Top 6 Best Study Guides for 'The Noon Chicken' Poem by Xuân Quỳnh for Grade 7

I. Author and Work

1. Author

- Xuân Quỳnh (1942 - 1988), born Nguyễn Thị Xuân Quỳnh.
- Hometown: La Khê - Hà Đông city - Hà Tây (now part of Hanoi).
- Born into a civil servant family, her mother passed away early, and her father frequently worked away, so she was raised by her grandmother from childhood until adulthood.
- In February 1955, Xuân Quỳnh joined the Central People's Art Troupe and trained as a dancer.
- She performed abroad many times and attended the World Youth and Student Congress in 1959 in Vienna, Austria.
- From 1962 to 1964, Xuân Quỳnh studied at the Writer's School of Vietnam Writers' Association (Class I).
- After finishing her studies, she worked for Văn Nghệ newspaper and Phụ Nữ Vietnam newspaper.
- Xuân Quỳnh became a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association in 1967, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association's third term.
- In 1973, Xuân Quỳnh married playwright and poet Lưu Quang Vũ. Before that, she had married a musician from the Central People's Art Troupe but later divorced.
- Xuân Quỳnh passed away on August 29, 1988, in a traffic accident at the Phú Lương Bridge, Hải Dương city, along with her husband Lưu Quang Vũ and their 13-year-old son Lưu Quỳnh Thơ.

2. Creative Career
a. Major Works
- Hoa dọc chiến hào (1968); Gió Lào cát trắng (1974); Tự hát (1984); Hoa cỏ may (1989),...
b. Writing Style
- Xuân Quỳnh's poetry is rich in emotion, reflecting her expressive personality. Her work resonates with the heartfelt desires and hopes of a woman, offering both innocence and sincerity, along with a profound longing for everyday happiness.

3. Influence and Position of the Author
- Xuân Quỳnh is one of the most prominent poets of the young generation during the anti-American resistance period.

4. The Poem

'The Noon Chicken' is a five-word poem by Xuân Quỳnh, written during the early years of the American resistance, first published in the collection 'Flowers Along the Trenches' (1968). The poem evokes beautiful memories of childhood and the bond between grandmother and grandchild, deepening the love for homeland and the country.

II. Guide to Analyzing the Poem

Question 1:

* The inspiration for the poem comes from the event: during a long march, the soldier hears a rooster crowing as they stop for a rest near a small village.

* The emotional flow in the poem: hearing the rooster crow => memories of childhood spring to mind => a deep longing for the hardworking grandmother who took care of him => the image of the homeland and country becomes vivid, motivating the soldier to pick up his weapon and head to the frontlines to protect the nation.

Question 2:

* The images and memories from childhood evoked by the rooster's crow are:

The image of the hen with golden feathers beside the pink eggs
A memory of curiosity when watching the hen lay eggs and being scolded by grandma
The loving image of the grandmother carefully tending the eggs to care for her grandchild
A memory of childhood joy and hope: receiving a new outfit from the money earned from selling the hen's eggs
Through these childhood memories, the poem shows the pure and innocent soul of the child and expresses the deep affection and respect for the grandmother.

Question 3:

* The image of the grandmother:

Grandmother gently cradles the eggs, protecting each one for the hen to incubate
Scolds the grandchild for sneaking a peek at the hen laying eggs
Worries about the weather and hopes to sell the hens by year-end to buy the grandchild a new outfit
> A grandmother who is hardworking, loving, and devoted to her grandchild despite the hardships of life.

* The bond between grandmother and grandchild: deep and affectionate. The grandmother loves her grandchild, always saving for him. The grandchild, in turn, cherishes and remembers her. When away from home, the most vivid memory is of the grandmother. For her and for the homeland, the grandchild is motivated to pick up a weapon and fight to protect the country.

Question 4:

The poem follows a five-word verse structure, though it is quite flexible in some areas:

Typically, each stanza in a five-word poem has four lines, but in 'The Noon Chicken', three stanzas have four lines, while others have five or six lines, with the first stanza even having seven lines.
The rhyme scheme is also flexible. Most rhymes in the poem are off-rhyme, and sometimes the focus is more on maintaining the rhythm rather than precise rhyming. Despite this, the poem still flows harmoniously with the author's emotional trajectory.
Each line in the poem has five words, except for the line 'The Noon Chicken', which contains three words and is repeated multiple times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the emotional core of the poem. After each 'The Noon Chicken' line, the poet recalls a familiar memory, keeping the emotional flow intact and the images vivid and profound.

Practice

Question 2: Your thoughts on the relationship between grandmother and grandchild in the poem.
Answer:
The relationship between the grandmother and grandchild is deeply meaningful and full of love. Even though the grandchild is far away, fighting in the war, he always remembers and appreciates his grandmother. The grandmother sacrifices for the grandchild, and that sacrifice gives the grandchild the strength and determination to protect the country.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE WORK

1. The Author

- Xuân Quỳnh (1942 - 1988) was born in La Khê village, near the town of Hà Đông, Hà Tây province (now part of Hanoi). She is one of the most outstanding female poets in modern Vietnamese literature. Xuân Quỳnh's poetry often revolves around familiar, simple emotions within family life and daily living, expressing the deep, sincere, and tender feelings of a woman. In 2001, Xuân Quỳnh was awarded the State Prize for Literature and the Arts.

2. The Work

- The poem 'The Noon Chicken' was written during the early years of the resistance against the U.S. occupation, first published in Xuân Quỳnh's poetry collection 'Flowers Along the Trenches' (1968).

- Structure of the poem:

+ Part 1 (stanza 1): the chicken's crow triggers childhood memories.

+ Part 2 (stanza 2 - 6): childhood memories and the figure of the grandmother.

+ Part 3 (stanzas 7, 8): the thoughts and dreams of the soldier.

READ AND UNDERSTAND

Question 1 - Page 151 Textbook

What inspired the poet in this poem? How does the emotional progression unfold?

Answer:

- While on the battlefield, the soldier suddenly hears the sound of a chicken crowing at noon. This familiar sound brings back beautiful memories of childhood, the image of hens, and especially the grandmother, with her love and care for the child. The sound of the chicken crowing goes with the soldier into the battle, strengthening the bond with the homeland.

- Emotional progression: hearing the chicken crow ⟹ the sound triggers the soldier's memories of a beautiful childhood.

⟹ The longing grows deeper for the hardworking grandmother.

⟹ The yearning for the homeland becomes a motivating force for the soldier to take up arms and fight for the country.

Question 2 - Page 151 Textbook

What childhood images and memories are recalled by the sound of the noon chicken? What feelings does the poem convey through these memories?

Answer:

The noon chicken's crow evokes beautiful childhood memories:

The sound brings to the soldier's mind the image of hens and their golden feathers, along with a beautiful nest of pink eggs, and a memory of curious childhood when the child peeked at the hens laying eggs and was scolded by the grandmother. The sound especially reminds the soldier of the grandmother's love and care, always saving and nurturing the child. The soldier also recalls the simple childhood wish for a new set of clothes bought with money from selling the chickens.

Through this, we see the pure and innocent soul of the child, as well as the deep affection and respect for the grandmother.

Question 3 - Page 151 Textbook

What do you think about the image of the grandmother and the relationship between the grandmother and the child as portrayed in the poem?

Answer:

The image of the grandmother and the relationship between the grandmother and the child are depicted in the poem as:

- Hardworking and frugal despite poverty: The grandmother's hands carefully cradle the eggs, saving each one.

- She devotes all her love and care to the child: saving and scrimping to sell the chickens at the end of the year to buy the child new clothes.

- She advises and reprimands the child, but even her scolding is driven by her love for the child.

⟹ Through these memories of the grandmother, the poet portrays a deep and affectionate grandmother-child bond. The grandmother cares for and loves the child, while the child reciprocates with respect and gratitude.

Question 4 - Page 151 Textbook

The poem follows a five-syllable verse structure, but there are some flexible changes. What do you think about the rhyme scheme and the number of lines in each stanza?

Where is the phrase 'The Noon Chicken' repeated, and what effect does this repetition have?

Answer:

- Typically, each stanza in a five-syllable poem has 4 lines, but in this poem, there are stanzas with 5 or 6 lines, with the first stanza containing 7 lines.

- The rhyme scheme in the poem is very flexible. Most rhymes in the poem are spaced, and sometimes, rhyme isn't as important as maintaining the rhythm. Nevertheless, the poem reads smoothly, with a harmonious flow in the poet's emotional progression.

- All lines in the poem consist of 5 syllables, except for the line 'The Noon Chicken' (repeated at the start of the second, third, fourth, and seventh stanzas), which consists of 3 syllables. This repetition is a way for Xuân Quỳnh to emphasize emotion. After each instance of 'The Noon Chicken,' the poet recalls a familiar image or memory, helping maintain the emotional continuity of the poem and ensuring the memories and images remain vivid and powerful.

EXERCISE

Question 2 - Page 151 Textbook
What are your thoughts on the grandmother-grandchild relationship in this poem?

Answer:

Sample Answer 1:

The bond between the grandmother and grandchild is profound and beautiful, etched deeply in the grandchild's memory. This bond forms the foundation and motivation for the grandchild's fight. Thus, the sound of the noon chicken recalls cherished memories of childhood and the image of the grandmother, who loved and cared for the grandchild. The grandmother sacrificed to care for the child, and the child always remembers and cherishes her, carrying this love into the fight. The relationship between them deepens the grandchild's love for the homeland.

Sample Answer 2:

The relationship between the grandmother and grandchild is sacred, beautiful, and profound. This affection is deeply embedded in the soldier's childhood memories. Therefore, while marching into battle, the simple sound of a chicken crowing evokes vivid memories of the grandmother's love and sacrifice. These memories, though simple, are sacred, reminding the soldier of the deep emotional ties that propel him forward on the battlefield. This beautiful emotion will always be a source of strength for the soldier, fortifying him in the fight ahead.

SUMMARY:
'The Noon Chicken' evokes beautiful childhood memories of the grandmother-grandchild bond. The love within the family deepens the soldier's connection to the homeland.
The poem, using five-syllable verses, expresses emotion naturally, with many simple, true images.

A. KEY KNOWLEDGE

1. Author:

Xuân Quỳnh (1942 - 1988), from La Khê village near Hà Đông town, Hà Tây province, was an outstanding female poet in modern Vietnamese literature. Her poetry is youthful, vibrant, profound, and rich in femininity.
Xuân Quỳnh's poems often focus on the simple, relatable feelings in family life and everyday experiences, expressing the heartfelt desires of a woman’s sincere and passionate heart.

2. The Poem

The poem: “Noon Chicken Calls” was written during the early stages of the Vietnam War and was first published in the collection *Flowers Along the Trenches* (1968).
The poem recalls the beautiful memories of childhood and the bond between grandmother and grandchild, which deepens the love for their homeland. The poem is written in a five-character verse form, with natural emotional expressions and vivid, simple imagery.

B. EXERCISES AND GUIDANCE

Question 1: (Page 151 - Vietnamese Language Textbook 7, Volume 1) What inspired the author to write this poem? How does the emotional flow in the poem develop?

Answer:
The inspiration comes from an event: during a long march, a soldier, resting in a small village, hears the crowing of a chicken. This triggers memories of childhood with his grandmother.
The emotional flow moves from present to past and back to present: hearing the chicken’s call during the march evokes beautiful childhood memories and deepens the longing for the grandmother, reinforcing the connection to his homeland and motivating him to continue his journey.

Question 2: (Page 151 - Vietnamese Language Textbook 7, Volume 1) What images and childhood memories are evoked by the noon chicken’s crowing? What emotions of the author are expressed through the poem?
Answer:
The images and memories of childhood:
The chickens: The image of hens with golden feathers beside their pink eggs appears vivid and lively.
The grandmother’s voice scolding her grandchild: A loving scolding when the child curiously watches the hens lay eggs, evoking memories of the simple village life.
The grandmother: a hardworking, caring woman who worried over every egg to buy clothes for her grandchild.
Through this, the author reveals a pure, innocent soul, and the memories of her grandmother remain deeply etched in the grandchild's heart.

Question 3: (Page 151 - Vietnamese Language Textbook 7, Volume 1) How do you perceive the image of the grandmother and the relationship between the grandmother and grandchild in the poem?
Answer:
The bond between the grandmother and grandchild is very profound. The grandmother is hardworking, enduring, cherishing every small joy in life despite the many hardships. She scrimped and saved to buy new clothes for her grandchild with the money she earned from selling eggs. The grandchild, in turn, loves and remembers her, feeling gratitude for the grandmother’s sacrifices. Even when far from home, the grandchild always carries the memories of her grandmother and homeland.

Question 4: (Page 151 - Vietnamese Language Textbook 7, Volume 1)

a. The poem follows a five-character verse form, but there are flexible changes in its structure. What do you think of the variation in the number of lines per stanza?
b. The phrase “Noon chicken calls” is repeated several times in the poem. Where does it appear, and what is its effect?
Answer:
a. On the variation in lines: Usually, a five-character poem is divided into stanzas with four lines, but this poem’s stanzas vary in length: 4 lines (stanza 6), 6 lines (stanza 5), 7 lines (stanza 1), and 10 lines (final stanza). The rhyme scheme is flexible, not as rigid as in traditional Chinese poetry. The rhyme in the poem is mostly alternating, sometimes not strictly adhering to the rhyme but maintaining the overall rhythm, making it flow smoothly with the poet’s emotional progression.
b. The phrase “Noon chicken calls” is repeated four times, always at the beginning of each stanza (2, 3, 4, 7). This repetition emphasizes the theme of the poem, evoking the peaceful rural life and childhood memories, and motivating the soldier’s resolve to fight for the homeland.

PRACTICE
Question 1: (Page 151 - Vietnamese Language Textbook 7, Volume 1) What are your thoughts on the relationship between the grandmother and grandchild in the poem?
Answer:
During a difficult march, the soldier rests in a peaceful village. The sound of the noon chicken calls triggers memories of childhood with the grandmother. The grandmother appears gentle like a fairy in a folk tale. The pink eggs in the golden straw nests, the grandmother’s loving scolding, and her constant concern for the grandchild’s well-being. These images represent the hardships and sacrifices the grandmother endured, ensuring the grandchild grew up healthy and strong. The grandchild’s heart overflows with love and gratitude for the grandmother’s sacrifices. The sound of the chicken’s crowing and the love between them inspire the soldier to continue his mission to protect the peaceful homeland.

Extended Reference
The Value of Content and Artistry in "Noon Chicken Calls"
Answer:
1. Content Value
The poem “Noon Chicken Calls” is a poignant note of reflection from the soldier during his difficult march, but it also represents memories, nostalgia, and the sacred bond between grandmother and grandchild. Through the use of repetition, simple yet touching imagery, and family love, Xuân Quỳnh has deepened the connection between personal emotions and national pride. She successfully conveys her heartfelt emotions to readers.
2. Artistic Value
The five-character verse form allows for natural emotional expression.
The imagery is simple yet vivid.
The repetition of phrases enhances the emotional impact.

I. About the Author Xuân Quỳnh
- Xuân Quỳnh (1942-1988), from La Khê village, near Hà Đông town, Hà Tây province (now part of Hanoi)
- She was a prominent female poet in modern Vietnamese literature
- In 2017, Xuân Quỳnh was awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for literature and the arts
- Characteristics of Xuân Quỳnh's poetry: Her works often reflect familiar, simple emotions from family life and daily routines, expressing the heartfelt desires and aspirations of a woman’s sincere and tender heart.

II. About the Poem 'Tiếng gà trưa'
1. Context of Creation
The poem was written during the early years of the resistance against American imperialism, first published in the collection 'Hoa dọc chiến hào' (1968) by Xuân Quỳnh
2. Structure (3 parts)
- Part 1 (stanza 1): The sound of the rooster at noon on the battlefield
- Part 2 (next 5 stanzas): The rooster’s crow evokes childhood memories
- Part 3 (remaining 2 stanzas): The sound of the rooster triggers deep reflection
3. Thematic Value
'Tiếng gà trưa' calls forth beautiful childhood memories and the love between grandmother and grandchild, with familial affection deepening the sense of love for homeland.
4. Artistic Value
- The 5-syllable verse form creates a natural expression of emotion
- Simple and realistic imagery
- Use of repetition in the poem

III. Answering Questions

Question 1 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1)

The poet’s inspiration for the poem comes from:

While marching, at noon, the soldier hears the sound of a rooster, which reminds him of the image of his hardworking grandmother, who lovingly took care of him.

Question 2 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1)

Beautiful images and serene memories evoked by the rooster’s crow:

- Young hens, yellow-feathered, beside pink eggs

- Memories of secretly watching hens lay eggs and being scolded by grandma

- Grandma caring for the hens, inspecting the pink eggs

- The loving care grandma showed for her grandchild. She nurtured the hens and carefully handled the eggs with the hope of selling them to buy new clothes for her grandchild

→ All these images remind us of a poor childhood still filled with love and care from a grandmother.

Question 3 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1)

The love between the grandmother and grandchild in the poem is deep and heartfelt

+ Despite living in poverty, the grandmother always focused on her grandchild’s well-being

+ The grandchild’s love and respect for the grandmother is evident

+ Even when away from home, fighting in war, the grandchild always remembers the grandmother, whose image is forever imprinted in his memory

Question 4 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1)

The poem is written in the 5-syllable verse form, which is creative and flexible

+ Each stanza typically has 4 lines, but some stanzas extend to 5 or 6 lines, while the first stanza has 7 lines

+ The rhyme scheme is unconventional: mainly alternating rhymes, not always exact but creating harmony when read aloud

+ The use of 3-syllable lines at the start of each stanza adds emphasis to the emotions expressed

- After each 'rooster crow' the memories flood back powerfully, evoking feelings of childhood and the warm, affectionate bond between grandmother and grandchild.

Exercise

Question 2 (Page 153, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1)

The love between grandmother and grandchild is profound and beautiful, deeply embedded in the grandchild’s heart. This forms the foundation and motivation for the grandchild to continue fighting. Thus, with just the sound of the rooster’s crow, all the beautiful memories of childhood and the image of the grandmother emerge clearly, beautifully. Grandma loved and cared for her grandchild, nurturing him despite her struggles. The grandchild is forever grateful, always cherishing the memory of her, which fuels his determination to fight. The love between grandmother and grandchild, and family affection, strengthen the grandchild’s love for the homeland.

Answer to Question 1 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1):
The inspiration for the poem arises from the familiar, simple sound of a rooster at noon, which the poet hears during their march.

* The emotional flow in the poem develops as follows:

Moving from the present to the past, then back to the present.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1):

* The images and childhood memories evoked by the sound of the rooster’s crow include:

- The sight of young hens with yellow feathers, nestled beside rosy eggs.

- A memory of curiously watching the hens lay eggs, only to be scolded by the grandmother.

- The image of the grandmother, full of love, carefully saving eggs to afford a new outfit for her grandchild.

* Emotional expression: The pure and innocent soul of a child, along with the deep affection and care the grandmother has for her grandchild.

Answer to Question 3 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1):

Impressions of the grandmother and the grandchild’s bond:

* The image of the grandmother:

- She is portrayed as diligent and frugal.

- She worries that her grandchild might fall ill, which is why she scolds him for watching the hens lay eggs.

- She fears that her hens will not survive the cold winter, leaving her unable to afford clothes for her grandchild.

* The bond between grandmother and grandchild: Deep, sacred, and tender, an unforgettable relationship. Even when the grandchild goes far away, these cherished memories remain vivid.

Answer to Question 4 (Page 151, Literature Textbook 7, Volume 1):

* The poem follows a 5-syllable verse pattern but demonstrates flexibility in its structure.

- Typically, each stanza in a 5-syllable poem has 4 lines, but the first stanza has 7 lines, and others may have 5 or 6 lines, with only 3 stanzas consisting of 4 lines.

- The rhyme scheme is very flexible, often featuring slant rhymes, which still create a harmonious sound when read aloud.

⟹ The poem’s emotional flow is very coherent with the poet’s feelings.

* The phrase “Tiếng gà trưa” is repeated several times at the beginning of stanzas 2, 3, 4, and 7. This repetition serves to emphasize the emotion. After each rooster’s crow, familiar images and memories resurface, making the poem’s emotional journey smooth, and the memories feel vivid and intense.

Exercise

Your thoughts on the grandmother-grandchild relationship in this poem:

- This is a sacred, beautiful bond between grandmother and grandchild:

+, The grandmother is kind-hearted, always thinking of her little grandchild.

+, She is frugal, saving every egg to pick the best ones for the hens to hatch.

+, Though she scolds the grandchild at times, it’s out of concern for his well-being.

- This beautiful, sacred bond deepens the love for the homeland: the love of family is deeply intertwined with the love for one’s country.

Structure

Structure: 3 sections

- Section 1 (Stanza 1): The rooster’s crow stirs memories of childhood.

- Section 2 (Stanzas 2 to 6): Childhood memories and the grandmother’s love.

- Section 3 (Stanzas 7 and 8): The soldier’s reflections and dreams.

Main Content

The poem beautifully captures the pure, tender memories of childhood and the deep bond between grandmother and grandchild in 'Tiếng gà trưa'.

I. Author

- Xuân Quỳnh was born in 1942 and passed away in 1988. Her full name was Nguyễn Thị Xuân Quỳnh.

- She was from An Khê village, near the town of Hà Đông, in what was then Hà Tây province (now part of Hanoi).

- She is regarded as one of Vietnam’s most outstanding female poets and is often called the "queen of love poetry" in Vietnam.

- Her poetry frequently explores the simple, intimate, and pure emotions of family life and daily experiences, expressing the tender, sincere, and deep feelings of a woman's heart.

- Xuân Quỳnh was awarded the State Prize for Literature and Art in 2011.

- Some of her notable works include:

Poetry collections: Chồi biếc (1963), Hoa dọc chiến hào (1968), Lời ru trên mặt đất (1978), Chờ trăng (1981), Tự hát (1984). Some of her famous poems: Thuyền và biển, Sóng, Tiếng gà trưa, Thơ tình cuối mùa thu…
Works for children: Mùa xuân trên cánh đồng (children’s story, 1981), Bầu trời trong quả trứng (children’s poetry, 1982)...

II. The Poem

1. Context of Creation

- Tiếng gà trưa was written during the early years of the Vietnam War against American imperialism.

- The poem was first published in the collection Hoa dọc chiến hào (1968) by Xuân Quỳnh.

2. Poetic Form

- The poem follows a five-character verse structure (each line containing 5 characters).

- It uses flexible rhyme schemes.

- The imagery is vivid and simple.

3. Structure

The poem is divided into three parts:

Part 1: From the beginning to "Nghe gọi về tuổi thơ". The initial emotions of the child when hearing the afternoon rooster’s call.
Part 2: From there to "Đi qua nghe sột soạt". The rooster’s call recalls memories of childhood.
Part 3: The remaining part. The child’s reflections from hearing the afternoon rooster.

III. Interpretation

1. The Initial Feelings of the Child Upon Hearing the Afternoon Rooster

- Context: The child is on a military march, passing through a village and stops to rest.

- Sound: The rooster’s cluck "cục tác cục ta".

- Emotions: The repetition of "nghe" combined with the metaphor of "xao động nắng trưa" and "bàn chân đã mỏi" evokes a sense of nostalgia for childhood memories.

=> The afternoon rooster’s call becomes a sound that recalls childhood memories.

2. The Afternoon Rooster’s Call Evokes Childhood Memories

- Childhood memories with the grandmother unfold through the child’s recollections:

- Imagery: The hen with white speckles, the yellow hen with feathers gleaming like sunshine. These images are familiar and evoke rural life.

- Memory: The child’s curiosity about watching hens lay eggs, scolded by the grandmother, "Gà đẻ mà mày nhìn/Rồi sau này lang mặt" making the child anxious. This reflects the innocent worries of childhood.

- Imagery:

The grandmother gently picks the eggs, saving each one to sell for money to buy new clothes for the child.
When winter comes, the grandmother worries the chickens will die.

=> This shows the deep love and concern the grandmother has for her grandchild.

3. The Child’s Reflections from the Afternoon Rooster’s Call

- The significance of the rooster’s call: It brings a flood of happiness and memories of the grandmother.

- The repeated word “because” in the poem:

“love for the country”: patriotism
“familiar village”: love for home
“grandmother, it’s all because of you”: family affection
=> The noble and sacred purpose of fighting for the country.

IV. Conclusion

- Content: The afternoon rooster’s call stirs memories of childhood and the bond between grandmother and grandchild. The family’s love makes the love for the country more profound.

- Technique: The five-character form naturally conveys emotions, using literary devices like personification, repetition, and metaphor.

V. Text Analysis

Question 1: What inspired the author’s feelings in the poem? How does the emotional flow of the poem progress?

- The author’s feelings were sparked when, during a march, they passed through a small village and heard the afternoon rooster’s call, which brought back childhood memories.

- The emotional flow unfolds naturally: from the image of the rooster’s call, the thoughts of the hardworking grandmother, and finally expressing love for her and affirming the noble purpose of fighting.

Question 2: What images and childhood memories are recalled by the afternoon rooster’s call? What emotions are expressed by the author through these memories?

* Recalled images and memories:

- The hen with white speckles, the yellow hen with feathers shining like sunshine. These are familiar rural images.

- Memory: The child’s curiosity about watching hens lay eggs, being scolded by the grandmother, "Gà đẻ mà mày nhìn/Rồi sau này lang mặt" causing worry. These reflect the innocent anxieties of childhood.

- Imagery:

The grandmother carefully picks the eggs, saving each one to sell for money to buy the child new clothes.
In winter, she worries the chickens will die.

* The author’s emotions: A deep love for the grandmother.

Question 3: What is your impression of the grandmother’s image and the grandmother-grandchild relationship in the poem?

- The grandmother’s image is portrayed realistically: a hardworking woman who loves and cares deeply for her family.

- The grandmother-grandchild relationship is portrayed as deep and admirable.

Question 4: The poem is written in five-character verses, but some variations are noticeable. What are your thoughts on the rhyme scheme and the number of lines in each stanza? How does the repetition of "Tiếng gà trưa" affect the poem?

- Observation: The rhyme scheme and the number of lines in each stanza are flexible, often using half rhymes (Stanza 1: xa - ta, Stanza 2: trắng - nắng…).

- The phrase "Tiếng gà trưa" repeats in Stanzas 2, 3, 4, and the final stanza. It serves as a motif to evoke childhood memories.

- Effect: It creates a rhythmic emotional flow in the poem, emphasizing the central image of the afternoon rooster’s call as the source of inspiration.

II. Practice

Your thoughts on the grandmother-grandchild relationship in the poem:

- The grandmother’s love for the child: A diligent and caring woman who sacrifices for her grandchild’s well-being.

The grandmother picks the eggs carefully, saves each one to sell, and worries that the chickens may die in winter, leaving nothing to buy new clothes for the child.

- The child’s feelings for the grandmother:

The child respects and remembers the grandmother with sincere gratitude.

The grandmother is one of the reasons the child fights for peace, for both the country and for the grandmother.

=> The relationship between the grandmother and grandchild is profound and heartwarming in this poem.