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1. Anh Thơ's 'Chiều xuân' Analysis No. 4
I - ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER
1. Anh Thơ (1921 - 2005), born as Vương Kiều Ân, was from Ninh Giang, Hải Dương Province. Raised in a modest civil servant family with roots in Bắc Giang, Anh Thơ started her education at seven but stopped at twelve. Her childhood was deeply connected to rural life. A lover of literature from a young age, Anh Thơ turned to poetry as a way to escape the dullness of life and assert the value of women during a vibrant period of modern Vietnamese poetry.
She participated in the resistance against French colonialism and served as a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association (1st and 2nd Congresses).
2. Anh Thơ's works are closely related to rural Vietnam, often depicting charming, simple landscapes. Hoài Thanh once said of her: 'Whenever Anh Thơ steps outside the narrow confines to observe the world more deeply, her poetry becomes unexpectedly expansive, and we feel a sense of delight. After the poem, we faintly sense something: perhaps the soul of the poet.' (Vietnamese Poets).
The poem 'Chiều xuân' is from her first collection 'Bức tranh quê' (1941).
II - READING AND INTERPRETATION GUIDELINES
Question 1:
The spring scene initially appears through the image of misty rain, a familiar symbol of spring. The calm and gentle atmosphere features a lazy boat, a still straw hut, and falling branches. The gentle rhythm of nature seems to align with the earth and sky, with everything seemingly resting, waiting to awaken. As the poem progresses, more vibrant movements appear: black birds swooping down, butterflies fluttering, and cows grazing leisurely. The scene shifts from a tranquil stillness to a more energetic, vibrant spring. As time progresses, the pace quickens, especially in the final verses, where the space still holds the same color but now moves more rapidly, with the sight of storks flying by. A young woman in a bright red dress emerges, symbolizing the vitality and joy that spring brings to the village. The landscape transitions, growing more dynamic, full of life, as if a new day has begun, with spring heralding a fresh vitality for all things.
Question 2:The movement of the atmosphere mirrors the lively change of the surroundings, progressing from stillness to bustle, full of life. The poet skillfully uses onomatopoeic words to emphasize the essence of the scene, combined with familiar rural imagery to create a sense of simplicity and intimacy in the poem.
Question 3:The poem uses a variety of onomatopoeic expressions like 'im lìm', 'tơi bời', 'vu vơ', 'rập rờn', and 'thong thả'. These vivid descriptions help evoke the sensory experience of rural Vietnam, painting a lively, realistic picture of a spring afternoon.
2. Analysis of 'Chiều xuân' by Anh Thơ - Lesson 5
General Information about the Author and the Work
1. The Author
- Anh Thơ (1921-2005), born Vương Kiều Ân, hails from Ninh Giang, Hải Dương. Raised in a small civil servant family, her roots are in Bắc Giang.
- In her childhood, Anh Thơ was closely tied to the rural landscape of her homeland.
- Having an innate love for literature, Anh Thơ was influenced by her maternal family (her grandfather, Phó bảng Kiều Oánh Mậu). She found solace in poetry during a time when the New Poetry movement was gaining momentum, aiming to express both personal freedom and the value of women in society.
- From 1937, Anh Thơ’s poems were featured in magazines like Đông Phương, Tiểu Thuyết Thứ Năm, Ngày Nay, and Phụ Nữ. She was awarded the Encouragement Prize from the Tự Lực Văn Đoàn in 1939 and participated in the resistance against French colonialism. She served as a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association's Executive Committee (Terms I and II).
- Anh Thơ is best known for her poetry about rural landscapes, evoking the atmosphere and rhythm of rural Northern Vietnam. She received the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Art in 2007.
- Major Works: Bức Tranh Quê (Poetry - 1941), Kể Chuyện Vũ Lăng (Poetry Novel - 1957), Từ Bến Sông Thương (Memoir - 1986), Tuyển Tập Anh Thơ (1986).
2. The Poem
- 'Chiều xuân' is extracted from Anh Thơ’s debut poetry collection, Bức Tranh Quê.
- The main theme: Celebrates the beauty of spring in Northern Vietnam while expressing the author’s deep love for her homeland.
- The poem is divided into three sections:
+ Part 1 (Stanza 1): The scene of spring on a deserted riverbank.
+ Part 2 (Stanza 2): Spring on the embankment path.
+ Part 3 (Stanza 3): Spring in the rice paddies.
Suggested Responses
Question 1 - Page 52 in the Textbook
How does Anh Thơ depict the 'Chiều xuân' scene in her poem? What are the unique features of this scene?
Answer:
The poem portrays a spring evening scene, representing the tranquility of rural Northern Vietnam. The description isn't overly detailed but captures the essence of the moment. The evening’s calmness is underscored by the quiet river, the boat lying lazily in the water, and the sparse falling rain, which gently stirs the environment. The simplicity of the scene emphasizes a quietude almost eerily serene.
The first image is of a boat on a river, reflecting the stillness of the moment. The second scene widens to show a quiet village, with flowers blooming and animals meandering. The third section zooms in on the stillness of the rural life: cows grazing in the rain, and a girl in a red scarf laboring gently on the fields.
Question 2 - Page 52 in the Textbook
What is your impression of the atmosphere and pace of rural life in the poem? How does the poet convey this mood using language and literary techniques?
Answer:
The poem captures the calmness of rural life, where the pace is slow and peaceful. The imagery of the boat drifting lazily, the empty market, and the butterflies fluttering around give the poem a sense of serenity. The use of gentle verbs like 'lying', 'wandering', and 'grazing' conjures a tranquil landscape. The absence of human presence until the final verses adds to the sense of a static, yet beautiful, rural environment.
Question 3 - Page 52 in the Textbook
List the reduplicative words in the poem and analyze their artistic significance.
Answer:
The poem makes extensive use of reduplicative words to enhance the description, such as 'êm êm' (gently), 'vu vơ' (aimlessly), 'rập rờn' (fluttering), and 'thong thả' (leisurely). These words convey a sense of tranquility and stillness, reflecting the slow, serene pace of rural life. In the context of the poem, these reduplicative words emphasize the calmness of the spring evening and the overall peaceful atmosphere of rural Northern Vietnam.
3. Analysis of 'Chiều xuân' by Anh Thơ - Lesson 6
I. Author
1. Biography - Life
- Anh Tho (1921 - 2005).
- Born as Vuong Kieu An, pen name Tuyet Anh.
- Origin: Hai Duong province, from a small government official family, with a Confucian background.
- The poet did not complete primary school but was passionate about reading and literature.
- Living in a dull, heavily influenced Confucian family atmosphere, she turned to poetry for self-liberation and affirmation, as many youth did at the time.
- In August 1945, she enthusiastically joined the revolutionary movement and the nation's reconstruction through poetry, serving as a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association.
2. Literary Career
a. Major Works
- Novel "Rang Den", poetry "Buc Tranh Que".
- After the August Revolution: Kể Chuyện Vu Lang, Theo Canh Chim Cau, Dao Ngoc, Hoa Dua Trang, Que Chong.
b. Artistic Style
- Poetry tends to describe simple, familiar scenes: bamboo groves, ferries, riverbanks, with vivid, delicate depictions full of affection for the countryside, tinged with the sadness of New Poetry.
II. The Work
1. Origin - Context of Creation
- Extracted from the collection "Buc Tranh Que", Anh Tho's debut poetry collection.
2. Structure: 3 Parts
- Stanza 1: A spring evening scene on a desolate riverbank.
- Stanza 2: A spring evening scene along a dike.
- Stanza 3: A spring evening scene in the fields.
3. Thematic Value
- The simple, serene beauty of a northern rural spring evening.
- A deep and sincere love for the countryside and the nation.
4. Artistic Value
- Rich, expressive language, with frequent use of reduplicative words.
- The technique of using movement to describe stillness.
Some Thoughts on the Author and the Work
Poet Vu Quan Phuong wrote: "When she arrived, the New Poetry movement had stabilized with its key figures, yet she still made her own unique contributions: painting pictures of rural Northern Vietnam. Along with Nguyen Binh, Doan Van Cu, Bang Ba Lan... Anh Tho enriched the love for our homeland among the Vietnamese people".
III. Answering the Questions
Question 2. How do you perceive the atmosphere and pace of rural life in this poem? How is this atmosphere conveyed through imagery and artistic techniques? Anh Tho’s poetic gift lies in capturing things that the average person doesn’t notice. She describes an old fortune-teller with the line: His cane steps sound like those of a dream. And she describes a morning mist with these words: It rises like a dream that has just awakened. What’s remarkable about Anh Tho is her ability to find inspiration from the simple, everyday scenes around her. She doesn’t romanticize them but still finds beauty in the ordinary. The last part of the poem "Spring Evening" depicts a common rural scene: the task of gathering grass on the fields. The poem would have been plain if it weren’t for a surprise element: a woman in a red ao yem, startled by a flock of birds flying out of the rice field: In the green, wet rice field, The young storks flit and soar, Startling a woman in a red ao yem As she bends to gather grass in the soon-to-bloom field. Compared to the opening lines, the scene here is more dynamic, with people working the land, adding warmth to the everyday life. The poem captures the simple beauty of rural life, balancing between the ordinary and the unexpected.
Question 3. Identify the reduplicative words in the poem and analyze their significance? The reduplicative words in the poem include: gentle, still, aimlessly, fluttering, occasionally. These words contribute to the rhythm of the poem. The poet does not only observe with her eyes but lives with the spirit of the scenery, which brings the poem’s soul to life. Reading "Buc Tranh Que", one should not expect profound philosophical insights, as Anh Tho is not known for addressing grand themes. Instead, she writes about the things she sees around her, revealing her keen observational skills and her heartfelt affection for rural Vietnam.
4. The Analysis of Anh Tho's Poem "Spring Afternoon" - Part 1
I. About the Author and the Poem
1. The Author
- Anh Tho (1921 – 2005), born as Vuong Kieu An, was from Ninh Giang town, Hai Duong province. She came from a modest civil servant family and her roots are in Bac Giang town, Bac Giang province.
- Anh Tho was renowned for her vivid portrayals of rural landscapes, capturing the atmosphere and rhythms of life in northern Vietnam. She is considered a leading female poet of modern Vietnamese literature.
- Major Works: "Buc Tranh Que" (Poetry – 1941), "Ke Chuyen Vu Lang" (Poem Novel – 1957), "Tu Ben Song Thuong" (Memoir – 1986), and "Tuyen Tap Anh Tho" (1986).
2. The Poem
The poem "Spring Afternoon" is extracted from Anh Tho's debut poetry collection "Buc Tranh Que".
Structure: 3 sections:
- Part 1 (Stanza 1): A Spring Afternoon at a Quiet Wharf
- Part 2 (Stanza 2): A Spring Afternoon on the Dike Road
- Part 3 (Stanza 3): A Spring Afternoon in the Rice Fields
II. Further Reading Guide
Question 1 (Page 52, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):
The Spring Afternoon scene unfolds as:
- Stanza 1: A quiet, peaceful, almost melancholic Spring afternoon, with scenes of laziness: a sluggish boat, flowing river, a deserted hut, and falling purple cassia flowers.
- Stanza 2: A lively, gentle scene with cattle grazing, butterflies fluttering. The poem becomes vivid and dreamlike, with a sense of new discovery and wonder from the poet.
- Stanza 3: A peaceful, serene scene. Notably, the presence of humans in this stanza adds life to the setting, making it feel less deserted. The poem captures the warmth of daily life:
+ The lush rice fields.
+ The occasional flight of young storks.
+ The startled young woman in a red dress.
→ The poet uses movement to depict stillness.
=> The three stanzas beautifully paint a Spring afternoon in rural Northern Vietnam, creating an enchanting and poetic image with a subtle touch of wistfulness.
Question 2 (Page 52, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):
The tranquil rural atmosphere and the peaceful rhythm of life are expressed as:
- Words with strong visual imagery: serene, sluggish, silent, random, fluttering, leisurely, occasionally.
- Nouns representing objects: rain, boat, hut, cassia flowers, cattle, young storks.
Question 3 (Page 52, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):
- Reduplicated words used in the poem: gentle, silent, scattered, random, fluttering, leisurely.
- Effects:
+ These reduplicated words typically soften the mood (except for the term 'scattered').
+ They describe passive or steady states of the subjects.
5. Analysis of Anh Tho's Poem "Spring Afternoon" - Part 2
Structure: 3 parts
- Part 1 (Stanza 1): A quiet spring scene by the wharf
- Part 2 (Stanza 2): Spring along the dike road
- Part 3 (Stanza 3): Springtime in the rice fields
Question 1 (Page 52, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):
The poem "Spring Afternoon" by Anh Tho portrays an afternoon scene, capturing the essence of spring in rural Northern Vietnam.
- The poem shows a sharp, wide-ranging observation of nature.
- The tranquil evening scene is peaceful, yet slightly silent.
→ Capturing the soul of the scene.
- The defining feature of a spring afternoon is the rain: soft, light, spring showers falling gently.
- The rain brings the new buds to life.
+ The first scene that the poet highlights is the wharf.
+ The boat seems to blend in with the tranquility of the afternoon as it "lazily floats along the river".
+ Other elements are added to the picture, such as an empty hut and purple cassia flowers "scattered everywhere".
- The scene expands, becoming grander and more distant.
- The essence of northern spring is highlighted: fresh green grass, black birds, and fluttering butterflies.
The second stanza presents unique, beautiful images, but with a tinge of sadness, as the scene descends into stillness.
- All three stanzas come together to create a simple, rustic, elegant, and slightly melancholic rural scene.
Question 2 (Page 52, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):
The poem not only describes the scene but also evokes the rhythm and atmosphere of life in rural Vietnam, conveying a sense of peace:
+ The boat drifts lazily, the hut is empty, the butterflies flutter, and the cattle graze slowly.
+ The last two lines introduce the presence of a person.
- A moment of labor is captured in the poem.
+ A young village girl works diligently in the calm afternoon.
+ The poem describes movement, but it is meant to convey stillness.
+ The stillness emphasizes the peaceful rhythm of life in an untouched rural area.
Question 3 (Page 52, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):
The poet uses many reduplicated words to build the scene and convey its essence:
+ The gentle rain, the still hut.
+ The purple cassia flowers falling everywhere.
+ The black birds wandering aimlessly.
+ A few butterflies fluttering around.
+ The cattle grazing slowly.
- These reduplicated words add a soft, calming quality: gentle, aimless, fluttering, leisurely...
+ They depict a passive or consistent state of the subjects.
+ The use of reduplicated words highlights the gentle, serene beauty of the spring afternoon, as well as the leisurely pace of life in the countryside.
6. Analysis of Anh Tho's Poem "Spring Afternoon" - Part 3
Question 1 (Page 52 of Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2)
- The painting of a countryside scene is simple, serene, and peaceful, featuring familiar and poetic elements like light rain, a boat, a river, a straw hut, pink flowers, a dike, a flock of birds, cattle, and rice fields…
- The painting is tranquil, elegant, vibrant yet melancholic:
+ The objects are described in a gentle and leisurely manner: the rain falls softly, the birds flutter aimlessly, the butterfly flutters, the cattle graze at ease.
+ The atmosphere is quiet and reflective: the hut stands still, the rice fields are wet and calm, the cattle leisurely graze in the rain…
+ The colors are bright and full of life: the purple of the flowers, the black of the birds, the vivid colors of the butterflies, the green of the rice fields, the red of the woman’s scarf.
+ The painting has many unique highlights: the soft rain, the cattle grazing in the rain; the woman in a red scarf, startled by a flock of birds.
=> The uniqueness of the painting lies in how the author masterfully captures the essence of the northern countryside in spring, with distinctive and unmistakable beauty.
Question 2 (Page 52 of Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2)
- The dreamy, peaceful, and quiet atmosphere is reflected through:
+ The rustic, harmonious, and gentle imagery within the tranquil countryside scene.
+ The use of evocative and descriptive language: effective personification (the lazy boat, the still hut…), and unique expressions (grazing in the rain, green grass that overflows…).
+ The artistic style that contrasts movement with stillness: the girl’s startled reaction as the birds suddenly take flight.
- The gentle, slow pace of life is shown through:
+ The use of onomatopoeic words that describe the soft, calm state of the elements.
+ Nature and people are portrayed in a slow, measured rhythm, embodying tranquility.
Question 3 (Page 52 of Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2)
- List of onomatopoeic words: softly, still, scattered, aimless, fluttering, leisurely.
- The effect of these onomatopoeic words:
+ Characteristics: Most of the onomatopoeic words above contain a balanced rhyme and convey the softening of qualities and actions (except for the word scattered).
+ Effect:
> These words subtly and accurately describe the state of the objects (rain, hut, flowers, birds, butterflies, cattle), evoking a calm, steady, and serene atmosphere.
> They create vivid imagery, evoking the quiet, reflective mood and the gentle rhythm of life in the peaceful countryside of northern Vietnam.
Structure: 3 parts
- Part 1: The painting of a spring afternoon on a quiet riverbank.
- Part 2: The painting of a spring afternoon along the dike.
- Part 3: The painting of a spring afternoon in the rice fields.
Main Theme
- The simple, humble beauty of the northern countryside in spring.
- A deep and sincere love for the countryside and the nation.
