Top 6 Best Practice Essays on Idioms and Classical Allusions (Literature 11)

Exercise 1 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ “One fate, two debts”

+ “Five suns, ten rains”

=> These idioms are brief, concise, and structurally stable, using vivid imagery to convey a general meaning with emotional resonance beyond ordinary words.

Exercise 2 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ “Bull’s head, horse’s face” -> representing the brutal, animalistic, inhumane traits of the officials who wrongfully accuse Thúy Kiều’s family.

+ “Fish in a pot, bird in a cage” -> representing a stifled, cramped, and lack of freedom life.

+ “Treading on the heavens, crushing the earth” -> representing a free-spirited, rebellious lifestyle that refuses to submit to any authority. This refers to Từ Hải’s heroic, defiant nature.

=> These idioms use vivid images and convey a sense of judgment or emotional evaluation about the situation described.

Exercise 3 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook):

Classical allusions: These are references to past events or phrases from ancient texts used to describe similar situations.

Exercise 4 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

- “Three autumns”: From the Book of Songs: “One day apart feels like three autumns” -> When Thúy Kiều misses Kim Trọng, a single day apart feels as long as three years.

- “Nine characters”: refers to the virtues of parents in the Book of Songs.

⇒ The deep longing Thúy Kiều feels for her parents.

- “Willow at Chương Đài”: A reference to a letter written by a husband away from home, asking about the willow tree in Chương Đài.

⇒ Thúy Kiều imagines Kim Trọng returning, only to find her already with someone else.

- “Blue eyes”: From the period of the Qin Dynasty, those who admired someone used blue eyes to show their affection, while white eyes were used for disdain.

=> Từ Hải asks Thúy Kiều if she has found someone who truly loves her.

Exercise 5 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

- “Old ghosts bullying the new”: Replace: bullying newcomers.

- “Wet behind the ears”: Replace: newly arrived, still unfamiliar.

- “Riding a horse to admire flowers”: Replace: doing things superficially.

=> The replacements convey the basic meaning but lose their emotional depth, imagery, and become more wordy.

Exercise 6 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

- “Well, she gave birth to a healthy child.”

- “Don’t be smarter than the teacher!”

- “I’ve been studying so much, I’m sure I’ll do well on the exam.”

- “They are vicious, my child!”

- “It’s true that wealth brings etiquette!”

- “You really do read my mind.”

- “Why don’t you ever correct yourself? It’s like water off a duck’s back!”

- “Alright, let’s just compromise, peace is the best!”

- “You shouldn’t act like you’re from a military family when you’re not.”

- “Don’t just attach yourself to the rich and powerful.”

Exercise 7 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

- “Only one weak spot led to its downfall, just like Achilles’ heel.”

- “Uncle Ba owes money like a rich man.”

- “Stay determined, are you going to be a fool in the middle of the road?”

- “Stay away from that Sở Khanh guy!”

- “With the strength of Phù Đổng, we are working hard to rebuild the road.”

Question 1 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

In the excerpt from the poem 'Lamenting His Wife' by Trần Tế Xương, the author uses the following idioms:

- 'One fate, two debts': Suggesting the hardship of Mrs. Tú, who single-handedly manages the household work while supporting her husband and child.

- 'Five suns, ten rains': Representing immense toil and hardship.

=> Compared to common idioms, these are more concise and emotionally expressive, painting a vivid image of a diligent, devoted wife managing her household duties.

Question 2 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'Bull's head, horse's face': A metaphor illustrating the brutal and inhumane nature of the officials.

- 'Fish in a pot, bird in a cage': A metaphor illustrating a life of restriction, confinement, and lost freedom.

- 'Treading on the heavens, crushing the earth': A metaphor for a rebellious, free lifestyle that refuses to bow to any authority.

Question 3 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

- Classical allusions refer to events or stories from ancient history or literature that convey deep philosophical meanings relevant to modern life.

- These allusions are concise, often consisting of a single word or phrase that evokes historical or literary events, yet they carry profound, compressed meaning.

Question 4 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'Three autumns': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs referring to a day apart feeling as long as three autumns, symbolizing Kim Trọng's longing for Thúy Kiều.

- 'Nine characters': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs referring to the virtues of parents, emphasizing Kiều's sorrow over her duties as a daughter.

- 'Willow at Chương Đài': A story in which a husband imagines his wife still waiting for him, evoking Kiều’s sadness for Kim Trọng’s imagined return.

- 'Blue eyes': A story from the Tần Dynasty, where a person expresses love through their gaze, used here to describe Từ Hải’s evaluation of Kiều's character.

Question 5 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

a)
- 'Old ghosts bullying the new': The old taking advantage of their experience to bully newcomers.

- 'Wet behind the ears': Refers to someone who is new and inexperienced.

=> Replacing: 'Hey, don’t bully the newcomer. He’s just arrived, we should help him out.'

b)
- 'Riding a horse to admire flowers': Doing something in a superficial manner without paying full attention.

=> Replacing: 'They didn’t just take a superficial look; they went to fight and do the real work.'

Note: Replacing idioms with plain words only conveys the basic meaning, losing emotional tone, imagery, and making the expression longer.

Question 6 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'She gave birth to a healthy child, and we are all so happy.'

- 'Do you dare defy your mother? Really, you're trying to be smarter than the teacher!'

- 'You must pass the final exam so we don’t waste 12 years of hard work.'

- 'Lý Thông is truly malicious, always plotting against Thạch Sanh.'

- 'These days, wealth brings etiquette: celebrating a memorial at a restaurant.'

- 'He really knows what you’re thinking.'

- 'Telling him is like water off a duck's back—doesn’t make a difference!'

- 'Coming from a poor family but acting like you're rich—what’s with that?'

- 'Wow! You’re trying to attach yourself to someone wealthy, shameless.'

- 'Come on, we’re friends! Let’s just keep the peace and get along!'

Question 7 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'I already know your weak spot, just like Achilles’ heel.'

- 'Their family owes money like crazy.'

- 'Don’t go making foolish decisions like this.'

- 'There’s no shortage of Sở Khanh types these days.'

- 'Let’s show the strength of Phù Đổng and rise up together.'

Question 1 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

In the excerpt from Trần Tế Xương's poem 'Lamenting His Wife', the author employs several idioms:

- 'One fate, two debts': Implying the hardship faced by Mrs. Tú, who must shoulder all the household responsibilities alone while supporting both her husband and child.

- 'Five suns, ten rains': Describing relentless toil and difficulty.

=> Compared to typical idioms, these expressions are more compact and powerful, offering a more expressive and succinct summary while vividly portraying a hardworking and dedicated wife.

Question 2 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'Bull's head, horse's face': A graphic metaphor to depict the brutal and inhuman nature of the officials.

- 'Fish in a pot, bird in a cage': A metaphor illustrating a life of confinement, lacking freedom.

- 'Treading on the heavens, crushing the earth': Symbolizing a life of independence and rebellion, refusing to bow to any authority.

Question 3 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

- Classical allusions refer to specific historical or literary events that convey deep philosophical meanings, providing insight into broader life concepts.

- Although allusions are not fixed in form, they are brief, typically using a single word or phrase that evokes historical events and carries profound, condensed meanings.

Question 4 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'Three autumns': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs, referring to the feeling of a day apart feeling as long as three autumns, symbolizing Kim Trọng's longing for Thúy Kiều.

- 'Nine characters': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs referring to the nine key virtues of parents: birth, nurturing, upbringing, and others, symbolizing Kiều's deep sorrow for her duties as a daughter.

- 'Willow at Chương Đài': Describing Kiều imagining her lover Kim Trọng returning to find her with another, evoking her deep sorrow.

- 'Blue eyes': An old tale where someone demonstrates favor with blue eyes (the black part of the eye), or disdain with white eyes, used here to represent Từ Hải’s perception of Kiều’s purity.

Question 5 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

a)
- 'Old ghosts bullying the new': The experienced exploiting their familiarity to assert dominance over newcomers.

- 'Wet behind the ears': Referring to someone still new and inexperienced.

=> Replacement: 'Hey, don’t be hard on the newcomer. He’s just getting started; we should help him out.'

b)
- 'Riding a horse to admire flowers': Taking a shallow approach, doing things in a superficial way.

=> Replacement: 'They didn’t just observe; they went to battle, fulfilling their duties as true warriors.'

Note: Replacing idioms with plain words conveys the basic meaning but loses the emotional nuance, and the expression becomes longer.

Question 6 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'She gave birth to a healthy child, and we are all so happy.'

- 'Do you dare defy your mother? You’re acting like you know better than the teacher!'

- 'You must pass the upcoming graduation exam so we don’t waste 12 years of hard work.'

- 'Lý Thông is truly wicked, always scheming against Thạch Sanh.'

- 'These days, wealth dictates social etiquette: holding a memorial at a restaurant.'

- 'He really knows what’s on your mind.'

- 'Talking to him is like water off a duck's back—it means nothing!'

- 'A poor family acting like they have riches—what’s going on with that?'

- 'Wow! Trying to attach yourself to someone wealthy—how shameless.'

- 'Come on, we’re friends! Let’s keep the peace and get along.'

Question 7 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'I know your weak spot, just like Achilles’ heel.'

- 'Their family is in serious debt.'

- 'Don’t make hasty decisions like that.'

- 'There’s no shortage of Sở Khanh types around.'

- 'Let’s show the strength of Phù Đổng and rise together.'

Question 1 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

Idioms used in Trần Tế Xương's poem 'Lamenting His Wife':

+ 'One fate, two debts': Suggests Mrs. Tú's burden as she marries with a destiny of both joy and responsibility, symbolizing her hardships.

+ 'Five suns, ten rains': Represents the strenuous and tiresome labor, enduring under harsh weather.

=> These idioms are short yet expressive, delivering full meaning with emotional depth and vividness, capturing the essence of a hard-working, responsible wife.

- These two idioms work together, evoking similar expressions like 'the lone heron through the waters' or 'treading the narrow waters', illustrating the tireless and capable image of Mrs. Tú.

Question 2 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'Bull’s head, horse’s face': Reflects the brutal and savage behavior of the corrupt officials in the troubled family of Kiều.

- 'Fish in a pot, bird in a cage': Describes a constrained life, restricted and limited, with an illusion of grandeur.

- 'Treading on the heavens, crushing the earth': Symbolizes a life of independence, freedom, and defiance against any authoritative power.

Question 3 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook)

- Classical allusions from 'The Mourning of Dương Khuê':

+ 'That bed': References the story of Trần Phồn from the Eastern Han Dynasty, who valued his close friend Tử Trĩ so highly that he reserved a bed for him, which was placed down for him when he visited and raised again when he left.

- 'That lute': Refers to the bond between Bá Nha and Chung Tử Kì, where Bá Nha, a skilled musician, could express his emotions through his music, and Tử Kì was the only one who could understand. After Tử Kì passed, Bá Nha stopped playing his lute, believing no one else could comprehend his music.

=> These allusions deepen the friendship between the narrator and Dương Khuê, showing how losing a close friend leaves one without anyone who understands their heart.

Question 4 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- 'Three autumns': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs describing the intense longing one feels after being apart from a loved one for a long time.

=> In this context, Kim Trọng's longing for Thúy Kiều is so intense that a single day apart feels like three years.

- 'Nine characters': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs referring to the nine virtues parents bestow upon their children.

=> Thúy Kiều reflects on her parents' sacrifices, feeling deep sorrow for being far from them in a foreign land.

- 'Willow at Chương Đài': Alludes to a tale where a distant husband writes a letter to his wife asking whether the willow tree at Chương Đài remains as it was, or if someone else has already plucked it.

=> This allusion leads to Kiều imagining how Kim Trọng might return to find her with someone else.

- 'Blue eyes': A story from the Tang Dynasty where one shows favor to another by looking at them with blue eyes and disdain with white eyes.

=> Từ Hải uses this to tell Kiều that, despite her life in the brothel, she has never fallen in love with any of the men she has encountered.

Question 5 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

a) It can be replaced with a phrase meaning 'bullying newcomers'.

b) It can be replaced with the term 'superficial'.

=> Replacing with equivalent expressions conveys the basic meaning but loses the vivid imagery and emotional nuance.

Question 6 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- Speaking to someone who doesn’t understand is like water off a duck’s back.

- We were thrilled to hear that Mrs. An’s baby was born healthy.

- My mom always says I think I’m smarter than the adults.

- After years of hard work, it’s time for the real achievements to show.

- In life, generosity and peace are key.

- He definitely has the personality of a soldier, but lives like a nobleman.

- Everyone just rushes to him, like those who try to join the high society.

- Nowadays, wealth determines social manners.

Question 7 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook)

- He’s drowning in debt, like a king of debt.

- Every person has their own Achilles' heel.

- It’s sad that the poor girl ended up with a man like Sở Khanh.

Question 1 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ Idioms: 'One fate, two debts', 'Five suns, ten rains'.

+ Structure: These idioms are concise, each consisting of two balanced parts both in terms of number of words and word types ('one fate – two debts'; 'five suns – ten rains').

+ Meaning: These idioms succinctly express the hard labor and burdens of Mrs. Tú.

Question 2 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ 'Bull's head, horse's face':

- Imagery: The bull and horse represent animals, implying crude, coarse, and aggressive people lacking humanity.

- Emotional tone: Conveys disdain and disgust.

- Conciseness: In just four words, it captures the chaotic, tumultuous nature of society.

+ 'Fish in a pot, bird in a cage':

- Imagery: Refers to a confined and restricted situation, symbolizing a loss of freedom, especially for those who are trapped by external circumstances.

- Emotional tone: Emphasizes the extraordinary, exceptional nature of Từ Hải.

- Conciseness: Expresses the idea succinctly and efficiently.

+ 'Treading on the heavens, crushing the earth':

- Imagery: Symbolizes bold, rebellious actions, doing the extraordinary and the grand.

- Emotional tone: Praises and affirms the heroism of Từ Hải.

- Conciseness: Shows the extraordinary nature of Từ Hải in a single idiomatic expression.

Question 3 (Page 66, Literature 11 Textbook):

Classical allusions are phrases or terms that evoke past events. They are succinct, profound, and often used to refer to similar situations in the present.

Question 4 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ 'Three autumns': A classical reference from the Book of Songs, expressing how one day apart feels as long as three autumns. It captures the deep longing Kim Trọng feels for Thúy Kiều.

+ 'Nine characters': A classical allusion from the Book of Songs referring to the nine virtues parents give to their children. It emphasizes Kiều's gratitude towards her parents.

+ 'Willow at Chương Đài': Refers to a story from the ancient road in Chương Đài, symbolizing longing for a past lover. Thúy Kiều's yearning for Kim Trọng is depicted through this metaphor.

+ 'Blue eyes': Linked to a tale from the Jin Dynasty where showing favor is expressed by blue eyes. Từ Hải uses it to inquire whether Kiều has found someone she cares for.

Question 5 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

a) Replacement: 'Hey guys, don’t bully the newcomer just because they lack experience. They’ve just arrived and aren’t familiar with things; we should help them instead.'

b) Replacement: 'They didn’t go sightseeing or for fun, they went on a real mission, doing the duties of regular soldiers.'

Evaluation: The substitutions are longer and make the sentences lose their vividness and conciseness.

Question 6 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ 'When the expectant mother enters the delivery room, her family hopes for a safe and sound birth.'

+ 'She understands me so well, it's as if she can read my mind.'

+ 'He betrayed his teacher, thinking he's smarter than others.'

+ 'His words to me were like water off a duck's back.'

+ 'He had to study hard to pass the exam this time.'

+ 'People should strive for harmony and kindness to smooth things over.'

+ 'He’s a heartless person, abandoning even his parents.'

+ 'He acts like a soldier but behaves like a nobleman, still demanding to buy that luxury car even though his parents can’t afford it.'

+ 'Wealth brings manners, so now during holidays, people exchange expensive gifts and forget the traditional presents from home.'

+ 'Because of a misunderstanding, he was accused of trying to join the high society.'

Question 7 (Page 67, Literature 11 Textbook):

+ 'Everyone has their own Achilles' heel.'

+ 'He’s a deceitful man, cheating so many naive girls.'

+ 'He’s in debt like a king because of his reckless spending.'

+ 'The young men of the nation, with the strength of Phù Đổng, are building the country.'

+ 'People must have their own opinions and not waste time.

Meaning

Students will reinforce and improve their knowledge of idioms and classical allusions. Through this, students will learn to correctly interpret and use these expressions and analyze the emotional value embedded in these widely used phrases.

Question 1 (Page 66 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

In the poem excerpt from 'Thương Vợ' by Trần Tế Xương, the author uses several idiomatic expressions:

- 'Một duyên hai nợ' (One fate, two debts): This suggests the hardships faced by Mrs. Tú, who has to bear the entire burden of the household to support both her husband and child.

- 'Năm nắng mười mưa' (Five suns, ten rains): This refers to the difficult and exhausting life she leads.

These idioms, more succinct and profound compared to usual explanations, offer a more expressive and concise portrayal of the hardworking, responsible wife in a family setting.

Question 2 (Page 66 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

'The person with a measuring rod, the one with a sword,

Head like a bull, face like a horse, rushing in like a boiling storm.'

The idiom 'Head like a bull, face like a horse' symbolizes the brutal, lawless, and disorganized nature of the soldiers who arrive at Thúy Kiều's house while her family is being wrongly accused.

'A lifetime of heroes,

What is the point of playing with a fish in a basket and a bird in a cage?'

The idiom 'Fish in a basket, bird in a cage' reflects a life of confinement, a lack of freedom, even though on the surface, it appears to be luxurious.

'Stepping on the sky and trampling the earth in this world.'

The idiom 'Stepping on the sky and trampling the earth' portrays Từ Hải's defiant attitude, his strong will, and his lifestyle of freedom, resisting any authority.

Question 3 (Page 66 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

Both idiomatic expressions 'Giường kia' (That bed) and 'Đàn kia' (That flute) are used to describe a deep and lasting friendship. The words are brief yet carry a profound meaning.

An idiomatic expression refers to a historical event or phrase from ancient texts that is used to illustrate something similar in modern contexts. Each idiomatic expression serves as a concise symbol that, when mentioned, conveys what the speaker intends to express.

Question 4 (Page 67 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

- 'Three autumns': This idiom is derived from a line in the ancient text 'Kinh Thi': 'One day without seeing each other feels like three autumns.' It expresses the deep longing of a person. In the context of 'Truyện Kiều', it describes Kim Trọng's longing for Thúy Kiều, where even a single day apart feels like three years.

- 'Nine characters': This idiom comes from 'Kinh Thi' and refers to the nine virtues of a parent towards a child: birth, nurturing, care, education, protection, discipline, and kindness. Thúy Kiều, living far away, feels regretful that she hasn't yet repaid her parents' kindness.

- 'Liễu Chương Đài': This expression recalls an old tale where a man, far from home, sends a letter to his wife about the willow tree in Chương Đài. It conveys Thúy Kiều's worry that when Kim Trọng returns, she will have already belonged to another.

- 'Green eyes': In ancient times, it was said that if someone respected another, they would use their 'green eyes' (the dark part of the eye), while if they disliked someone, their 'white eyes' (the sclera) would show. This idiom is used to describe Từ Hải’s view of Kiều, who, despite her life in a brothel and meeting many suitors, never cherished anyone.

Question 5 (Page 67 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

a)
- 'Old ghosts bullying the new': The idea of older people using their connections to intimidate newcomers.

- 'Wet behind the ears': Refers to someone who is new and inexperienced.

Replacement: 'Hey guys, don’t pick on the new guy. They just arrived, we should find a way to help them out.'

b)
'Riding a horse and looking at flowers': This means doing something in a superficial, careless manner without delving into the details.

Replacement: 'They didn’t go sightseeing or just visit casually. They were on a real mission, fighting and carrying out the duties of a true soldier.'

If we replace idiomatic expressions with plain words, we can only convey the basic meaning, missing the emotional nuance, and the message may become long-winded.

Question 6 (Page 67 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

Use the idioms in sentences:

- I’m happy for her family, everything went smoothly with mother and child.

- That girl is young, but she already acts like the smartest in the room.

- After years of endless studying, she passed the university entrance exam.

- She looks calm on the outside, but I never expected her to be so cruel inside.

- You’re so thoughtful, preparing gifts too. Truly, wealth brings manners.

- I already know you like the back of my hand.

- Talking to you right now is like water rolling off a duck’s back.

- We’re like family, so we should practice tolerance and harmony.

- He has the mindset of a military family, aiming for high office.

- She sees a rich person and immediately tries to attach herself to them.

Question 7 (Page 67 of Literature 11, Volume 1):

Use each idiom in a sentence:

- My company found the Achilles' heel of the opposition.

- Lately, my family has been in debt like crazy.

- He never has a clear opinion about anything, just like a person who chisels a plow in the middle of the road.

- You’re lucky you escaped from him; he’s just like a classic 'Sở Khanh' character.

- She’s young, but she’s already doing extraordinary things, truly a modern-day 'Phù Đổng' hero.