Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for 'Crossing Ngang Pass' by Ba Huyen Thanh Quan for Grade 7

I. Author and Work

1. The Author (Please refer to the introduction of Ba Huyen Thanh Quan in the Grade 7 Literature textbook, Volume 1).

2. The Work

The poem 'Crossing Ngang Pass' is written in the Tang Dynasty seven-character eight-line poetry form. This style, originating during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) in China, consists of eight lines with seven characters per line. It follows a specific rhyme scheme (a single rhyme in the final word of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th lines) and contains balanced oppositions between lines 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 (called antithesis). The poem follows specific metrical rules, and failing to adhere to them results in a 'broken law' or 'incorrect' poetry structure.

II. Lesson Plan Guidance

Question 1:

Based on the initial explanation of the Tang seven-character eight-line poetry form in the notes, 'Crossing Ngang Pass' follows the characteristics of this form. Identification:

The poem contains eight lines, each with seven characters.
The rhyme is in the final word of lines 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, with the 'a' rhyme sound.
Lines 3 and 4, and lines 5 and 6, are oppositional pairs (having antithesis between the four middle lines).

Question 2:

* The scene at Ngang Pass is described during the late afternoon.

* This time represents the fading day, which naturally evokes a sense of sadness, especially in people far from home.

Question 3:

* The Ngang Pass scene is depicted through elements like grass, trees, flowers, mountains, rivers, a market, a few huts, and the calls of the cuckoo and lapwing birds, along with a couple of woodcutters.

=> Ngang Pass is overgrown, dense with nature, sparsely populated, with a few scattered residents.

* Onomatopoeic words like 'lác đác' (scattered) and 'lom khom' (bent) and the sounds of 'quốc quốc' (cuckoo) and 'gia gia' (lapwing) are effective in creating vivid images and feelings of desolation and solitude.

Question 4:

In her depiction, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan illustrates Ngang Pass as a vast, mountainous landscape, lightly touched by human life but still very remote and desolate. Moreover, described at dusk and from the perspective of someone away from home, the scene accentuates the loneliness and melancholy of the setting.

Question 5:

Ba Huyen Thanh Quan expresses her emotions in two ways:

* By using the environment to express feelings: Through time and space.

The term 'gia gia' both mimics the bird's call and suggests 'home', reflecting the deep homesickness rising in the poet’s heart. As people seek warmth in their homes at dusk, she finds herself alone in the wild, intensifying the yearning for home.
'Con cuốc cuốc' (cuckoo) imitates the bird's cry and sounds similar to 'quốc quốc' (nation), a symbol of nostalgia for the poet's homeland, Thang Long, before the capital moved to Hue.
* Directly expressing emotions: Seen in the final line of the poem, 'A piece of private love, just for me.' This sentiment is profound and intense.

Question 6:

The phrase 'a piece of private love' in the vast 'sky, mountains, and rivers' of Ngang Pass creates a stark contrast. The larger the landscape, the more the individual feels small and isolated. Thus, the environment amplifies the poet's loneliness and emotional burden, which would not be as striking in a smaller, confined space.

A. CORE KNOWLEDGE

1. The Author

Bà Huyện Thanh Quan (dates unknown), her real name being Nguyễn Thị Hinh, was from Nghi Tàm village, now part of Tây Hồ District, Hanoi. Her husband served as a magistrate in Thanh Quan (now part of Thái Bình), and thus she was referred to as Bà Huyện Thanh Quan. She is regarded as one of the most distinguished female poets of her time. Among her works, six poems remain, including the famous 'Qua Đèo Ngang', 'Thăng Long Thành Hoài Cổ', 'Chiều Hôm Nhớ Nhà', and 'Tức Cảnh Chiều Thu'.

2. The Poem

Context of creation: This poem was written when Bà Huyện Thanh Quan first left her home and family to travel to Huế for her official duties. It was composed around the 19th century.
Poetic form: It follows the classical Đường luật (seven-word, eight-line form).
Structure: The poem is divided into two parts.
Part 1: The first six lines describe the scenery of Đèo Ngang in the late afternoon.
Part 2: The remaining lines convey the poet's inner emotions.
Đèo Ngang, though expansive, is depicted as desolate and barren, with traces of human life still faintly visible. This evokes the author's deep longing for her homeland and the quiet loneliness she felt.

B. EXERCISES AND GUIDELINES

Question 1: (Page 103 - Vietnamese Literature 7) Based on the introduction to the seven-word, eight-line Đường luật form in the footnote, identify the characteristics of the 'Qua Đèo Ngang' poem regarding the number of lines, the number of characters per line, rhyme scheme, and the use of antithesis between lines 3-4 and 5-6.

Answer:
Đường luật: A poetic form originating in the Tang Dynasty (618–907) in China.
Number of lines: 8 lines (Bát Cú)
Number of characters: 7 characters per line (Thất Ngôn)
Rhyme scheme: The final characters of lines 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 all share the same tone and rhyme (known as độc vần or single rhyme): tà – hoa – nhà – gia – ta (rhyme 'a').
Antithesis: There are two pairs of lines that are opposites in both meaning and tonal rhythm: lines 3 vs 4, and lines 5 vs 6.
Example: Lom khom/dưới núi/tiều vài chú
Lác đác/bên sông/chợ mấy nhà

Question 2: (Page 103 - Vietnamese Literature 7) What time of day is the scene at Đèo Ngang described in the poem? How does this time of day contribute to expressing the poet's emotions?
Answer:
The scene at Đèo Ngang is described during the late afternoon, marked by the phrase 'bóng xế tà', signaling the end of the day. This time of day, when people are winding down from a hard day's work, is often filled with quiet contemplation and melancholic thoughts.
Late afternoon often brings a sense of solitude and wistfulness, especially for travelers far from home. For Bà Huyện Thanh Quan, a woman journeying alone, this time of day intensifies her feelings of sadness and isolation.

Question 3: (Page 103 - Vietnamese Literature 7) What details are provided about the scene at Đèo Ngang?
Answer:
The scene at Đèo Ngang is described with vivid details of both nature and human life during the late afternoon.
Space: The setting is a remote, desolate, and pristine mountain landscape, with the imagery of 'cỏ cây chen đá, lá chen hoa'. The hills and mountains stretch endlessly, with the vast sea meeting the foot of the mountains, creating a majestic and expansive landscape. This place embodies the unity of heaven, earth, and water.
Time: Late afternoon, when the sun is setting.
Sounds: The calls of the 'quốc quốc' and 'đa đa' birds evoke feelings of loneliness and isolation, adding to the desolate mood.
Humans: There are few people: 'tiều vài chú' and 'chợ mấy nhà'.

Question 4: (Page 103 - Vietnamese Literature 7) How is the scene at Đèo Ngang portrayed through Bà Huyện Thanh Quan's description?
Answer:
The scene at Đèo Ngang is depicted as desolate and serene, with the beauty of the mountains and water standing in stark contrast to the emptiness. The faint presence of human life is noted but scarce. The scene, set at dusk, reflects the poet's own feelings of longing and isolation as she views it from the perspective of someone far from home.

Question 5: (Page 103 - Vietnamese Literature 7) Imagine Bà Huyện Thanh Quan's emotional state as she crosses Đèo Ngang. How are these emotions expressed through the poem's use of scenery and direct emotional expression?
Answer:
The emotions of the traveler, a woman away from home, are steeped in sadness and solitude during the late afternoon.
Through scenery: The imagery of time and place, particularly the sounds of the 'quốc quốc' and 'đa đa' birds, mirror the poet's deep emotional turmoil.
'Gia gia': While 'gia' also refers to a bird sound, it also symbolizes the poet's homesickness. As the sun sets, families are reunited, but Bà Huyện Thanh Quan, far from home, feels her longing intensify.
'Quốc quốc': The sound of the bird also symbolizes the poet's nostalgia for her homeland, for the prosperous past of Thăng Long, before the capital was moved to Huế.
Direct emotional expression: The final line of the poem expresses a deeply personal emotion: 'A private feeling, just mine.' This conveys a profound sense of solitude, emphasizing the poet's emotional distance and loneliness in a foreign land.

Question 6: (Page 104 - Vietnamese Literature 7) How is the notion of 'a private feeling' different when expressed in the vast landscape of Đèo Ngang compared to in a more confined space?
Answer:
The expression of a 'private feeling' against the backdrop of the expansive scenery of Đèo Ngang heightens the sense of the poet's smallness and solitude. The vastness of the environment contrasts sharply with the personal, internal emotions of the poet. The use of artistic contrast (the vast sky, mountains, and water vs. the 'private feeling') intensifies the sense of the poet's isolation— the larger and more boundless the landscape, the smaller and more solitary the individual becomes.

Exercise (Page 104 - Vietnamese Literature 7) What is the deeper meaning of the phrase 'ta with ta'?
Answer:
'Ta with ta' represents a confrontation with oneself. In the vast, foreign land, the poet finds herself alone, confronting her sorrow, solitude, and feelings she cannot share with others. The closing line of the poem still echoes the melancholy, as the poet reflects on her own loneliness.

Extended Reference
Feelings about the first four lines of 'Qua Đèo Ngang'
Answer:
The first four lines of the poem 'Qua Đèo Ngang' paint a picture of nature and human life, full of wilderness and a sense of quiet melancholy. The poet arrives when the day has turned to dusk, and darkness gradually takes over the landscape. This time of day evokes a sense of drifting sadness and uncertainty. The vastness of Đèo Ngang emphasizes the poet's isolation, making her feel even more lonely in an unfamiliar place. The natural scene is further brought to life with 'cỏ cây chen đá, lá chen hoa', where plants and flowers struggle to thrive in the wilderness, mirroring the poet's inner turmoil. Despite the human presence in the form of a few 'tiều vài chú' and 'chợ mấy nhà', the sparse life only deepens the sense of desolation. The poet seeks warmth from human life in the scene, yet the presence of people only amplifies the emptiness. Through this depiction, the poem reveals the sensitive heart of the poet, full of unspoken emotions and reflections on her homeland and the country.

READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Question 1 - Page 103 SGK

Based on the explanation of the eight-line, seven-character, regulated verse form in the footnote, identify the structure of the poem "Through Ngang Pass" regarding the number of lines, the syllable count per line, rhyme scheme, and the contrast between lines 3 and 4, as well as lines 5 and 6.

Answer:

The poem "Through Ngang Pass" follows the regulated verse form, with eight lines, each consisting of seven syllables. The rhyme scheme occurs at the end of lines 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, with the last syllable of odd-numbered lines rhyming with those of even-numbered lines.

- The third line contrasts with the fourth, and the fifth line contrasts with the sixth. This creates a balanced opposition within the central four lines.

Question 2 - Page 103 SGK

What time of day is the Ngang Pass scene described, and how does this moment enhance the poet's emotional expression?

Answer:

The scene at Ngang Pass is set during the late afternoon, as the day draws to a close. This time evokes feelings of melancholy and introspection. As seen in traditional Vietnamese folk songs:

- In the late afternoon, standing at the back gate,

Looking towards my homeland, my heart aches with longing.

- The sound of wild ducks calling in the evening,

Brings memories of friends and homesick heart.

The late afternoon, with the day fading, amplifies the poet's sense of solitude while crossing the pass.

Question 3 - Page 103 SGK

What are the key details of the Ngang Pass scene described in the poem?

Answer:

The Ngang Pass scene is painted with vivid details: grasses, trees, flowers, leaves, mountains, rivers, a market, homes, and the sounds of birds like the quail and doves. There are also woodcutters visible in the scene. The poet uses onomatopoeic words such as "lom khom" (stooping) and "lac dac" (scattered) as well as the sounds "quoc quoc" and "gia gia", which enhance the feelings of desolation and loneliness.

Question 4 - Page 103 SGK

How does Ba Huyen Thanh Quan describe the Ngang Pass scene? What does this portrayal suggest about her emotional state?

Answer:

The poet depicts the Ngang Pass as a vast, natural landscape where human presence is minimal but not absent. The expansive mountains and quiet pass reflect a sense of isolation and melancholy, mirroring the poet's own feelings of loneliness and longing.

Question 5 - Page 103 SGK

What are the poet's emotions as she crosses Ngang Pass, and how does she express them through both indirect and direct means?

Answer:

- Indirect expression through nature: The sounds of birds like "gia gia" (reminiscent of home) and "quoc quoc" (suggesting the homeland) reflect the poet’s deep yearning for home, and for a time when the country was prosperous.

- Direct expression of emotion: The final line of the poem, "A personal fragment, just me with myself," expresses the poet's profound sense of personal sorrow and solitude.

Question 6 - Page 104 SGK

What does the poet's "personal fragment" in the vast landscape of Ngang Pass suggest, and how is this different from expressing such a feeling in a confined space?

Answer:

Referring to her "personal fragment" amidst the vast expanse of the sky, mountains, and water intensifies the poet's isolation— the greater the vastness of the landscape, the more profound her sense of melancholy. This differs from the feeling of loneliness in a small, confined space, where one's solitude may not seem as amplified.

EXERCISE

Question 1: What is the meaning of the phrase "Me with myself"?

Answer:

The phrase "Me with myself" suggests a profound sense of loneliness and self-reflection, where the poet is in a vast, empty world, unable to find companionship or solace in anyone but herself.

Question 2: Memorize the poem "Through Ngang Pass".

"Approaching Ngang Pass, the evening light fades,

The grass and trees mix with the rocks and flowers.

A few stooped woodcutters under the mountains,

Scattered homes beside the river.

Longing for my homeland, the quail calls out,

Missing my house, my mouth calls "da da".

Stopping for a moment: sky, mountains, water,

A personal fragment, just me with myself."

Ba Huyen Thanh Quan

- Form: Seven-character regulated verse

- Era: Nguyen Dynasty

Conclusion
Through its elegant style, the poem "Through Ngang Pass" presents a vast yet desolate scene of Ngang Pass, where human presence is faint but noticeable. It conveys the poet's deep homesickness and quiet sadness, all against the backdrop of nature's timelessness.

I. About the Author - Ba Hyuen Thanh Quan

Ba Hyuen Thanh Quan, whose real name was Nguyen Thi Hinh, lived in the 19th century. Her birth and death dates remain unknown. She was originally from the village of Nghi Tam, now part of Hanoi's Tay Ho district. Her husband was a district chief in Thanh Quan (now part of Thai Binh), and that is how she acquired the title Ba Hyuen Thanh Quan. She is one of the rare female poets of her time, leaving behind six renowned works in the form of Tang Dynasty regulated verse.

Her poems often express a deep affection for the beauty of nature, the country, and a sense of melancholy about the changing world. Each of her works evokes feelings of sorrow, grace, and profound craftsmanship.

II. About the Poem "Qua Đèo Ngang"

1. Context of Composition
"Qua Đèo Ngang" was written while Ba Hyuen Thanh Quan was traveling from Bac Ha to Hue for her appointment as the "Cung Trung Giao Tap".
2. Structure (4 Parts)
- Part 1 (two introductory lines): A general view of the scenery at Deo Ngang.
- Part 2 (two lines describing the actual scene): The lives of people in Deo Ngang.
- Part 3 (two lines elaborating the poet's emotions): The author's emotional response.
- Part 4 (two closing lines): The poet's ultimate sense of loneliness.
3. Thematic Value
The poem presents the vast, open but desolate scenery of Deo Ngang. While there is faint evidence of human life, it is still untouched and remote. The poem reflects the poet's feelings of longing for her homeland, a quiet sorrow, and deep loneliness.
4. Artistic Value
- The poem follows the seven-syllable eight-line verse form (Tang Dynasty style).
- It uses vivid descriptions to mirror emotions.
- The poem employs evocative sound and visual imagery through repetition and artistic contrast.

III. Answering the Questions

Question 1 (page 103, Literature 7, volume 1)

The poem "Qua Đèo Ngang" belongs to the genre of:

Seven-syllable eight-line verse (Thất ngôn bát cú).

+ It consists of eight lines, each containing seven syllables.

+ The rhyme scheme: rhymes appear at the end of lines 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8.

+ Lines 3 and 4, as well as lines 5 and 6, are in contrast to each other.

Question 2 (page 105, Literature 7, volume 1)

The time depicted in the poem is during the evening, which evokes sadness, especially for a woman far from home.

Question 3 (page 105, Literature 7, volume 1)

- The scene in the poem includes: grass, trees, flowers, mountains, rivers, a market, a few huts, and the sounds of birds such as the cuoc cuoc and gia gia, along with a few woodcutters.

- The setting is dense with nature, isolated, and desolate: the grass and trees grow amidst rocks.

- Human presence is sparse: a small market, a few houses, and some woodcutters.

- The calls of the cuoc cuoc and gia gia birds create an eerie, haunting atmosphere, adding to the overall sense of emptiness.

Question 4 (page 105, Literature 7, volume 1)

The scene at Deo Ngang is depicted as dense with plants, desolate, and sparsely populated by humans.

- The sound of the cuoc cuoc bird adds a tragic note to the loneliness and emptiness of the space.

The barren landscape and minimal human presence amplify the poet's feelings of nostalgia, loneliness, and sorrow when faced with nature.

Question 5 (page 87, Literature 7, volume 1)

The poet's emotional state in Deo Ngang is one of loneliness, longing for home, and sorrow.

- She uses the landscape to express her emotions.

- The bird calls symbolize her longing for her homeland.

- The final line of the poem directly conveys the poet's quiet, internal sadness.

=> The poet's emotions are sadness, loneliness, and a deep sense of nostalgia.

Question 6 (page 87, Literature 7, volume 1)

The solitude experienced by the poet at Deo Ngang, amidst the vast sky, mountains, and waters, sets this place apart from other landscapes.

- The poet feels a sense of isolation and her sorrow becomes even more intense when confronted with such a desolate setting.

AUTHOR AND WORK
1. Author:
Lady Huyen Thanh Quan, whose birth and death years are unclear, was originally named Nguyen Thi Hinh. She hailed from the village of Nghi Tam, which is now part of Tay Ho District in Hanoi. Her husband served as a district chief in Thanh Quan (now part of Thai Binh), which gave her the title 'Lady Huyen Thanh Quan.' She was one of the most notable female poets of her time in the feudal era. Her literary legacy includes six poems, with her most famous being 'Crossing Ngang Pass.'

2. Genre:
This poem is written in the classical seven-character, eight-line format, known as the 'That Non Bat Cu' (Seven-Character Eight-Line) in Chinese-style verse. This is one of the two most common forms of traditional Chinese poetry, alongside the 'That Non Tu Tuyet' (Seven-Character Four-Line). The 'That Non Bat Cu' follows strict rules regarding its structure, rhyme, tone, and the balance between certain pairs of lines (such as lines 3-4 and 5-6) to maintain harmony.

3. Structure:
The poem follows a four-part structure: introduction, description, analysis, and conclusion.
- The first two lines introduce the general scene.
- The next two lines describe human life.
- The following two lines explore the poet's emotions.
- The last two lines express a rising sense of solitude.

4. Main Theme:
The poem captures the vast and desolate landscape of Ngang Pass, where traces of human life appear fleeting and sparse. It also conveys the poet's deep sense of longing for her homeland and her sorrowful loneliness.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS
Answer to question 1 (Page 103, Literature 7, Volume 1):
Based on the introduction about the 'Thatt Non Bat Cu' form, identify the characteristics of the poem 'Crossing Ngang Pass' in terms of the number of lines, the number of characters per line, rhyme scheme, and the pairing of lines 3-4 and 5-6.

The poem 'Crossing Ngang Pass' is written in the 'Thatt Non Bat Cu' style, consisting of 8 lines with 7 characters each. It follows a specific rhyme pattern, where the last character of odd-numbered lines (1, 3, 5, 7) rhymes with the last character of even-numbered lines (2, 4, 6, 8). Additionally, there is a rhetorical pairing between lines 3 and 4, as well as lines 5 and 6.

Answer to question 2 (Page 103, Literature 7, Volume 1):
When is the scene at Ngang Pass described, and how does this time of day help express the poet's emotions?

The scene at Ngang Pass is depicted at dusk, a time when the day is fading away. This time of day naturally evokes a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. In Vietnamese folk songs, the evening is often associated with feelings of longing and sorrow. The evening setting is therefore the perfect backdrop for the poet to express her deep loneliness.

Answer to question 3 (Page 103, Literature 7, Volume 1):
What details make up the scene at Ngang Pass as described in the poem?

The description of Ngang Pass includes elements such as grass, trees, flowers, mountains, a river, a market, a few houses, and the sounds of birds like the cuckoo and the nightjar. The poet skillfully uses onomatopoeic words like 'quốc quốc' (mimicking bird sounds) and 'gia gia' (which also means 'home') to enhance the imagery and convey a sense of solitude and emptiness.

Answer to question 4 (Page 103, Literature 7, Volume 1):
How would you assess the depiction of Ngang Pass in the poem by Lady Huyen Thanh Quan?

The poem presents a vivid image of nature where human presence is sparse, creating a sense of loneliness and vast emptiness. The mountains and the pass stretch endlessly, yet the quietness and isolation mirror the poet's own feelings of longing and solitude.

Answer to question 5 (Page 103, Literature 7, Volume 1):
How do you imagine Lady Huyen Thanh Quan’s emotions while crossing Ngang Pass? How are these emotions expressed through the poem, using both indirect and direct means?

- Indirect expression: The poet uses the natural surroundings to reflect her emotions. The call of the birds ('gia gia' and 'quốc quốc') mimics the sounds of home and country, amplifying her feelings of longing for her homeland. The evening setting also emphasizes the poet's isolation and yearning.
- Direct expression: The poet explicitly states her feelings in the final line of the poem: 'One fragment of personal love, just for me alone.' This direct expression deepens the emotional resonance of her solitude.

Answer to question 6 (Page 104, Literature 7, Volume 1):
How is the 'personal love' described in the vast landscape of Ngang Pass different from describing the same sentiment in a confined space?

The notion of 'personal love' against the expansive backdrop of Ngang Pass creates a contrasting relationship: the broader the sky and landscape, the heavier and more melancholic the feeling of isolation becomes. This contrasts sharply with expressing 'personal love' in a confined, smaller space, where the emotions might seem less intense.

Exercise:
What is the meaning of the phrase 'Ta with ta'?

Answer:
'Ta with ta' refers to the poet herself, expressing a deep and profound sense of solitude.

I. Author

- Mrs. Huyện Thanh Quan's real name was Nguyễn Thị Hinh. She lived in the 19th century, but her exact birth and death years remain unclear.

- She hailed from Nghi Tàm village, now part of Tây Hồ District, Hanoi.

- Her husband served as the district chief of Thanh Quan in Thái Bình, which is how she earned the title "Bà Huyện Thanh Quan".

- She is one of the rare and distinguished female poets in Vietnam's feudal history.

II. The Work

- "Qua đèo ngang" is a seven-character eight-line poem, adhering to the Đường luật form (each line contains 7 syllables).

- Structure: 4 parts

First two lines: The natural landscape at Đèo Ngang.
Next two lines: The human life at Đèo Ngang.
Following two lines: The poet's homesickness when standing at Đèo Ngang.
Last two lines: The poet’s profound loneliness.

III. Understanding the Text

1. First two lines: The natural landscape at Đèo Ngang

- Time: "Bóng xế tà" refers to the late afternoon, when people typically return home after a day of hard work. Yet, the poet is alone at Đèo Ngang, intensifying her feeling of loneliness.

- The landscape of Đèo Ngang:

"Cỏ cây chen đá, lá chen hoa" is a symbolic and stylized image. The repetition of the word "chen" (to intertwine) combined with elements like "stone," "leaf," and "flower" evokes a nature that is raw but full of life.
=> The poet paints a vivid yet minimalist picture of Đèo Ngang’s landscape with just a few strokes, yet it feels incredibly realistic and lively.

2. Next two lines: The human life at Đèo Ngang

- Amidst the vast and wild nature, humans are present:

Artistic inversion:

"Lom khom - tiều vài chú": The image of a few woodcutters bent over under the mountain.
"Lác đác - chợ mấy nhà": The sight of a few scattered houses near the river.
=> The poet emphasizes the smallness of humans in comparison to the vastness of nature. The human presence is like a lonely dot within an expansive, silent environment. The separation between people and nature enhances the desolate, empty atmosphere.

3. Following two lines: The poet’s homesickness at Đèo Ngang

- The images of the "quốc quốc" and "gia gia" birds are not just depictions of actual species (the cuckoo and the crow),

- But the poet uses these birds' calls as a metaphor to express her deep longing for her homeland.

=> These two lines powerfully convey the poet’s profound yearning for her country and her home.

4. Last two lines: The poet’s profound loneliness

- The line "Dừng chân đứng lại, trời, non, nước" captures the poet standing alone at Đèo Ngang, gazing out into the endless stretch of nature (sky, mountains, and rivers).

- Her loneliness is emphasized with "một mảnh tình riêng" - a personal feeling with no one to share it with, and "ta với ta" - where "ta" refers solely to the poet, alone with her own thoughts, isolated and solitary.

=> These final lines underscore the poet's intense solitude and emptiness in the face of the vast natural world.

IV. Conclusion

- Theme: The poem portrays the vast yet desolate landscape of Đèo Ngang, where human life is faintly visible but still primitive. It also conveys the poet’s deep homesickness and longing for her homeland.

- Techniques: The poem follows the seven-character eight-line format, utilizing inversion, symbolic imagery, and other rhetorical devices.

V. Answering Questions

Question 1: Based on the introduction to the seven-character eight-line Đường luật form in the footnote (*), identify the characteristics of the poem “Qua đèo ngang” in terms of its number of lines, syllables per line, rhyme scheme, and the parallelism between lines 3 and 4, and lines 5 and 6.

- Form: Seven-character eight-line poem (8 lines, each with 7 syllables).

- Rhyme scheme: The final syllables of lines 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 rhyme (tà, nhà, gia, ta).

- Parallelism: Lines 3 and 4 (Lom khom - lác đác, under the mountain - by the river, a few woodcutters - a few houses); Lines 5 and 6 (Miss my country - miss my home, the cuckoo’s call - the crow’s call).

Question 2: What time of day is the Đèo Ngang scene described? How does this time enhance the expression of the poet’s mood?

- Time: "Bóng xế tà" refers to late afternoon.

- Advantage: This time marks the end of the day when people usually return home after a hard day's work. Yet the poet is alone at Đèo Ngang, which heightens her sense of loneliness and emptiness.

Question 3: What details describe the Đèo Ngang scene? Pay attention to the space, time, landscape, sounds, and human life; consider the onomatopoeic words "lác đác," "lom khom," and the bird calls "quốc quốc," "gia gia".

- Space: The vast Đèo Ngang.

- Time: The late afternoon, the end of the day.

- Landscape: Grass, trees intertwining with rocks and flowers, a nature full of vitality.

- People: A few woodcutters, a few scattered houses – people seem tiny in the face of such expansive nature.

- Repetition: "lác đác" (scattered), "lom khom" (bent) – evoke the smallness and sparse presence of people in this vast environment.

- Onomatopoeia: "quốc quốc" and "gia gia" – these bird calls symbolize the poet’s deep yearning and sadness for her homeland.

Question 4: How would you describe the Đèo Ngang scene as depicted by Bà Huyện Thanh Quan?

The Đèo Ngang scene is presented as vast and open, yet desolate, with signs of human life barely visible, giving the area a sense of rawness and wilderness.

Question 5: Imagine the emotional state of Bà Huyện Thanh Quan when passing through Đèo Ngang. How is this feeling expressed through both indirect and direct means?

- Mood: The poet’s deep homesickness.

- Indirect expression: The desolate, vast landscape of Đèo Ngang conveys the poet’s isolation and alienation.

- Direct expression: The line "Một mảnh tình riêng, ta với ta" explicitly shows the poet’s profound solitude and isolation.

Question 6: What is the difference in expressing a personal feeling, like "a mảnh tình riêng", when surrounded by vast space versus in a confined area?

"Một mảnh tình riêng" is a personal emotion, which feels even more fragile and lonely when set against the backdrop of an immense, open space, making the poet’s isolation feel even more intense.

II. Practice

Find the meaning of the phrase "ta với ta".

- "ta với ta": Refers to the poet herself.

- At this moment, she is alone with her thoughts, facing herself, feeling completely isolated and solitary.

=> A deep sense of loneliness with no one to share or understand her feelings.