Top 6 Best Analyses of "The Stork" by Chế Lan Viên for 9th Grade

I - ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER

1. Chế Lan Viên (1920 - 1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan, was from Cam Lộ, Quảng Trị, but grew up in Bình Định. Before the revolution, he gained fame with his 1937 poetry collection 'Decay.' Later, he joined the revolution and the resistance. He is considered one of the leading figures in modern Vietnamese poetry. In 1996, he was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Art.

2. The poem 'The Stork' was written in 1962 and published in the 1967 collection 'Ordinary Flowers - Storm Warning Birds' by Chế Lan Viên.

3. By using the stork image in lullabies, Chế Lan Viên praises the love of mothers and the significance of lullabies in human life. The poem excels in creatively incorporating folk songs and includes verses that reflect deep philosophical reflections.

II - GUIDELINES FOR READING AND INTERPRETING THE TEXT

Question 1: The poem develops from the stork imagery found in lullabies. In folk songs, the stork represents nature, farmers, and the hard lives of women. Chế Lan Viên focuses on the stork as a symbol of the mother's love and the significance of lullabies.

Question 2: The poem is divided into three sections:

Section 1: The image of the stork in folk songs reaching the child through the mother's lullaby.

Section 2: The stork follows the child throughout their life journey.

Section 3: From the stork, the poem reflects on the meaning of lullabies and maternal love for every individual.

The symbolic meaning of the stork evolves: from a lullaby symbol (Section 1), the stork becomes a mother's enduring affection (Section 2) and represents the lifelong guidance and love of the mother.

Question 3: Folk songs used in the poem:

- The stork flies lightly,

Flying from the palace gates to the fields.

- The stork flies lightly,

From the palace gates to Đồng Đăng.

- The stork goes out at night,

Perching on soft branches, falling into the pond.

Oh, sir, help me out,

I have no strength, please help me out.

The poet doesn't use full folk verses but extracts key words and phrases to evoke the serene space and image of the stork flying. Similarly, the poet also takes phrases about the stork’s nighttime foraging to illustrate the hardships mothers face, drawing a creative connection to folk songs.

Question 4: No matter how big the child gets, they remain their mother's child,

For life, the mother's love follows the child.

This verse summarizes the eternal love a mother has for her child. No matter how old the child becomes, they will always be their mother's little one, needing protection and care. A mother’s love follows her child throughout their life.

One stork,

The mother’s stork song,

Is also life,

Spreading its wings over the cradle.

The mother’s song includes storks from folk songs, but the stork here rises above the usual imagery to symbolize love. The stork guides the child to school, flies through the words they write, and accompanies them through life. The stork symbolizes life’s wings over the cradle, the life of the mother, and the life of all mothers who love their children.

Question 5: The poem's form is free verse, allowing the poet to express emotional shifts freely. However, the repetition of the lullaby 'Sleep well! Sleep well!' provides a rhythmic feel, mimicking a lullaby’s melody. But unlike a traditional lullaby, these words evoke contemplation and philosophy, not a simple lullaby melody, directing the mind towards reflection and insight. This makes the expression of emotions diverse, consistent, and creative.

I. A Brief Introduction to the Author
- Chế Lan Viên (1920-1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan
- Hometown: Cam Lộ, Quảng Trị province, though he grew up in Bình Định
- Career Highlights:
+ Before the August Revolution, he gained fame with the New Poetry movement and the poetry collection "Dying" (1937)
+ With over 50 years of creative work, he made significant contributions through various widely-recognized poetry collections, establishing himself as one of the most prominent poets of 20th-century modern Vietnamese literature.
+ In 1996, he was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts.
- Creative Style: He is considered a poet with a distinctive style, combining intellectual beauty, philosophical insights, and an innovative use of imagery in his works.

II. The Work
1. Context of Creation
- The poem "The Stork" was written in 1962 and published in the collection "Everyday Flowers – Storm-Telling Birds" by Chế Lan Viên.
2. Structure: 3 Parts
Stanza 1: The image of the stork in the lullaby represents the hard life of the mother.
- Stanza 2: The stork symbolizes the child’s subconscious and stays with them throughout their life.
- Stanza 3: The lullaby’s meaning, with the stork representing a mother’s love and devotion.
3. Content Value
- The poem explores the stork imagery in the lullaby, celebrating maternal love and the significance of lullabies in every person’s life.
4. Artistic Value
- The poem’s success lies in its free verse form, where many lines reflect the 8-syllable meter, allowing for flexible emotional expression and a philosophical, reflective tone, creatively incorporating folk songs.

Question 1. The stork is a common symbol in Vietnamese folk songs, especially lullabies. Write down some verses with the stork image and explain its symbolic meaning in traditional folk songs.

Answer:

Find and select folk songs to write down verses that feature the stork. For example:

- The stork swims along the riverbank
Carrying rice, crying softly for her husband.
She returns to care for the child
While he goes to work in the Cao Bằng mountains.

- The stork goes to greet the rain
In the darkness, who will guide the stork home?

In general, the stork image in folk songs represents women, symbolizing both the hardships of life and their admirable qualities (hardworking, self-sacrificing, honest, and pure).

Question 2. The stork image is central throughout the poem, evolving in meaning across the three stanzas. Describe the transformation of the stork's symbolism in the poem.

Answer:

The emotional and intellectual progression in this lyrical poem is tied to the evolving symbolism of the stork. In the first stanza, the stork is introduced in a lullaby, bringing the child’s subconscious into the image of the stork. In the second stanza, the stork becomes an inseparable symbol from childhood to adulthood, representing a mother’s influence throughout life. In the third stanza, the stork becomes a symbol of maternal love and guidance, consistently nurturing and supporting the child through life’s journey.

Question 3. Write a paragraph expressing your understanding and feelings about the following lines:

Whether near or far,
Whether in the forest or at sea,
The stork will always find you,
The stork will always love you.
You, though grown, will always be your mother’s child,
Throughout life, your mother’s heart will follow you.

Answer:

In the first five lines, the stork’s journey reflects the constant presence of a mother’s love, whether near or far, through all stages of life. The poet then reflects on a fundamental truth about maternal love: no matter how far a child goes, the mother’s love remains constant and unchanging. My response to these lines is heartfelt and personal, conveying my own feelings of the enduring bond between mother and child, which transcends time and distance.

Question 4. Why does the author write:

A single stork
The stork sings
Also represents a lifetime
Spreading its wings over the cradle.

What symbolic meaning does the stork in these lines represent?

Answer:

In these four lines, the stork image expands in symbolism. Previously, the stork symbolized maternal love, but here it also represents life itself. The stork’s wings, in the lullaby, symbolize the struggles and hardships that define human lives—especially the lives of workers and mothers, as well as their noble qualities. The stork image in lullabies also evokes the peacefulness of rural life and the cherished dreams of the Vietnamese people.

Question 5. Share your feelings about the image of the mother in the poem "Sitting Lonely, Remembering My Mother" by Nguyễn Duy (included in the extra reading section on page 49 of the textbook).

Answer:

To truly understand the image of the mother in Nguyễn Duy’s poem, it is essential to reread the verse, paying close attention to the poignant words and images that make a lasting impression. One must also listen to the rhythm of the poem, detecting its emotional tone. By reflecting on the verses and drawing from personal experiences and knowledge, I find deep meaning in the portrayal of the mother figure in the poem, emphasizing her profound and timeless love.

I. Exploring the Work

1. Author

Chế Lan Viên (1920 – 1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan, was one of the leading poets of 20th-century Vietnamese literature. His poetry carries a distinctive, intellectual, and modern artistic resonance. His works are marked by vivid, diverse imagery, blending reality with fantasy, creating a world full of surprises and imaginative connections. Some of his well-known works include: *Dieu Tan*, *Light and Alluvium*, *Everyday Flowers – Storm Birds*, and more.

2. Work

The poem *The Stork* was written in 1962 and published in the collection *Everyday Flowers – Storm Birds*.
Structure of the work:
Part I: The image of the stork appears in a mother’s lullaby to the child’s early years.
Part II: The image of the stork and the lullaby remain engraved in the child's subconscious throughout their life.
Part III: The meaning of the mother’s lullaby and the importance of maternal love throughout one’s life.

II. Guiding the Study of The Stork - Literature 9

1. Question 1, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 2

The poet uses the image of the stork in the poem to reflect on mothers, the women who live difficult, laborious lives, yet possess beautiful hearts. Their simple lullabies deeply impact the subconscious of every individual.

2. Question 2, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 2

The poem is divided into three sections, with each section conveying:

Part I: The stork appears in the lullaby of the mother, reaching the child in their early years.
Part II: The image of the stork and the lullaby are imprinted on the child’s subconscious throughout their life.
Part III: The meaning of the lullaby and the significance of maternal love in every individual’s life.
The symbolic meaning of the stork’s image evolves throughout the poem:

The stork in the first part represents both the mother and the child’s childhood. In the second part, the stork follows the child throughout their life and dreams. Finally, the stork symbolizes deep philosophical reflections on motherhood and the significance of lullabies.

3. Question 3, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 2

The following traditional folk verses are used in the poem:

- The stork flies gracefully
From the palace gate to the field
- The stork flies gracefully
From the palace door to Đồng Đăng
- The stork goes out at night
Perched on a soft branch, tumbling into the pond
- Oh, help me, grandpa!
I have no intentions, please forgive me
If you must, please clear the clear waters
Do not disturb the muddy waters, it breaks my heart.

The poet skillfully uses folk verses, not quoting entire lines but just fragments to evoke memories, creating a familiar atmosphere from the past. These verses also remind us of mothers and women of old.

4. Question 4, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 2

No matter how grown, you are still my child,
Throughout life, my love follows you.

The stork in these lines symbolizes maternal love, nurturing, and guiding the child. This love remains with the child throughout their life. The verse expresses the boundless love and sacrifice a mother has for her child.

One stork alone
The stork sings
It is also life
Flapping wings over the cradle

This part of the poem reflects an enduring truth: the love of a mother is boundless, and her lullaby is a song that follows the child throughout life. The stork’s wings represent the mother’s protection, enveloping the child as they journey through life.

5. Question 5, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 2

The poem is written in free verse with irregular lines, varying in length, and repeating rhythms resembling a mother’s lullaby. The philosophical tone and rhythmic quality evoke the comforting lullaby of a mother.
These elements create a vivid, imaginative connection in the reader’s mind, where simple images carry deep, meaningful insights.

III. Exercises on The Stork - Literature 9, Volume 2

1. Question 1, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 2

In Nguyễn Khoa Điềm’s poem *Lullaby for Sleeping Children on the Mother’s Back*, the author incorporates lullabies throughout the work. These lullabies come directly from the mother, expressing her love for the child, and are intertwined with love for the country, revolution, and hope for a prosperous, free life, with faith in the resistance movement.
In Chế Lan Viên’s *The Stork*, the lullaby is subtly embedded in the first section, not quoted directly but evoking memories of a mother’s lullaby, illustrating the sacrifice, hard work, and unconditional love a mother has for her child. The lullaby holds profound humanistic meaning.

2. Question 2, page 48, Literature 9, Volume 1

The above poem vividly portrays the love a mother has for her child. The poet compares this love to the image of the stork, always protecting and loving the child. No matter how old the child grows, the mother’s love remains constant. The two final lines confirm this, as they encapsulate the poet’s sincere reflection on maternal love: “No matter how grown, you are still my child,” and “Throughout life, my love follows you.” The mother’s love, sacrifice, and protection remain unchanging throughout life, regardless of challenges.

Structure

- Part 1 (from the beginning to "the bird sleeps without hesitation"): The image of the stork through the lullaby of the mother when the child was small.

- Part 2 (continuing... and within the refreshing sentence): The stork image tied to the life of the child.

- Part 3 (the rest): Reflections, the poet's philosophy on the profound meaning of motherly love represented by the image of the stork and the lullaby.

Question 1 (Page 48 of 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

The stork imagery pervades the entire poem.

- The stork in folk songs represents nature, the image of hardworking farmers, especially women, struggling with the labor of life.

- The stork symbolizes a mother's boundless love and the lullabies.

Question 2 (Page 48 of 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Part 1: The stork in the mother's lullaby.

Part 2: The stork enters the child's subconscious, close and will accompany the child throughout life.

Part 3: The stork imagery leads the poet to reflect on the philosophy of the lullaby and the mother's love for the child throughout their lives.

The symbolic meaning of the stork evolves: from the lullaby, the stork turns into a representation of the mother's love.

- The stork image supports the child, traveling with them throughout life with a sacred and profound love.

Question 3 (Page 48 of 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

In the two previous folk songs, the stork imagery evokes the familiar landscape and the gentle, relaxed rhythm of ancient life.

- In the folk song, the stork represents the weary laborer, striving to make a living and care for their children.

Question 4 (Page 48 of 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

The central imagery of the poem is the stork, but the dominant theme is maternal love.

+ The stork symbolizes the mother's guiding, nurturing, and gentle love.

The verses are a generalization of the deep love and devotion of the mother.

+ The enduring emotional bond illustrates the endless love of the mother.

+ A mother follows her child everywhere, always protecting and encouraging them.

- The lullaby is a song filled with maternal love.

+ The mother transforms into the stork, symbolizing selflessness and sacrifice to protect the child.

- The closing image, like a heartfelt cry, symbolizes the utmost expression of motherhood.

Question 5 (Page 48 of 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Poetic form: free verse, with short, uniform lines and repeating lullaby rhythms.

- Tone: tender, evoking reflection, philosophy, and introspection.

- The poem expresses diverse, consistent, and creative emotions.

Practice

Question 1 (Page 48, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

The lullaby of babies carried by mothers conveys a dialogue with the child (the Tà-ôi babies on their mothers' backs) in a tone similar to a lullaby. It blends the mother's lullaby and the child’s deep love for their mother with revolutionary love. The poem "Con cò" evokes the lullaby to speak of the meaning of the lullaby and praise maternal love.

Question 2 (Page 49, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Reference paragraph:

Even when near the child,

...

The mother’s heart follows the child throughout life.

Maternal love is sacred and precious. The mother's hands protect and guide the child through every step of their journey. The stork, once a lullaby, has come to life, with the mother stork caring for her child forever, her love unwavering. No matter how big they grow, the mother always watches over them, embodying an incredible force, with boundless love, an irreplaceable affection.

Meaning - Value

- Students, through the analysis of this poem, will understand the symbolic meaning of the stork and relate it to other folk songs that also use the stork imagery.

- This helps them realize the unbreakable strength, eternal beauty, and sacredness of maternal love, as well as the significance of lullabies in shaping human lives.

Question 1 (page 48 of Literature 9, Volume 2):

The poem develops from an overarching symbol of the familiar stork from lullabies. What message does the poet aim to convey through the stork?

Answer:

The poem expands from the iconic figure of the stork, often seen in traditional lullabies:

- The stork symbolizes the image of the farmer, the woman in a life full of hardships, struggles, and challenges, yet still embodying virtues and an optimistic outlook on life.

- In this poem, the stork symbolizes the mother’s love and the familiar lullaby lyrics.

Question 2 (page 48 of Literature 9, Volume 2):

The poem is divided into three stanzas. What is the main content of each stanza? How does the symbolic meaning of the stork evolve across the stanzas?

Answer:

The poem is divided into three stanzas:

- Structure:

+ Stanza 1: The stork, through the mother’s song, enters the realm of childhood.

+ Stanza 2: The stork becomes a part of the subconscious of childhood and will follow the person throughout their life.

+ Stanza 3: The meaning of the lullaby and the maternal love in relation to each person’s life journey.

- The symbolic meaning of the stork evolves:

+ In the lullaby (stanza 1), the stork becomes a symbol of the mother’s love, always following the child (stanza 2), and ultimately transforms into a representation of the lullaby, of the mother’s care for the child throughout life.

+ The stork in the lullaby evolves into a nurturing and guiding figure, accompanying the child throughout life in a sacred, eternal love.

Question 3 (page 48 of Literature 9, Volume 2):

In the first stanza of the poem, which folk songs have been incorporated? How does the poet utilize these folk songs?

Answer:

In the first stanza, the poet uses at least three folk songs. He only borrows a few words from each song to evoke their essence:

The stork flies lightly

Flying from the gates to the fields

The stork flies lightly

Flying from the gates to Dong Dang

- The stork flies at night

Landing on a soft branch, falling into the pond

Oh, help me, I’ve fallen

There’s no need to pull me up

Only pull clear water

Don’t disturb the muddy water, hurting my baby stork.

In the first two folk songs, the image of the stork evokes a familiar, ancient atmosphere with a leisurely pace of life from the past.

In the remaining folk song (The stork flies at night), the stork symbolizes the weary, hardworking mother who sacrifices everything for her child.

Question 4 (page 48 of Literature 9, Volume 2):

In this poem, there are lines that carry a universal meaning. For example:

- No matter how big you grow, you are still my child,

Through life, my love for you never fades.

- A single stork,

The stork my mother sings

Also represents life

Flapping its wings over the cradle

What is your interpretation of these verses?

Answer:

- The stork symbolizes the mother’s love, the gentle and nurturing care of a mother. Understanding this, the poet generalizes a rule of motherly love that is profound, vast, and eternal:

No matter how big you grow, you are still my child

Through life, my love for you never fades.

- The other four lines embody the lullaby’s rhythm and reflect the depth and significance of the stork symbol:

“A single stork

The stork my mother sings

Also represents life

Flapping its wings over the cradle”

- The stork imagery is beautifully symbolic, representing the protective and soothing love of a mother as it nurtures her child with timeless tenderness.

Question 5 (page 48 of Literature 9, Volume 2):

What are your thoughts on the poem’s form, rhythm, and tone? How do these elements contribute to expressing the poet’s thoughts and emotions?

Answer:

- The poem follows a free verse structure, though each stanza often begins with short, repetitive lines, creating a lullaby-like effect.

- The tone reflects a philosophical, reflective quality.

- Imagery: The poet creatively employs the stork image from folk songs as the foundation for deep, imaginative associations, expanding the symbolic meaning.

=> This creates a varied yet consistent and creative emotional expression.

Practice

Answer the following questions (page 48 Literature 9, Volume 2):

Question 1. Re-read the poem “The Lullaby for Children on the Mother’s Back” by Nguyen Khoa Diem (Literature 9, Volume 1, Lesson 12). Compare it with the poem “The Stork” and identify how lullabies are used in each poem.

Answer:

The Lullaby for Children on the Mother’s Back

- The lullaby is interspersed with other poetic lines.

- The lullaby reflects the mother’s love for her child. This love is associated with grander emotions, such as love for the nation (the mother’s love for soldiers, for a starving village), and love for the homeland (the mother’s love for the country).

- The lullaby expresses the mother’s hope for a peaceful, happy, and free life, alongside the belief in the ultimate victory of the national resistance.

The Stork

- The lullaby appears in the first stanza of the poem.

- It is rooted in the cultural heritage of traditional lullabies, symbolizing the image of the diligent, sacrificing mother caring for her child. These sacrifices are silently endured so that the child may sleep soundly and peacefully.

- The lullaby embodies a humanitarian spirit, nurturing the hearts of children.

Question 2. Write an analysis of the following lines:

No matter how near or far you are,

Whether in the forest or the sea,

The stork will always find you,

The stork will forever love you.

Even if you grow up, you are still my child,

Throughout life, my love will always follow you.

Answer:

The lines above capture the poet’s profound reflections on the sacred nature of maternal love. The mother’s love is compared to the stork, which will always seek out and love its child, no matter the circumstances. The lines also express the unconditional and eternal devotion of a mother, who will always be by the child’s side, offering love and protection. The final two lines encapsulate the philosophy of motherhood — that a mother’s love is constant, enduring, and unfailing, regardless of time or distance. The poem uses repetition (“whether near or far”), the stork imagery, and short, rhythmic lines to effectively convey the emotional depth of maternal love.

Structure

Structure: 3 parts

- Stanza 1: The image of the stork, through the lullaby, connects to the child’s early years, symbolizing the mother’s toilsome life.

- Stanza 2: The stork image becomes embedded in the child’s subconscious and stays with them throughout their entire life.

- Stanza 3: The meaning of the lullaby through the stork, symbolizing the mother’s heart.

Main Content

The poem “The Stork” by Che Lan Vien explores the stork’s symbolic meaning in traditional lullabies, celebrating the mother’s love and the significance of lullabies in each person’s life.

Basic Knowledge

1. Chế Lan Viên (1920 - 1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan, from Cam Đường - Quảng Trị. Before the August Revolution, he became famous in the New Poetry movement with his collection *Dieu Tan*. After the revolution, Chế Lan Viên made significant contributions to the literature of the resistance, becoming one of the leading figures in 20th-century Vietnamese poetry.

2. The poem *The Stork* was written in 1962 and published in the collection *Daily Flowers, Storm Birds*. The image of the stork in lullabies reflects the author’s profound and emotional reflections on motherhood and the lullaby itself.

Reading - Understanding the Text

Question 1 - Page 48 of the Textbook

The poem evolves from a dominant image, the stork, commonly found in lullabies. What does the author intend to convey through the stork?

Answer

- The poem develops from the symbol of the stork in folk songs. In folk songs, the stork symbolizes the farmer, the woman in a life of hardship, patience, and resilience, but also embodies noble qualities.

- In the poem's opening, the author refers to familiar folk songs and words about the stork, expanding the symbolism to express the mother’s immense and deep love for her child, as well as the lullabies.

Question 2 - Page 48 of the Textbook

The poem is divided into three parts. What is the main idea of each section? How does the symbolic meaning of the stork evolve through the poem?

Answer

- Part I: The image of the stork through lullabies, reaching childhood.

- Part II: The stork becomes ingrained in childhood memories, following the child throughout life's journey.

- Part III: Reflecting on the significance of lullabies and the mother’s love in a person’s life, using the stork as a metaphor.

The poem's structure mirrors the evolution of the stork as a central symbol, tracing the relationship between the individual’s life, from childhood to adulthood.

Question 3 - Page 48 of the Textbook

Which folk songs are referenced in the opening of the poem? How does the author adapt these folk songs?

Answer

- The stork is directly mentioned in the following folk songs, which serve as lullabies:

(1) The stork flies lazily, flying from the gate, across the field.

(2) The stork flies lazily, flying from the gate to Đồng Đăng.

(3) The stork flies out at night, landing on soft branches, falling into the pond. Oh, please rescue me.

The author creatively adapts these folk songs, evoking the image of the stork, which has a special place in the Vietnamese rural imagination—symbolizing hardworking women who patiently raise children, loyal to their husbands.

Question 4 - Page 48 of the Textbook

There are philosophical lines in the poem. For example:

- No matter how old I get, I am always my mother's child,

Even if I travel the world, my mother’s heart remains with me.

- A stork,

The stork sings

Is also a life story

Wings flapping by the cradle

How do you interpret these lines?

Answer

- The stork symbolizes the Vietnamese mother. These mothers are anonymous, silent, sacrificing, and loving their children for a lifetime.

- The stork’s transformation into the mother figure carries deep meaning, representing sacrifices and hardships, making the expression of love even more profound. The final line is a beautiful image of the mother’s love, where the stork’s wings flutter above the cradle, as if protecting and whispering tender words to the child.

5 - Page 48 of the Textbook

Analyze the poem's form, rhythm, and tone. How do these elements help convey the poet's thoughts and emotions?

Answer

- The free verse form, short, slow rhythm, expresses a reflective mood, like the quiet whispers of a mother beside her child’s cradle, making the poem emotionally moving, like a mother’s intimate lullaby.

- The stork, a traditional image, is creatively reimagined in Chế Lan Viên’s poem. Repeated phrases like “sleep peacefully” from folk songs amplify the poem’s impact. For example:

The stork stands around the cradle

...

The white wings of the stork follow the footsteps.

Practice

Question 1 - Page 48 of the Textbook

Read the poem *Lullaby for the Babies Grown on Their Mother’s Back* by Nguyễn Khoa Điềm (Grade 9, Volume 1, Lesson 12). Compare it to *The Stork* and identify how lullabies are used in both poems.

Answer

Poem: *Lullaby for the Babies Grown on Their Mother’s Back*

- The lullaby appears interwoven with other verses in the poem.

- The lullaby expresses a mother’s love for her child. This love is expanded to include larger feelings, such as affection for the soldiers or the country.

- The lullaby represents the mother’s hopes for a happy, peaceful life, parallel to her belief in the ultimate victory of the resistance.