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1. Lesson Plan for 'The Guitar of Lorca' - Version 4
General Overview of the Author and the Work
1. Author
- Thanh Thao (born 1946), originally named Ho Thanh Cong, from Mo Duc district, Quang Ngai province.
- He once participated in the Southern battlefield.
- Features of his poetry:
+ The voice of an intellectual reflecting deeply on societal and historical issues.
+ A tendency to explore the inner self and seek new forms of expression through free verse.
⇒ His poetry is rich in intense contemplation, free-flowing emotions.
- Major works: 'The People Who Go to the Sea' (1977), 'Footprints Across the Grass Field' (1978), 'Rubik’s Cube' (1985).
2. The Work
- The poem 'The Guitar of Lorca', extracted from the collection 'Rubik’s Cube', reflects Thanh Thao’s poetic style: rich in thought, tinged with symbolism and surrealism.
- Main content: Depicting the life of artist Lorca with his ideals of artistic innovation and his tragic death, the poem expresses the author’s admiration and sorrow for Lorca.
- Structure: Consists of 4 parts
+ Part 1 (First 6 lines): Depiction of Lorca, the talented artist
+ Part 2 (Next 12 lines): Lorca’s murder, his unfulfilled aspirations for artistic reform
+ Part 3 (Next 4 lines): Mourning and lamenting the death of the true, talented artist
+ Part 4 (Remaining lines): The immortal image of Lorca
Exploration of the Poem
Exercise 1, page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1
Identify the symbolic meanings of the images: the sound of the guitar bubbles, the red cloak, the moon in a drunken tilt, the weary horse’s saddle,... (Literature textbook)
Answer:
The images: the sound of the guitar bubbles, the red cloak, the moon in a drunken tilt, the weary horse’s saddle all carry symbolic meanings. These lines do not depict humans, yet the human presence is clearly felt through images and sounds (guitar music), colors (red cloak), and states (dizzy, weary).
+ the sound of the guitar bubbles: the beauty of art, fleeting and fragile.
+ the red cloak: the fierce struggle against the outdated art forms and Franco’s dictatorial regime.
+ the moon in a drunken tilt: the image of Lorca, free-spirited, lost in his art under the sky.
+ the weary horse’s saddle: the long, arduous, and solitary battle for freedom and creation.
+ the red-stained cloak: Lorca’s sudden and tragic death.
+ the brown guitar sound: a love for the lands and paths of Spain.
+ the green guitar sound: a powerful love for life.
+ the round bubbles of the guitar sound shattering: Lorca’s murder, his unfinished art.
+ the guitar sound dripping with blood: Lorca’s tragic and unjust fate.
+ Lorca swimming across: not struggling against the current to hold on to life, nor giving in to the enemy, but choosing to leave everything behind.
+ on the silver guitar: a metaphor for death, the realm of transcendence.
+ the man throwing a Gypsy girl’s charm into the whirlpool, throwing his heart into the silence: decisively bidding farewell, escaping the earthly burdens.
Exercise 2, page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1
What are your thoughts on the following verse?
No one buries the sound of the guitar
The guitar sounds like wild grass growing
The tears of the moon
Glistening in the well’s bottom.
Answer:
This verse is filled with symbolic and surreal imagery, with the metonymic phrase 'no one buries the sound of the guitar' and the simile 'the guitar sounds like wild grass growing' evoking sympathy for the poet’s tragic death. Especially the image of 'the tears of the moon' is a surreal, multi-layered symbol, originating from a real event: the enemies shot the poet and threw his body into the well to hide the evidence. The tears of the moon also represent love, purity, and brightness. For Thanh Thao, they are eternal, beautiful tears, like the moon—tears of a hero, the moon as the embodiment and transcendence of the martyrs’ souls.
The guitar sound has become a living character—it is victory, the immortality of the hero.
Here, Lorca is not physically present, but his guitar sound remains as a symbol of his soul and heart. His life was lived freely and peacefully, like the moon’s tears, glistening in the well’s bottom. Lorca may have died (physically), but the echo of his life will live on forever.
Exercise 3, page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1
What does the image of the guitar represent in the poem?
Answer:
- The image of the guitar appears several times in the poem: the sound of the guitar bubbles, the brown guitar, the green guitar, the shattering round guitar, the dripping guitar, the guitar like wild grass growing.
- The guitar sound here is expressed in many different tonalities: Sometimes joyful, sometimes divisive and breaking, sometimes depicting death, sometimes the melody of love.
- The guitar sound embodies many emotional states. First and foremost, it reflects Lorca’s emotions. His life, like the guitar, contains various tones: a passionate love for life, a bold, powerful sound of a struggle for freedom, and a calm, sorrowful note in the face of death.
These sounds also represent the intense emotions of the poet. The poet lived through the moments close to Lorca’s death, with feelings of sorrow, regret, admiration, and reverence blending into the melody of the guitar.
- The guitar is a metaphor, or rather, a song about Lorca’s life, fate, and death. His life is like the guitar’s sound, its pure tones resonating deeply with the soul.
Practice
Exercise, page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1
What is your impression of the image of F.G. Lorca as portrayed in 'The Guitar of Lorca'?
Suggested outline:
1. Introduction
- Introduce the poem.
- Introduce the image of Lorca.
2. Body:
- Lorca was a fighter for freedom, for the legitimate aspirations of humanity and art. His image in the poem is presented through poetic imagery and innovative language; the poet describes more than he depicts.
- Lorca cannot die; he lives forever in this world, proud, affirming his ideals, and forever shining.
3. Conclusion:
Lorca, the genius, is a great artist who fought and sacrificed his artistic and life ideals. His name has become a symbol, a banner for writers in Spain and the world, fighting fascism, protecting national and global cultures.
Conclusion
The poem 'The Guitar of Lorca' expresses deep sorrow for the tragic death of Federico Garcia Lorca, the Spanish genius poet. The poet’s admiration for this artist, who represented the spirit of freedom and the aspiration for artistic reform in the 20th century, is conveyed in a unique form: harmonizing both poetic and musical elements in structure, evoking diverse and rich imagery, and using innovative language.
2. Analysis of the Poem "Lorca's Guitar" - Version 5
I. General Overview
1. The Author
Thanh Thao, born Ho Thanh Cong in 1946 in Mo Duc, Quang Ngai, is a renowned poet famous for his epic poems that explore war and its aftermath.
His notable works include: "The People Who Went to the Sea", "The Rubik's Cube", "Footprints on the Grass", and "From One to One Hundred".
Thanh Thao's poetry is distinguished by an intellectual voice filled with deep reflection and a search for new forms of self-expression. He is one of the pioneers of modern Vietnamese poetry, focusing on the inner self and exploring new poetic forms.
2. The Poem
a. Creation Context
This poem is part of the collection "The Rubik's Cube" (1985), a representative example of Thanh Thao’s free-thinking style with a tendency toward surreal and symbolic representations.
b. Title
The guitar, a traditional Spanish instrument, symbolizes the nation's art. Lorca, a Spanish poet, musician, and playwright, revolutionized the arts. Thus, "Lorca’s Guitar" symbolizes the artistic innovations of this genius.
The title reveals the central artistic image—Lorca—and the guitar, representing his innovative artistic journey.
c. Epigraph
"When I die, bury me with my guitar": This famous quote from Lorca is considered his final testament. It suggests that the artist felt his works might eventually hinder future creativity, which is why he wished to bury his art, allowing future generations to progress.
d. Structure: 4 Parts
Part 1: 6 lines—Lorca, the solitary yet free artist.
Part 2: 12 lines—Lorca is shot, and the guitar bleeds.
Part 3: 4 lines—The music stops, and Lorca’s voice fades.
Part 4: The remaining lines—Reflecting on Lorca’s death.
II. Answering the Questions
Question 1 (p. 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1)
Interpretation of the images:
- "The sound of the guitar like bubbles": a symbolic image that shifts from auditory to visual, creating a sense of alienation. It suggests fragile, fleeting creativity that is suddenly shattered but eternally reborn.
- "The bright red cloak": a literal and symbolic image that represents a fierce battleground where the artist faces harsh, oppressive forces.
- On the path of fighting for freedom and new ideas, the artist always walks alone: wandering, exhausted, with a tired horse and a tilting moon.
- "The red cloak soaked in blood", "The brown guitar", and "The guitar dripping with blood": these represent Lorca's tragic death.
- "Throwing a talisman into the whirlpool, throwing a heart into silence": Represents departure and liberation—a choice.
Question 2 (p. 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1)
Analyze the verse:
- "The sound of the guitar": a metaphor for Lorca’s art, his love for humanity, and his lifelong pursuit of freedom.
- "No one can bury the sound of the guitar": the relentless power of music.
- The comparison "the guitar’s sound like wild grass":
+ Mourning the death of a genius and the unfinished path of artistic innovation.
+ Beauty cannot be destroyed.
- The symbolic comparisons:
+ Tears: empathy, grief.
+ The moon: symbolizing beauty, Lorca’s art.
→ The verse carries a sorrowful tone, portraying Lorca as a brave fighter and an artist tirelessly working to innovate, always prioritizing the nation's art.
Question 3 (p. 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1)
What does the guitar symbolize in the poem?
- The guitar symbolizes Lorca’s emotions and fate as an artist.
+ The guitar’s repeated sound reflects Lorca’s fragile, haunting fate.
+ The guitar is inseparable from Lorca’s tragic destiny.
+ The image of the guitar is eternally linked to Lorca’s name, immortalized through time.
- The guitar also symbolizes the rich soul of a talented yet tragic person.
Exercise
Question 1 (p. 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Volume 1)
How is Lorca portrayed in the poem?
- Lorca is a fighter for justice, freedom, and artistic innovation.
+ Lorca’s image appears through symbols like the sound of the guitar bubbles and the red cloak.
+ Lorca embodies a deep longing for freedom.
- Lorca is an artist with a rich, beautiful soul.
+ His love for his homeland.
+ His desire for justice and freedom.
+ He is willing to sacrifice his life for these ideals and the national art.
- Lorca is a tragic figure.
Main Idea
- The poem expresses profound sorrow over Lorca’s tragic death—an artist who yearned for freedom and democracy, constantly striving for artistic innovation.
- Artistic Features: Free verse, surreal and symbolic imagery, rich with metaphorical meaning.
3. Analysis of the Poem "Lorca's Guitar" - Version 6
A. OBJECTIVES
1. Students should grasp and appreciate the profound, tragic beauty of the Lorca figure, conveyed through the poet’s multi-layered reflections, both deep and intense.
2. Students should recognize the distinctiveness of the poem's symbolic expression.
3. Students should acquire knowledge to interpret and understand poems written in a modern style.
B. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
1. Thanh Thao, born Ho Thanh Cong in 1946 in Mo Duc, Quang Ngai, is one of the most influential poets of the anti-American and post-war period, known for his unique and evocative works.
Key works include: "The People Who Went to the Sea" (1977), "The Sunlit Waves" (1984–1982), and "The Rubik's Cube" (1985).
In recent years, he has written articles and literary critiques, but his greatest contribution remains in the realm of poetry.
Thanh Thao’s poetry reflects the intellectual voice, filled with deep thoughts and reflections on life. His work often seeks new ways of expression through free verse, aiming to bring modern aesthetics to poetry using fresh imagery and language.
The poem "Lorca's Guitar", from the collection "The Rubik's Cube", is a representative work of Thanh Thao: rich in reflection, intense, and free-spirited, with influences from Symbolism and Surrealism.
C. LESSON GUIDELINES
Question 1 - Explain the symbolic images: "the sound of the guitar like bubbles", "the bright red cloak", "the tilting moon", "the tired horse". What do you think when encountering such images?
Suggestion: These images—"the sound of the guitar like bubbles", "the bright red cloak", "the tilting moon", "the tired horse"—are symbolic. Although the verses do not describe any people, the human presence is implied through images and sounds (guitar), colors (bright red cloak), and states (tilting, tired).
From the first stanza, the reader enters a world full of Spanish cultural elements, with the guitar—a symbol of Spanish pride—and the bright red cloak, which represents the Spanish bullfighters.
Question 2 - How do you feel about the verse: "No one buries the sound of the guitar / The guitar like wild grass / Moonlit tears / Shining in the well’s depths"?
Suggestion:
The stanza is rich in symbolic and surreal imagery. Here, the guitar becomes a living entity: "no one buries the sound of the guitar", "the guitar like wild grass".
Lorca doesn’t physically appear, yet the sound of his guitar represents his soul and heart. His life, lived freely and peacefully, shines like moonlit tears in the well. Lorca may be dead in body, but his legacy echoes on.
Question 3 - What is the metaphorical meaning of the guitar in the poem?
Suggestion:
The guitar appears repeatedly throughout the poem: "the sound of the guitar like bubbles", "the brown guitar", "the blue stone guitar", "the guitar shattering like bubbles", "the guitar dripping", "the guitar like wild grass"...
+ The guitar here is expressed in a range of emotional tones: sometimes cheerful, sometimes broken, sometimes embodying death, sometimes a melody of love.
+ The guitar represents a harmony of various emotional states. First and foremost, it reflects Lorca’s emotions. His life is like the guitar, with sounds that echo his passionate love for life, the vibrant days of battle, and the sorrowful moments of parting with life.
These sounds also mirror the poet's intense feelings. The poet lived through Lorca's final moments, intertwining sorrow, admiration, and veneration into the harmonious tones of the guitar.
+ The guitar serves as a metaphor—more accurately, a song about the life, fate, and death of Lorca. His life, like the guitar, is filled with pure sounds that touch the heart.
PRACTICE
What is your interpretation of the figure of Lorca?
(Students are encouraged to provide their own reflections.)
4. Analysis of the Poem "Lorca's Guitar" - Version 1
I. Introduction to the Author Thanh Thao
- Thanh Thao, born Ho Thanh Cong in 1945, hails from Mo Duc, Quang Ngai. He graduated from the Faculty of Literature at Hanoi University and worked in the southern battlefields during the war. His poetry and epic works, unique in style and deeply reflective of the war and post-war era, have attracted public attention for decades. In 2001, he was awarded the State Prize for Literature and Art.Key works: "The People Who Went to the Sea", "Footprints Across the Grass Field", "Sunlit Waves", "The Rubik’s Cube", "From One to One Hundred"... He also writes articles, essays, literary criticism, and other genres.
Poetic Style of Thanh Thao:
- Thanh Thao's poetry is the voice of an intellectual, full of contemplation and reflection on societal issues and contemporary life.
- He always seeks a deeper connection to life and resists superficial modes of expression.
- As a poet, he has been at the forefront of modernizing Vietnamese poetry, delving into the inner self and exploring new forms of expression through free verse. He broke away from traditional constraints, embracing irregular rhythms to encourage a free-flowing associative thought process, bringing a modern aesthetic to poetry with fresh imagery and language.
- Thanh Thao's poetry is characterized by rich introspection, intense emotion, and a touch of symbolism and surrealism.
II. Introduction to the Poem "Lorca's Guitar"
1. Context of Creation
The poem "Lorca's Guitar" is part of the collection "The Rubik’s Cube", and is a key work representing Thanh Thao's distinctive poetic thinking.
2. Structure (3 parts)
- Part 1 (the first 6 lines): Lorca, a free and lonely artist, a revolutionary figure in both politics and art in Spain.
- Part 2 (next 12 lines): A tragic death caused by malicious forces.
- Part 3 (remaining lines): The poet’s mourning for Lorca, contemplating his liberation and farewell.
3. Content Value
Through this poem, the author conveys a profound sense of grief and sorrow over the tragic death of Lorca, an artist who yearned for freedom and democracy, always advocating for artistic innovation. The love for humanity, the passion for art, and the desire for freedom that Lorca cherished are beautiful ideals that cruelty cannot destroy.
4. Artistic Value
- The poem is written in free verse.
- It employs powerful symbolic and surreal imagery, packed with deep meaning.
- The blend of music and poetry.
- Surprising comparisons, metaphors, metonymy, and other literary devices.
III. Analysis of the Poem
Question 1 (Page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1):
Symbolic Images: "The sound of the guitar like bubbles", "the red cloak", "the tilting moon", "the weary horse".
- Although the poem does not describe people directly, human presence is implied through sound (the guitar), color (the red cloak), and states (dizzy, tired).
- The Spanish cultural setting is evident in the guitar sound, a source of pride for the people of Spain.
- The image of the red cloak, worn by the matadors, is a symbol of Spain.
- The imagery of wandering into solitude symbolizes Lorca’s journey—his heroic solitary path in Spain.
Question 2 (Page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1):
Surrealistic Images in the Excerpt:
- "No one buries the sound of the guitar": A metaphorical image.
- "The guitar like wild grass": A comparison evoking sympathy for Lorca’s death.
- "The moonlit tears": A surreal, multi-layered image.
- "Tears of the moon": Represents pure, eternal love, and the martyrdom of a hero.
- The moon embodies the transformation and elevation of the artist’s soul.
- The guitar becomes a spiritual, abstract entity: "No one buries the sound of the guitar, the guitar like wild grass."
- Lorca is not directly present but is symbolized through the guitar, representing his soul and heart.
- Lorca’s life, free and peaceful, is symbolized by the moonlit tears in the well’s depths.
- Although Lorca is dead, his legacy continues to resonate.
→ The image of Lorca and the guitar symbolize the immortality of Lorca’s spirit and soul.
Question 3 (Page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1):
The Metaphorical Meaning of the Guitar in the Poem:
- The guitar is featured multiple times: "the sound of the guitar like bubbles", "the brown guitar", "the green guitar", "the round guitar with bubbles breaking", "the dripping guitar", "the guitar like wild grass".
- The guitar is presented in many emotional tones, reflecting various states: joyful, fractured, tragic, and romantic.
- The guitar harmonizes many emotional states:
- Lorca’s emotions are conveyed through the guitar.
- Lorca’s life, like the guitar, resonates with both triumphant and sorrowful sounds.
- The guitar symbolizes the author’s intense emotions: deep sorrow, admiration, and respect for Lorca’s fate.
Practice
What is your perception of Lorca’s image as portrayed in "Lorca’s Guitar"?
- Lorca is portrayed as a free but solitary artist.
- "The guitar’s sound like bubbles": Reflecting the luminous yet fragile art that Lorca created, foreshadowing his fleeting life.
- Spain’s red cloak: The fierce battle between democracy and fascism.
→ Lorca stands as a solitary, courageous hero on his journey for artistic innovation and democracy.
- Lorca’s death was tragic and unjust.
- Lorca, full of spirit, faced death with pride in Spain.
- The country mourned his untimely death.
- Even in death, Lorca remained steadfast in his commitment to artistic innovation.
- Lorca, the immortal artist, lives on through true art.
- Lorca’s artistic inspiration stemmed from his homeland, love, and art itself.
- The guitar’s many variations reflect the complex, rich tones of Lorca’s legacy: "the green guitar", "the round guitar with bubbles breaking", "the dripping guitar".
- The fate of Lorca’s art continues after his death, a legacy that remains full of life and emotion.
- The surreal image of "moonlit tears" symbolizes Lorca’s tragic yet eternal influence.
- "Throwing the talisman", "throwing the heart": Lorca’s release after death—his self-awareness of mortality allows for artistic rebirth, paving the way for future generations.
- Lorca’s unbreakable bond with art is evident in his desire for the next generation to surpass his own artistic struggles.
- The eternal guitar symbolizes the everlasting spirit of Lorca’s artistry.
→ Lorca’s legacy is revered as the spirit of freedom and the relentless pursuit of artistic innovation in the 20th century.
5. Analysis of 'The Guitar of Lorca' - Version 2
I. Author & Work
1. Author
Thanh Thảo, born Hồ Thành Công in 1946, hails from Mộ Đức district, Quảng Ngãi province.
Before 1975: He graduated from the Department of Literature at Hanoi University and participated in the resistance against the US invasion. Thanh Thảo became a prominent poet of the young generation during the Vietnam War.
After 1975: He continued to write poetry, striving to modernize Vietnamese poetry by exploring inner emotions and seeking new forms of expression through free verse, breaking traditional rules, and using irregular rhythms to foster more spontaneous associations.
2. The Work
'The Guitar of Lorca' is part of the collection *Khối vuông ru-bích* and exemplifies Thanh Thảo's poetic style: deeply reflective, intense, and emotionally liberating, often leaning towards symbolism and surrealism. His influence comes from the Spanish modern poet Federico García Lorca.
II. Study Guide
Question 1 (Page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1):
This poem is written in free verse, building a narrative around the intense emotions surrounding Lorca's tragic death through a series of symbolic images.
The imagery system: the artist, the moon, the horse saddle – the guitar... all create a romantic portrayal of Lorca as if swaying to the melody of life, worn out from continuous effort. On his journey of artistic innovation, Lorca likely faced moments of exhaustion, something Thanh Thảo deeply empathizes with.
The image of the blood-red cloak starkly represents the tragic and violent end of Lorca's life.
The sounds of the guitar are visualized, becoming colorful through descriptions such as the brown guitar, the green guitar, the round guitar shattered like water bubbles, and the blood-dripping guitar...
Images like Lorca swimming through whirlpools and his silver guitar suggest that this genius passes to the other side, leaving behind his love for his homeland and his fiery passion for art.
Active, powerful metaphors: Lorca throws a talisman into the whirlpool, casting his heart into stillness...
Question 2 (Page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1):
Excerpt:
No one buries the sound of the guitar
The guitar grows like wild grass
A teardrop from the moon
Sparkling in the bottom of the well.
This speaks to the undying vitality of Lorca's guitar.
- 'No one buries the sound of the guitar': The people of Spain defy Lorca’s final wish.
- 'The guitar grows like wild grass':
+ The guitar symbolizes Lorca’s life, humanity, and his artistic revolution.
+ 'Wild grass' can be interpreted as the unyielding and enduring power of Lorca’s life, work, and talent. Or it may symbolize how Lorca's absence left a void, like wild grass growing unchecked.
- The teardrop from the moon:
+ 'The teardrop' represents the deep sorrow and mourning of the Spanish people.
+ The moon is a cosmic symbol, also representing Lorca’s artistic legacy.
- Sparkling in the bottom of the well.
+ 'The well's bottom' symbolizes the place where evil forces hide their crimes.
→ Lorca’s life, character, and legacy shine through the ages despite the attempts of his enemies to bury him in darkness.
Question 3 (Page 166, Literature 12, Volume 1):
* The guitar symbol holds profound meanings.
- First, it represents Lorca’s own guitar.
- Symbolically:
+ It evokes the country of Spain.
+ It suggests Lorca’s career and artistic journey.
→ The guitar’s sound recurs throughout the poem. Initially, it heralds the arrival of the artist, and at the end, it continues to resonate, even when its owner is no longer alive.
=> The guitar, Lorca’s legacy, and the spirit of this Spanish genius will endure through time.
Practice
The portrayal of F.G. Lorca in *The Guitar of Lorca*:
- A free-spirited, solitary artist.
- A tragic, unjust death caused by cruel forces.
- An immortal soul.
→ A heroic and tragic figure, the true artist whose life and death are intertwined with his homeland and art.
6. Analysis of 'The Guitar of Lorca' - Version 3
Question 1 (page 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1)
The images in the poem are highly symbolic.
- “Water bubble guitar sounds”: Moving from auditory to visual, using a surreal technique, this symbolizes fleeting, fragile creativity that shatters suddenly but continues to multiply endlessly.
- “Bright red cloak”: This image portrays Lorca as a warrior with democratic aspirations against the backdrop of Spain's authoritarian politics at the time.
- “Wandering, lonely lands, tired horse, dizzy moon”:
+ It reflects the free-spirited, folk artist style.
+ It symbolizes Lorca’s loneliness in facing political realities and the stagnation of Spanish art.
- “Blood-soaked cloak”: This evokes the horrific image of Lorca’s death.
- The guitar sounds: Music becomes fate, the guitar’s sound transforms into the soul, the living entity itself.
- The actions:
+ Throwing a talisman into the whirlpool
+ Throwing his own heart into stillness
=> This represents departure and liberation, a choice.
- ...river, silver guitar: It symbolizes death and transcendence.
All these images aim to depict the figure of Lorca: A free and solitary artist. An unjust, tragic death caused by cruel forces. An immortal soul.
Question 2 (page 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1)
* Reflections on the verse:
"No one buries the sound of the guitar
The guitar sounds like wild-growing grass"
- “No one buries the guitar”: It represents the powerful, eternal life of art.
- “Guitar sound - wild grass”
+ Mourning the death of a genius, lamenting an unfinished journey of innovation.
+ The beauty cannot be destroyed: It has the power to live on forever, like “wild grass.”
=> Interpretation 1: This relates to Lorca’s own wish in his poem “Testament,” where he asks to be buried with his guitar. Thanh Thao’s verse could be seen as a reminder to future artists to transcend Lorca’s shadow and carve their own creative path.
=> Interpretation 2: This affirms the enduring strength of Lorca’s artistic legacy and his immortality in the hearts of the Spanish people.
"Tears of the moon
Glistening in the well"
- A symbolic and comparative image:
+ “Tears”: Represents sympathy, deep sorrow.
+ “The moon”: Symbolizes beauty, and Lorca’s art, which continues to shine, immortal.
=> It expresses the poet’s profound sorrow, admiration, and unwavering belief in the immortality of Lorca’s guitar sound.
Question 3 (page 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1)
The metaphorical meaning of the guitar in the poem:
- The guitar is a symbol for Spain, as is the red cloak. The guitar sound reinforces and praises the beauty of the Spanish people and their land.
- The guitar is closely associated with Lorca, symbolizing the beauty of his soul and the life of the artist.
- The guitar symbolizes the immortality of the true artist and genuine art (the guitar sound is like wild grass).
- These sounds also represent the intense emotions of the poet.
=> The guitar serves as a metaphor for the life, fate, and death of Lorca. The life of this person, like the guitar’s sound, resonates with purity that stirs the heart.
Practice
Question (page 166, Vietnamese Literature 12, Vol. 1)
* The figure of Lorca:
- Federico García Lorca (1898-1936), one of Spain’s most brilliant talents.
- Lorca’s death was a significant event that shook not only Spain but the world.
- The poem resurrects the legend of a man, an artist, a fighter, a country, and the very music and poetry he created.
1. Lorca’s image as a free man, a revolutionary artist amidst the political and artistic context of Spain:
* Lorca is depicted against the vast backdrop of Spanish culture:
- The bright red cloak: This imagery evokes the iconic Spanish bullfighting culture, a tradition that has made Spain famous worldwide.
=> The red cloak imagery helps us visualize the atmosphere of a bullfighting ring. But this is not a battle between a bull and a matador, it is the intense struggle between Lorca’s democratic aspirations and the oppressive political regime, between the aged Spanish art and Lorca’s innovative artistic vision.
2. The unjust death of Lorca:
This occurred when Lorca was murdered by Franco’s fascists, who threw his body into a well to conceal their crime.
- To describe this tragic event, the poet uses a blend of real images with artistic devices such as:
• Contrast:
+ The freedom of the artist vs. the brutal fascist forces.
+ The carefree, life-affirming song vs. the harsh, horrifying reality (the blood-soaked cloak).
+ Love and beauty vs. cruel, inhumane actions.
• Personification: The guitar sounds “flowing with blood” => Creating a strong emotional impact on the reader.
• Metonymy:
+ The song represents Lorca.
+ The blood-stained cloak represents death.
• Synesthetic comparison: Brown guitar sound, green guitar sound, round guitar sound.
- Lorca’s unjust death stirs hatred towards the fascists and deep sympathy for the folk artist.
+ A free and lonely artist.
+ An unjust, tragic death caused by cruel forces.
+ An immortal soul.
=> The tragic image of a true, talented artist—alive, dead, and immortal with his country.
Structure
The structure (3 parts)
- Part 1 (from the beginning to “tired horse”): The image of the artist Lorca.
- Part 2 (up to “flowing with blood”): Lorca’s death and the sorrow surrounding it.
- Part 3 (the rest): The belief in the immortality of Lorca’s guitar sound.
Main content
- The poem celebrates the poet’s success in reviving the legend of García Lorca and, more broadly, the noble, unyielding character and free-spirited souls of humankind.
- Thanh Thao’s attitude of sorrow, sympathy, and admiration for Lorca’s character, talent, and tragic fate.
