Buzz
1. Reference Lesson Plan 4
Structure
Three parts:
- First four lines: Expressing the sorrow for the struggles of life.
- Next eight lines: A lament for the stark reality of the conflicts between personal aspirations and the harshness of life.
- Last three lines: A cry of despair and hopelessness.
Lesson Content
'Bài ca ngắn đi trên bãi cát' expresses the intellectual’s disillusionment with the pursuit of wealth and fame in contemporary society and his desire for a meaningful life change.
Lesson Preparation Guide
Question 1 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
- The symbolic meaning of the figure walking on the beach: Represents the social environment, a career path full of obstacles and hardships that an intellectual like Cao Bá Quát must follow in pursuit of success.
Question 2 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
The lines in the poem are interconnected:
- 'Not studying... crossing rivers, endless anger!': The author expresses frustration at not having the skills of a historical figure like Hạ Hầu Ấn, who could navigate even the toughest conditions, symbolizing disdain for the pursuit of fame.
- 'Since ancient times... life's path': The temptation of fame and success, which leads people to hustle and toil.
- 'The wind blows... awakening the people': The allure of wealth and fame is as captivating as fine wine, seducing people, and few can resist it.
- Cao Bá Quát expresses his distaste for the pursuit of fame, even as he is still walking that path without finding an alternative.
Question 3 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
- The traveler’s mood of sadness, exhaustion, and confusion reflects his inner turmoil and the realization of the futility of the pursuit of fame during this era.
Question 4 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
- The poem’s rhythm changes flexibly, with varying lengths in the verses, effectively conveying the struggles and difficulties the traveler faces on his journey.
Practice (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
Cao Bá Quát revolted against the Nguyễn dynasty due to the numerous obstacles he faced in the pursuit of fame, realizing the injustices and oppression of the feudal court against the people.
2. Reference Lesson Plan 5
Answer to Question 1 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
The symbolic meaning of the elements portraying the image of a traveler walking on the beach:
- The long sandy beach
- Literally referring to the white sandy roads of Central Vietnam.
- Symbolically referring to the unclear path of examinations and the many challenges in life.
- Rivers, mountains, and seas: representing the overwhelming obstacles ahead; evoking a sense of a closed, blocked space.
- The traveler:
- The pedestrian walking on the sand.
- Represents the solitary figure seeking truth in a murky world, the intellectual searching for meaning in the stagnated and conservative Nguyen Dynasty.
Answer to Question 2 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
The content and the connection of ideas in these six lines:
- The two lines “Unable to learn the immortal sage’s sleep spell / Climbing hills, crossing rivers, frustration beyond measure”: borrowing an ancient reference to express frustration with the hardships of pursuing exams and fame.
- The four lines “The world of fame and profit... / Many intoxicated, few remain sober”: discussing the allure of fame and fortune, comparing it to an intoxicating drink that mesmerizes people's hearts.
The connection: Although not intoxicated by fame, the traveler must endure with those who are, showing the need to escape this meaningless intoxication. This also criticizes the old-fashioned educational system and the outdated path to fame through examinations.
Answer to Question 3 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
The mood of the traveler walking on the sandy beach:
- Loneliness, discouragement, exhaustion: each step feels like a retreat, with tears falling.
- Melancholy, bitterness, self-blame: unable to leave everything behind like the immortal sage.
- The desire to escape the shallow pursuit of fame: “The world of fame and profit... / Many intoxicated, few remain sober.”
- Conflicted, trapped in the obscure path of examinations: “What should I do here? The road ahead is unclear... / Southward, the southern mountains, waves crashing.”
- Despair, hopelessness: “Why are you standing on the beach?”
Answer to Question 4 (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
The short poem about walking on the beach follows an ancient style with freedom in rhyme, rhythm, and structure:
- The rhythm is created through variations in line length and pauses between lines.
- Flexible pauses like 2/3, 3/5, and sometimes 4/3.
- The rhythm conveys the rough and challenging journey of the traveler.
Practice Exercise
Question (page 42, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 1):
The poem expresses the disdain of an intellectual for the shallow pursuit of fame and fortune, coupled with a strong desire to change their life. The author clearly perceives the futility of the old examination system and the outdated route to fame. This reveals Cao Ba Quat’s noble character, unwilling to compromise with his desires or the deteriorating social reality.
This also helps explain why Cao Ba Quat joined the 1854 uprising against the Nguyen feudal regime.
3. Reference Lesson Plan 1
Structure
- Part 1 (First 4 lines): Describing the image of walking on the endless sand and the person walking on the beach.
- Part 2 (Next 6 lines): The reflective mood of the traveler.
- Part 3 (Remaining lines): The sense of hopelessness experienced by the traveler.
Line 1 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
The symbolic meaning of the elements in the scene of walking on the sand:
+ The path of fame and fortune is long, difficult, and filled with obstacles.
+ The person walking on the sand tirelessly moves forward, driven by ambition and the pursuit of glory.
→ Cao Ba Quat's critique of the old educational system and his rejection of the pursuit of fame and wealth.
Line 2 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
The logical connection between the verses:
+ Fame and fortune (referring to the pursuit of studying and becoming an official) is the central theme that links the entire poem.
+ “Unable to learn the immortals' method – climbing mountains and wading rivers with endless frustration”: expressing the poet's disillusionment with the self-inflicted pain of chasing fame.
- The next four lines address the temptations of fame and fortune in human life.
+ Those who chase after fame must tirelessly struggle, but no one can escape the temptations of power and wealth.
+ Fame and fortune are like intoxicating wine, clouding people's judgment.
→ The poet advises breaking free from the illusions of fame and wealth.
Line 3 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
- The poet's weary, frustrated state while walking on the sand.
+ The depth of the poet's thinking is shown in his realization of the futility of pursuing fame through the old educational system.
+ Ultimately, he is still caught up in the same cycle as others walking on the sand.
→ Cao Ba Quat recognizes the meaningless and superficial nature of the traditional path to fame.
Line 4 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
This poem follows an ancient structure, but with flexibility in rhyme, rhythm, and form.
+ The rhythm is created by varying the length of lines and the pauses between them.
+ Pauses are flexible: 2/3, 3/5, sometimes 4/3.
+ The rhythm represents the rough and difficult path.
Practice (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1)
Cao Ba Quat eagerly sought an ideal but failed.
+ He tried the imperial exams for nine years, but never became a doctorate.
+ Later, he received a minor position at the Ministry of Rites.
+ His love for talented individuals led to trouble and exile.
+ He realized the injustices and exploitation by the Nguyen Dynasty.
→ He became aware of the triviality of fame and the regime, and thus sought to create something more meaningful, eventually leading him to rebel against the Nguyen Dynasty.
4. Sample Essay 2
Structure
Part 1 (First 4 lines): The image of walking on the endless beach and the traveler.
Part 2 (Next 6 lines): The traveler's reflective mood.
Part 3 (Remaining lines): The traveler's feeling of being trapped in a difficult path ahead.
Line 1 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
Realistic imagery:
+ Each step feels like moving backward: 'one step forward, one step back.'
+ The setting sun continues to set: 'The sun sets, but the journey goes on.'
+ Tears fall in sadness: 'tears of separation.'
Symbolic meaning: The long path has no end in sight, a tireless, endless journey filled with weariness and sorrow.
Line 2 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
Explanation:
+ “Unable to learn…endless frustration”: The traveler does not have the divine power to overcome hardships like immortals, leading to frustration with life.
+ “Throughout history…life's path”: Those who seek fame and fortune must endure similar hardships.
+ “The wind blows…not everyone can resist the temptation of wine”: Not everyone can overcome the tempting allure of fame.
- The meaning link: The traveler contemplates the difficult path ahead, full of frustration, life’s deeper truths, and the overwhelming temptation of fame, leading many to blindly pursue it.
Line 3 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
The traveler’s mood: full of hopelessness, unable to find the right path.
→ This reflects Cao Ba Quat’s disdain for the shallow pursuit of fame and his longing for change.
Line 4 (page 42, Literature 11, Volume 1):
The poem’s rhythm: flexible pauses (2/3, 3/5, 2/2/3, 2/5…), alternating long and short pauses.
→ Reflecting the rough, difficult journey ahead.
→ Expressing the traveler’s emotions of frustration and disillusionment.
Practice
Cao Ba Quat rebelled against the Nguyen Dynasty because he was disillusioned with the chaotic and superficial life of the time. He wanted to reform society and rediscover true, noble values.
5. Sample Lesson 3
I. About the Author and the Work
1. Author
Cao Bá Quát (1809? – 1855), also known as Chu Thần, and his pseudonyms Cúc Đường, Mẫn Hiên, was born in Phú Thị village, Gia Lâm district, Bắc Ninh province (now Long Biên, Hanoi). He died during a revolt against the Nguyễn dynasty. A talented poet, he was revered by his contemporaries as Thánh Quát. His poetry strongly criticized the feudal system and expressed progressive, self-emerging thoughts, reflecting the demand for societal reform in 19th-century Vietnam.
2. The Work
- Context of creation: Cao Bá Quát was on his way to take the royal exams. As he traveled through central Vietnam, passing provinces like Quảng Bình and Quảng Trị with their endless white sandy beaches, the harsh landscape and imagery of the sea and mountains inspired him to write this poem.
- Poetic form: A free-verse lyrical poem, unconstrained by number of lines, line length, rhyme scheme, or tonal patterns.
II. Guide to the Lesson
Structure
- Part 1 (first 4 lines): Image of the traveler on the vast sandy beach.
- Part 2 (next 6 lines): The musings and emotions of the traveler walking the sand.
- Part 3 (remaining lines): The song of the traveler at the end of his journey.
Line 1 (page 42, Literature 11 Textbook, Volume 1):
- The endless sand dunes: vast and seemingly infinite, scorching hot.
→ Literal imagery: Beautiful yet harsh, evoking a sense of both inspiration and difficulty for the poet.
→ Symbolic imagery: The long, challenging road that one must traverse to attain fame and success.
- The traveler on the sand:
+ Walking forward yet feeling as though stepping back: the burdens and struggles.
+ The journey’s landscape, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and the sea.
+ Time: Even as the sun sets, the journey continues.
+ Tears falling: representing hardship and exhaustion.
=> Using the metaphor of a person stuck in the sand, the poet reflects his own frustration and sorrow in pursuit of his ideals, with society offering no way out.
Line 2 (page 42, Literature 11 Textbook, Volume 1):
Six lines:
Unable to learn the magic of the immortals,
Climbing mountains, crossing rivers, frustration unbound!
Throughout history, those chasing fame and success,
Endure it all in their journey of life.
The intoxicating scent of wine in the wind,
How many stay sober, and how many are consumed by it?
These lines may seem disconnected, but they form a coherent logical chain. The theme of fame and success (through education, exams, and achieving power) ties the lines together. The first two lines express the poet’s exhaustion from enduring self-imposed hardship to pursue status, while the last four describe the temptations of fame, likened to the irresistible allure of wine. Few can escape this temptation.
=> These six lines prepare the poet’s conclusion: the need to free oneself from the false intoxication of fame and success.
Line 3 (page 42, Literature 11 Textbook, Volume 1):
The poet’s mood as he walks the sands is one of despair and exhaustion. His expansive thoughts reveal his realization of the futility of the rigid educational system and the outdated pursuit of fame.
The traveler, trapped in the sand, symbolizes the isolated scholar, torn between his deep inner conflict and the grandeur of his path, full of both resolve and hopelessness in the search for truth amidst hardship.
Line 4 (page 42, Literature 11 Textbook, Volume 1):
The rhythm of the poem is formed primarily through variations in the length of each line and the pauses within the lines, allowing for rich expressiveness. The poem’s rhythm is flexible, alternating between 2/3, 4/3, and other variations. The final line lacks a pair of opposing sounds, presenting an open-ended question that haunts the reader. The rhythm conveys the difficult, bumpy journey of the traveler on the endless sands, wishing to escape the meaningless path of fame.
III. Exercise
(page 42, Literature 11 Textbook, Volume 1): This poem...
The short song of the traveler on the sand stands as a prominent example in Cao Bá Quát’s body of work, highlighting the suffocating obsession with fame and its inherent futility. In works like *Đắc gia thư* (The Letter of Home), he writes:
Life wasted on empty fame,
Years lost in ink and paper.
This theme recurs in many of his poems, where he expresses his disdain for the pursuit of academic achievement and official success. As a result, Cao Bá Quát realized the need for something greater and more meaningful, which ultimately led him to initiate the revolt against the Nguyễn dynasty.
