bountiful fish into the foreground, with the hope that the schools of fish 'weaving the sea' will come into their nets. The word 'oh' combined with the exclamation mark at the end gives the image of the fish a vivid, intimate presence, as if they are closely connected with humans.

With his keen observational skills, combined with a powerful cosmic inspiration, Huy Can vividly recreates the magnificent and poetic image of the fishing fleet setting out to sea under the moonlight:

Our boat steers the wind with a moon-sail

Gliding between the high clouds and the sea

Anchoring far out, probing the sea's depths

The nets are set, and the trap is cast

Through imaginative and poetic thinking, the image of the fishing boat is beautifully and uniquely depicted, as if it is part of the universe: the helmsman is the wind; the sail is the moon; the boat glides through the clouds, as though it could touch the sky. This contrasts with the solitary, small, and lost boat in 'Tràng Giang' before the revolution:

The waves ripple on Tràng Giang, endlessly sorrowful

The boat drifts with the current, parallel to the water’s edge

The boat returns, and sorrow spreads in all directions

A dry branch drifts, lost in the vast stream.

Huy Cận is considered one of the prominent poets of the New Poetry movement before the August Revolution of 1945, with famous works such as 'Sacred Fire' and 'Cosmic Song'. After the revolution, he quickly integrated into the national resistance movement against French colonial invasion. With peace restored, Huy Cận's poetry began to reflect the vibrant new life. The poem 'The Fishing Boat' was written in 1958 in Hon Gai during a long field trip. This poem is regarded as one of the best in his collection 'The Sky Brightens Every Day' and a significant contribution to modern Vietnamese poetry.

With a keen eye for detail, rich imagination, a sensitive heart, and refined artistic talent, the poet created an extraordinary picture of labor on the sea. The entire poem feels like a magnificent lacquer painting with enchanting, mystical colors:

'The sun descends like a fiery orb'

'The waves lock the door, the night falls'

'The fishing boats set sail again'

'The song stretches the sail with the winds'

The fishing boats depart at dusk. In the west, the sun is like a glowing fiery ball sinking into the vast ocean. The night curtain falls, signaling the end of the day. It is at this moment that the fishermen begin their familiar task: going out to fish. The night sea is not cold, but it becomes warm with the echoing song, filled with the joy of freed laborers: 'The song stretches the sail with the winds'. This is a creative and unique expression by Huy Cận, where it feels as though the song merges with the strong wind, filling the sail and pushing the boat swiftly through the waves. The wind-filled sail symbolizes the rising momentum of the nation’s reconstruction.

The song praises the abundance and generosity of the ocean and its magical, shimmering beauty under the night sky. The poet’s romantic style creates a scene that is both real and imaginary:

'Singing: The silver fish of the East Sea, silent'

'Mackerel of the East Sea, like a shuttle'

'Day and night weave the sea into countless rays of light'

'Come and weave the nets, oh fish schools!'

The poet’s admiration for the beauty of the sea diminishes the weariness of fishing, bringing joy and strength to those who are conquering nature and mastering life. The scene of night fishing is depicted with intense lyrical inspiration. The poet seems to merge with nature, with the work, and with the people:

'Our boat steers the wind with a moonlit sail'

'Gliding between high clouds and calm seas'

'Sailing far to probe the belly of the sea'

'Setting up a net in a woven pattern.'

Images like 'steering the wind', 'moonlit sail', 'high clouds', and 'calm seas' evoke a sense of classical poetry, yet still maintain a realistic core. A fishing trip is portrayed as a battle. They scout for fish fields, 'set up the net' to catch the silver fish, and hope to return the next morning with full boats.

For generations, fishermen have had an intimate relationship with the sea. They know the sea as well as the back of their hands, familiar with the names, shapes, and habits of various fish:

'Mullet, snapper, and jacks'

'The fish flash like black and pink torches.'

'Your tail flicks, the moon is golden.'

'The night breathes: the stars guide the waters of Ha Long.'

On the night sea, the shimmering moonlight touches the fish's flicking tails, and the waves seem to carry the golden moonlight. The song calling to the fish continues, sometimes eager, sometimes heartfelt. The moon stays awake with the fishermen, the moon and waves rhythmically accompanying the song. The moon illuminates the fishermen's nets, ensuring a rich catch. Nature and humanity harmonize beautifully.

As the night fades and day approaches, the pace of work intensifies:

'The stars blur as we pull the nets before dawn'

'We twist our hands, pulling in heavy fish'

'Silver scales, golden tails gleam at dawn'

'The nets fold the sails to greet the morning light.'

All the hard work is paid off. The fishermen stretch their legs, leaning into the effort of pulling in the nets heavy with fish. Their silhouettes appear against the pink sky of dawn. The early light shines on the boat's fish, making the silver scales and golden tails sparkle, adding radiance to the breaking dawn. The slow rhythm of the final line evokes a sense of tranquility, reflecting the fishermen’s contentment with the successful catch.

The final stanza depicts the return of the fishing fleet:

'The song fills the sail with the winds'

'The boats race against the sun'

'The sun rises from the sea with a new color'

'The eyes of the fish gleam, stretching over miles.'

Once again, the fishermen’s strong song resonates, as they return from their night journey, victorious with their catch. The phrase 'The boats race with the sun' is both realistic and heroic. It reflects the long-standing habit of fishermen bringing their catch ashore before sunrise, while also symbolizing the vigorous momentum of their contribution to the rebuilding of the country after liberation.

In harmony with the great joy of everyone, the poet lets his imagination soar. The boats race swiftly across the sea, 'The sun rises from the sea with a new color,' a bright and pure pink hue. The sunlight reflects in the countless fish eyes on the boats, making the poet think of thousands of tiny suns shining with joy. At this point, the sea scene is full of vibrant colors and life, every shape and outline of the scene and the people radiating energy.

'The Fishing Boat' is an exhilarating and heroic labor song. The poet praises the boundless sea—an endless resource of the homeland—and the hardworking, brave people who toil day and night to enrich the country. Huy Cận’s lyrical inspiration and masterful artistry have truly captivated readers. We share the great joy of the poet and the new laborers, who walk with their heads held high towards a bright future. Over four decades later, the poem still retains its original value. In part, it helps us understand the new spiritual image of Huy Cận after the major historical upheavals in the country and the nation—a revolutionary poet with a deep sense of lyricism.

Poet Huy Cận, born in 1919 into a poor farming family in Ha Tinh Province, was actively involved in revolutionary movements for many years. He later served as the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations. Huy Cận's literary legacy is vast and valuable. Before 1945, he made a mark with his poetry collection 'Sacred Fire', but after 1945, his collection 'The Sky Brightens Every Day' garnered even greater acclaim. This success is not only a source of pride for the author but also a delight for readers who enjoy his fresh and innovative works.

His poem 'The Fishing Fleet', taken from the collection 'The Sky Brightens Every Day', portrays the magnificence of nature and the vibrant lives of the laborers. The opening two stanzas, in particular, depict the stunning image of the fishing fleet setting off to sea:

'The sun descends into the sea like a fiery orb'

'The waves lock the door, the night falls'

'The fishing fleet sets sail once more'

'The song stretches the sail with the winds'

While many poems depict the evening with a sense of sadness or nostalgia, Huy Cận illustrates the twilight in a unique, grand, and life-filled way. The sun at this moment is like a massive, radiant ball of fire, slowly sinking into the vast ocean, preparing to give way to the night. At the same time, the laborers begin their work, as the waves lock the door and light fades behind the doors of the night.

In this special moment, the fishing boats head out. Huy Cận brilliantly captures two opposing states: nature slipping into a dream, while humans begin their journey. In the quiet of the night, the work of fishing becomes even more urgent and lively. The word 'again' suggests that this is a daily routine for the people here, always diligent. The word 'again' also conveys a sense of excitement and optimism, as the laborers are ready for another day of fishing, with hope and belief that they will return with a boat full of fish:

'The song stretches the sail with the winds'

Even in the difficult and repetitive work of fishing, they never complain. They begin their journey with a song, a lullaby to the night, soothing the sea, and giving life to the sail as it fills with wind. The fishermen's song fills the air, as the boat glides smoothly out to sea. Nature and the people are in harmony, united in this powerful scene.

'Singing: The silver fish of the East Sea, silent'

'Mackerel of the East Sea, like a shuttle'

'Day and night weave the sea into countless rays of light'

'Come weave the nets, oh schools of fish!'

In times of struggle, songs about peace echo. In times of labor, songs of abundant harvests are sung. And in fishing, songs about fish and the desire for a bountiful catch are sung. The fishermen’s song is an invitation, calling the fish swimming in the vast sea to come and weave their light into the nets being cast below. The fishermen hope for calm seas and an abundant catch of mackerel and silver fish.

'Come weave the nets, oh schools of fish!'

The poem, like a sweet, far-reaching song, is filled with the warmth and hopes of the people by the sea. It brims with aspirations and desires for prosperity.

In just eight lines, with heartfelt emotion and simple yet profound language, Huy Cận has captured the joy and optimism of the fishermen setting out to sea. The poem reflects the laborers' positive spirits, their control over nature, and their collective effort to build a better life with each passing day.