Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for 'Randomly Writing When Returning Home' by Ha Tri Chuong for 7th Grade

Overview of the Poem

a. Author:

Ha Tri Chuong: Born in 659-744, he left his hometown at a young age and only returned at the age of 86. He left behind more than 20 poems, including two versions of 'Randomly Writing When Returning Home'.
b. The Poem:

Title: The word 'Randomly' in the title does not imply that the feelings were random, but rather adds depth to the meaning of the poem.
Genre: The original text is a seven-character quatrain in Tang dynasty style. The translation is in six-eight meter.
Rhythm: 4/3, with the last line in 2/5.
Rhyme scheme: The first and second lines rhyme with 'ôi'.
Structure: Introduction, transition, and conclusion.

Answering the Questions
Question 1: What does the title of the poem suggest about the expression of hometown feelings?

Answer: The poem arises from the paradox of being called a guest upon returning to one’s hometown after so many years. Unlike Li Bai’s 'Quiet Night Thoughts', which was written due to homesickness, Ha Tri Chuong’s poem reflects the bittersweet return to a place that feels foreign despite being home.

Question 2: Demonstrate how the first two lines use antithesis and explain its effect.

Answer: The first two lines present opposing life phases: 'youth left home' and 'old age returns'. These contrast life stages to show how one’s devotion to home remains constant, despite the passage of time.
The second couplet emphasizes the contrast between change (gray hair) and continuity (the unchanged accent). This highlights how the poet’s love for his homeland has remained unaltered despite the years spent away.

Question 3: Fill in the table and mark the appropriate boxes with an X.

(Table on page 127 of the textbook)

Answer: Storytelling: Line 1
Description: Line 2
Expression of feelings: Line 1
Feelings through storytelling: Line 1
Feelings through description: Line 2

Question 4: How does the expression of hometown love differ between the first and second set of lines?

Answer: The first two lines are soft and calm, with a touch of melancholy due to the long absence. The second set of lines, however, adopts a more humorous and bittersweet tone, where the poet is both amused and saddened by being mistaken for a stranger by the children in his village.

Practice:
Based on the translated version of 'Randomly Writing When Returning Home', compare the translations by Pham Si Vi and Tran Trong San?

Answer: Similarities:
Both translations use the six-eight meter.
They stay true to the meaning of the original text.
Differences:
The translation by Pham Si Vi lacks the playful image of children's laughter, and doesn't capture the meeting-and-not-recognizing feeling in the original. Tran Trong San's translation stays closer to the original in the last two lines, though the rhythm of the final line feels a bit abrupt.

I. Author and Poem

1. Author:

- Ha Tri Chuong (659-744), courtesy name Quý Chân, alias Tứ Minh Cuồng Khách, from Vĩnh Hưng, Việt Châu (now part of Tiêu Sơn County, Zhejiang Province, China).
- He passed the imperial examination in 695 and spent over 50 years living, studying, and working in the capital Chang’an, gaining great respect from Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Later, he retired from official life to become a Taoist priest.
- He was a lifelong friend of the famous poet Li Bai.
- He enjoyed drinking, had a generous nature, and left behind 20 poems.
2. Literary Career:
Much of his poetry served the imperial court, though there are a few outstanding works, notably two versions of 'Randomly Writing When Returning Home', which he wrote after returning to his hometown following more than fifty years of separation.
3. The Poem:

'Randomly Writing When Returning Home' (Hồi hương ngẫu thư) is a seven-character quatrain that features a unique theme. The poem expresses the author's deep yet bittersweet love for his homeland.

II. Lesson Plan Guide

Question 1:

From the title of the poem, we can see that the poem portrays the love for one's homeland in a way that's different from traditional depictions. In the past, homesickness was often expressed through sorrow from being far away from home. Here, however, the affection for home is revealed immediately upon the poet’s return, at a moment when he might expect the greatest joy and happiness.

This is in stark contrast to Li Bai's 'Quiet Night Thoughts,' where the poet writes about his homeland due to deep longing while away. In Ha Tri Chuong's case, the poem comes out 'randomly,' with the feelings suddenly surfacing as soon as he sets foot in his hometown.

Question 2:

The first two lines of the poem employ antithesis, specifically small-scale antithesis:

Thiếu tiểu li gia / lão đại hồi

Hương âm vô cải / mấn mao tồi.

Each couplet has two parts that oppose each other very clearly. The concepts of 'youth' and 'old age,' 'leaving home' and 'returning,' 'unchanging accent' and 'gray hair' are presented as contrasts. Although there may be slight variation in wording, the meaning remains precise. These lines reflect the poet's longing for home despite the passage of time.

The effect of this antithesis is to convey broad meanings in a compact form. The first line suggests the poet’s long life spent away from home, while the second emphasizes the enduring connection to his homeland through the unchanging sound of his accent, despite the changes he has undergone over the years.

Question 3:

Storytelling: Line 1

Description: Line 2

Expression of feeling: Line 1

Expression through storytelling: Line 1

Expression through description: Line 2

Question 4:

The difference in tone between the first and second set of lines:

The first two lines have a descriptive, narrative tone with a subtle touch of melancholy, reflecting the poet's feelings after a long absence from home.

The second set of lines adopts a more humorous and ironic tone, showcasing the innocent, naive questions of the children. The poet finds himself in the ironic situation of being called a 'guest' in his own hometown. This evokes a sense of loneliness, as the poet feels disconnected from his own community. The playful question from the children brings both joy and sorrow to the poet.

The tone of the second set of lines, although playful, still carries an underlying sadness, revealing the poet's deep emotional attachment to his homeland.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR AND THE POEM

1. Author

- Ha Tri Chuong (659 - 744), also known as Quý Chân and Tứ Minh Cuồng Khách, hailed from Vĩnh Hưng, Việt Châu (now part of Tiêu Sơn, Zhejiang Province, China).

- He passed the imperial exams in 695 and spent more than 50 years living, studying, and serving as an official in the capital Chang’an, highly respected by Emperor Xuanzong.

- When he retired and returned to his hometown to become a Taoist, the Emperor gifted him poetry, and the crown prince and officials bid him farewell.

- He was a lifelong friend of the renowned poet Li Bai, loved drinking, and had a generous personality.

- Major works: He left behind 20 poems, with 'Hồi hương ngẫu thư' (Randomly Writing Upon Returning Home) being the most famous.

2. The Poem

- 'Randomly Writing Upon Returning Home' was composed by Ha Tri Chuong in 744, at the age of 86, after returning to his hometown following over 50 years in the capital.

- The poem reflects the author's deep and bittersweet love for his homeland, felt when he returns after such a long absence.

- Poetic form: The original work is a seven-character quatrain in regulated verse, while the translation is in the lục bát form.

- Structure: The poem is divided into two parts:

+ Part 1 (First two lines): The poet’s love for his homeland.

+ Part 2 (Last two lines): The poet’s feelings upon returning to his homeland.

TEXT OF THE POEM 'RANDOMLY WRITING UPON RETURNING HOME'

Romanized Version:

Thiếu tiểu li gia, lão đại hồi

Hương âm vô cải, mấn mao trồi

Nhi đồng tương kiến, bất tương thức

Tiếu vấn khách lòng, hà xứ lai

- Ha Tri Chuong -

Translation:

Left home when I was young, return now in my old age

The hometown accent unchanged, but the hair has fallen away.

Children meet me, but don’t recognize my face

Laughing, they ask: 'Where is this guest from?'

Translation by Pham Si Vi:

When I left as a child, I return as an old man

My hometown accent unchanged, yet my hair has gone gray

Children stare, not recognizing me

They laugh and ask: 'Where is this guest from?'

READING AND UNDERSTANDING

Question 1 - Page 127 in the textbook

From the title of the poem, what is unique about how the author expresses his love for his homeland?

(Hint: Compare with the portrayal of homesickness in Li Bai's 'Quiet Night Thoughts')

Answer:

The uniqueness in expressing love for his homeland in this poem is evident in the title itself. The poet didn’t intend to write a poem upon returning home, but upon realizing that he was viewed as a stranger in his own village, he was inspired to compose it. Thus, the poem expresses love for his homeland in a very different way — the affection is revealed spontaneously as soon as he returns to his hometown.

⟹ The love for his homeland is so deep and constant in the poet's heart that it manifests naturally in any situation, anywhere.

Question 2 - Page 127 in the textbook

How do the first two lines demonstrate the use of antithesis (small-scale or internal antithesis)? What effect does this device create?

Note: In five-character and seven-character poems, the two parts of each line may not match exactly in syllable count, but the grammatical structure and meaning can still form a perfect opposition.

Answer:

The first two lines use antithesis effectively and precisely:

Thiếu tiểu li gia – lão đại hồi, hương âm vô cải – mấn mao tồi. Each line consists of two parts that oppose each other clearly.

+ 'Li gia' (leaving home) contrasts with 'đại hồi' (returning home).

+ 'Hương âm' (the hometown accent) contrasts with 'mấn mao' (the hair on my temples).

= The words and meaning are well-matched.

+ 'Thiếu tiểu' (when I was young) contrasts with 'lão' (old age).

+ 'Vô cải' (unchanging) contrasts with 'tồi' (changing).

= The meaning is well-balanced, and the phrasing is harmonious.

* The use of antithesis here highlights the poet’s experience of time passing and the emotional contrast of leaving and returning home.

Question 3 - Page 127 in the textbook

Fill in the table below and mark the appropriate methods of expression:

Methods of Expression
Storytelling:
Description:
Expression of feeling:
Expression through description:
Expression through storytelling:
After marking, you can add further explanations or use different interpretations.

Answer:

- Line 2 is descriptive: it talks about the change in the poet’s appearance, his graying hair, but his accent remains the same, showing his deep, unchanged affection for his homeland.

- Line 1 narrates the poet’s life journey, summarizing the long years spent away from home, highlighting the changes in his appearance and subtly revealing his emotional connection to his homeland. The mood here is bittersweet, reflecting the passage of time.

- The table is as follows:

Methods of Expression

Storytelling: Line 1
Description: Line 2
Expression of feeling: Line 1
Expression through description: Line 2
Expression through storytelling: Line 2

Question 4 - Page 127 in the textbook

How do the tones of the first two lines and the last two lines differ?

(Hint: Analyze why only the children appear and whether their innocent questions and laughter make the poet happy.)

Answer:

- The tone of the first two lines, while addressing the passage of time and change, feels somewhat melancholic despite being somewhat objective.

- The last two lines shift towards storytelling and emotional expression with the appearance of the children. These children are confused and don’t recognize the poet, whom they see as a stranger. Having returned to his homeland, he finds himself unrecognized, and his bittersweet emotions are reflected in the playful yet sorrowful tone of the poem.

EXERCISE

Question: Based on the translation of 'Hồi hương ngẫu thư' and the impressions gained from studying the poem, compare the translations by Pham Si Vi and Tran Trong San.

Answer:

Comparison of Pham Si Vi and Tran Trong San’s translations:

- Similarities: Both use the lục bát verse form and stay true to the original meaning.

- Differences:

+ Pham Si Vi’s translation omits the children’s laughter.

+ Tran Trong San’s version has inconsistent rhyme in the final line, and the rhythm of the last verse is less smooth.

SUMMARY

'Randomly Writing Upon Returning Home' vividly and profoundly expresses the poet’s bittersweet yet sincere love for his homeland, blending humor and nostalgia in the moment he returns after years away.

I. A Brief Overview of the Author Ha Tri Chuong
- Ha Tri Chuong (659-744), courtesy name Quý Chân, pseudonym Tứ Minh Cuồng Khách, was from Vĩnh Hưng, Việt Châu (now part of Tiêu Sơn, Zhejiang Province, China).
- He passed the imperial exams in 695 and lived, studied, and served as an official for over 50 years in the capital Chang'an, where he was greatly respected by Emperor Xuanzong. Later, he retired to become a Taoist.
- He was a lifelong friend of the famous poet Li Bai.
- Known for his love of drinking and generous nature, Ha left behind 20 poems.

II. A Brief Overview of the Poem 'Randomly Writing Upon Returning Home'
1. Origin
The poem was written when Ha Tri Chuong visited his hometown in 744 at the age of 86.
2. Structure: 2 parts
- Part 1 (first two lines): The poet's love for his homeland.
- Part 2 (last two lines): The poet's emotional state upon returning to his hometown.
3. Content Value
The poem sincerely and deeply conveys the poet's bittersweet affection for his homeland, expressed humorously and with a tinge of sorrow, in the fleeting moment when he returns after many years away.
4. Artistic Value
- The poem is written in seven-character quatrains.
- The tone is both playful and melancholic.
- It uses antithesis effectively.
- There is a skillful blending of narrative and emotional expression.

III. Answering the Questions

Question 1 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook)

The lyrical character, the poet, becomes a guest in his own homeland on the very first day of his return.
→ This is the main reason the poet wrote the poem.
- Unlike Li Bai, who writes about his nostalgia for his homeland when he is far away, Ha Tri Chuong writes when he returns to find himself a stranger.

Question 2 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook)

- The poem uses small-scale antithesis (tiểu đối):
+ 'Thiếu tiểu li gia' (left home as a child) vs. 'Lão đại hồi' (returns as an old man)
+ 'Hương âm vô cải' (the accent unchanged) vs. 'Mấn mao tồi' (the hair grown thin)
→ In each line, the two parts of the sentence perfectly mirror each other, creating harmony.

- Through this form of antithesis, the poet expresses the poignant truth: after a lifetime of wandering, he returns home as an old man, yet his accent remains the same, unchanged.
- 'Hương âm vô cải' (the unchanged accent) reflects the unchanged depth of love for his homeland, the essence that never fades in the poet's heart.
→ The soul and love for the homeland remain eternal in the poet's mind.

Question 3 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook)

Expression Methods
Narration: Line 1
Description: Line 2
Expression of feeling: Line 1
Expression through description: Line 1
Expression through narration: Line 2
Question 4 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook)

- The main difference in tone between the first and last lines:

+ The first two lines: The tone is narrative with a hint of melancholy, reflecting the feelings of someone who has been away for a long time: 'I left when young, I return when old / My accent unchanged, yet my hair now thin.'

+ The last two lines: The tone is bittersweet and playful, depicting the innocent and naive nature of the children who ask, 'Where are you from?'—creating a humorous yet sad situation where the poet is seen as a stranger in his own hometown.
→ The feeling of being alienated in his own homeland, with no one familiar to welcome him, fills the poet with sadness and sorrow.

Exercise

Comparing the two translations by Pham Si Vi and Tran Trong San:

- Similarities: Both translations use the lục bát verse form and stay close to the literal meaning of the original.

- Differences: Pham Si Vi’s translation omits the children's laughter (‘tiếu vấn’)—the image of the children laughing and asking.
+ Tran Trong San’s translation, particularly in the final lines, lacks the smoothness and completeness found in the original text.

Answer to Question 1 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook):

- The title of the poem hints at the circumstances behind its creation: after 50 years, the poet returns home, only to be called a guest by the children, which deeply saddens him and becomes the inspiration for his poem.

- Compared with the poem 'Quiet Night Thoughts': from a distant land, the poet gazes at the bright moon and yearns for his homeland.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook):

- The first two lines use antithesis skillfully. Each line has two parts, where the words and ideas are perfectly balanced:

Left home as a child – returns as an old man,
Accent unchanged – hair now thin.

+ 'Li gia' (left home) contrasts with 'dai hui' (returns home).
+ 'Hương âm' (accent) contrasts with 'mấn mao' (hair).
+ 'Thiếu tiểu' (childhood) contrasts with 'lão' (old age).
+ 'Vô cải' (unchanged) contrasts with 'tồi' (changed).

- The use of this antithesis highlights the significance of the poet's life spent away from home.

Answer to Question 3 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook):

Narration: Line 1
Description: Line 2
Expression of feeling: Line 1
Expression through description: Line 1
Expression through narration: Line 2

- Line 1 summarizes briefly the poet's life spent away from home, emphasizing the changes in his appearance and age, and reveals his emotional connection to his homeland.
- Line 2 describes the changes in his hair, yet his accent and deep love for his homeland remain unchanged.

Answer to Question 4 (Page 127, 7th Grade Literature Textbook):

- The tone of the first two lines reflects both the passage of time and the changes in the poet's life, yet there is an underlying sadness.
- The tone in the last two lines is slightly playful but still carries a sense of sorrow within.

Exercise

Instructional video on solving the exercise

Comparison of two translations of the poem:

- Similarities: Both translations use the lục bát form and stay close to the literal meaning of the original.

- Differences: Pham Si Vi’s version does not include the symbolic image of the children laughing, while Tran Trong San’s version has a less smooth rhythm, especially in the final line, which feels abrupt.

Structure:

2 parts:

- Part 1 (first two lines): The changes and constants in human life.

- Part 2 (last two lines): The poet’s feelings when being treated as a guest in his homeland.

Main Content:

The poem vividly and deeply expresses the poet's warm, bittersweet love for his homeland after years of separation, as he steps back onto his homeland's soil once more.

I. Author

- Ha Tri Chương (659 - 744), also known as Quý Châu, Tứ Minh Cuồng Khách.

- Born in Vĩnh Yên, Việt Châu (now part of Tiên Sơn district, Zhejiang Province, China).

- He was a renowned poet during the Tang Dynasty.

- In 659, he passed the imperial examination and spent over 50 years living and serving as an official in the capital, Chang'an, gaining the admiration of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.

- When he retired and returned to his hometown to become a Daoist hermit, the emperor sent him poetry, and both officials and the crown prince came to bid him farewell.

- Ha Tri Chương was also known as a close friend of the famous poet Li Bai, regardless of age.

- He was known for his generosity, openness, and love for wine.

- Some of his notable works include: 'Đề Viên thị biệt nghiệp,' 'Hồi hương ngẫu thư,' 'Thái liên khúc,' and 'Vịnh liễu.'

II. The Poem

1. Context of Creation

- The poem was written by Ha Tri Chương during a visit to his hometown in Vĩnh Hưng, Việt Châu (now part of Tiêu Sơn district, Zhejiang Province, China).

- The poem was inspired by the sorrow of being seen as a stranger in his own homeland, after many years of absence. It also expresses a deep, heartfelt love for his homeland.

- This is Ha Tri Chương's most famous poem, praised for both its content and artistic value.

2. Poetic Form

- It is written in the style of a seven-character quatrain, a form of regulated poetry (Đường luật).

3. Structure

The poem consists of two parts:

Part 1: The first two lines depict the changes in the poet’s emotions upon returning to his hometown.

Part 2: The last two lines describe the changes in the hometown after many years of the poet’s absence.

III. Analysis of the Poem

1. The First Two Lines: The Emotional Shift of the Poet Upon Returning

- The opening line reflects a stark contrast: when the poet left his homeland, he was young, but upon returning, he is already old. This highlights the long period of absence, and conveys the poet's regret at returning near the end of his life.

- The juxtaposition of 'the accent of the homeland remains unchanged' and 'the hair is now grey' illustrates that while time may alter the physical appearance, the core bond to one’s roots remains steadfast. This is a poignant expression of the poet’s unwavering affection for his homeland.

=> These first two lines encapsulate the poet’s long separation from his homeland, while also revealing his deep sorrow and longing.

2. The Last Two Lines: The Changes in the Hometown After the Poet’s Return

- After many years away, the poet expected to be greeted by familiar faces, but instead encounters an unexpected reality.

- The innocent question from a child, “Where are you from, traveler?” reveals how time has passed, and how the poet’s former friends and family are now distant memories. Now, only children ask, unaware of the poet’s identity.

- The term “guest” points to a painful truth: the poet, a native son of the land, is now a stranger in his own home. He feels alienated, even in the place where he once belonged.

=> These final lines capture the poet’s bittersweet and ironic return, filled with both humor and sorrow.

IV. Conclusion

- Content: The poem expresses the deep love of a man who has been away from his homeland for a long time and now returns to find it changed.

- Artistry: The seven-character quatrain form, combined with a tone that is both humorous and profound, enhances the emotional depth of the poem.

Summary of the poem 'Hồi hương ngẫu thư' in brief.

V. Questions and Answers

Question 1: What makes the expression of love for the homeland in the poem unique?

- The title is unique because 'Hồi hương ngẫu thư' suggests that the poem was not consciously written, but rather composed spontaneously during the poet's return to his homeland, when he was faced with change and emotional reflection.

- In contrast, in the poem 'Tĩnh dạ tứ,' the poet is far from his homeland and, during a quiet night under the moon, writes about his longing for his homeland.

Question 2: Prove that the first two lines use antithesis (referred to as 'tiểu đối'). Explain the effect of this technique.

- The antithesis in the first two lines is:

Line 1: Contrasting “young” - “old” (young - old) and “leave” - “return” (leave - return).

Line 2: Contrasting the unchanged accent (the unchanging) and the grey hair (the change).

- Effect: This highlights the passage of time and emphasizes the poet’s unchanging loyalty and deep affection for his homeland.

Question 3: Complete the table and mark the correct answers. You may explain further, or use different explanations for each option.

Expression Method

Narrative: Line 1

Descriptive: Line 2

Emotional: Line 1

Emotional through narration: Line 1

Emotional through description: Line 2

- Remarks:

Line 1: Narrates the event of returning to the hometown and expresses the poet's yearning for his homeland.

Line 2: Describes the poet’s appearance after many years away, reflecting his steadfast love for his homeland.

Question 4: How do the tones differ between the first two lines and the last two lines?

- The first two lines: The tone is one of sorrow over the passage of time.

- The last two lines: The tone is humorous yet profound, with a subtle sadness lingering beneath the surface.

II. Practice

Based on the translation of 'Hồi hương ngẫu thư,' compare the translations by Phạm Sỹ Vỹ and Trần Trọng San.

* Similarities:

- Both translations are rendered in the form of the six-eight line structure (lục bát).

- Both retain key images such as the unchanged accent, the grey hair, and the child’s question.

* Differences:

- Phạm Sỹ Vỹ’s translation: The phrase 'tóc đà khác bao' does not clearly express the change in the poet after many years of absence. It also omits the image of 'tiếu vấn' (the smiling inquiry), which diminishes the poem’s playful tone.

- Trần Trọng San’s translation: The phrase 'sương pha mái đầu' is more symbolic, reflecting the poet’s changes. However, the translation 'gặp nhau mà chẳng biết nhau' in line 3 does not align with the original, and the flow of the lines is not as smooth.