Top 6 Best Analyses of the Poem 'Autumn Feelings' by Du Fu (Literature 10) You Shouldn't Miss

Structure

- Part 1 (first 4 lines): Depiction of the bleak and desolate autumn landscape

- Part 2 (last 4 lines): The poet’s sentiment of longing for the country and empathy for the people

Content

- The poem expresses Du Fu's personal sorrow, but it is also filled with national love and concern for the people

- The art of Tang poetry is beautifully demonstrated in this work

Study Guide

Question 1 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The poem can be divided into two parts:

+ Part 1 (first 4 lines): Depicts the vast, desolate autumn landscape

+ Part 2 (last 4 lines): The poet’s feelings of nostalgia and love for his homeland

- This division exists because these two parts have a certain independence from each other

Question 2 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- Observations:

+ The first four lines describe a broad and expansive autumn scene (maple forests, distant mountains, waves, clouds covering the pass,...)

+ The next four lines narrow down the focus (chrysanthemum clusters, boat), gradually moving closer to the poet's own soul.

- This shift in spatial focus occurs because:

+ Time is closing in (the evening approaches, and the view begins to shrink).

+ This mirrors the thematic development of the poem (moving from the landscape to the poet's inner feelings)

Question 3 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The relationship between the first four lines and the last four lines: Both contribute to creating a somber and deep autumn image

+ The first four lines describe a grand autumn scene in a vast, expansive space

+ The last four lines zoom in on a detailed, emotional scene

- The relationship forms the poem’s flow, transitioning from the landscape to emotions, where the scene gives rise to the feelings and the feelings immerse into the scene

- The relationship with the title: Throughout the poem, the imagery and words reflect the poet’s emotions in response to the autumn scenery.

+ Even though the first four lines describe the autumn landscape, they carry a hint of sorrow

+ The last four lines express the poet’s inner grief and nostalgia

EXERCISE (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1)

1. When compared with the translation by Nguyễn Công Trứ, we observe the following:

- Strengths: The translation effectively captures the essence of the original poem

- Weaknesses:

+ The first line of the translation fails to convey the meaning of the term "điêu thương" – which in the original text refers to the devastation caused by frost to the maple trees.

+ The word “thẳm” in line three (of the translation) does not fully capture the original meaning, making the poem sound less resonant.

+ In line five, the translation omits the phrase “lưỡng khai,” and in line six, the word “cô” remains untranslated, which weakens the expression of the poet’s homesickness.

2. The word “lệ” (tear) in the poem can be interpreted in two ways: as the poet’s tears and as the tears of the chrysanthemums:

+ When the poet gazes at the chrysanthemums, he is overwhelmed with nostalgia, and the tears fall uncontrollably.

+ The blooming chrysanthemums symbolize departure and loss, but they also evoke memories of tears, which are not shed once, but repeatedly.

Question 1 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1)

How can the poem be divided? Why is it divided in this way? What is the content of each part?

Answer:

Structure: 2 parts

- Part 1 (first 4 lines): Describes the autumn scenery

- Part 2 (next 4 lines): The poet's emotions upon witnessing autumn in a foreign land

- The division exists because the two parts have a certain independence (the first four lines focus more on description, the next four on emotions).

Question 2 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Observe the change in perspective from the first four lines to the next four. Why does this change occur?

Answer:

- The first four lines depict a broad and expansive view of the autumn landscape (maple forests, distant mountains, waves, clouds covering the pass,...).

- The next four lines narrow the focus (chrysanthemum clusters, a boat), progressively moving closer to the poet’s own soul. This change occurs because time is winding down (evening falls, the view becomes smaller).

=> The shift aligns with the thematic movement of the poem (from scenery to emotion).

Question 3 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Identify the relationship between the first four lines and the last four, and the connection between the entire poem and the title 'Autumn Feelings'?

Answer:

The first four lines describe the autumn scenery—both desolate and bleak (the white frost devastates the maple trees; the distant mountains seem forlorn). This scenery evokes both sorrow and subtle anxiety in the poet (about the instability of the borderlands).

The autumn scene in the first part inspires the deep emotions in the following lines. The images of the chrysanthemum clusters and the boat deepen the poet’s yearning for home. The mention of tears from the flowers seems to echo the poet's own sorrow. The final two lines express the poet’s sorrow for family, but they also reflect his concern for the unrest in the country and his empathy for the soldiers stationed in distant, cold lands.

The poem begins with 'autumn,' and every line is tied to the autumn theme. However, it is hard to clearly differentiate between 'autumn of emotion' and 'autumn of scenery.' In other words, the autumn scene itself becomes the poet's autumn of the heart (autumn – feelings).

Exercise

Question 1 (page 147, Literature 12, Volume 1)

Compare Nguyễn Công Trứ's poetic translation with the transliteration and literal translation.

Answer:

Comparing Nguyễn Công Trứ's poetic translation with the transliteration and literal translation, the following observations can be made:

- Strengths: The translation effectively conveys the spirit of the original poem. It can be considered a fairly good translation.

- Weaknesses: There are some discrepancies when compared to the transliteration:

+ In the first line, the translation doesn't fully convey the meaning of the word 'điêu thương,' which in the original refers to the severe devastation caused by frost to the maple trees.

+ The word 'thẳm' in the third line of the translation is not an exact match for the original meaning. It also diminishes the poem's resonance.

+ In line 5, the translation omits the important term 'lưỡng khai,' which emphasizes repetition. Similarly, the word 'cô' in line 6 is untranslated, which affects the expression of the poet’s homesickness.

Question 2 (page 147, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Do you think the word 'lệ' (tear) in line 5 refers to the poet’s tears or the chrysanthemums’ tears?

Answer:

The line 'Tùng cúc lưỡng khai tha nhật lệ' (The chrysanthemums bloom again, shedding tears of the past) is rich with meaning and ambiguity.

- The word 'lệ' (tear) in this line is difficult to distinguish between the poet’s tears and the tears of the flowers. However, it seems reasonable to interpret it as follows: Each time the poet sees the chrysanthemums bloom, he is reminded of his homeland. His tears flow uncontrollably as a result.

- The imagery of the chrysanthemums 'blooming again' symbolizes the recurring nature of the poet's longing for home. It also evokes the deep, affectionate tears of the poet.

Question 1 (page 147 of the 10th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

Structure: 2 parts

- Part 1 (the first 4 lines): describes the autumn scenery

- Part 2 (the remaining 4 lines): conveys the poet's feelings about the autumn season on foreign land

Question 2 (page 147 of the 10th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

- In the first four lines, the poet's perspective expands, encompassing the space from the maple forests, Vu Mountain, Vu Gap, to the horizon, then the river and the earth. The scene shifts from stillness to motion.

- In the next four lines, the poet's perspective narrows, focusing on the immediate surroundings. This shift in viewpoint reflects the poet's mood. The grandeur of the autumn landscape, though beautiful, evokes sorrow, leading the poet to retreat to a smaller space, reflecting on the melancholic reality. Observing the bamboo grove and the solitary boat evokes the poet's deep loneliness.

- Explanation for this shift: The change in perspective is caused by the passage of time. As evening approaches, the human vision naturally narrows. Additionally, in line with the poem's structure, from scene to emotion, the vast space condenses into an inner, personal space.

Question 3 (page 147 of the 10th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

- The relationship between the first four lines and the last four lines is that both contribute to creating a powerful, tragic image of autumn. The first four lines describe the autumn in a broad space, while the last four focus on a more confined space. This also reflects the thematic shift in the poem, moving from scenery to emotion. The scene gives rise to feelings, and emotions deeply permeate the landscape. The poem, titled 'Autumn Mood,' encapsulates the poet's emotions in the face of autumn. The first four lines, though depicting the autumn scene, subtly convey the poet's inner melancholy, while the latter four express the poet’s sorrow, blending with the scenery, resulting in two hauntingly sorrowful images: 'The chrysanthemums shed old tears' and 'The lonely boat ties the bond to the homeland.'

- The relationship between the entire poem and its title: The poem's title, 'Autumn Mood,' perfectly captures the poet’s feelings in response to the autumn scenery. Although the first four lines describe the autumn, they subtly hint at the poet’s underlying sadness, while the last four lines convey the poet’s emotional journey, merging deeply with the autumn landscape to evoke two powerful and sorrowful images.

Practice

Question 1 (page 147 of the 10th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

- The translation by Nguyễn Công Trứ is quite faithful, showcasing his talent. However, Classical Chinese poetry, as mentioned before, often carries meanings beyond the literal words, with phrases like 'the meaning lies beyond the words,' 'the words end but the meaning doesn't,' and 'the words are written but the meaning is not.' No matter how skillful the translator is, it is challenging to fully capture the essence of the original Chinese text.

- In the first line, the translation fails to fully convey the meaning of the word 'điêu thương,' which is an adjective turned into a verb (to devastate). In the original text, it has a strong implication, referring to the harsh impact of the frost on the maple forests.

- The word 'thẳm' in line three (in the translation) does not fully capture its meaning, and it also dampens the poem’s tone.

- In line 5, the translation omits the term 'lưỡng khai,' a key phrase in the original, emphasizing repetition.

- In line 6, the word 'cô' is not translated, which makes the poet’s feeling of homesickness less apparent.

Question 2 (page 147 of the 10th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

- According to Nguyễn Công Trứ's translation, one might mistakenly think that 'lệ' refers to the tears of the chrysanthemums (this is one interpretation). However, in the original Chinese text, this line can be understood in two ways: the chrysanthemums bloom twice (the poet compares the petals to tears, so the chrysanthemums 'shed tears' twice), or it could mean that the poet sheds tears twice (having been away from home for two years).

Question 1 (Page 146, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1)

The poem can be divided into two parts:

+ Part 1 (first 4 lines): describing the desolate, gloomy autumn landscape.

+ Part 2 (last 4 lines): reflecting the poet's emotions of longing for the homeland and concern for the people.

Question 2 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1)

The first four lines depict a wide and far-reaching view:

+ White mist over the maple forest,

+ Vu mountain, Kẽm mountain with a desolate air

+ The river's heart, waves reaching the foot of the sky

+ Clouds descending to the earth

- The next four lines focus on a narrower space: the boat and the chrysanthemums bind the poet’s heart to the homeland.

+ The shifting landscape is caused by the changing time of dusk, limiting the view.

+ This change aligns with the theme of the poem, from landscape to emotion.

→ The transformation corresponds to the poet’s emotional state and the poem’s structure.

Question 3 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1)

The connection between the first and last four lines: both contribute to creating the image of an autumn landscape that is somber and profound.

+ The first four lines describe a vast, expansive autumn scene.

+ The last four lines focus on the details of autumn with emotion attached.

- The relationship between these lines reflects the movement in the poem, transitioning from landscape to emotion, with the landscape evoking emotion, and the emotions intertwining with the landscape.

The poem’s title is "Autumn Feelings", and throughout the poem, the imagery and words express the poet’s emotions in response to the autumn scenery.

+ The first four lines, though depicting autumn, carry a sense of sadness.

+ The last four lines reveal the poet’s feelings of homesickness and concern for the world.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1)

Compared with the translation by Nguyễn Công Trứ (transliteration and translation):

- Advantages: The translation captures the essence of the poem, demonstrating finesse in language use.

Disadvantages: Some discrepancies compared to the transliteration:

+ In the first line, the translator does not fully capture the meaning of "điêu thương" – this adjective has been verbalized (turning into a verb). It needs to express the destructive impact of the mist on the maple forest.

+ The word "thẳm" in line three is not fully translated and dampens the poem's tone.

+ In line five, the translation omits "lưỡng khai" – an important word in the transliteration – emphasizing repetition.

+ In line six, the word "cô" has not been translated, which fails to convey the profound loneliness of the exiled poet.

Exercise 2 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1)

The word "lệ" in the line "Tùng cúc lưỡng khai tha nhạt lệ" can be interpreted in both ways: as the poet’s tears or the tears of the "chrysanthemums":

+ Every time the poet looks at the chrysanthemums, his heart is filled with longing for his homeland, and tears fall uncontrollably.

+ The blooming chrysanthemums evoke the poet's departure, never to return, and suggest tears filled with deep affection that do not fall just once.

+ Seeing the chrysanthemums bloom makes it feel as though the flowers themselves are shedding tears.

Exercise 3 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1)

Memorize the poem by heart.

I. Guide to Writing the Lesson

Question 1 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

- Structure: 2 parts

+ The first four lines: describing the autumn scenery.

+ The last four lines: reflecting Đỗ Phủ’s emotions as he observes autumn in a foreign land.

- The division into two parts is based on the poem's specific content.

Question 2 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The shift in perspective from the first four lines to the last four lines:

+ The first four lines describe the scene in a wide and far-reaching view (maple forest, Vu mountain, rippling waves, clouds covering the horizon,…).

+ The last four lines narrow the focus to smaller elements (chrysanthemums, a boat), and then even further, sinking into the poet’s inner thoughts.

- This shift occurs because:

+ Time is closing (the evening is falling, and the view is shrinking).

+ It fits with the movement of the poem’s structure: from landscape to emotion.

Question 3 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The first four lines: a desolate, cold, harsh autumn – evoking profound sadness and the poet’s concerns.

- The last four lines: the poet’s autumn feelings, his heart heavy with homesickness.

=> This relationship aligns with the poem’s theme: from landscape to emotion, with emotion deeply embedded in the landscape.

- The title of the poem, "Autumn Feelings," reflects the melancholic, profound tone present in all of the verses.

II. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

Compare Nguyễn Công Trứ's translation with the transliteration and translation:

- Strengths: The translation conveys the essence of the poem well.

- Weaknesses: Some parts do not match the transliteration exactly.

+ In the first line, the translation does not fully capture the meaning of "điêu thương".

+ In the third line, the word "thẳm" in the translation loses its full meaning and dampens the tone of the poem.

+ In line five, the translation omits the word "lưỡng khai," which is important in the transliteration for emphasizing repetition.

+ In line six, the translation fails to capture the poet’s loneliness with the word "cô" in the transliteration.

Exercise 2 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

The word "lệ" in the line "Tùng cúc lưỡng khai tha nhạt lệ" can be understood in both ways: the poet’s tears or the tears of the "chrysanthemums":

- Every time the poet gazes at the chrysanthemums, he sheds tears, reminiscing about his homeland.

- The blooming chrysanthemums seem to cry, symbolizing the poet’s departure, and suggesting tears of affection that flow not only once but repeatedly.

Exercise 3 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

Memorize the poem.

Lesson Preparation Guide

Question 1 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The poem can be divided into two parts:

+ Part 1 (the first 4 lines): Describes the autumn scene.

+ Part 2 (the remaining 4 lines): Reflects the poet's feelings when witnessing the autumn in a foreign land.

This division is due to the distinctiveness of the two sections. The first four lines describe the scene, while the last four express the poet’s emotions. Even though this is a classical poem, it can be split into these two parts for analysis and deeper understanding.

Question 2 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

- There is a shift in perspective from the first four lines to the last four:

+ The first four lines: Present a distant view (maple forest), where the autumn scene is filled with the essence of autumn.

+ The next four lines: The perspective shifts from the distant to the near (chrysanthemum bushes, boat) and blends the real scene with the emotional landscape.

- The reason for this shift in perspective: It is caused by the passage of time. As the evening sets in, one’s view becomes more limited. Additionally, to match the progression of the poem, the vast and open space becomes more introspective and internal.

Question 3 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The relationship between the first four lines and the last four: Both parts contribute to creating a grand, poignant autumn scene. The first four lines describe a wide, expansive autumn, while the last four focus on a more intimate autumn. It reflects the movement of the poem from scenery to emotion—where the landscape gives birth to feelings, and emotions seep into the landscape.

- The connection between the entire poem and its title: The poem’s title, "Autumn Emotions", reflects the poet’s feelings about the autumn scene. Throughout the poem, both imagery and words convey the poet's sentiments about autumn. The first four lines, although describing the autumn scene, subtly hint at the poet’s melancholy, while the latter part expresses the poet’s feelings, blending with the surroundings, creating an atmosphere of sorrow and reflection.

Practice Exercises

Question 1 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

The translated poem generally conveys the spirit of the original well. It can be considered a good translation. However, there are areas where it deviates from or alters the meaning of the original text. For example, in the first line, the translation fails to capture the depth of the word "diu thương" – which is a term turned into a verb, indicating a sense of desolation. In the original, this term strongly conveys the harsh effect of frost on the maple forest. Additionally, the word "thẳm" in line three of the translation doesn’t quite match the original meaning and reduces the poem’s intended tone. In line five, the translation omits the phrase "lưỡng khai", an important term that emphasizes repetition. Similarly, in line six, the word "cô" is not translated, which diminishes the emotional expression of the poet’s homesickness.

Question 2 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1):

The term "lệ" in line five has multiple interpretations. It can refer to the tears of the chrysanthemums, but in the original Chinese text, the chrysanthemums bloom twice, symbolizing the poet's two moments of sorrow (the poet has been away from home for two years).

Question 3 (Page 147, Vietnamese Literature 10, Volume 1): Memorize the poem.