Top 5 Reflections on the Poem 'Bắt nạt' by Nguyễn Thế Hoàng Linh - Grade 6 Literature Textbook (KNTT)

The poem 'Bắt nạt' by Nguyễn Thế Hoàng Linh addresses an important issue in our society: the rising problem of bullying in schools. The protagonist in the poem firmly expresses a stance of 'not liking bullying' and argues that 'bullying is wrong.' Through this, the poet directs the reader toward a healthier and more harmonious life. Additionally, the poem emphasizes that everyone has their own unique interests and passions, and we all desire happiness in our lives. The recurring rhetorical questions at the end of the poem, 'Why not tease mustard?' and 'Why not love but...?' not only create rhythm but also convey valuable advice. In the final lines, the poet reinforces the message of 'still not liking bullying' with the reason 'because bullying smells bad.' The word 'smells' strikes a chord with the reader's emotions, reminding us to treat others with kindness, be sociable, and help those weaker than us. The poem encourages us to adopt the right attitude towards bullying and contribute to creating a safe, healthy, and happy school environment.

Friendship is one of the most beautiful and noble emotions in human nature. However, many people fail to appreciate these precious feelings and end up hurting their friends both physically and emotionally. The poem 'Bắt nạt' with its innocent and playful tone highlights the issue of bullying in schools and provides valuable lessons on self-awareness. The poet adopts the persona of a young boy who firmly states that he does not like bullying, finds it wrong, and encourages his friends to live healthier lives. Everyone wants to lead a joyful life, and to do so, we need friends. Therefore, bullying is a terrible act. The repetitive rhetorical questions at the end of the poem, 'Why not tease mustard?' and 'Why not love but...?' not only create a rhythm for the poem but also emphasize the boy's advice to his friends. It is clear that bullying among friends is a sad reality in today's school environment. Through the poet's playful tone, the poem offers valuable lessons on how we should treat our peers. To live a better life, we must adopt a healthy, civilized lifestyle, cultivate our moral values and intellect, so we can become helpful individuals in the future.

Nguyễn Thế Hoàng Linh is a poet who writes for children. His poetry for children is innocent, playful, pure, and lively. One of his works is the poem “Bắt nạt” (Bullying).

The poem begins with a heartfelt message:

“Bullying is very bad

Don’t bully, my friend

No one in the world

Wants to be bullied…”

The author embodies a character in the poem to express his stance on the issue of bullying. Bullying is a harmful action, viewed through the innocent eyes of a child. The expression of this stance is naive, yet powerful and convincing.

In response to the act of bullying, the character asks:

“Why not learn to sing

Or dance hip-hop instead?

There’s only so much time in a day

Why waste it on bullying…”

The character suggests alternative activities one could do instead of bullying: singing, dancing, eating mustard, or facing challenges. Every child should live joyfully without wasting time bullying others. The character is also ready to defend the shy and weak: like little rabbits, adorable and in need of love and care.

“Why not eat mustard?

Face the challenges?

Why bully the weak?

Why mock with mustard?”

The poet uses a rapid, questioning tone to express disdain for those who bully.

Bullying is ugly, and thus the character firmly insists:

“Don’t bully adults

Don’t bully children

Don’t bully other countries

On this round Earth

Don’t bully cats or dogs

Don’t bully trees

Don’t bully anyone

Because bullying is contagious”

Bullying is indeed a contagious act, spreading from one person to another. Across the entire globe, from animals to plants, no one should be bullied because it is a harmful act that can affect the social development of humanity.

In the final two stanzas, the character asserts their readiness to protect those being bullied, reaffirming their stance against bullying. The word “stinky” in the last line is used very effectively.

The repeated phrase “don’t bully” throughout the poem creates a sense of urgency, highlighting the importance of addressing this serious issue. The poem advises everyone to treat others kindly, to be cooperative and supportive, and to stand up for those weaker than themselves. In doing so, we should develop a proper attitude towards bullying, creating a healthy, safe, and happy educational environment.

With a friendly and approachable tone, the author manages to address a societal issue without making it heavy, and the poem is highly persuasive.

"Bullying" is depicted in a whimsical and innocent tone in the poem. The author creatively allows the lyrical character to adopt the voice of a child, using it artistically. This approach brings a sense of wonder to the reader, revealing the beauty of the soul and the desire to resolve the issue of bullying among children.

The poem begins with sincere, heartfelt words:

"Bullying is so bad

Don’t bully, my friend

No one in the world

Should ever bully…"

Bullying is indeed bad, but it is seen through the eyes of a child. This innocent and endearing way of expression is likely to attract the reader’s attention, as the issue, which has become a social problem, is “lightened” when viewed from a child’s perspective.

Bullying is bad, and the first bad thing mentioned is that the bully spends all their time bullying:

"Why don’t you learn to sing

Dance hip-hop to enjoy it

In a day’s time

Why waste it bullying…"

As someone who has been bullied (I’ve gotten used to it), yet still takes on the role of an advisor. Why don’t you create a joyful, relaxed, and free-spirited life for yourself (learning to sing, dancing hip-hop) to add value to life, instead of wasting time bullying others?

"Why not try mustard

Face the challenge?

Why bully the weak

Why not tease mustard?"

With a forceful tone and rapid-fire questioning, the lyrical character expresses a sarcastic, challenging attitude toward the bully. The “twisting” of why not in these rhetorical questions aims to “unmask” the truly vile nature of bullying. You’re so boastful, you must be a truly bad person!

At this point, an interesting connection is made to the character Dế Mèn in Tô Hoài’s "Dế Mèn phiêu lưu kí". Both characters share similar traits. In Tô Hoài’s story, when the female Cốc seeks out the one who provokes and teases her, instead of taking responsibility, the male character runs into his hole, mistaking his strength for being in his... burrow. Lying hidden in the dirt, I am terrified, motionless—didn’t Mèn admit to his cowardice when facing the one he had arrogantly teased? In reading both "Bullying" and "Dế Mèn phiêu lưu kí", we see the similarity in how both works dissect the misconception of arrogant characters. The bully thinks they are strong, but when faced with a real challenge, they shrink away like cowards.

Bullying is bad, and therefore, the heartfelt plea is voiced:

"Don’t bully the grown-ups

Don’t bully the children

Don’t bully other nations

On the round earth

Don’t bully the cat, the dog

Don’t bully the tree

Don’t bully anyone

Because bullying is contagious"

The issue of bullying has truly spread: from people, to entire nations across the round earth; from animals to trees. Disgusted by bullying and aware of its far-reaching consequences, the lyrical character earnestly prays: "Don’t bully anyone."

In these two stanzas, the phrase "Don’t bully" is mentioned six times, creating a sense of urgency and the need to address a significant problem. The emotional upheaval of the child makes the poem overflow with deep feelings. This is what adds a “gentle” touch to the poem. One can say that with "Bullying", the sincere, intense emotions of the lyrical character will surely resonate, awakening the reader's soul!

Upon studying the poem, we find that beneath the seemingly “clumsy” language of the child, the author’s desire to resolve the issue of bullying—a widespread issue from schools to society, and even beyond—is revealed. This pure and beautiful wish only brings "Bullying" closer to the reader.

"Bullying" is a poem rich in emotions and tightly organized in terms of content. From presenting the issue of the harmfulness of bullying, to “exposing” it, followed by the desire to prevent it, and finally the yearning to resolve it, we can see that the author has a very logical and coherent way of thinking. The use of the language, tone, and the innocent speech of a child in an artistic manner to address a societal issue makes the poem’s message reach the reader gently but profoundly. Without grandiose speeches or high tones, just the words of a child, yet they express a sincere concern for the urgent problems of human life.

Reading "Bullying", we see that the poet truly knows how to express the wish of dissolving the distinction between good/bad, friend/foe, to bring everyone closer together. The beauty of humanity, of the humanitarian inspiration, forms the core of the poem.

In "Bullying", although the poem is written in a five-line meter, in the style of a nursery rhyme, the author skillfully uses various expressive methods, tones, language, and rhetorical devices to convey the intense desire to resolve a highly urgent social issue. The voice of poetry rises fully when the soul is elevated and finds its rightful place. The new land, full of exploration, that the author is venturing into forces the reader to become a “critical” reader, carefully discerning the poet’s intent in the work.

(Reference by teacher Phan Thị Thanh Thủy, former secondary school teacher in Hà Linh, Hương Khê, Hà Tĩnh)

The poem "Bắt nạt" by Nguyễn Thế Hoàng Linh leaves a deep impression on readers. Through its innocent and pure language, the poem addresses an ongoing social issue – school bullying. The poet steps into the character's shoes to directly criticize the act of bullying. In life, we have countless other things we can do instead of bullying others: singing, hip-hop dancing... activities that contribute positively to oneself. The character expresses empathy and respect for those who are shy or often bullied, showing that they are lovely and deserving of support. The character even dares bullies to face them, while asserting that, despite having been bullied multiple times, they still do not condone such behavior. The word “bullying” is repeated seven times throughout the poem. This repetition is a deliberate artistic choice by the poet, reinforcing their firm stance against bullying. As a result, by the end of this poem, the reader is reminded to distance themselves from bullying and to offer help to those who are being bullied.