1. Lesson Plan for "The Fishing Boat" No. 4
I. About the Author
- Huy Cận (1919-2005), full name Cù Huy Cận
- Hometown: Ân Phú Village, Dụ Quang District, Hà Tĩnh Province
- Literary Career:
+ Huy Cận gained fame in the New Poetry movement with his poem "Sacred Fire".
+ He participated in the revolution before 1945 and, after the August Revolution, held several important roles in the revolutionary government, becoming one of the most prominent poets of modern Vietnamese literature.
+ Huy Cận was awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Arts in 1996.
- Writing Style:
+ Before the revolution, his poetry reflected a melancholic tone.
+ After the revolution, his poetry took on a more joyful and optimistic tone.
II. About the Poem "The Fishing Boat"
1. Circumstances of Creation
In mid-1958, Huy Cận went on a field trip to the Quảng Ninh mining region. Inspired by this trip, his poetry bloomed with rich imagery of the country's nature. The poem was written during this time and published in the collection “Each Day the Sky Grows Brighter.”
2. Structure: 3 parts
- Part 1 (First 2 stanzas): The scene of the fishing boat leaving the shore.
- Part 2 (Next 4 stanzas): The scene of the fishing boat on the sea.
- Part 3 (Final stanza): The fishing boat returning home.
3. Content Value
The poem is a magnificent anthem celebrating the collective labor of fishermen in the process of building and rebuilding the country. It also expresses the poet's joy and pride in the beauty of nature.
4. Artistic Value
The poem stands out for its creative use of imagery through metaphors and rich imagination. Its tone is energetic, heroic, and innovative.
III. READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Question 1, page 142 of the 9th Grade Literature Textbook: The poem follows the journey of the fishing boat as it sets out to sea. Based on this structure, identify the poem’s outline.
Describe the time and space depicted in the poem.
Answer:
The poem is structured according to the fishing boat's journey out to sea. The outline of the poem is as follows:
- Part 1 – First two stanzas: The fishing boat setting out.
- Part 2 – Next four stanzas: The fishing boat on the sea.
- Part 3 – Final stanza: The fishing boat returning at dawn.
* In the poem, time is depicted as the cyclical rhythm of the universe from sunset to sunrise, and space is vast (including the sky, sea, moon, stars, and winds).
Question 2, page 142 of the 9th Grade Literature Textbook: In what space is the image of the laborers and their work described? Through which artistic techniques did the poet highlight the beauty and strength of the workers in relation to nature and the universe?
Answer:
The poet uses exaggeration and creative metaphors, placing the laborers in the expansive space of nature to elevate their status:
+ The song spreads the sail with the wind.
+ Our boat steers the wind with a moonlit sail.
+ We glide between the high clouds and the sea.
+ The fleet races with the sun.
The harmony between laborers and nature, the universe is portrayed through the rhythms of labor and the natural world’s cycles. The poet’s creative method is highlighted by the romantic depiction of the laborers, showing their harmony with nature. The workers’ image and their work are set in the vast expanse of the sea and sky to amplify their importance.
* The poet employs exaggeration and bold metaphors to create an image of the workers. More importantly, the image of the workers is created with a romantic tone, expressing confidence and joy in the new life. This romantic inspiration also permeates the depictions of nature and the universe, creating a magnificent, free-spirited beauty that remains close to the human experience.
Question 3, page 142 of the 9th Grade Literature Textbook: The poem features several magnificent images, illustrating the harmony between nature and laborers. Choose and analyze some notable images from stanzas 1, 3, 4, and 7. What is distinctive about the poet's method of creating images?
Answer:
The poem presents a dazzling scene: The vast yet familiar ocean at night, depicted through unexpected comparisons and metaphors: "The sun descends into the sea like a burning sphere / The waves lock the door, and night falls." This is an unusual, creative, and vivid image.
Additionally, the scene of the fishing boats on the sea is beautifully rendered: "Our boat steers the wind with a moonlit sail / Gliding between high clouds and the sea / Docking far from shore, probing the belly of the sea / Arranging the net, setting up the traps." These lines show the poet’s romanticism and rich imagination, reflecting the laborers’ enthusiasm in their work. The image of the fish in the sea is also striking: "The tuna of the East Sea, like a shuttle / Night and day weaving the sea into streams of light; / The herring glitters like a dark red torch / Silver scales, golden tail shimmering at dawn / The eyes of the fish gleam, drying under the sun's rays." Through vivid imagination, the poet transforms reality into a dazzling and fantastical picture. The images of nature in the poem resemble a shimmering, magical lacquer painting, created by the poet's soaring metaphors drawn from real observations. The poet elevates reality, enriching the natural beauty with their creativity.
Question 4, page 142 of the 9th Grade Literature Textbook: The poem uses the word "song" extensively, and the entire poem feels like a hymn. What kind of hymn is this, and whose words does the poet speak through? What do you think about the poem’s tone and rhythm? How do the elements of form, rhyme, and meter contribute to its mood?
Answer:
The poem contains many references to "singing," making it feel like a hymn. This is a labor hymn, with the poet embodying the laborers to express their voices. The poem’s tone is lively and strong; the flexible rhyme scheme creates a heroic and vibrant atmosphere. The verse is bold and the rhythm resembles an eager, enthusiastic song, exuding a sense of joy and lightness.
Question 5, page 142 of the 9th Grade Literature Textbook: Based on the depictions of nature and laborers in the poem, how do you think the poet views nature and the workers of the country?
Answer:
The poet’s depictions of nature and laborers show a joyful outlook on life, filled with enthusiasm and pride for nature, the land, and the laborers.
II. PRACTICE:
Write an analysis of the final stanza of the poem:
The poem ends with the scene of the fishing boats returning after a night of intense labor. Again, we hear the sound of singing. If the opening stanza expresses the joy of the people conquering nature, the final stanza conveys the excitement of those returning victorious, their boats filled with fish. After a night of hard work, they maintain their eager spirit: "The fishing fleet races with the sun." This is a beautiful and evocative image, as racing with the sun also means they are racing with time. Returning does not mean the work is done. "The sun rises over the sea, bringing a fresh light," representing the purity of dawn on the sea, symbolizing a new day, a new life for the laborers who now truly control nature and their destiny. The poem concludes, but its meaning extends infinitely with the image of "The fish's eyes gleam, drying in the sun's rays"—a brilliant, promising future awaits the hardworking people.
Illustration (Source: Internet)
2. Analysis of the Poem "The Fishing Boat" - Version 5
A. MAIN KNOWLEDGE
1. Author
Huy Cận (1919 - 2005), born Cù Huy Cận, hailed from Hà Tĩnh Province. He gained fame in the New Poetry movement with his poetry collection *Lửa Thiêng* (Sacred Fire). He participated in the revolutionary struggle before 1945 and held several key positions in the revolutionary government following the August Revolution. Huy Cận is recognized as one of the most prominent poets of modern Vietnamese literature. He was awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Art.
Notable works: *Lửa Thiêng* (1940), *Trời Mỗi Ngày Lại Sáng* (The Sky Brightens Each Day, 1958), *Đất Nở Hoa* (The Land Blooms, 1960), *Bài Thơ Cuộc Đời* (Poem of Life, 1963), *Những Năm Sáu Mươi* (The Sixties, 1968), *Ngôi Nhà Giữa Nắng* (The House in the Sun, 1978), *Hạt Lại Gieo* (Seeds Sown Again, 1984), etc. He passed away in 2005 in Hanoi.
2. The Poem
The poem *Đoàn Thuyền Đánh Cá* (The Fishing Boat Squadron) was written after Huy Cận's field trip to Quảng Ninh in 1958 and published in the collection *Trời Mỗi Ngày Lại Sáng*.
In this work, the poet depicts the majestic images of nature and human labor, capturing the joy and pride of the poet for the land and life. The poem is rich in creativity, filled with vivid imagery, strong, heroic, and optimistic tones.
B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS
Question 1: (Page 142 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook)
The poem is structured based on the sequence of the fishing boat squadron setting off to sea. Based on this sequence, identify the structure of the poem.
Answer: The poem consists of three parts:
Part 1: The first two stanzas depict the fishing boat squadron's departure and the excited feelings of the people.
Part 2: The following four stanzas describe the fishing boat squadron at sea.
Part 3: The last part portrays the fishing boat squadron's return.
The poem reflects the passage of time from sunset to dawn and is set in the vast, open sea, where the workers harmonize with nature.
Question 2: (Page 142 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook)
In what kind of space is the laborer and their work depicted? What artistic techniques does the author use to highlight the beauty and strength of the workers in relation to nature and the universe?
Answer: The laborer and their work are depicted in the vast space of the universe and the open sea:
"The song fills the sail with the wind's call,"
"Our boat sails with the wind and the moon's sail,"
"We sing a song to summon the fish,"
"The boat's rhythm echoes with the moon's height."
The author uses personification and comparison to emphasize the grand imagery of the fishing boats cutting through the wind and moonlight. Through romantic and lofty emotions and creative imagination, the poet highlights the vibrant image of the hardworking person, blending the beauty of the sky and the sea with human labor to create a vivid natural scene.
Question 3: (Page 142 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook)
The poem has many magnificent images that show the harmony between nature and human labor. Choose some striking images from stanzas 1, 3, 4, and 7 and analyze them. What is the distinctive feature of the author's image-building technique?
Answer: The poem is filled with splendid imagery that reflects nature's beauty:
"The sun sets into the sea like a burning stone,"
"The waves lock the door to the night."
Here, the sun is compared to a blazing stone descending into the ocean at sunset. The intense heat of the sun is softened by the vast sea, which appears as a majestic home, with the waves acting as door bolts closing off the dark night. The universe rests as time unfolds in cycles. As this happens, the fishermen's workday begins:
"The fishing boats set off once more."
"The song fills the sail with the wind's call."
In stanza three, the fishing boats are depicted as majestic vessels amidst the vast, limitless nature. The romantic tone permeates the labor scene, transforming hard work into joy, full of life and optimism.
"Our boat sails with the wind and the moon's sail,"
"Gliding through high clouds and the endless sea."
"Anchoring far out, we explore the depths of the sea."
"Setting up a net to trap the fish."
The author’s artistic approach is marked by romanticism, rich emotion, and grand imagery, which enhance the beauty of the laborers amidst the boundless nature.
Question 4: (Page 142 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook)
The poem uses the word 'song' frequently, making the entire piece feel like a melody. What kind of song is this, and whose voice is the poet representing? What can be said about the tone and rhythm of the poem? How do the verse, rhyme, and meter contribute to the poem’s musicality?
Answer: The word "song" appears four times in the poem, creating a melody that praises labor, the spirit of self-reliance, and the joy of life. The poet speaks on behalf of the laborers, echoing their song. The line "The song fills the sail with the wind's call" from the beginning is echoed in the final stanza, creating a beautiful symmetry and reflecting the completeness of the fishing boat squadron's journey and the passage of time. This song is a tribute to the heroic labor, full of vitality, that the poet gives voice to in place of the workers.
The poem’s tone is lively, strong, and filled with enthusiasm. The dynamic rhythm and flexible rhyme scheme produce an energetic, celebratory tone that amplifies the poem’s heroic theme.
Question 5: (Page 142 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook)
What is your impression of the poet's perspective and feelings towards nature, the country, and the workers as depicted in the poem?
Answer: Through the imagery of nature and labor in the poem, the poet expresses a passionate, intense love for the vast, magnificent, and abundant sea. The sea is not only a beautiful scene but also a life source, providing sustenance to the fishermen. The modern workers are depicted as eager and energetic, mastering nature to build a new life. The lively, optimistic mood of the workers amid the grand natural scenes symbolizes the vitality and construction of a new world on a new land. The poet’s emotions overflow with hope for a promising future.
Exercise (Page 142 - Vietnamese Literature 9 Textbook)
Write an analysis of the first or last stanza of the poem.
Answer: The final stanza of the poem presents the image of the fishing boats returning under the glorious morning sun after a hard day’s work:
"The song fills the sail with the wind's call,"
"The fishing boats race alongside the sun."
"The sun rises over the sea, bringing a new color,"
"The fish's eyes gleam as they are displayed."
Each line paints a picture of a vibrant natural scene. The fishing boats return in the glorious dawn, with the sun rising from the deep sea. This race with the universe signals the start of a new day. The laborers return with boats full of fish, their eyes shining across the vast sea. The movement of the boats reflects their triumph, merging with the sun’s journey. This signifies the power and determination of the people who are masters of the land and the sea. Using personification and exaggeration, the poet portrays nature’s grandeur. This stanza evokes a joyous, energetic mood as the workers celebrate their fruitful labor after a long night at sea. It paints a scene of a new life in the bright new light.
Illustrative image (Source: internet)3. Essay on "The Fishing Boat" No. 6
I. General introduction to the poem "The Fishing Boat"
1. The author
Huy Cận is one of the most prominent poets of the New Poetry movement. He quickly adapted to the new life of the laboring people after the August Revolution.
2. The poem
This poem was inspired by the poet's real-life journey to the mining region of Quảng Ninh.
Structure:
First two stanzas: the fishing boat setting out to sea.
Next four stanzas: the scene of the fishing boat at sea.
Final stanza: the boat returning.
II. Understanding the text "The Fishing Boat"
Question 1 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The poem describes a vast, grand, and expansive space.
The time is from sunset to the dawn of the following day.
Question 2 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The image of the laborer and their work is described in the vastness of the universe, amidst the immense, magnificent sea.
Artistic techniques: Romantic inspiration, elevation; enumeration, comparison, and personification highlight the richness of sea creatures, the marvelous beauty, and the abundance of the ocean, all painting the image of a new, enthusiastic laborer harmonizing with nature's beauty.
Question 3 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
Some striking images:
The night-time sea is both vast and intimate:
The sun descends into the sea like a ball of fire.
The waves have locked the door, night is closing in.
Personification and comparison create a vivid imagery: the sun is like a glowing ball of fire, slowly descending into rest, and all life and movement seem to pause. The poet imagines the sea as a large house with its door locked. The poetic soul is rich, full of imagination.
Question 4 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
This is a song about labor, mastery, and cheerful joy.
The poem's tone and rhythm are energetic, lively, and uplifting.
Elements contributing to the tone of the poem: dynamic rhyme schemes, alternating stressed and unstressed syllables, continuous rhyming, creating an echo of the labor spirit. The rhythm alternates between youthful energy and the joy of abundant catches.
Question 5 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The poet's transformation is clear in "The Fishing Boat". The poet views nature and the laborer with fresh eyes, full of enthusiasm. Every image in the poem is alive with joy, driven by a passionate love for the boundless, majestic, and bountiful sea. In this landscape, the laborers work tirelessly. This is the poet's hopeful, optimistic outlook on the new life.
IV. Practice with the poem "The Fishing Boat"
Question 1 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
Sample passage:
The poem begins with a powerful image: "The sun descends into the sea like a ball of fire." The closing space is opened wide by the fiery red of the sunset. The universe is a vast house, with waves and night personified as if they are locking the door, closing for the night. But in this quiet space, the workers begin their daily tasks: The fishing boats head back out to sea – The sails catch the wind. This line shows the laborers' optimism and belief in abundant harvests, reflecting their eagerness to work. The sense of space is clearly depicted by Huy Cận through magnificent, expansive natural imagery.
Analysis of the final stanza:
The structure, with its opening and closing matching, creates a rhythmic balance, producing a victorious tone for the reader. This final stanza is a heroic anthem about labor and the triumph of the people after enduring struggles and hardships. The image of the boat racing the sun, personified, gives the line power and highlights the image of the hardworking, cheerful laborer on their journey despite the difficulties.
Illustrative image (Source: internet)4. Essay on "The Fishing Boat" No. 1
Structure:
- Part 1 (First 2 stanzas): The scene of the fishing boat setting out to sea
- Part 2 (Next 4 stanzas): The fishing boat's journey and fishing activities
- Part 3 (Final stanza): The fishing boat's return at dawn
Study guide
Question 1 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
a. Structure of the poem
Part 1 (first 2 stanzas): The scene of the boat setting out, full of excitement
Part 2 (next 4 stanzas): The fishing boat at sea
Part 3 (last part): The boat returning at sunrise
b. Space and time in the poem
- The poem features two main inspirations: the theme of labor and the theme of nature and the universe.
- The image of the fishing boat is portrayed as magnificent and grand through the author's lens.
- Using personification, the poet evokes the image of the boat gliding between the wind and the moon.
Question 2 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The first two stanzas depict the boat setting out:
+ Time: the boat sets off at night (the sun sinks into the sea).
+ Space: the vastness of the sea (the waves lock the door, the night closes in).
- The poet uses comparison and personification to describe the space and time of the fishermen heading out.
- These stanzas focus on majestic imagery, with grandeur introduced early on with the image of the sea.
Question 3 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The next four stanzas describe the labor at sea during the magnificent and vibrant night:
+ Strong verbs like "driving the wind", "weaving", "tossing", and "pulling" create vivid action.
+ The vast, majestic universe is depicted with images like "high clouds", "smooth sea", "distant shores", and "the ocean's belly".
+ The richness of the sea: mackerel, grouper, snapper, and bass.
+ Vivid and dazzling colors: moonlit sails, shimmering torches, golden moon, drifting stars, and silver scales.
- The night sea is portrayed as a living being (The night breathes: the stars chase the waters of Ha Long).
+ The beauty of the night sea blends with the beauty of the laborers, creating a magnificent, vibrant scene full of life, capturing the dazzling beauty that moves the heart.
+ The sea and sky's beauty merge with the laborers' strength, crafting a scene of harmonious labor that stirs the soul.
→ The combination of realistic and romantic imagery creates a balanced scene between humans and nature.
Question 4 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The poem is like a song celebrating the laborers with their mastery over work and nature.
- The words are bold, with a tone full of enthusiasm and excitement.
- The rhyme and rhythm are steady, energetic, and dynamic.
+ Alternating stressed and unstressed syllables, along with continuous rhymes and occasional pauses, add power and resonance.
+ Unstressed syllables lend a sense of upliftment and expansion, contributing to the poem's vigorous, lively, and spirited tone.
Question 5 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
Author Huy Cận, with his passion for the beauty of nature and the laborers, paints a grand scene:
+ The laborers' passion and enthusiasm empower them to master the land.
+ The magnificent, rich nature, with its endless resources, serves humanity.
- The poet sheds the sorrow of past times to embrace the new life of freedom and democracy.
+ People rejoice in building a new life.
+ The poet’s soul blossoms with joy in the new life.
Exercise
Question 1 (Page 142, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1)
The poem opens with Huy Cận presenting the vast, expansive scene and the fishermen's eager spirit before setting out to sea.
The sun sinks into the sea like a ball of fire.
The waves lock the door, and the night falls.
Using comparison, the poet highlights the radiant and majestic beauty of the sunset over the sea. The universe seems to rest: "the waves lock the door", "the night falls". Nature does not wither, but instead remains vibrant. In this moment, the image of the fishing boat setting out, full of life and joy, emerges. The fishermen, familiar with their task, set off with enthusiasm and passion, embodied in "the song of the sails with the wind." The harmonious, lyrical blending of nature and the universe with the laborers reveals a deep, optimistic love for life, a vision of those in control of the future and the nation.
Illustrative image (Source: internet)5. Essay on "The Fishing Boat" No. 2
Answer to question 1 (page 142, Vietnamese Literature 9, Volume 1):
The poem unfolds in the order of the fishing boat crew's journey. Based on this sequence, identify the structure of the poem and describe the space and time depicted.
Detailed solution:
* Structure
- Section 1: The first two stanzas depict the scene of the fishing boats setting off and the excited mood of the crew.
- Section 2: The next four stanzas describe the scene of the fishing boats at sea.
- Section 3: The remaining stanzas illustrate the scene of the fishing boats returning during dawn.
* Space and time
- The space is the vast sea, with the presence of the sun, the sea surface, stars, clouds, and winds.
- The time follows the cosmic cycle: from sunset, as the sky and sea enter the night, to when the sun rises from the sea, signaling the start of a new day. The rhythm of the universe marks the passage of time for the fishing boats.
Answer to question 2 (page 142, Vietnamese Literature 9, Volume 1):
In which space are the workers and their work depicted? How has the author highlighted the beauty and strength of humanity in front of the vast universe through artistic techniques?
Detailed solution:
- The poem fully depicts one night of labor at sea by the fishing boat crew. The first two stanzas show the setting off scene. Although the natural surroundings are only sketched with a few details, they still convey a sense of the urgent atmosphere of a boat departing for the sea. The first two lines evoke the passage of time, with the sun descending into the sea, and waves forming ripples that shift back and forth like a door, where the sun sets and the door of the night closes. At this exact moment, within the space of the approaching night, a clear and bright song of the fishermen rises.
- The next four stanzas portray the work at sea during the night. These stanzas are filled with grand images that were introduced earlier with the description of the sun as "a ball of fire." The fishing scene at sea is depicted vividly with strong action verbs (steering the wind, soaring, weaving, thrashing, pulling with twisted hands, etc.), images of grandeur (high clouds, a flat sea, distant miles, the sea's belly, a battle formation, nets spread out, and the night’s breath), and dazzling colors that resemble a festival (the moon sails, the dark red torch flickers, the golden moonbeam, the stars driving the water of Ha Long Bay). The sea and sky's beauty blends with the beauty of human labor, creating a magnificent scene full of vitality. Perhaps nowhere else can the beauty and boundless, magical source of life of the East Sea be seen as vividly as in these lines:
The fish (snapper, mackerel, and anchovy) shine like red torches,
The tail flicks under the golden moonbeam,
The night breathes: stars drive the waters of Ha Long.
Just one image of "The night breathes" evokes the entire night, with the sensation of the wind and the sea waves. As the universe breathes, the waves sparkle with the golden reflections of the fish scales and the moonlight.
Answer to question 3 (page 142, Vietnamese Literature 9, Volume 1):
Choose one striking image from stanzas 1, 3, 4, and 7 to analyze. What is notable about the author's technique in creating these images?
Detailed solution:
- Stanza 3: The fishing boat, small against the vast sea, becomes colossal, merging with the grandeur of nature: steering the wind, moon sails, high clouds, and a calm sea.
- The prominent technique here is romanticism, with creative and original comparisons, and the use of exaggeration in a fitting manner.
Answer to question 4 (page 142, Vietnamese Literature 9, Volume 1):
The poem contains several references to singing, and the entire poem feels like a song. What is this song, and who does the poet speak for? How do you perceive the tone and rhythm of the poem? How do the elements of form, rhyme, and meter contribute to the poem's rhythm?
Detailed solution:
The poem includes four references to "singing." It reads like an anthem, celebrating labor with the spirit of self-mastery and joy, which the poet writes on behalf of the workers. The verses are assertive and the tone is like a passionate, lively song. The rhymes are versatile, with a mix of consonantal rhymes and internal rhymes, creating a sense of resonance and strength. The alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables enhances the energetic and uplifting rhythm of the poem.
Answer to question 5 (page 142, Vietnamese Literature 9, Volume 1):
Based on the depictions of nature and labor in the poem, what is the poet’s perspective on nature and the working people?
Detailed solution:
The poet Huy Can has a fresh and enthusiastic view of life, brimming with joy. The magnificent and abundant nature is an endless resource that serves humanity and plays a vital role in life. The workers are eager and devoted, taking charge of their lives and building a new life. The poet’s view is optimistic and inspired by the vibrant, newly emerging world, shaped by his long visits to Quang Ninh. This perspective and feeling reflect the poet’s renewed passion for life.
Exercise: Write a paragraph analyzing the first and last stanzas of the poem.
Detailed solution:
With a sharp eye for observation, a rich imagination, a sensitive heart, and refined artistic talent, the poet paints for us a magnificent scene of labor at sea. The entire poem is like a dazzling lacquer painting, with enchanting and captivating colors:
The sun descends like a ball of fire,
The waves lock the door, and night falls,
The fishing boats set off again,
The song fills the sails with the wind.
The fishing boats depart at dusk. In the west, the sun, like a red ball of fire, sets into the boundless ocean. The night falls, ending the day. At this moment, the fishermen begin their familiar work: sailing out to catch fish. The sea is not cold but rather warm with the sound of lively, joyful songs. This expresses the immense joy of liberated workers: "The song fills the sails with the wind." This unique and creative expression by Huy Can makes us imagine the song merging with the strong wind, filling the sails, and propelling the boat to cut through the waves. The sail filled with wind symbolizes the energetic spirit of the nation’s progress.
Main theme:
The poem is an anthem celebrating the collective labor of the fishermen in the process of rebuilding and revitalizing the country, while also expressing the poet’s pride and joy in the country’s rich, beautiful nature.
Illustration (Source: Internet)
6. Lesson on "The Fishing Boat Crew" No. 3
Basic knowledge
1. The author
Huy Cận (1919–2005), whose full name was Cù Huy Cận, was born in Ân Phú village, Vụ Quang district (previously part of Hương Sơn, later Đức Thọ), Hà Tĩnh province. He became famous during the New Poetry movement with his poetry collection 'Lửa thiêng' (1940). Huy Cận participated in the revolution before 1945 and held many important positions in the revolutionary government after the August Revolution. He was also one of the most prominent poets in modern Vietnamese literature. In 1996, he was awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for literature and arts by the state.
2. The work
The poem 'The Fishing Boat' was written in 1958, after the successful end of the war against French colonialists. Northern Vietnam had been liberated and began to build a new life. The air was filled with excitement, optimism, and confidence as the people launched into the development of the country. Huy Cận’s trip to the Quảng Ninh mining region in late 1958 allowed him to immerse himself in the labor environment, contributing to a new phase in his poetry. This poem was later published in his collection 'Trời mỗi ngày lại sáng.'
Structure:
- Stanzas 1 and 2: The scene of the fishing boats eagerly leaving the shore.
- Stanzas 3 and 6: The tense fishing activities at night on the sea.
- Stanza 7: The fishing boats returning at dawn.
Understanding the text
Question 1 – Page 142 of the textbook
The poem follows the sequence of the fishing boat's journey at sea. Based on this order, identify the structure of the poem and describe the space and time depicted in the poem.
Answer
The poem follows the journey of the fishing boats at sea, and its structure can be outlined as follows:
- Part 1 (the first two stanzas): The scene of the boats heading out to sea and the people's eager anticipation.
- Part 2 (the next four stanzas): The fishing activities on the sea.
- Part 3 (the final stanza): The boats returning.
Space and time
- The space depicted in the poem is the vast, boundless sea, with the presence of the sun, sea, moon, stars, clouds, and wind.
- The time is the eternal cycle of the universe: from the sunset and nightfall to the sunrise, marking the start of a new day. The rhythm of the universe sets the time for the fishermen's activities.
Question 2 – Page 142 of the textbook
The image of the workers and their tasks is portrayed in which space? Through what artistic techniques did the author highlight the beauty and strength of people in the face of nature and the universe?
Answer
The image of the workers and their tasks is placed in the vast, expansive space of the sea and sky, which amplifies the grandeur, scale, and significance of human beings. The poet uses exaggeration and unexpected, powerful metaphors to create images of the workers:
- 'The sail stretches with the sea breeze.'
- 'Our boat steers the wind with a moon sail.'
- 'Sailing among the high clouds, with the sea below.'
- 'The fleet races with the sun.'
The poet's technique of creating these images is marked by a romantic and harmonious fusion of nature and human beings.
Question 3 – Page 142 of the textbook
The poem features many magnificent and stunning images, showing the harmony between nature and human labor. Choose and analyze a few striking images in stanzas 1, 3, 4, and 7. What is the distinct feature of the poet's image-building technique in this poem?
Answer
The poem presents successive magnificent scenes about nature and the fishing boats:
- The night sea is vast yet intimate, portrayed through comparison, surprise, and vivid imagery.
- 'The sun sets into the sea like a burning ball of fire.'
- 'The waves have locked the door to the night.'
These are unique, creative, and symbolic images.
- The fishing boats on the sea:
- 'Our boat steers the wind with a moon sail.'
- 'Sailing among the high clouds, with the sea below.'
- 'The boat docks far, probing the belly of the sea.'
- 'The netting forms a battlefield of tangled lines.'
These lines showcase the poet's romantic style and rich imagination, expressing the enthusiasm and energy of the fishermen.
- The images of fish in the sea:
- 'The mackerel of the Eastern Sea is like a shuttle.'
- 'Night and day, weaving light across the sea.'
- 'The tuna sparkles like a black and pink torch.'
- 'Silver scales, golden tails shimmer as the sun rises.'
- 'The fish's eyes gleam brightly, shining for miles.'
With his abundant imagination, the poet transforms reality into something dazzling and magical.
Question 4 – Page 142 of the textbook
The poem features many words related to singing, as the entire poem seems like a song. What is the song about, and whose voice is it representing? What do you think of the poem's tone and rhythm? How do the elements of verse, rhyme, and meter contribute to its musicality?
Answer
a) There are many instances of the word 'sing' in the poem:
- 'The sail stretches with the sea breeze.'
- 'Sing that the silver fish are silent.'
- 'We sing a song to call the fish in.'
- 'The sail stretches with the sea breeze.'
These are lively songs of the workers expressing joy at the fruits of their labor.
b) The poem is written in free verse, with seven words per line. The tone shifts throughout, creating a dynamic flow.
- In the first stanza:
'The sun sets into the sea like a burning ball.'
'Waves lock the door, and night falls.'
The tone ends with a strong, forceful rhythm in 4/3 meter.
'The fishing boat sets out to sea again.'
'The sail stretches with the sea breeze.'
The rhythm begins with a gentle and expansive tone.
- The middle stanzas combine the rhythm with rapid movements: weaving the sea, setting the net, pulling in the net, and hoisting the sail, creating a lively and exciting rhythm that reflects the urgency and enthusiasm of the workers.
The poem generates a strong, vibrant tone that is both powerful and soaring. This musicality is contributed by the use of the poetic language, rhythm, and rhyme. The recurring 'sing' reinforces the idea of a song filled with energy and joy.
c) Conclusion
• 'The Fishing Boat' presents many striking images that reflect the harmony between nature and human labor, expressing the poet's pride and joy in the country and life.
• The poem is full of creativity in its use of imagery, with unique metaphors and an upbeat, inspiring rhythm.
Question 5 – Page 142 of the textbook
Based on the vivid depictions of nature and the laborers in the poem, how do you perceive the poet's view and emotions towards nature and the laboring people?
Answer
Before the August Revolution, Huy Cận was a romantic poet with melancholic verses:
'I don’t drink, I don’t eat, I don’t sleep,
I cry, cry endlessly,
My tears flood the grave,
Dripping onto your cold body.'
After the peace was restored in North Vietnam, the new economy and vibrant life breathed new life into Huy Cận’s pen, creating paintings filled with energy. The images of nature and human labor in this poem reflect the poet's optimistic and joyful view of life, nature, and the working people.
Practice
Task: Write a paragraph analyzing the first and last stanzas of the poem
Sample answer: Reflecting on the first and last stanzas of the poem 'The Fishing Boat'
Remember
Key takeaways from the lesson:
The poem 'The Fishing Boat' features beautiful, striking images that show the harmony between nature and human labor, highlighting the poet’s pride and joy in the country and life.
The poem features creative imagery, rich imagination, and a strong, triumphant tone.
Illustrative image (Source: internet)
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