Top 6 Best Analyses of "Tiếng hát con tàu" by Chế Lan Viên for Grade 12

A. CENTRAL KNOWLEDGE

1. The Author:

Chế Lan Viên (1920-1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan, hails from Quảng Trị. He was a man of many talents, excelling as a teacher, journalist, poet, and revolutionary. His literary career spanned several phases: before the revolution, his poetry often expressed philosophical and existential themes, reflecting a sense of disillusionment with the world and art. However, after 1945, the revolutionary realities and the people's struggles profoundly influenced his work, transforming both his life and poetry. Major works include *Điêu Tàn* (1937) and *Ánh sáng và phù sa* (1960). Chế Lan Viên gained prominence with *Điêu Tàn* prior to the revolution, later becoming involved in revolutionary activities and continuing his literary creation.
His poetry is noted for its deep intellectual quality, rich in philosophical musings and diverse imagery, often exploring new artistic forms.

2. The Poem *Tiếng hát con tàu*:

Context of Creation: From 1958 to 1960, the government encouraged southern youth to move to the northern mountainous regions to help develop the economy. Although Chế Lan Viên could not join the movement due to illness, he composed *Tiếng hát con tàu* as a tribute to the people's solidarity and the memories of his time in the resistance against French colonial forces. The poem was published in *Ánh sáng và phù sa* (1960), inspired by the people's migration to the northwest to build up the mountainous regions during 1958-1960. The title and the epigraph carry symbolic significance throughout the poem, especially the images of the 'train' and 'Northwest'.

Title Meaning:
The poem emerged at a time when there were no actual railways leading to the Northwest. The 'train' symbolizes the poet's desire to journey to all corners of the country. The 'Northwest' refers to a remote area of the nation, still recovering from the devastation of war. 'The song of the train' symbolizes the poet's soul, brimming with hope for the future, embodying a journey to the people and their grand life. To travel to the country and the people is to return to the source of poetic inspiration.

B. EXERCISES AND GUIDANCE

Question 1 (Page 146 Textbook) The images of the train and the Northwest carry both concrete and symbolic meanings. Read the poem carefully to understand the symbolic significance. Based on the content of the poem, explain the title and the four lines of the epigraph.

Answer:
Symbolic Meaning: The poem was written when no real train traveled to the Northwest. The 'train' symbolizes the poet’s yearning for a journey to the farthest reaches of the country. It represents the soul of the poet, eager to connect with the roots of artistic creation. 'The Northwest', beyond just a geographic region, represents the distant lands of the country where the struggles of the people are etched in history. 'The song of the train' signifies the soul of the poet, filled with belief in ideals and life itself, transforming into the train heading to the people’s lives and their land. This journey represents a return to the roots of inspiration, where poetry thrives.
The four lines in the epigraph reflect the poet's profound emotional connection with the nation, showing the deep bond between the poet and the homeland—where poetic inspiration is born.

Question 2 (Page 146 Textbook) How can the poem be divided into sections? What is the central idea of each section? How does the structure reflect the emotional journey of the lyrical subject?

Answer:
The poem can be divided into three parts:
First two stanzas: A sense of restlessness and a call to begin the journey.
The middle nine stanzas: Reminiscences of the Northwest during the resistance against colonial forces. A longing for the people and a reflection on deep personal connections forged during the war.
The last four stanzas: A joyful, confident song about embarking on the journey and contributing to the reconstruction of the nation.
The structure reflects the emotional progression of the lyrical subject: the opening conveys inner turmoil and desire; the middle focuses on deep memories and gratitude; the final part is vibrant, filled with anticipation.

Question 3 (Page 146 Textbook) Which stanza expresses the poet's immense happiness upon reuniting with the people? Analyze the distinctive artistic features of that stanza.

Answer:
The poet's great happiness upon meeting the people is best expressed in the following stanza:
'I meet the people, like a deer returning to its old stream
Grass welcomes the second month, the swallows meet the season
Like a hungry child finding milk
The cradle stops, only to meet a caring hand.'

The poet uses rich metaphorical images, each representing different emotions, to highlight the immense joy of leaving behind the narrow confines of self and returning to the people. For the poet, the people symbolize a source of love, protection, and nurturing—essential to their life force and inspiration. The poetic imagery is vivid and emotional, evoking a deep sense of happiness and connection through unexpected yet striking comparisons.

Question 4 (Page 146 Textbook) Which specific individuals represent the people in the poet’s memories? Analyze the stanzas describing those memories to reveal the poet’s deep bond and gratitude towards the people.

Answer:
The people of the Northwest in the poet's memories are hardworking individuals, full of love for their country and committed to the revolutionary cause.
Specific individuals include:
- The resistance fighter, who sacrificed himself in a skirmish, passing on his own jacket to another soldier before his death.
- The young messenger, a child of the Northwest, who showed devotion and responsibility at a young age.
- The 'mế' (mother figure), who took care of the sick revolutionaries for months, reflecting the maternal love for the fighters. The image of the mother is even more beautiful when illuminated by the 'red fire reflecting on her silver hair.'
These are the symbolic figures representing the people of the Northwest during the resistance. The poet’s deep gratitude and love for them are portrayed through vivid, intimate depictions and unique comparisons, reinforcing the sense of unity and familial connection.

Question 5 (Page 146 Textbook) Find verses that most clearly express the contemplative and philosophical nature of Chế Lan Viên's poetry.

Answer:
Some verses that express the contemplative and philosophical nature of Chế Lan Viên's work include:
'I miss the misty village, the fog-covered mountain pass
Wherever I go, my heart is filled with love'
'When I am here, this place is merely a place of residence
When I leave, the land becomes a part of my soul.'
'I suddenly miss you like winter misses the cold
Our love is like the golden flower of spring'
These verses capture the poet's emotional connection with the lands he has passed through, transforming them into a part of his being. His poetry reflects a deep philosophical contemplation of how love for one's country and people can transcend time and space, becoming intertwined with one's soul.

Question 6 (Page 146 Textbook) Evaluate Chế Lan Viên's artistic creativity in creating images in this poem.

Answer:
Chế Lan Viên's *Tiếng hát con tàu* stands out for its unique, rich, and aesthetically valuable images. The poet creatively intertwines real-life imagery with symbolic and imaginative representations.
Realistic images include the specific details of 'the mother,' 'the resistance fighter,' and the 'young messenger.'
Symbolic images include 'the train,' 'the moon,' and 'the spring river.'
Imaginary images, such as the 'dream train' or 'drinking a moonbeam each night,' enhance the poem's beauty.
These images often form interconnected chains, reinforcing the thematic content. The poet employs various techniques like literal description (stanzas 6-8), comparison (stanzas 5 and 10), and metaphor (the train, the moon). The language of the poem contains deep layers of meaning, demonstrating Chế Lan Viên's distinct and unique artistic style. His use of diverse artistic methods, combined with a sincere and earnest tone, creates a strong impression on readers.

Additional Reading
Question 1: The content and artistic value of *Tiếng hát con tàu*
Answer:
1. Content value
'The song of the train' represents the poet's soul, filled with faith in ideals and life itself. The poem expresses the poet's deep joy in returning to the people and the nation, finding inspiration to fuel his artistic creation.
2. Artistic value
The poem is rich in comparisons and repetitions, filled with philosophical musings on life and the beauty of the world, contributing to the unique qualities of Chế Lan Viên’s style.

General Introduction to the Author and the Work

I. Author Chế Lan Viên

- Chế Lan Viên (1920 - 1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan, originally from Cam An commune, Cam Lộ district, Quảng Trị province, later moved to An Nhơn, Bình Định.

- After finishing high school, Chế Lan Viên taught at private schools, worked in journalism in Saigon and central Vietnam, and participated in the August Revolution in Quy Nhơn.

- During the resistance against French colonialism, he was active in literature and journalism in the Fourth Zone and the Bình Trị - Thiên battlefield.

- After 1954, he moved to Hanoi to continue his literary work, and for many years was involved in leading the Vietnam Writers' Association.

- After 1975, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City and continued his literary activities.

- Chế Lan Viên's poetry is marked by a unique style: intellectual beauty, an exploration of contrasting elements, rich in philosophical reflection, and diverse, creative imagery.

- In 1996, he was awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Art.

- Major works include: poetry collections Điêu tàn (1937), Ánh sáng và phù sa (1960), Hoa ngày thường, chim báo bão (1967), Những bài thơ đánh giặc (1972), Đối thoại mới (1973), Hoa trước lăng Người (1976), Hái theo mùa (1977), Hoa trên đá (1984), Di cáo thơ, volumes I (1992), II (1993), III (1996); essays and critiques in Vào nghề (1962), Phê bình văn học (1962), Suy nghĩ và bình luận (1971), Từ gác Khuê Văn đến quán Trung Tân (1981).

II. The Work Tiếng hát con tàu

- The poem Tiếng hát con tàu is from the collection Ánh sáng và phù sa, an excellent poetry collection that encapsulates Chế Lan Viên’s thoughts and poetic art in the revolutionary era.

- The poem was inspired by a socio-political event: the movement encouraging people from lowland areas to help develop the economy in the northwestern mountains between 1958-1960.

- Title meaning: “Tiếng hát con tàu” symbolizes the song of a soul filled with faith in ideals, life, and the longing to move forward.

- Main theme: The poet’s sincere and earnest emotions in building the country, merging with the people, and embracing the new life: gratitude, love, attachment, hope, and joy.

Guidelines for the poem Tiếng hát con tàu
Exercise 1, page 146, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1
The image of the train and the Northwest in the poem carries symbolic meaning in addition to the literal one. Interpret the title and the four introductory lines.
Answer:
a. Title of the poem Tiếng hát con tàu
- The train symbolizes the desire to embark, to travel far, toward the life of the country and the people, heading for the horizon of great dreams and the source of artistic inspiration.
- The song represents the soul’s passion when it finds its path and is on its journey toward the people and the nation.
- The title may be interpreted as the poet’s soul—one filled with faith in ideals and life. The poet transforms into the train, eagerly setting out on a journey to the Northwest, to the people’s lives, and to the origin of artistic inspiration.
b. Analyzing the four introductory lines:
- It affirms the poet’s deep connection to the Northwest, a region that has endured war, with aspirations for reconstruction in a new life, and also a fertile ground for artistic works to sprout. This is also the grand life of the people, the new life of youth.
- It expresses the desire to embark, to merge into the vast life of the nation, moving toward the heartbeat of the country and its people.

Exercise 2, page 146, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1
How many sections can the poem be divided into? What is the main theme of each section? How does the structure reflect the emotional development of the lyrical subject?
Answer:
- Structure of the poem:
+ The first two stanzas: Struggling thoughts and the call to embark.
+ The middle nine stanzas: A desire to connect with the people, recalling cherished memories from the war.
+ The last four stanzas: A passionate, confident song of departure.
- The structure reflects the lyrical subject's emotional journey: the beginning shows a sense of unease and longing. The middle part is filled with nostalgic emotions, gratitude, and affection. The final part is lively and eager.

Exercise 3, page 146, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1
Which stanza expresses the great happiness of the poet upon reuniting with the people? Analyze the artistic uniqueness of that stanza.
Answer:
- The stanza expressing great joy upon meeting the people:
Con gặp lại nhân dân như nai về suối cũ
Cỏ đón giêng hai, chim én gặp mùa
Như đứa trẻ thơ đói lòng gặp sữa
Chiếc nôi ngừng bỗng gặp cánh tay đưa
- The artistic uniqueness of this stanza lies in its rich and original metaphors and comparisons, highlighting the poet’s immense joy when leaving the narrow personal world to return to the people. For the subject, the people are a source of love, protection, and life—fueling his spirit.

Exercise 4, page 146, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1
How is the image of the people in the poet’s memories depicted through specific individuals? Analyze the stanzas describing these memories to reveal the poet’s deep connection and gratitude toward the people.
Answer:
- The people of the Northwest are represented by specific characters in the poet’s memories:
+ The guerilla brother
+ The messenger boy
+ The “mế” with “red fire illuminating gray hair”.
These images symbolically represent the people of the Northwest during the war but are portrayed through concrete, vivid characters and stories.
- The poet’s deep gratitude and affection for the people are expressed through specific, poignant memories:
+ The guerilla brother, before a night attack on the enemy’s post, leaves a brown shirt for the lyrical character.
+ The messenger boy (a term of endearment): “Ten years! Not a letter lost!”
+ The “mế” “red fire illuminating gray hair,” “when the child was sick, mother stayed up the whole season,” making the poet “forever remember her nurturing kindness.”
+ The image of a Northwest girl in a tender gesture: “You held my hand at the end of the campaign,” and the fragrance of “sticky rice hiding food for the army in the forest.” The bond between soldiers and civilians turns into a romantic affection. Memories are vividly depicted through unexpected comparisons and imagery that sparks the imagination. (I suddenly remember you like winter remembers the cold, Our love is like a golden flower’s wings…) => The affectionate address (brother, sister, mother…) and the authentic, vivid images showcase the deep love and gratitude for the people of the Northwest—like a big family for the revolutionary fighters.

Exercise 5, page 146, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1
Find the verses that most clearly express the philosophical reflection in Chế Lan Viên’s poetry.
Answer:
- Verses that express the philosophical reflection in Chế Lan Viên’s poetry:
“When I am here, it is just land
When I leave, the land becomes the soul”
...
“Love turns foreign land into homeland”
Sample essay: Philosophical reflection and the art of creating imagery in Tiếng hát con tàu

Exercise 6, page 146, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1
Comment and evaluate Chế Lan Viên’s artistic creativity in imagery within the poem.
Answer:
- The imagery is abstract, modern, and philosophical, yet deeply lyrical. The images are often organized in chains, linked and connected to emphasize the idea and emotion.
- The metaphors and associations are both rich and sharp, unique.
- The language is refined, scholarly, and polished.
- The tone and rhythm are captivating.

I. Overview of the Work

Between 1958 and 1960, a movement emerged in the northern regions of Vietnam encouraging the people from the lowlands, particularly the youth, to move to the mountainous areas in the Northwest for economic development. This social and economic event inspired Chế Lan Viên to write the poem 'The Song of the Train.'

But the poem goes beyond this event; it is a song that expresses a longing to return to the people and join the vast, united life of the country, embodying the great solidarity of the people. It is also a search for the source of poetic inspiration.

Understanding the Work

Question 1: The two symbolic images: 'the train' and 'Northwest'.

To understand this poem, one must first grasp the two symbolic images that permeate it: 'the train' and 'Northwest'.

In reality, there was no train route to the Northwest. The train in the poem symbolizes the desire to journey to a vast life, to the great people, toward a beautiful dream and the source of artistic inspiration. This is why we see lines such as: 'When our hearts have transformed into trains,' 'The train hungers for the moon,' 'The train calls you, why haven’t you gone yet?', 'There is no poetry in the heart that is closed off, your soul meets you up there'...

Meanwhile, the image of 'Northwest' is not merely a geographical location, but also a sacred homeland with a hard and arduous life, full of meaningful experiences and unforgettable memories. Going to the Northwest symbolizes a return to oneself, to one's soul, with pure emotions and a deep connection to the people and the country! This is why there are lines such as: 'When the homeland calls out in song, our soul is the Northwest, where else could it be?', 'On the Northwest! Oh! Ten years in the Northwest, the sacred land of the forest and mountains, now heroic', 'Where blood spilled, our souls touched the earth', 'Northwest, you are the mother of poetry'...

By understanding these two central symbolic images, one can immediately grasp the meaning of the poem’s title and the introductory verses, realizing the broader, more abstract concept that transcends the specific images in the four lines of the poem.

Question 2: The poem 'The Song of the Train' has three parts:

- The first part (2 stanzas) is about the inner struggle and the call to set out on the journey.

- The middle part (9 stanzas) reflects on memories with the people during the resistance, expressing a longing to return to the people.

- The last part (4 stanzas) is a passionate and eager song of departure.

The inner struggle and call to set out

After the introductory verse, there is an urgent call to set out with questions that press and provoke, motivating the journey. The tone is impatient, eager, expressing the poet's deep contemplation.

Will this train go to the Northwest, will you go?

Can you hear the wind calling from afar?

The train calls you to depart, why haven’t you left yet?...

Here, the lyrical subject is fragmented. He is someone else, yet also himself. The poet is asking himself but it feels as if he is persuading someone else. This, combined with many oppositions (friends go far / while you stay in Hanoi, a vast country / but your life feels small; poetry / a closed heart...) vividly expresses the poet's idea of a new life calling, urging the artist to break free from the narrow, repetitive life.

Recalling memories with the people during the resistance

In this part, the poet recalls in a respectful and deeply emotional way the sacred and beautiful memories from the difficult days of resistance against French colonialism in the heroic Northwest.

Talking about the resistance against the French, Chế Lan Viên’s poetry overflows with deep gratitude: 'Oh, the resistance! Ten years like a flame. A thousand years later, it will still light the way.' This is understandable. For the poet and many artists who were active after 1945, the resistance against the French marked a pivotal moment in their lives and their artistic paths, integrating into the people’s and revolutionary struggle.

Going to the Northwest is a return to those cherished, heartfelt memories, awakening not only past nostalgia but also present desires for artistic inspiration. Going to the Northwest means reconnecting and integrating into the vast life of the country and the deep affection of the people.

Question 3: To express the profound significance and immense joy of this return, the poet uses five consecutive similes:

The child reunites with the people like a deer returning to its old stream

The grass greets the spring, the swallow meets the season

Like a hungry child meeting milk

Like the cradle suddenly encountering the arms that rock it.

Each of these comparisons is simple, familiar, and deeply evocative.

Question 4: In Chế Lan Viên’s reflections, the people appear with deep affection, referred to as brothers, sisters, and mothers. These are the concrete images of people: the brother guerrilla, the young messenger, the old mother, the younger sister... They all fought and sacrificed during the resistance against the French. The poet portrays these figures linked to their silent yet significant contributions, their love, and their boundless care. From the image of the brother guerrilla in his worn-out brown tunic to the image of the little messenger bravely traversing 'sparse forests and dense jungles,' 'from Na village to Bac village,' constantly completing his tasks with excellence. What is even more moving is the image of the old mother, tending the fire every night, carefully caring for the soldier son throughout a long season:

I remember you, mother! The red fire lights up your silver hair

When I was ill, you kept vigil through the long season

Though we are not blood relatives

I will always remember your nurturing love.

Though these images are painted in realistic detail, Chế Lan Viên also suddenly creates beautiful and unexpected associations, like the image of the younger sister, who cared for the soldiers:

I suddenly remember you like winter remembers the cold

Our love is like a golden flower's wings,

Like spring when the birds turn blue.

From the nostalgia for the Northwest and the deep affection that has been shared, the poet leads to profound reflections with high generalization:

- When we are there, it is just a place to live

When we leave, the land becomes our soul!

- Love transforms a strange land into our homeland.

The song of departure, filled with passion and eagerness

At this point, the tone of the poem becomes even more energetic and captivating. The call of the Northwest, the country, the people, and life itself is also the voice of the poet’s heart, passionately inviting him to leave (Is it the country calling us, or our heart calling?)

To go to the Northwest is to feel an intense burning desire. Quickly, let us embark on the journey to embrace the dear, familiar emotions of mother and brother who await us. Let us go to the Northwest to witness the new constructions (red-tiled roofs, a hundred stations), to find inspiration full of poetic dreams (take back our gold, take back our dreams, drink the moon, drink the rosy face of a girl...).

I. Author & Work

1. Author

Chế Lan Viên (1920 – 1989), born Phan Ngọc Hoan, was originally from Cam An, Cam Lộ district, Quảng Trị province.

Chế Lan Viên was a major poet in modern Vietnamese literature. His poetic journey traversed various stages, marked by significant turning points that reflected his evolving thoughts and artistic innovations.

His unique poetic style blends intellectual beauty with a deep exploration of contrasting relationships, abundant with philosophical reflections and a vivid, diverse world of imagery.

2. Work

The poem 'The Song of the Train' is from the collection 'Light and Alluvium', an outstanding volume that encapsulates both the thought and artistic vision of Chế Lan Viên on his revolutionary poetic path. The poem was inspired by a delicate political and social event: the campaign to encourage people from the lowlands to help build the economy in the mountainous areas of the Northwest from 1958 to 1960.

II. Lesson Preparation Guide

Question 1 (page 146, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 1):

* The image of the train and the Northwest, beyond their literal meanings, also carry symbolic significance.

- The title of the poem, 'The Song of the Train' (personified), symbolizes the poet’s soul yearning to embark on a journey, breaking free from a narrow, confined life to engage with a vast world (with the people, and with the creative source).

- The Northwest, a tangible land, symbolizes the difficult areas of the country.

* The introductory words: “Northwest, what is left?”

- This briefly introduces the dominant emotion of the entire poem: a fervent, eager longing to go on the journey.

- To join the people, to reach the Northwest, is to return to oneself, to a deep and affectionate connection.

Question 2 (page 146, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 1):

The structure of the poem: 3 stanzas

- Stanza 1 (the first two lines): A call to action, urging the journey.

- Stanza 2 (the next nine lines): A feeling of happiness, recalling memories of the resistance years spent with the people.

- Stanza 3 (the remaining lines): An enthusiastic and confident song of departure, filled with passion.

* The structure evolves to reflect the poet’s emotional changes, from urging action to an intense, captivating pursuit of revolutionary roots.

Question 3 (page 146, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 1):

The poet expresses immense joy in reconnecting with the people in the first two lines:

The reunion with the people feels like a deer returning to the old stream

Grass welcomes the second month, the swallows meet the season,

Like a hungry child finding milk

A cradle halts, meeting the arm that lifts it.

- The yearning to return to the people

+ Like a deer returning to the old stream

+ Grass welcoming the second month, swallows meeting the season.

+ A child finding milk...

+ A cradle finding a caring arm...

- These metaphorical images are both poetic and harmonious, blending personal desire with the reality of creative needs.

=> Returning to the people is akin to reconnecting with the most familiar and vital sources of life.

Question 4 (page 146, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 1):

* The image of the people in the poet’s memories is evoked through depictions of specific individuals:

+ The guerrilla brother

+ The messenger sibling

* The people of the Northwest emerge vividly in the poet's memories through their selfless commitment to the anti-French resistance.

- The guerrilla brother: His torn brown uniform creates a powerful, moving image of sacrifice and comradeship.

- The “messenger sibling”: A close, familiar term, tirelessly traversing sparse forests to complete his mission for ten years.

- The mother who nurtured the soldiers: The image of an elderly woman staying up late by the fire, caring for the troops, encapsulates the heartfelt bond between the people and the revolution during the anti-French resistance.

Question 5 (page 146, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 1):

The following verses illustrate the reflective and philosophical nature of Chế Lan Viên's poetry:

I suddenly remember you as winter recalls the cold

Our love is like the wings of the yellow flower ants

Like spring arrives, the forest birds turn blue

Love turns foreign land into homeland.

This passage showcases Chế Lan Viên’s mastery in blending philosophical depth with introspective thought. He suggests that all things must be closely linked to others to exist—just as winter needs the cold, the ants need the yellow flower, and spring brings life to the forest birds. Similarly, the artist can only create when closely bonded to the lives of the people. Here, love symbolizes a connection to one’s homeland and the nation.

→ This excerpt exemplifies Chế Lan Viên’s poetic style.

Question 6 (page 146, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 1):

The creative use of imagery in Chế Lan Viên’s poetry:

- Varied, rich imagery:

+ Concrete, detailed imagery.

+ Symbolic imagery.

- A blend of metaphors and similes.

- Imagery often forms interconnected sequences, rich with reflective, philosophical undertones.

Answer to question 1, page 146, Textbook of Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1

+ The train: At the time of writing the poem, there was no railway to the Northwest, so the image of the train here symbolizes the longing to embark on a journey, a desire to unite with the people and become part of the larger life of the nation.

+ The Northwest: Literally, it refers to the region in the northwest of Vietnam. Symbolically, it represents vast areas of the country still facing many challenges and hardships.

=> Meaning of the title "Tiếng hát con tàu": It signifies the passionate, eager, and optimistic song of a soul filled with yearning, eager to build the country and return to the source of poetic inspiration.

=> The meaning of the four introductory lines: The country calls, and the poet's soul turns toward the people, toward the vibrant life unfolding across the land. Going to the Northwest is not only a journey to the people but also a return to oneself, to the wellspring of creative inspiration.

Answer to question 2, page 146, Textbook of Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1

Structure of the poem (3 parts)

- Part 1 (lines 1-2): The poet's inner struggle and the invitation to set out on a journey.

- Part 2 (lines 3-11): The longing to return to the people.

- Part 3 (the rest): The lively, enthusiastic song of departure.

Answer to question 3, page 146, Textbook of Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1

- The immense happiness upon meeting the people is conveyed in the 5th stanza through a series of vivid comparisons that evoke the spirit of the Northwest:

+ Like a deer returning to its old stream: Familiar, as a deer returns to its old stream after a dry season.

+ Like grass greeting the second month: Eager, joyous, as grass welcomes the arrival of spring.

+ Like the swallows meeting the season: Warm and happy, like swallows meeting the season.

+ Like a hungry child finding milk: Joyful, satisfied, content.

+ Like the cradle stopping and meeting a hand to rock it: Comfortable, peaceful, happy.

=> These continuous comparisons with distinctive images fully express the poet's immense happiness in returning to the people, to the roots, to life, and to the wellspring of inspiration.

Answer to question 4, page 146, Textbook of Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1

+ The guerilla brother: The memory of the tattered brown shirt, which he took off for his child on the night of his sacrifice, evokes the deep bond symbolized by the sacred relic of the fallen hero.

+ The messenger brother: A reflection of love and admiration for the dedicated, patient, and quiet comrade who faithfully served the revolution.

+ The "mế" (mother) of the revolution: A motherly figure who cared for the wounded soldiers with a deep, immeasurable love and devotion.

=> The people appear as gentle, heroic, humble, and full of love. The poet expresses his deep connection and gratitude to the people, a bond that is both tangible and sacred, simple yet noble.

Answer to question 5, page 146, Textbook of Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1

- The country is vast, my life is narrow... /.../ My soul waits to meet myself up there.

- When we are at home, it is just the land where we live; when we leave, it turns into our soul.

- Love makes foreign lands feel like home.

Answer to question 6, page 146, Textbook of Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1

- The meticulously selected realistic images: the misty mountain pass, the clouds covering the hills, the fiery red light shining on the grey hair, the forest birds with their feathers turned blue...

- The distinctive symbolic and metaphorical images: the train, the moon, the first fruit of spring, the golden pain in the fire, your rosy face, the great spring river...

- The fresh and creative comparisons: like the winter returning with cold, like the golden ants and yellow flowers...

=> A collection of unique, creative images that form a chain or a cluster, creating a series of unexpected associations rich in intellectual hues, characteristic of Chế Lan Viên's artistic style.

Main Content

The poem expresses the poet's deep yearning and joy when returning to the people, to the country, as well as finding the source that nourishes his artistic creativity.