Top 6 Bài soạn "Bức thư của thủ lĩnh da đỏ" của Xi-át-tơn lớp 6 hay nhất

A. MAIN KNOWLEDGE

"The Letter of the Red Chief" by Chief Seattle

Context of creation: In 1854, the 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, sought to acquire land from the Native Americans. Chief Seattle of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes responded to the representative of the U.S. President with this letter, recorded and translated into English by Dr. Henry A. Smith.

Content of the work:

This letter is considered one of the most important documents about the sacred relationship of minority tribes with their ancestral land and their profound views on the environment and the imperialistic expansionism of a powerful nation.

Summary of the work:

The land, along with everything associated with it – the sky, air, rivers, animals, and plants – is sacred to the Native Americans, and thus not easily sold. The approach of the white settlers towards the land contrasts completely with that of the Native Americans. If the Native Americans are forced to sell their land, the white settlers must treat the land as the Native Americans do. "The land is the mother" of all humans, and whatever happens to the land happens to the children of the land, so it is necessary to respect it.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: page 139 of Literature 6, volume 2

Read the opening of "The Letter of the Red Chief": from "To my people" to "The voices of our ancestors".

a) Identify the metaphors and personifications used.

b) Explain the effect of these metaphors and personifications, particularly in highlighting the relationship between the Native Americans and "the Land", and with nature.

Answer:
Metaphors and personifications used and their effects:
Personification:
The land – mother of the Native Americans => used to refer to natural elements.
The fragrant flowers – our sisters, our brothers => used to refer to natural elements.
The rocks, the puddles – members of a family => used to describe natural phenomena.
Metaphors:
The shimmering, gentle water flowing under rivers and streams – the blood of our ancestors.
The whispering sound of the water – the voice of our ancestors.
b) The use of personification and metaphors in this passage strengthens the bond between the land and the people, portraying them as family members, as children with their parents. The ancestors of the Native Americans live within nature, in the rivers, the sounds of insects, and flowing waters.

Question 2: page 139 of Literature 6, volume 2
Read the middle section of the letter: from "I know the white man does not understand how to live" to "Everything on the earth is interconnected".
a) What contrasts in lifestyle and attitudes towards the land and nature between Native Americans and white settlers are presented in this passage?

b) What artistic techniques does the author use to emphasize these contrasts and to express their feelings?

Answer:
a) The differences between the Native Americans and the white settlers are shown in:
Attitudes towards the land:
The white settlers are alien to the land, seeing it as an enemy. They treat it as a commodity to be bought and sold, exploiting it for its resources and leaving barren wastelands behind.
The Native Americans are deeply connected to the land, seeing it as their mother, as a part of themselves.
The difference is also reflected in their lifestyles:
The white settlers live in a noisy, industrial, and stressful environment, unconcerned about the air, not appreciating "the breezes filled with the scent of wildflowers", nor respecting the animals.
The Native Americans, on the other hand, live in harmony with nature.
b) To highlight the differences and express their feelings, the author uses various literary devices such as:
Contrast: between brothers and enemies
between tranquility and noise
between familiarity and alienation
Repetition: I know... I know... I truly don't understand... I have witnessed... you must remember... you must preserve... you must teach... you must protect...
Contrastive comparisons: between the Native Americans and the white settlers in their attitudes towards nature and their lifestyles.

Question 3: page 139 of Literature 6, volume 2
Read the remaining part of the letter.
a) What are the main points in this section?

b) How does the writing style and tone of this section compare to the previous two?

c) How should we interpret the phrase: "The land is the mother"?

Answer:
a) The main points in this section of the letter include:
Requesting the U.S. President to teach the white settlers to respect the land.
Requesting the U.S. President to teach the white settlers to regard the land as their mother.
Requesting the U.S. President to advise the white settlers to protect the land as they would protect themselves.
b) The writing style and tone of this section:
Similar to the previous sections: The sentences are imperative, and the tone is heartfelt and persuasive.
Different from the previous sections: The tone is stronger, and the arguments are more forceful.
The author no longer contrasts the Native Americans and white settlers, but instead emphasizes that the land is the mother. Whatever happens to the land happens to its children. Protecting the land is protecting oneself.

Question 4: page 139 of Literature 6, volume 2
The letter uses many forms of repetition (repetition of words, ideas, and sentence structures). Create a table listing some or all of these elements and explain how they help express the ideas and emotions in the letter.

Answer:
Repetition:
- Repetition of words: land, I know, water, Native Americans, white settlers... - Increases emotional impact
- Repetition of sentence structure: If we sell... you must...
You must teach...
You must protect...
You must know...
You must preserve...
Emphasizes the argument, reinforcing the main idea
- Repetition of contrast
- Repetition of the contrast between the Native Americans and the white settlers: highlights the differences in their lifestyles and attitudes towards nature.

Question 5: page 139 of Literature 6, volume 2
Why is a letter about land sales from more than a century and a half ago still considered one of the best works on nature and the environment?

Answer:
A letter about land sales from over a century ago is still regarded as one of the best works on nature and the environment because:
The author writes with deep love and respect for the land as the Native Americans view it.
Drawing from their close relationship with nature, the author emphasizes the importance of land, water, air, and animals to humanity.
Most importantly, the Red Chief leader underscores the human responsibility to protect and preserve the environment and nature.

Additional Section
Question 1: The value of content and artistry in "The Letter of the Red Chief"
Answer:
1. Content value
"The Letter of the Red Chief" expresses the sacred connection that the Native Americans feel towards their land, and the struggles they face when forced to sell it. Chief Seattle emphasizes a universally urgent issue: Nature and land are invaluable and sacred resources for every person and every nation, and we must live in harmony with nature, protect the environment as we protect our own lives.
The work also deepens our understanding of the Red Chief's profound love and connection to his homeland, his pride in the simple yet beautiful qualities of the land.
2. Artistic value
The tone varies from gentle and persuasive to strong and forceful.
The author skillfully uses metaphors, personification, repetition, and contrast to make a powerful argument.
The reasoning is logical, coherent, and highly persuasive.

I. Structure The letter from the Native American chief

The work is divided into 3 parts:

– Part 1 (from the beginning to “our ancestors”): The sacred memories of the Native Americans.

– Part 2 (up to “all things are interconnected”): The Native Americans’ worries about the destruction of land and environment by the white settlers.

– Part 3 (the remaining portion): The Native Americans’ proposals for protecting the environment and land.

This is also an answer to the question: "How can the letter be divided, and what is the main content of each section?" which many students can refer to while preparing before class.

II. Study guide

Question 1. Read the opening part of the letter: from "To my people" to "the voice of our ancestors".

a) Identify the similes and personifications used.

b) Explain the effect of these similes and personifications, especially in highlighting the relationship between Native Americans and the "Land", and nature.

Answer

a) In the opening part of the letter, the Native American chief uses several personifications:

– The land is described as the mother of the Native Americans.

– The fragrant flowers are like sisters and brothers.

– The Native Americans, rocks, puddles, and the horse “are all part of one family”.

Similes are often used as well:

– The shimmering water flowing smoothly under rivers and streams is like the blood of their ancestors.

– The whispering sound of the water is the voice of their forefathers.

b) Effect of similes and personifications:

– They emphasize the close bond between humans, presented as siblings, family members, and children to a mother.

– The ancestors of the Native Americans live on in nature, in the rivers, the sounds of insects, and flowing waters.

Question 2. Read the middle part of the letter: from “I know that the white men do not understand how we live” to “All things on Earth are interconnected.”

a) What differences and oppositions in the “lifestyle” and attitudes toward the “Land” and nature are presented between the Native Americans and the “white men”?

b) What artistic devices has the author used to highlight these differences and oppositions and to express their feelings and emotions?

(Suggestions: use of similes, personification, repetition, contrast; sentence types; word choice, etc.)

Answer

a) The differences between the Native Americans and white men are expressed in their attitudes toward the land:

– The white men:

+ Are indifferent to the land, seeing it as an enemy.

+ Treat the land as something to be bought, taken, or sold like any other commodity.

+ Only extract what they need, leaving behind barren wastelands.

– The Native Americans:

+ Hold the land in high regard, seeing it as their mother, a part of their very being.

The differences also manifest in their way of life:

– The white men:

+ Live in noisy industrialized settings, indifferent to the air.

+ Do not appreciate “the breezes rich with the fragrance of wildflowers”.

+ Do not respect wildlife.

b) The author uses many artistic techniques to express their emotions:

– Contrast:

sibling › ‹ enemy

quiet › ‹ noisy

familiar › ‹ alien

– Repetition: I know… I know… I really do not understand… I have witnessed… You must remember… You must protect… You must teach.

– Contrasting comparisons between the Native Americans and the white men in their attitude toward nature and way of life.

Question 3. Read the remaining part of the letter.

a) What are the main points of this section?

b) How does the writing style and tone of this section compare to the previous ones?

c) How should we understand the statement: The land is Mother?

Answer

a) The main points of the final section of the letter are the Native American chief’s requests to the U.S. President:

– Teach the white men to respect the land.

– Teach them to see the land as their mother.

– Advise the white men that protecting the land is protecting themselves.

b) The writing style and tone of this section are similar to the previous parts:

– The use of repetition is more decisive and emphatic.

– There is a strong affirmation that “The land is Mother”.

c) The statement “The land is Mother” emphasizes the close and sacred bond between humans and the land:

– People must respect, nurture, and protect the land.

– The land is the source of life, offering protection and security to humans.

– This relationship guides people in treating the land with respect and care.

Question 4. The letter uses many forms of repetition (repetition of ideas, words, sentence structures). Create a table summarizing some or all of these repetitions and explain their effect on the expression of thought and emotions.

Answer

The author uses various forms of repetition:

– Repetition of words (anaphora): land, I know, river, Native Americans, white men.

– Repetition of sentence structure:

If we sell… you must…

You must teach…

You must protect…

You must know…

You must preserve…

– The repetition of contrasts between the Native Americans and the white men. This repetition emphasizes and highlights the differences in their way of life and attitudes toward nature.

Question 5. Why is a letter about land transactions from a century and a half ago still considered one of the most remarkable texts about nature and the environment?

(Suggestions: Use your understanding from the previous reading and combine it with the exercise below.)

Answer

This letter about land transactions, written over a century ago, is still considered one of the most remarkable texts because:

– The author wrote with deep love and respect for the land.

– With firsthand experience of living close to nature, the author highlights the importance of land, air, and wildlife for human survival.

– The Native American chief clearly states that humans have a responsibility to protect the environment and preserve nature.

III. Extended Questions

Question 1. What issues does the letter raise?

Answer

+ The white men’s invasion and exploitation of land in America without respecting it.

+ Humans must live in harmony with nature and take responsibility for protecting the environment.

+ All people on Earth must cherish and respect Mother Earth.

Question 2. What is the genre of the letter from the Native American chief?

Answer

The letter from the Native American chief is a text of practical literature, with the theme focused on Nature and the Environment.

Question 3. What are the artistic techniques used in the letter from the Native American chief?

Answer

The artistic techniques in the letter include:

- Contrast

- Personification

- Repetition

Question 4. What are the modes of expression used in the letter from the Native American chief?

Answer

The modes of expression used in the letter include description, expression of feelings, and narration.

Question 5. What do you think is the most important message of this letter?

Answer

"Humans have not yet learned to build a home to live in; humans are merely a single thread in that home. Whatever humans do to that home, they do to themselves."

IV. Practice Section

Choose some of the beautiful sentences from the sections of the letter above that talk about air, light, land, water, plants, and animals, and memorize them.

Answer

Some beautiful sentences about air, light, land, water, plants, and animals:

– For my people, every inch of land is sacred, every needle of pine, every beach, every dewdrop shining like jewels in the dense forest, every barren land, and the whisper of insects are sacred things…

– The shimmering waters flowing gently under rivers and streams are not just droplets of water; they are the blood of our ancestors.

– The air is truly precious to the Native Americans, for this air is shared by all, where wildlife, trees, and humans breathe together.

– I have witnessed thousands of buffaloes die slowly in the barren fields, shot by the white men whenever a train passed through.

Question 1. a) The comparative and personification images in the passage you just read:

- This land is the mother of the Native Americans. We are a part of her, and she is a part of us. The fragrant flowers are our siblings, both older and younger. The rocks, the water puddles on the meadow, the warmth of the young horse and of the people, all belong to the same family.

- The whispering sound of the clear stream will tell something about the memories of the Native Americans.

b) The above comparisons and personifications clearly depict the deep, lifelong connection between the Native Americans and nature. To them, nature has a soul, and it is nature that created them, nurturing their lives.

Question 2. a) The section between the letters clearly shows the contrast in the lifestyle and attitudes towards land and nature between the white people and the Native Americans.

- The way of life and attitude towards land and nature of the white people:

The pieces of land are all the same. They are always strangers and only know how to exploit the land (taking from the earth whatever they need). They see the land as an enemy, and once they have conquered it, they expand further. They forget their ancestors' graves and their family lines. They regard the mother earth and the sky, which they have stolen, as mere sheep and diamonds. Their greedy desires consume the land, leaving behind barren wastelands.

The white people's cities are always noisy, without the soft sounds of nature. They disregard the atmosphere needed for breathing. The white people always harm the wildlife on the lands they have taken.

- The way of life and attitude towards land and nature of the Native Americans:

The Native Americans see the land as a mother, the flowers and trees as siblings. They love the gentle, soothing sounds of nature, such as the rustling of leaves in the spring, the fluttering of insects' wings, the chirping of birds hunting for prey, the croaking of frogs at night, the wind blowing over the surface of the lake, and the sound of rain falling, infused with the scent of pine needles.

The Native Americans treasure the atmosphere filled with the fragrance of meadow flowers. They even regard the wild animals living around them as family, helping to ease their spiritual loneliness.

b) - In this passage, to highlight the differences and opposites, the author used comparisons, personifications, repetitions, oppositions, and various types of sentences: sometimes explaining the issue, sometimes describing the scenery, sometimes posing questions, sometimes making demands, and sometimes asserting a point...

- The vocabulary used is carefully selected: in many places, just a few words clearly express the essence of the issue: "this land is their enemy", "they even forget their ancestors' graves".

In many other sentences, the language expresses a clear sense of lyricism:

"We, the Native Americans, cherish the soft sounds of the winds sweeping over the surface of the lake, washed clean by the rain and soaked with the fragrance of pine trees".

Question 3. The remaining part of the letter (from "You must teach your children that" ... to the end) contains the following main ideas:

- It demands that the U.S. President teach his children to respect the land because its wealth has been built on the lives of the Native Americans.

- It demands that the U.S. President advise his children to treat the land as a mother because protecting the land and the environment is essentially protecting the lives of the people.

The style of writing in this section has the following characteristics: since it concludes the issues mentioned earlier, the sentences here are generally shorter than in the previous parts. In this section, the author still uses repetition to emphasize the idea.

"The land is a mother" should be understood as follows: humans live because of the land. The land provides shelter for humans. The land nourishes plants, animals, and these in turn sustain humans. On the surface of the earth, there are streams, rivers that provide water and aquatic resources... In short, humans live thanks to the land. The land is like the mother who gave birth to and sustains humanity.

Question 4. The repetition is used many times in the letter: repetition of ideas, repetition of words, repetition of sentence structures:

Every inch of land is sacred... every barren patch and the whisper of insects are sacred memories... of my people. The sap flowing through the trees also carries the memory of the Native Americans.

This land is the mother of the Native Americans. We are a part of her, and she is a part of us.

You must teach your children that this land is sacred, and the bright rays reflecting from the clear lake will tell something about the memories of the Native Americans.

If we sell you this land, you must remember that ...

If we sell you this land, you must protect it ...

I am a savage, I don't understand any other way of life.

I am a savage, I can't understand why ...

You must teach your children that the land beneath their feet is ...

You must tell them that the wealth of the land was built on ...

Advise them as we always teach our children: the land is Mother.

SOME REPEATED WORDS

The sky; we; sacred; whisper; memory; the land is Mother; shimmering; you must teach; sparkling; flowers are siblings; rivers are siblings; land; savage; sound; atmosphere; breath; precious; sell; buy; buffalo; humans; animals...

- The use of repeated words and repeated sentence structures beautifully conveys the deep, affectionate feelings the Native Americans have for nature and their fervent desire to protect it.

Question 5. A letter about land sale from the past century that is still considered one of the best texts on nature and the environment because:

Through this letter, the Native Americans expressed their deep respect for nature, their connection with the sky, earth, rivers, plants, and animals. They made it clear that they understood the importance of protecting nature and the environment and deeply realized that protecting nature and the environment is protecting human life.

Summary:

Through this response letter to U.S. President Franklin's request to buy land, the Native American leader, Si-at-ton, uses a persuasive tone. By employing various rhetorical devices like repetition, comparison, personification, and varied parallelism, the author raised a critical issue for all humanity: humans must live in harmony with nature and protect the environment as if protecting their own lives.

I. Overview of the work: The Letter of the Native American Chief

Trả lời câu 1 (trang 139 sgk Ngữ Văn 6 Tập 2):

Đọc đoạn đầu của Bức thư của thủ lĩnh da đỏ: từ Đổi với đồng bào tôi đến tiếng nói của cha ông chúng tôi.

a) Hãy chỉ ra những phép so sánh và nhân hoá đã được dùng.

b) Hãy nêu lên tác dụng của phép so sánh và nhân hoá đó, đặc biệt là trong viẽc làm nổi bật quan hệ giữa người da đỏ với “ Đất ”, với thiên nhiên.

Lời giải chi tiết:

a)

* Đoạn đầu của bức thư, thủ lĩnh da đỏ sử dụng những hình ảnh nhân hóa:

- Mảnh đất này là bà mẹ của người da đỏ

- Những bông hoa ngát hương là người chị, người em.

- Người da đỏ, mỏm đá, vũng nước, chú ngựa "đều cùng một gia đình".

* Các phép so sánh thường được sử dụng:

- Nước óng ánh, êm ả trôi dưới những dòng sông, con suối là máu của tổ tiên.

- Tiếng thì thầm của dòng nước chính là tiếng nói của cha ông.

b) Những phép so sánh và nhân hoá này đã cho thấy mối quan hệ mật thiết gắn bó giữa người da dỏ với Đất, với thiên nhiên. Họ coi thiên nhiên như máu thịt, như thành viên trong gia đình vì thế, đó là những gì thiêng liêng trong tình yêu của con người đối với nơi mình sinh sống.

Trả lời câu 2 (trang 139 sgk Ngữ Văn 6 Tập 2):

Đọc đoạn giữa của bức thư: từ Tôi biết người da trắng không hiểu cách sống đến Mọi vật trên đòi đều có sự ràng buộc.

a) Đoạn văn đã nói lên sự khác biệt, sự đối lập trong cách sống, trong thái độ đối vói Đất, đối với thiên nhiên giữa người da đỏ và người da trắng trên những vấn đề gì?

b) Tác giả đã dùng những biện pháp nghệ thuật nào để nêu bật sự khác biệt, sự đối lập ấy và để thể hiện thái độ, tình cảm của mình?

Lời giải chi tiết:

a) Sự đối lập thể hiện ở những vấn đề sau:

Người da đỏ

Người da trắng

- Mỗi tấc đất là là thiêng liêng trong kí ức và kinh nghiệm.

- Đất là bà mẹ.

- Chúng tôi không thể nào quên được mảnh đất tươi đẹp này.

- Không khí quả là quý giá đối với người da đỏ.

- Ngọn gió mang lại hơi thở đầu tiên của cha ông chúng tôi và cũng là hơi thở cuối cùng của họ.

- Mảnh đất này là kẻ thù của họ và khi họ đã chinh phục được thì họ sẽ lấn tới.

- Họ đối xử với mẹ đất và anh em bầu trời như những vật mua được, tước đoạt được rồi bán đi.

- Họ sẽ ngấu nghiến đất đai, rồi để lại đằng sau những bãi hoang mạc.

- Người da trắng chẳng để ý gì đến bầu không khí, muông thú, cây cối.

- Xoá bỏ cuộc sống yên tĩnh, thanh khiết, hoà đồng với thiên nhiên để thay thế bằng cuộc sống thị thành ầm ĩ, ồn ào.

b) Để làm nổi bật những nội dung ấy, tác giả đã sử dụng một số thủ pháp nghệ thuật phù hợp:

- Phép đối lập (người anh em / kẻ thù; mẹ đất, anh em bầu trời / vật mua được, tước đoạt được; yên tĩnh / ồn ào...).

- Điệp ngữ kết hợp với phép đối lập (Tôi biết, cách sống của chúng tôi khác với cách sống của ngài; Tôi thật không hiểu nổi; Tôi không hiểu bất cứ một cách sống nào khác; Nếu chúng tôi... Ngài phải...)

- Sự so sánh tương phản, giữa người da trắng và người da đỏ về thái độ thiên nhiên về cách sống.

Trả lời câu 3 (trang 140 sgk Ngữ Văn 6 Tập 2):

Đọc phần cuối của bức thư.

a) Nêu các ý chính của đoạn này.

b) Cách hành văn, giọng điệu của đoạn này có gì giống, có gì khác với hai đoạn trên?

c) Nên hiểu thế nào về câu: Đất là Mẹ.

Lời giải chi tiết:

a, Ý chính của đoạn còn lại của bức thư, yêu cầu tổng thống Mỹ:

- Dạy người da trắng kính trọng đất đai.

- Dạy người da trắng coi đất là mẹ.

- Khuyên người da trắng bảo vệ đất đai là bảo vệ chính mình.

b, Cách hành văn và giọng điệu của đoạn này cũng giống như các đoạn trước:

- Sử dụng điệp ngữ, dứt khoát và mạnh mẽ hơn.

- Khẳng định chắc chắn rằng "Đất là Mẹ".

c, Đất là Mẹ nhấn mạnh quan hệ mật thiết gắn bó của người với đất:

- Những con người phải có nghĩa vụ kính trọng, chăm sóc, bảo vệ Đất.

- Có ý nghĩa đất là nguồn sống, là sự chở che, bảo vệ con người.

- Sự gắn bó này giúp cho con người có thái độ cư xử đúng đắn với đất đai.

Trả lời câu 4 (trang 140 sgk Ngữ Văn 6 Tập 2):

Bức thư đã sử dụng rất nhiều yếu tố của phép lặp. Hãy lập bảng thống kê một số hoặc toàn bộ những yếu tố lặp ấy và chỉ ra tác dụng biểu hiện tư tưởng tình cảm của chúng.

Lời giải chi tiết:

Một số yếu tố lặp (trùng điệp):

- Kí ức, thiêng liêng, người anh em, mẹ, hoang dã, người da đỏ, người da trắng...

- Nếu chúng tôi bán ... ngài phải ...

- Lặp lại sự đối lập giữa người da đỏ và da trắng. Sự lặp lại tăng hiệu quả nhấn mạnh, làm nổi bật sự khác biệt trong cách sống và trong thái độ với thiên nhiên.

Các yếu tố trên có tác dụng:

- Làm rõ tình cảm gắn bó sâu nặng, thiêng liêng với đất nước, quê hương.

- Phê phán, châm biếm lối sống và thái độ, tình cảm của người da trắng đối với tự nhiên, đất đai, môi trường.

- Thái độ kiên quyết, cứng rắn, tạo đà cho lập luận.

- Hơi văn nhịp nhàng, lôi cuốn thêm khí thế.

Trả lời câu 5 (trang 140 sgk Ngữ Văn 6 Tập 2):

Hãy giải thích vì sao một bức thư nói về chuyện mua bán đất đai cách đây một thế kỉ rưỡi nay vẫn được nhiều người xem là một trong những văn bản hay nhất nói về thiên nhiên và môi trường?

Lời giải chi tiết:

Bức thư nói về chuyện mua bán đất đai cách đây hơn một thế kỉ được coi là văn bản hay nhất, bởi:

- Tác giả đã viết với tất cả các tình yêu mến, kính trọng đất đai của người da đỏ.

- Bằng kinh nghiệm sống gần gũi với thiên nhiên, đã chỉ ra tầm quan trọng của đất nước, không khí, muôn thú đối với con người.

- Đặc biệt là thủ lĩnh da đỏ đã nêu lên trách nhiệm của con người phải bảo vệ, giữ gìn môi trường sống, bảo vệ thiên nhiên.

Luyện tập

Một số câu hay nói về không khí, ánh sáng, đất, nước, thực vật, thú vật :

- Đối với đồng bào tôi, mỗi tấc đất là thiêng liêng, mỗi lá thông óng ánh, mỗi bờ cát, mỗi hạt sương long lanh trong những cánh rừng rậm rạp, mỗi bãi đất hoang và tiếng thì thầm của côn trùng là những điều thiêng liêng ...

- Dòng nước óng ánh, êm ả trôi dưới những dòng sông, con suối đâu chỉ là những giọt nước, mà còn là máu của tổ tiên chúng tôi.

- Không khí quả là quý giá đối với người da đỏ, bởi lẽ bầu không khí này là của chung, muông thú, cây cối và con người cùng nhau hít thở.

- Tôi đã chứng kiến cả ngàn con trâu rừng bị chết dần chết mòn trên những cánh đồng trơ trọi vì bị người da trắng bắn mỗi khi có đoàn tàu chạy qua.

Bố cục

Bố cục: 3 đoạn

- Đoạn 1 (Từ đầu … đến "cha ông chúng tôi"): Những điều thiêng liêng trong kí ức người da đỏ.

- Đoạn 2 (Tiếp theo … đến "Đều có sự ràng buộc"): Những lo âu của người da đỏ về đất đai môi trường sẽ bị tàn phá bởi người da trắng.

- Đoạn 3 (Còn lại): Kiến nghị của người da đỏ về việc bảo vệ môi trường, đất đai.

Nội dung chính

Bức thư của thủ lĩnh da đỏ đã đặt ra được một vấn đề bức xúc, có ý nghĩa to lớn đối với toàn nhân loại: Con người phải sống hòa hợp với thiên nhiên, phải chăm lo bảo vệ môi trường và thiên nhiên như bảo vệ mạng sống của mình.

I. Author and Work

1. Author (please refer to the textbook, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 2)

2. The Work

* Origin: In 1854, the 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, expressed a desire to purchase land from the Native American tribes. The chief of the Sioux tribe, Siatón, responded with this letter. This letter became widely known as one of the finest writings on nature and the environment.

* Summary

The land, along with everything connected to it—the sky, air, water, animals, and plants—is sacred to the Native Americans, as it is their mother. It is not something to be sold easily. The way white settlers treat the land stands in stark contrast to the Native Americans' views. If the Native Americans are forced to sell their land, the white settlers must treat the land as the Native Americans do. 'The land is the mother' of humanity, and whatever happens to the land also happens to its children. Therefore, we must cherish the land.

* Structure: The text can be divided into three sections:

Section 1: from the beginning => “Our ancestors”: The sacred things in the memories of Native Americans.
Section 2: continuing => “Everything is interconnected”: The concerns of the Native Americans about the land and environment being destroyed by the white settlers.
Section 3: the rest: The Native Americans' appeal for the protection of the environment and land.

II. Study Guide

Question 1:

a) In the opening section of the letter, the personification and comparisons used are:

* Comparison:

The whispering of the water is the voice of our ancestors.
The shimmering, gentle flow of rivers and streams is the blood of our forebears.

* Personification:

This land is the mother of the Native Americans.
The fragrant flower is the sister or the sibling.
The Native Americans, the rocks, the puddles, and the horses all “belong to the same family.”

b) The effect of these comparisons and personifications: They illustrate the deep connection between the Native Americans and the land, nature, and all living things. They view nature as part of their flesh and blood, as family members. This reveals the sacredness with which they regard their homeland.

Question 2:

The section from “I know the white man does not understand our way of life” to “Everything in life is interconnected”:

a) This passage highlights the differences and contrasts in the “way of life” and attitudes toward “the land” and nature between the Native Americans and the white settlers on the following issues:

* The Native Americans:

Every inch of land is sacred in their memory and experience.
The land is their mother.
They can never forget this beautiful land.
The air is precious to the Native Americans.
The winds carry the first breath of our ancestors and also their last breath.

* The white settlers:

This land is their enemy, and once they conquer it, they will expand further.
They treat Mother Earth, the sky, and the earth's siblings as things to be acquired, bought, and sold.
They will ravage the land, leaving barren wastelands behind.
They pay no attention to the air, the animals, or the trees.
They erase peaceful, harmonious lives, replacing them with noisy, polluted urban environments.

b) To emphasize the contrast and express their own attitudes and feelings, the author employs artistic techniques such as opposition, comparison, and personification. These literary devices show the intimate, familial bond between the land and people, portraying the land as a family member—like siblings and children, with the ancestors of the Native Americans still alive in nature, in the rivers, and in the sounds of insects and flowing water.

Question 3:

a) The main point of the final section of the letter:

The Native Americans demand that President Pierce teach the white settlers to respect the land.
They ask the president to teach the white settlers to view the land as a mother.
They urge the president to tell the white settlers that protecting the land is protecting themselves.

b) The tone and style of the final section are similar to the previous parts, using repetition but with more determination and strength. In this section, the author does not compare the white settlers and the Native Americans or pose hypothetical questions like in the previous sections. Instead, the author firmly asserts that the land is a mother, and whatever happens to the land happens to its children. To protect the land is to protect oneself.

Question 4:

The letter uses many elements of repetition:

Repetition of words: land, I know, river, Native Americans, white settlers,...
Repetition of sentence structures: If we sell… you must…; You must teach…; You must tell…; You must know…; You must preserve…
The effect of these repetitions:

They emphasize the deep, sacred connection the Native Americans have with their land and homeland.
They criticize and satirize the white settlers' attitudes and behavior towards nature, the land, and the environment.
They create a decisive, firm attitude that strengthens the argument.
The rhythmic quality of the writing makes it more engaging and energizing.

Question 5:

This letter, written about a land sale over a century and a half ago, is still regarded as one of the finest texts on nature and the environment. The author wrote this letter with love and respect for the land, as well as for the Native Americans' connection to it. With their close relationship with nature, the author highlights the importance of the land, water, air, and animals to human life. Furthermore, the author stresses humanity's responsibility to protect and preserve the environment and to contribute to the preservation of nature.