1. Sample Essay Reference 4
Structure
- Part 1 (first 4 lines): The laws of life
- Part 2 (remaining lines): The noble philosophy of life
Lesson Content
- The poem expresses the vibrant life force and the beauty of an optimistic spirit
- It constructs a rich symbolic contrast through its imagery.
Study Guide
Question 1 (page 141, Literature 10 Textbook):
- The first two lines depict the changing nature of the seasons: plants transform with the weather
- Reversing the order of the second line would still reflect the cyclical changes of nature, but it would emphasize the ongoing flow from one season to the next, showing a view of life’s progress through the seasons rather than a natural growth process (spring fades, then returns; flowers fall, then bloom).
Question 2 (page 141, Literature 10 Textbook):
- Lines 3 and 4 convey the changes in human life: time passes, and people age with each passing year.
- The poet’s feelings seem tinged with regret and sorrow, as the time of the universe is infinite, yet human life is fleeting.
- The poet’s emotions reflect a sense of loss as the universe is timeless, but the human lifespan is short.
Question 3 (page 141, Literature 10 Textbook):
- The last two lines do not describe nature directly.
- The themes in these lines are not contradictory, but instead represent a philosophical concept from Buddhism: when a person achieves spiritual enlightenment (understanding the truth and natural laws), they transcend the common cycle of birth and death.
- The image of the plum branch evokes several interpretations:
+ It symbolizes pure beauty and resilience, rising above hardships, challenges, and adversity.
+ It represents the indomitable spirit of humankind.
Question 4 (page 141, Literature 10 Textbook):
- The opening and closing of the poem create a circular structure with contrasting elements:
+ The poem begins with imagery of blooming and wilting flowers
+ It concludes with the image of the fading spring, but with the prominent image of the “plum branch” – chi mai.
- The use of definitive language in the final line affirms the poem’s message: the most powerful symbol is the plum blossom.
+ The plum blossom represents the strength of life, overcoming challenges.
+ It illustrates the awakening of human consciousness.
- The poet’s mood is one of wistful reflection, lamenting the passage of time.

2. Sample Essay Reference 5
Question 1 (page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
What natural law is expressed in the first two lines? How would the meaning change if the second line were placed first?
Detailed Answer:
- The first two lines describe the changing laws of nature. Plants change with the seasons. Typically, spring brings blooming flowers, as in 'Spring brings vibrant flowers.' However, the poem speaks of flowers falling before blooming. Does the poet intend to reflect the cyclical nature of nature? Flowers fall, then bloom again. The image of spring and flowers conveys beauty, warmth, and the vitality of nature.
- Reversing the position of the second line would still convey the cyclical nature of change, but the view would focus on the seasons coming and going, with flowers blooming and fading, rather than following the natural growth pattern (spring fading, then coming again, flowers falling, then blooming).
Question 2 (page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
What do lines 3 and 4 convey about the human condition? How do you feel about the poet’s mood in these lines?
Detailed Answer:
- Lines 3 and 4 express the changing nature of human life. Time passes, and people age with it. The image of gray hair symbolizes aging, the clearest sign of transformation in human life as time moves on.
- The poet expresses regret and sorrow, as while the universe’s time is eternal, the time of human life is so short.
Question 3 (page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
Are the last two lines about nature? Do the first and last lines contradict each other? Why or why not? What is your impression of the image of the plum branch in the last line?
Detailed Answer:
a. The last two lines are not about nature.
b. In these final lines, the poet uses the description of nature to express a Buddhist philosophical idea: when one attains enlightenment (understanding the truth and natural laws), they possess immense power, transcending the usual cycle of life and death. A Buddhist monk, enlightened, returns to an eternal essence, beyond birth and death, just as the plum branch stays vibrant regardless of the season’s end. Thus, there is no contradiction between the ideas in the last two lines.
c. The image of the plum branch evokes several feelings: In ancient beliefs, the plum flower endures the cold of winter. Despite the frost and snow, the plum blooms, signaling the arrival of spring. The plum symbolizes pure, elevated beauty rising above hardship, adversity, and trials. Therefore, it represents the indomitable spirit of humanity.
Question 4 (page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
How does the poet express a love for life and an optimistic outlook?
Detailed Answer:
- The poem clearly demonstrates the poet’s love for life and optimism. This love and optimism are conveyed through the affirmative language and natural imagery that evokes life’s perpetual and unending vitality. Life’s natural cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is evident, but the poem opens with 'Spring fading' and ends with the image of a vibrant plum branch. This represents an optimistic view.
- The verse was written when the poet was ill, but it still exudes a calm, life-loving attitude, reflecting a strong, healthy state of mind, one that has reached a peaceful, serene perspective.

3. Sample Essay Reference 6
Question 1 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
- The first two lines highlight the law of transformation in nature and humanity; like humans, flowers are never still, always changing. Life is an endless cycle of renewal.
- Reversing the second line to the beginning would still express the cyclical changes, but it would shift the perspective to focus on spring coming and going, flowers blooming and falling, instead of following the natural growth process (spring fades, then returns, flowers fall, then bloom again).
Question 2 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
- Lines 3 and 4 present the Buddhist view of the human condition—birth, aging, illness, and death.
- As time moves on, youth fades, and old age inevitably comes. Time moves on relentlessly, yet life seems fleeting, almost like a dream. The poet expresses a sense of wistful regret, for while the universe’s time is infinite, human life is short-lived.
Question 3 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
- The last two lines do not simply describe nature but reflect Buddhist philosophy.
- When one attains enlightenment—understanding life’s truths and laws—they gain a great inner strength, transcending ordinary experiences. Spring departs, and flowers may seem to wither, yet in the cold winter night, the plum blossoms are still blooming.
- The plum flower here symbolizes those who have transcended ordinary limitations and continue to thrive while everything else fades away.
Question 4 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
- The poem clearly expresses a deep love for life and an optimistic view. This love is conveyed through affirming language and vivid images of nature, evoking a sense of perpetual life, renewal, and immortality. Life’s natural cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is depicted, but the poem opens with 'spring fading' and ends with the image of a fresh plum branch, representing a hopeful perspective.
- Despite the poet’s illness, the poem exudes a calm and life-loving attitude, stemming from a strong, resilient mind that has reached a serene and detached state.

4. Sample Essay Reference 1
Structure
- Part 1 (first 4 lines): The law of life
- Part 2 (remaining lines): A noble view of human existence
Question 1 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
The first four lines describe the law of transformation in nature, humanity, and all things in the universe that are never static.
+ Life is a cyclical process.
+ Reversing the second line would still express the law of change, but the movement would follow the cyclical pattern.
However, the last line disrupts the natural cycle: spring arrives, flowers bloom, but eventually, they wither.
Question 2 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
Lines 3 and 4 express the human life cycle according to Buddhist teachings: birth, aging, illness, and death.
+ As time passes, old age inevitably arrives.
+ Time flows unceasingly, regardless of aging.
- Human life is compared to an illusion.
→ The last two lines reflect a feeling of nostalgia and regret, as the infinite time of the cosmos contrasts with the brevity of human life.
Question 3 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
The poet uses nature to express Buddhist philosophy: when one understands the truths of life, they transcend the ordinary cycle of birth and death.
+ When the enlightened monk reaches nirvana, free from birth and death, just like the plum branch that blooms eternally, unaffected by the end of spring.
+ The poet uses nature’s imagery to explain a Buddhist concept: an enlightened person transcends the usual life cycle.
→ There is no contradiction in the final line, as the plum flower symbolizes the Buddhist notion of nirvana.
Question 4 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook)
- The poem’s structure creates a circular pattern with contrast:
+ It opens with the image of flowers blooming and fading, then concludes with the image of spring’s end but highlights the “plum branch”—a symbol of resilience.
- The choice of words in the conclusion affirms this idea:
+ “A single plum branch”: the plum flower represents the strength of life, surpassing difficulties and the awakening of human understanding.
- The poet’s mood is one of nostalgia and regret, reflecting on the passage of time.

5. Sample Essay Reference 2
Question 1 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook):
- The first two lines express the law of transformation in nature, a cycle of natural growth and renewal.
=> In Buddhist philosophy, life is understood as an ongoing cycle of reincarnation, continuously in motion.
- Reversing the second line would still convey the idea of cyclical change, but it would not follow the natural growth cycle.
Question 2 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook):
- Lines 3 and 4 describe the human life cycle according to Buddhist beliefs: birth, aging, illness, and death.
- The poet’s mood reflects a sense of melancholy and regret.
- The sources of this mood include:
+ The poet’s realization of the law of transformation in nature.
+ While the universe’s time is boundless and infinite, human life is brief.
+ Youth fades, and old age inevitably follows, making life seem like an illusion.
Question 3 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook):
- The last two lines are not merely descriptive of nature.
- The meaning of the final lines is coherent:
+ The poet uses nature to symbolize the law of reincarnation.
+ These lines reflect Buddhist philosophy: once a person understands the law of life and death, they become greater and more powerful, transcending the ordinary, and becoming eternal—like the plum branch that remains fresh even after spring has ended.
- The plum branch in the final line symbolizes:
+ The plum blossom’s resilience, blooming despite the cold winter, a symbol of strength and purity.
+ The plum symbolizes enduring beauty, rising above harsh conditions.
+ The plum represents the belief in eternal life.
Question 4 (Page 141 Literature 10 Textbook):
The poem vividly expresses the poet’s love for life and an optimistic outlook:
- The structure of the poem is circular, with contrasting elements. It opens with “spring fading” and ends with “a fresh plum branch.”
- Despite the inevitable death of many flowers, the plum branch stands strong: a symbol of eternal spring.
- The poet’s mood:
+ Lines 3 and 4: filled with melancholy and regret.
+ The final lines: calm, loving life, and at peace with the world.

6. Sample Lesson Plan No. 3
Structure:
- The first four lines: The immutable laws of life.
- The following two lines: The author's view of human existence.
Question 1 (page 141, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):
The first four lines speak about the natural, unchanging cycle of life, symbolized by flowers. It highlights the constant movement and inevitable transformation in all things in nature, as well as the cyclical nature of human life.
- The author observes life through the lens of natural growth: Spring comes and goes, flowers bloom and wither. Even if we reverse the meaning of the first two lines, it still conveys the cyclical nature of existence—Spring will pass, flowers will fade—but this perspective would present a more negative view of the natural cycle.
Question 2 (page 141, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):
Humans, like the flowers, are constantly in motion, bound by the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death. Life moves forward relentlessly, and before we know it, old age arrives. However, there is a contrast in this imagery: while flowers may bloom again after they fall, humans cannot escape the march of time. This opposition symbolizes the unceasing flow of time and the fleeting nature of life, emphasizing the illusory nature of past moments.
Question 3 (page 141, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):
The last two lines are not merely a description of nature, but they also convey Buddhist philosophy.
When one attains enlightenment, understanding the truths of life, they gain a transcendent strength, enabling them to rise above ordinary existence. Though Spring may pass and flowers may wither, we still find the plum blossoms blooming even in the harsh winter nights.
The plum blossom, in this context, symbolizes individuals who have transcended the mundane and achieved eternal life, even as everything else fades away.
Question 4 (page 141, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):
The poem expresses the author's optimistic view of life.
The opening lines discuss the natural development of all things: Spring goes and comes, flowers wither and bloom again.
The next two lines reflect Buddhist philosophy, where the eternal cycle of life continues, symbolized by the turning wheel of reincarnation. Despite life’s inevitable transitions, the poem conveys an optimistic perspective.
The closing lines revisit the opening thoughts through negation: the passing of Spring does not mean that all life will perish. The image of the plum tree blooming through a snowy night illustrates the extraordinary resilience of life. This image reflects a transcendent worldview, offering a hopeful view of life and the cycle of reincarnation.

