Top 6 Best Compositions of 'Ngắm trăng' by Ho Chi Minh for 8th Grade

I - ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER

1. In August 1942, Ho Chi Minh secretly left Pác Bó (Cao Bằng) for China to seek international support for the Vietnamese revolution. However, he was captured near Túc Vinh and imprisoned in nearly 30 jails across 13 districts in Guangxi for over a year. During this time, he wrote the 'Diary in Prison' in classical Chinese poetry, consisting of 133 poems, mostly quatrains. The collection reflects a noble soul, unwavering revolutionary spirit, and remarkable poetic artistry.

II. Study Guide

Question 1:

The translation of the poem doesn’t fully match the meaning of the original verse. In the second line of the original, the phrase 'What to do before such a beautiful scene tonight?' is lost in the translation as 'The beauty of the night, hard to be indifferent,' which removes the speaker's confusion and longing.

Additionally, the translation of the last two lines lacks symmetry compared to the original, especially the verbs 'to glance' and 'to gaze,' which are synonymous, thus losing the conciseness of the original meaning and form.

Question 2:

* Ho Chi Minh gazed at the moon in a unique situation: while imprisoned. Normally, people admire the moon when they are at peace, but his circumstance highlighted his noble soul as a poet.

* When he says 'In prison, there are no wine or flowers,' it does not express lamentation or criticism. Instead, it emphasizes his desire to fully enjoy the moon in the absence of wine and flowers, both traditionally used to enhance moonlit moments.

* Through the first two lines, we see that despite his imprisonment, Ho Chi Minh remained unconcerned with material hardships. He remained calm, at peace, and connected with nature.

Question 3:

The last two lines of the Chinese poem show perfect parallelism:

“Nhân hướng song tiền khán minh nguyệt”

“Nguyệt tòng song khích khán thi gia.”

Here, words for 'person' (Nhân, thi gia) and 'moon' (Nguyệt) are placed symmetrically at the ends, with 'window' (song) in the middle. Despite the prison bars, a harmonious connection exists between the person and the moon, emphasizing their close, almost intimate relationship. This structure intensifies the emotional bond, symbolizing the poet's bond with the moon.

Question 4:

The poem portrays Ho Chi Minh as a revolutionary soldier unconcerned by chains, hunger, or the hardships of imprisonment. Even in these harsh conditions, he maintained his calm and poetic connection with the moon and nature.

Question 5:

Literary critic Hoài Thanh remarked: “Ho Chi Minh’s poetry is full of the moon.” The poems he wrote about the moon include 'Ngắm trăng,' 'Cảnh khuya,' 'Rằm tháng giêng,' etc.

Ho Chi Minh’s moon-gazing, whether from prison or the freedom of the open sky, represents different beauties. Yet, whether in captivity or during moments of freedom, the moon always appears as a trusted companion, reflecting his soul's constant quest for beauty and light.

I. Background of the Composition
In August 1942, Ho Chi Minh secretly left Pác Bó (Cao Bằng) to travel to China for international support for the Vietnamese revolution. However, near the town of Túc Vinh, he was arrested by the local authorities and detained in nearly 30 prisons across 13 districts of Guangxi Province. He was subjected to severe punishment for over a year. During this time, he wrote the *Prison Diary* in Chinese verse, consisting of 133 poems, mostly in four-line quatrains. These poems reflect his noble soul, steadfast revolutionary will, and remarkable literary artistry.

II. The Work
- The poem *Moon Gazing* is extracted from *Prison Diary* by Ho Chi Minh.
- The poem expresses his love for nature while revealing his optimistic, serene, and self-sufficient spirit despite difficult circumstances.
- The poem follows the structure of seven-character quatrains, with simple language.

III. Understanding the Text
Question 1, Page 38 - 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2: Read carefully the sections on the phonetic transcription, the meaning translation, and the explanation of the Chinese characters to accurately understand each line of the poem. Memorize the translated verses and comment on the translation.
Explanation of the exact meaning of each line:
– The first line is translated literally.
– The second line, however, is not a perfect match for the original text.
The phrase "nại nhược hà" means "don’t know what to do," which conveys the anxiety and confusion of the lyrical subject. However, the translation says "hard to be indifferent," which fails to capture the delicate meaning intended by the author.
– The third and fourth lines are also not perfectly faithful:
+ The third and fourth lines in the translation do not maintain the balanced structure of the original: the word “song” (window) in the middle of the two lines, the word “nhân” at the beginning of the third line corresponding to the word “nguyệt” at the end of the third line; the word “nguyệt” at the beginning of the fourth line corresponding to “thi gia” at the end of the fourth line; the first and last two characters in both lines mirror each other: (nhân-nguyệt, minh nguyệt-thi gia).
+ In the original, the fourth line contains only the word “khán” meaning “gaze,” but the translation uses both “peek” and “gaze,” which dilutes the compactness of the original poem. Moreover, “peek” does not evoke the refined nature of the original expression.

Question 2, Page 38 - 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2: What was the situation in which Ho Chi Minh gazed at the moon in this poem? Why does he mention the absence of both wine and flowers? From the first two lines, what is the emotional tone Ho Chi Minh expresses regarding the beautiful moonlit scene outside?
– The poem was composed under these circumstances:
+ He was imprisoned in a harsh, deprived environment.
+ A place of lost freedom.
– Ho Chi Minh mentions "no wine, no flowers" because:
+ Traditionally, people enjoy gazing at the moon when their hearts are peaceful and content, often with wine and flowers.
+ Ho Chi Minh’s mention of these lacks is not to focus on deprivation, but to express a yearning for fully experiencing beauty.
– From the first two lines, we see that Ho Chi Minh is not just a revolutionary and soldier, but also a true artist.

Question 3, Page 38 - 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2: What is remarkable about the placement of the words *nhân* (and *thi gia*), *song*, *nguyệt* (and *minh nguyệt*) in the last two lines of the poem? How does the structure of these lines enhance the poetic effect?
– The arrangement of the words *nhân* (and *thi gia*), *song*, *nguyệt* (and *minh nguyệt*) in the final two lines is unique:
+ The word “song” (window) is placed between the pairs *nhân* - *nguyệt* and *minh nguyệt* - *thi gia*, creating a juxtaposition: the poet gazes at the moon through the prison window in the third line, while in the fourth line, the moon gazes back at the poet.
– This mirrored balance enhances the artistic effect of the poem.

Question 4, Page 38 - 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2: What image of Ho Chi Minh emerges from the poem?
The image of Ho Chi Minh in the poem highlights him as a revolutionary unaffected by the shackles, hunger, or cold. Despite hardship, he maintains his composed, serene demeanor. The poem also reveals his artistic soul, always open to the beauty of nature.

Question 5, Page 38 - 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2: Literary critic Hoai Thanh commented, “Ho Chi Minh’s poetry is full of moonlight.” Write down the poems by Ho Chi Minh that mention the moon (with the date of composition for each). What is notable about the moon imagery in *Vọng Nguyệt* and in other poems by Ho Chi Minh?

"Ho Chi Minh’s poetry is full of moonlight." The moon in Ho Chi Minh’s poems takes on various forms, depicted in different settings. However, in all cases, whether the moon is observed in prison or in a vast landscape, whether in times of leisure or amidst numerous responsibilities, the moon always symbolizes a constant companion, a friend, or a confidant to the poet.

Some of Ho Chi Minh’s poems featuring the moon include *Moon Gazing*, *Autumn Night*, *Mid-Autumn*, *(Prison Diary)*, *The Full Moon in the First Month*, *Late Night Scene*, etc.

Question 1. List the words in the Chinese transliteration of the poem "Vọng nguyệt" that have become commonly used in Vietnamese vocabulary. For example: "vọng" in "hi vọng", "vọng phu", "kính viễn vọng", ...

From this, what can you conclude about the Chinese-origin word components in Vietnamese?

Answer:

List of words in the Chinese transliteration of the poem "Vọng nguyệt" that have become widely used in Vietnamese:

- Vọng: vọng phu, viễn vọng, vô vọng, hi vọng, ước vọng, thất vọng, khát vọng,...

- Nguyệt: nguyệt thực, nhật nguyệt, nguyệt san, nguyệt phí, bán nguyệt,...

- Ngục: ngục thất, lính ngục, hoả ngục, ngục tù, ngục hình, địa ngục,...

- Trung: trung tâm, trung thu, trung tuyến, trung trực, trung ương, trung đoạn, trung quân, trung trinh, trung thành, trung trực, trung thần, trung nghĩa, trung hiếu,...

- Vô: vô đạo đức, vô tình, vô ơn, vô cùng, vô tận, vô căn cứ, vô danh, vô lí, vô lối, vô cực, vô hồn, vô cảm,...

- Tửu: tửu quán, tửu lượng, tửu sắc,...

- Hoa: hương hoa, hoa hồng, ra hoa kết trái, hoa quả, nở hoa,...

- Đối: đối đáp, câu đối, đối xứng, đối chiếu, đối ngẫu, đối thoại, đối địch, đối tác, đối phương,...

Conclusion: This is a rather complex issue, but several easily noticeable points include:

- The Chinese-origin words in Vietnamese make up a significant portion.

- Some single-syllable Chinese words have been fully integrated into Vietnamese, like members of the Vietnamese native word class (e.g., "hoa" in "nở hoa", "đối" in "đôi" in a sentence).

- Some Chinese-origin words can be combined with each other (e.g., "nguyệt phí", "trung tuyến", "vô căn cứ",..).

- Some Chinese-origin words can be combined with a Vietnamese word to form new terms (e.g., "câu đối", "lính ngục").

Question 2. Read the explanation of the Chinese terms and the translation of the poem; from this, what is your opinion on the translated lines in the poetry?

Answer:

Opinion on the translated lines in the poem.

The first line: "Ngục trung vô tửu diệc vồ hoa" is translated as "In prison, there is neither wine nor flowers". This translation is quite literal.

The second line: "Đối thử lương tiêu nại nhược hà ?" (meaning "Before this beautiful scene tonight, what should I do?"). This line expresses the restlessness and agitation of the artist before the beautiful moonlit night. The translation, "Tonight's beautiful scene is hard to ignore," loses the sense of restlessness and unease, which diminishes the author’s passionate love for the moon. Thus, this translation is not very accurate.

The third and fourth lines in the original have a parallel structure; both individual lines and the two lines together are balanced. This structure gives the two lines significant artistic impact.

"Nhân hướng song tiền khán minh nguyệt,

Nguyệt tòng song khích khán thi gia."

Meaning:

The person looks out from the window to admire the bright moon,

The moon looks through the window at the poet.

The translated lines:

The person admires the moon shining outside the window,

The moon peers through the window at the poet.

This translation reduces the symmetry and balance, which diminishes some of the emotional and artistic power of the original Chinese poem. Additionally, the use of the word "peers" in the translation is somewhat awkward, and using two synonymous words ("peers", "admires") for the same action, which the original only has "khán" (to admire), detracts from the condensed nature of the original work.

To analyze a Chinese poem thoroughly, one should try to compare the translation with the original (based on the translated meanings). Pointing out both the successes and limitations of the translation in comparison to the original can help a deeper understanding of the poem, as this process often constitutes a significant part of the analysis.

Question 3. Some people believe that the poem "Vọng nguyệt" (Moon Gazing) is a spiritual escape from prison for revolutionary prisoner Ho Chi Minh. How do you understand this? Please explain and provide evidence.

Answer:

The poem "Vọng nguyệt" (Moon Gazing) is indeed a spiritual escape from prison for the revolutionary prisoner Ho Chi Minh.

The poem "Vọng nguyệt" was written while Ho Chi Minh was in prison. He gazed at the moon in extremely harsh conditions. Not only was he deprived of basic comforts, such as wine and flowers to enjoy the moonlit night (as poets of the past often drank wine and admired flowers under the moon to feel inspired), but he was also deprived of freedom. However, this revolutionary prisoner was able to appreciate the moon fully, without being burdened by the lack of material comforts or his imprisoned state. Ho Chi Minh calmly enjoyed the beautiful moon with an artistic soul. Thus, while the prison could confine Ho Chi Minh’s body, it could not imprison his spirit, just as he wrote: "The body is in the prison – the spirit is outside the prison." The poem shows that, though imprisoned, Ho Chi Minh’s spirit transcended the prison walls, connecting with the bright moon. Therefore, it is very accurate to say that this poem represents a spiritual escape from prison for Ho Chi Minh.

Question 4. Name the poems written by Ho Chi Minh about the moon that you have studied (and read). Write down the lines about the moon and point out what makes the moon in each poem different.

Answer:

The poems written by Ho Chi Minh about the moon that I studied in grade 7 and 8 include: "Vọng nguyệt" (Moon Gazing), "Nguyên tiêu" (The Full Moon of the First Month), and "Cảnh khuya" (Late Night Scene).

Write down the lines about the moon and compare them to identify distinct characteristics of the moon in each poem. For example:

- "Vọng nguyệt": The moon is personified as a close, understanding friend, who from the vast sky reaches the prison window to be with Ho Chi Minh.

- "Nguyên tiêu": (Translation by Xuân Thuỷ: "The full moon shines brightly in the spring sky - The spring river merges with the color of the sky, all the earth is full of spring vitality.") The moon here is full and bright, with its light flooding the river and earth, symbolizing the abundant vitality of spring.

- "Cảnh khuya": The moonlight falls on the ancient trees and flowers, creating a magnificent and dreamlike scene with a classical beauty.

Question 5. Some say that the two poems "Vọng nguyệt" and "Tức cảnh Pác Bó" by Ho Chi Minh were written in different circumstances and have different specific contents, but share similarities (in both content and artistic form). Please prove this statement.

Answer:

The two poems "Tức cảnh Pác Bó" and "Vọng nguyệt" by Ho Chi Minh were indeed written in different circumstances. "Tức cảnh Pác Bó" was written during the period when Ho Chi Minh was living and working in the hard conditions of the Cốc-Bó cave in Pác Bó, Hà Quảng, Cao Bằng (when he returned to Vietnam in 1941), while "Vọng nguyệt" was written when he was imprisoned by the Tưởng Giới Thạch government in China (1942-1943). The themes of these two poems also differ. However, both poems share similarities in content (expressing an optimistic spirit, a calm demeanor, and a deep love for nature of the revolutionary poet Ho Chi Minh) and artistic form (successfully using the quatrain form – one being in Chinese, the other in Vietnamese – with simple, natural yet profound writing style).

* Structure: 2 parts

- Part 1: The first two lines describe the setting for gazing at the moon.

- Part 2: The last two lines describe the harmony between humans and nature.

Question 1 (page 38, Grade 8 Literature textbook, Volume 2):

Compare the original texts, the translated meaning, and the poetic translation:

- In the second line: the phrase "nài nhược hà?" means "what to do?" which expresses the emotional confusion and restlessness of the lyrical character.

+ If the poetic translation of "nài nhược hà" is rendered as "hard to remain indifferent," it diminishes the delicate emotional tone.

→ This misleads the reader into thinking the character is too "composed" or even "indifferent" to the beautiful natural scene.

- In the last two lines, the poetic translation is not entirely faithful to the original:

+ The final lines are perfectly balanced in both structure and meaning. The word "song" enhances the value of the verse, especially the pairing of "nhân" (human) and "nguyệt" (moon) within the same line. The words "nguyệt" (moon) and "thi gia" (poet) are perfectly aligned in the last line, but the poetic translation fails to maintain this balance.

+ In the original, the word "khán" means to gaze. Translating it as "nhòm" (peer) diminishes the subtlety and refinement of the poetic expression.

Question 2 (page 39, Grade 8 Literature textbook, Volume 2):

The unique circumstances of the poet gazing at the moon:

+ There is no wine or flowers >< Wine and flowers were essential for the ancient tradition of moon-gazing.

+ It takes place in a cramped, oppressive prison >< Traditionally, moon-gazing was a tranquil, serene experience in open spaces, ideal for relaxation and peaceful reflection.

- The absence of wine and flowers emphasizes the prisoner's deprivation, yearning to fully experience the beauty of the moon.

→ The poet gazes at the moon under these harsh and confined conditions, not in the comfort of freedom.

- Faced with the beauty of the moon, the poet feels bewildered, restless: "Đối thử lương tiêu nại nhược hà?"

+ The poet deeply loves nature and is profoundly moved by the beauty of the world around him.

→ Despite the material hardships, the prisoner's spirit remains free, still able to appreciate the beauty of the moon in a serene manner.

Not only is he a revolutionary leader and patriot, but he is also a true artist, with a sensitive soul attuned to the beauty of nature.

Question 3 (page 38, Grade 8 Literature textbook, Volume 2):

The final two lines are perfectly balanced both in meaning and structure:

+ The word "song" (window) is placed between "nhân" (human) and "nguyệt" (moon), while "minh nguyệt" (bright moon) and "thi gia" (poet) form another complementary pair in the fourth line. The prisoner transcends the bars of the prison to look outside and admire the moon.

+ The moon also peers through the window, gazing at the poet: a harmonious exchange between the poet and the moon.

+ The personification of the moon shows it as a long-time friend to the prisoner.

→ Both the poet and the moon actively meet in freedom, transcending the barriers of the prison. The moon-gazing becomes a poetic experience when two kindred spirits, the poet and the moon, come together.

Question 4 (page 38, Grade 8 Literature textbook, Volume 2):

The image of Ho Chi Minh through this poem:

+ The poem highlights his romantic, sensitive soul.

+ The prisoner, the soldier, displays remarkable mental strength and optimism.

+ Beyond the poetic lines, there is a spirit of iron will, freedom, and a calm, dignified demeanor that rises above the oppression of prison.

→ The revolutionary prisoner is unconcerned with the hunger, chains, and suffering of prison. Instead, his soul remains elevated and immersed in the beauty of nature.

Question 5 (page 38, Grade 8 Literature textbook, Volume 2):

Literary critic Hoai Thanh remarked: "Ho Chi Minh's poetry is full of the moon."

- Some of Ho Chi Minh's poems about the moon: Full Moon, Moonlit Night, The First Full Moon of the Year, Victory Announcement, Autumn Night...

- The moon in his poems takes on many different hues and states.

+ The moon is experienced in different circumstances: in prison, in vast landscapes, during military campaigns, or in peaceful moments.

+ The moon appears as a faithful companion to the poet.

→ Ho Chi Minh always seeks light and freedom, striving to achieve spiritual freedom in his soul. The union between the poet and the moon, both as kindred spirits, gives his poetry a harmonious blend of classical and modern elements.

I. About the Author and the Poem

1. A Brief Introduction to the Author, Ho Chi Minh

- Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969), born Nguyễn Sinh Cung

- Hometown: Kim Liên village (Sen village), Kim Liên commune, Nam Đàn district, Nghệ An province.

- Life and literary career

+ He was the beloved leader of Vietnam.

+ After 30 years abroad, he returned to lead the revolutionary movement in the country.

+ Besides his revolutionary career, he also left behind invaluable literary works, establishing him as a great poet and writer of the nation.

- Writing style: Ho Chi Minh's poems often express deep love for nature and the country, with light and romantic imagery, filled with pride and passion.

2. A Brief Overview of the Poem "Admiring the Moon"

a. Creation Context

- "Admiring the Moon" is the 20th poem in the collection "Prison Diary" by Ho Chi Minh, written while he was imprisoned in Chiang Kai-shek's prison in China.

b. Structure

- Part 1: The first two lines describe the poet's moon-viewing situation.

- Part 2: The last two lines express the unique harmony between the poet and the moon.

c. Thematic Value

- The poem conveys Ho Chi Minh's deep love for nature and his calm and dignified demeanor even in the harsh conditions of imprisonment.

d. Artistic Value

- The poem uses simple quatrain form.

- The imagery is pure and beautiful.

- The language is romantic.

- A blend of classical and modern elements in both style and content.

Line 2
- Context of Ho Chi Minh's moon-viewing: imprisoned in a prison cell.
- Ho Chi Minh remarks, "no wine or flowers in prison" because admiring the moon is a refined pleasure, traditionally accompanied by wine and poetry, yet these luxuries are unavailable in his situation.
- Ho Chi Minh's feelings towards the beautiful moon:
+ The setting: prison.
+ His emotions: admiring the moon, asking "What can I do?".
⇒ A sense of longing, deeply moved by the beauty of nature, with his spirit free despite the confinement.

Line 3
- The last two lines of the Chinese poem have a balanced structure with paired words: "song" (window) and "human"/"moon" and "clear moon"/"poet": The iron bars imprison the poet’s soul, but the beauty of nature breaks through the prison walls, allowing the moon to shine into the poet's spirit.
- The artful arrangement and contrast create a significant artistic effect:
+ Personification: the moon becomes the poet's intimate friend, sharing in his emotions.

Line 4
- Ho Chi Minh's image in the poem:
+ The image of a determined prisoner with optimism, deep love for nature, and revolutionary spirit that transcends prison walls.
+ The poet's heart is sensitive to the beauty of the world around him.
⇒ The poem’s "steel verse" illustrates the resilience of the revolutionary soldier, unbowed by imprisonment, instead finding solace in nature’s beauty.

Line 5*
Some of Ho Chi Minh's poems about the moon: "Full Moon Night" (1948), "Victory News" (1948), "Facing the Moon", "Late Night" (1947), "The Forest of Viet Bac" (1947).
The moon in Ho Chi Minh's poems takes on various forms and meanings:
+ Moon-viewing settings: prisons, vast landscapes, moments of war, or peaceful reflection… Regardless of the circumstances, the poet always gazes at the moon, with his mind constantly occupied by national concerns.
+ The moon symbolizes eternal beauty in nature.
+ The moon is Ho Chi Minh's companion and confidant.
⇒ Even in hardship, the moon becomes a constant companion, symbolizing the pursuit of freedom and inner peace, embodying Ho Chi Minh's resilient revolutionary spirit and optimism for a bright future for the country.

Remember
"Admiring the Moon" is a simple yet profound quatrain, demonstrating Ho Chi Minh's passionate love for nature and his serene character, even in the darkest of prisons.

1. Author:

Ho Chi Minh (1890 – 1969), born in Kim Liên village, Nam Đàn, Nghệ An.
He was born into a poor Confucian family with his father, Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, and his mother, Hoàng Thị Loan.
From an early age, Ho Chi Minh was intelligent and grew up absorbing revolutionary ideas.
Born during an era when the country was under colonial rule, he went abroad to seek a way to save the nation, eventually becoming the first leader of Vietnam.
Although he did not intend to become a poet or writer, Ho Chi Minh left a great number of valuable literary works, which served the revolution and reflected his love for literature.

2. Work:

In August 1942, Ho Chi Minh secretly traveled from Pác Bó (Cao Bằng) to China to seek international support for Vietnam's revolution. Upon reaching the town of Túc Vinh, he was arrested by local authorities and transferred between 30 prisons across 13 districts of Guangxi Province for more than a year. During this time, he wrote the "Prison Diary" in classical Chinese poetry, consisting of 133 poems, mostly quatrains. The poems reveal Ho Chi Minh's noble spirit and revolutionary determination in such harsh circumstances. The "Prison Diary" is a precious gem in Vietnam's literary treasure.
In the poem "Admiring the Moon", Ho Chi Minh reflected on his life in prison, the confinement and hardships. However, through the poem, one can also sense his optimism, love for life, and high revolutionary spirit.

Question 1: Page 38, Literature Textbook 8, Volume 2

Carefully read the transcription, translation, and explanation of the Chinese characters to understand each line of the poem. Memorize the translated poem and comment on the translated verses.

Answer:
"In prison, no wine, no flowers,
The beauty of the night is hard to ignore;
Looking at the moon outside the window,
The moon peers through the window, looking at the poet."
In the translation, some lines are not faithful to the original, particularly:
In line 3, the translation reads "What to do with this night scene?" instead of "hard to ignore", which diminishes the confusion and perplexity in the original text.
Furthermore, the last two lines lose some of their romanticism, as the word "peers" in the last line is a synonym that reduces the lyrical quality of the poem.

Question 2: Page 38, Literature Textbook 8, Volume 2

In this poem, under what circumstances does Ho Chi Minh admire the moon? Why does he mention "In prison, no wine, no flowers"? Based on the first two lines, how do you think Ho Chi Minh feels about the moonlit night?
Answer:
In this poem, Ho Chi Minh admires the moon while in prison. Normally, people enjoy the moon when they are free, but even in the darkness and confinement of prison, he still finds joy in the moon and the beauty of the night.
When he says, "In prison, no wine, no flowers", he is not lamenting the dullness of prison life, but rather indicating that his enjoyment of the moon is incomplete.
From the first two lines, it is clear that despite being imprisoned, he is captivated by the moon and enjoys the beauty of the night, completely at ease and without concern for his confinement.

Question 3: Page 38, Literature Textbook 8, Volume 2
In the last two lines of the poem, what is significant about the arrangement of the words "person" (and poet), "moon" (and bright moon)? How does this structure and the parallelism enhance the artistic effect of the poem?
Answer:
"The person looks out the window to admire the bright moon
The moon looks through the window to admire the poet."
The words referring to the person ("person", "poet") and the moon ("moon", "bright moon") are placed at the two ends, with the prison window ("window") in between. This arrangement emphasizes the separation between the prisoner and the moon. However, the structure also shows how the person and the moon still connect through the window, sharing a quiet, romantic, and intimate moment.
This parallelism highlights the deep emotional connection between the person and the moon, symbolizing a close relationship that has become a lifelong companion, representing Ho Chi Minh's deep love for nature.

Question 4: Page 38, Literature Textbook 8, Volume 2
Through this poem, how is Ho Chi Minh portrayed?
Answer:
Through this poem, Ho Chi Minh is depicted as serene and composed, standing tall in the face of the hardships of imprisonment.
His intense love for nature and his poetic soul are evident, as well as the spirit of a brave warrior who remains undaunted by the conditions of prison, hunger, or suffering.

Question 5: Page 38, Literature Textbook 8, Volume 2
The literary critic Hoài Thanh remarked: "Ho Chi Minh’s poetry is full of moonlight". Write down the poems in which Ho Chi Minh wrote about the moon that you know (be sure to include the time each poem was written). How does the "admiring the moon" in the poem "Vọng Nguyệt" and the image of the moon in other works of Ho Chi Minh stand out?
Answer:
Some poems written by Ho Chi Minh about the moon include: "Facing the Moon", "Playing with the Moon", "Full Moon Night", "Late Night Scene", and "Mid-Autumn Letter 1951"...

The poem "Late Night Scene":
"The stream is as clear as a distant song,
The moon is suspended in the old tree, casting a shadow on the flowers.
The scene of the late night is like a painting, while the people are still awake,
Not asleep, for they worry about the fate of the nation."

Written in 1947
The poem "Full Moon Night":
"Golden night, the moon is perfectly round,
The spring river, spring water, meets the spring sky.
The deep misty waters are quiet, talking about the war,
At midnight, the moonlight fills the boat."

Written in 1948
The poem "Mid-Autumn Letter 1951":
"Mid-Autumn, the moon is as bright as a mirror,
Ho Chi Minh admires the scene while remembering the children..."

The image of the moon in the poem "Vọng Nguyệt" and in Ho Chi Minh's other works varies, but the moon is always a symbol of companionship and connection for him. Regardless of whether it is seen from a prison cell or amidst the vast sky and water, whether in moments of leisure or during intense struggles, the moon always represents a confidant, a loyal friend of Ho Chi Minh's heart.