Top 8 Literary Analysis Essays on "The Meaning of Literature" by Hoài Thanh

There have been numerous studies, definitions, and explorations about literature and its impact on human life. Among these, "The Meaning of Literature" by Hoài Thanh stands out. In this essay, clear arguments regarding the origin and function of literature help us gain a deeper understanding.

Firstly, the author addresses the origin of literature. By citing a story from India, the researcher argues that the origin of literature arises when humans experience intense emotions toward a life phenomenon. Literature is the compassion of humanity in the face of suffering. The source of literature is love and empathy.

Where does literature originate? According to Hoài Thanh, literature originates from everyday life—from traditional folk songs to larger literary works. It also stems from national struggles to defend the homeland and resist foreign invaders. Furthermore, literature is influenced by cultural festivals and traditions. In short, literature originates from human love for life. Hoài Thanh skillfully transforms this critical discussion into an engaging and persuasive essay. His natural approach to presenting the issue is particularly compelling.

Secondly, the author explores the function and role of literature in human life. Regarding the function of literature, Hoài Thanh points out that it reflects and creates reality. From the image of the boy Lượm in Tố Hữu’s poem to the bird in traditional folk songs, literature mirrors real-life experiences. Stories like Thạch Sanh and The Magic Writing Brush reflect the workers' dreams for justice and the transformation of reality.

Regarding the use of literature, Hoài Thanh emphasizes that literature evokes compassion and fosters altruism. It generates emotions that don’t exist and refines those that do. To illustrate this, the author references two stories: Dế mèn phiêu lưu kí by Tô Hoài and The Doll's Farewell by Khánh Hoài. The critic is right when stating, “A person who spends each day working only for themselves can still feel joy, sadness, anger, and excitement alongside people they’ve never met... through reading or poetry.”

In conclusion, through Hoài Thanh’s work, we gain a clear understanding of the significance of literature. The origin of literature is rooted in compassion, its function is to evoke altruism, and its role is to reflect and create reality.

Hoài Thanh is a prominent literary critic in modern Vietnamese literature. In his essay "The Meaning of Literature," he expresses his views on the origin, role, and duty of literature in human life and society. He defines the place and responsibility of literary artists in this world of literature and life.

The essay presents three main points. First, Hoài Thanh identifies the fundamental origin of literature as human compassion, extending to love for all living beings. This highlights his belief that the essence of literature lies in emotions. The core of literature, in his view, is compassion—first for humanity, then for all living things. This concept is both logical and humane.

His presentation is engaging and thought-provoking. He introduces the topic through a touching story, guiding readers naturally toward the main discussion. Various other views exist on the origin of literature, such as it stemming from labor, religious rituals, entertainment, etc. These perspectives, including Hoài Thanh’s, complement one another rather than contradict.

Second, literature serves as a reflection of life in all its forms. Moreover, it creates life. Literature reflects the diversity of life—the natural world, societal changes, etc. On the other hand, it also shows the creative process of the writer. The writer does not simply replicate what they see; they reinterpret life through their lens, bringing new worlds to existence with imagination and thought.

Literature also brings forth new life. The world depicted in literature is already an act of creation. Beyond that, writers create new worlds, people, and things that do not yet exist in reality. For example, there are fantasy worlds, superheroes, and imaginary creatures.

Writers often portray life according to their artistic ideals, inspiring others to strive for a better life. As poet Nguyễn Đình Thi said, “Art has a mission to broaden human understanding, but its equally important mission is to nourish feelings, making human emotions always fresh, like a flower that just bloomed, never wilting.”

Finally, literature helps evoke compassion and foster altruism. It stirs emotions we may not possess, while deepening those we do. Emotions we don’t have include those that arise before reading literature—such as compassion for women in traditional societies, love for distant lands, and sadness over the plight of homeless children. Reading about these people, places, and situations awakens these new feelings.

Emotions we already have are feelings like love for family, affection for nature, and patriotism. Literature refines these emotions, making them more beautiful, pure, and noble.

In this way, literature profoundly impacts the human heart and emotions. It enriches the reader’s world, encouraging a deeper, more beautiful life, filled with compassion and selflessness. Without literature, human history would lose its depth, and life would be spiritually impoverished.

Hoài Thanh (1909-1982), born Nguyễn Đức Nguyên, hails from Nghi Trung, Nghi Lộc district, Nghệ An province. A renowned literary critic before the August Revolution, he began writing for newspapers in 1930, including Phổ thông and Dãn chúng. In 1942, he published "Thi nhân Việt Nam," a collection of authors from the 'New Poetry' movement. This anthology features his insightful general introduction and several representative poems. To this day, "Thi nhân Việt Nam" remains influential in literary criticism and poetry enthusiasts. "The Meaning of Literature," excerpted from his work on literary commentary, explores the origins and functions of poetry and prose in human society.

The term 'literature' refers broadly to written works, including those on philosophy, politics, history, geography, stories, and poetry. Here, 'literature' denotes beautiful words and ideas in stories and poems. The 'meaning' refers to the purpose or goal of something. In this context, the 'meaning of literature' refers to the purpose of literary works.

Before delving into meaning, Hoài Thanh narrates a story about an Indian poet moved to tears witnessing the tremble of a dying bird shot by someone. From this seemingly fictional tale, Hoài Thanh expands to define literature as a reflection of life in its various forms and possessing the power to create new life. He asserts that the 'origin of literature is rooted in feelings, compassion.' Traditional proverbs, folk poems, and literary works such as "Bài ca nhà tranh bị gió thu phá" by Đỗ Phủ and "Sông núi nước Nam" by Lí Thường Kiệt, among others, originate from the authors' compassion and their connection to real-life circumstances.

From this origin, Hoài Thanh concludes that 'the function of literature is also to enhance feelings and foster compassion in readers.' The central aim of this essay is to determine the role of literature in life, not what literature is. In everyday life, individuals often remain unaware of the experiences of those in different professions or distant countries. Through literary works, readers can gain a deeper understanding and empathy for people and places they previously knew little about. Even a simple story at the beginning of this essay awakens compassion in readers, encouraging them to feel disgust toward cruelty, admiration for compassionate poets, and hope for the realization of change. After reading short stories like "Cuộc chia tay của những con búp bê" or "Bức tranh của em gái tôi," readers develop more caring and loving attitudes toward their siblings.

Additionally, 'Literature refines feelings one already possesses.' Furthermore, 'Literature inspires feelings one did not previously have.' Have you ever overcome a challenge, witnessed someone overcome one? If not, did you gain admiration for 'Dượng Hương Thư' after reading "Vượt thác"? Have you encountered or formed feelings for Native Americans? If not, did you develop a better understanding after reading the letter from their chief? If you find yourself loving and dreaming of meeting these people or witnessing these events, it is clear that literature has evoked a new feeling in you. Lastly, 'Literature creates new life,' where 'life' refers to customs, traditions, societal development, and more, all presented through the actions of characters. As human society becomes more equal, civilized, and happy, thanks to literature, it has given rise to new life, broadened perspectives, and enriched individual experiences.

After discussing the origins and impact of literature on human society, Hoài Thanh asserts its place in history. He hypothesizes that if one were to erase poets, literary figures, and the traces they have left in human consciousness, the resulting barren landscape would be unimaginable. Without literature, humans would live according to instinct like other animals, not only impoverished spiritually but also engaging in constant struggle for survival. Historical records even criticize Qin Shi Huang for burning books and burying scholars. This excerpt, though only a page long, thoroughly addresses the origins and utility of literature in human life, demonstrating Hoài Thanh's ability to distill such a broad topic into a concise, comprehensible passage. Consequently, readers can come to cherish literature more deeply.

From a young age, we have heard grandparents tell us folk tales, and mothers sing lullabies. As we grow older, we read and learn poems, short stories, and a few novels. These folk tales, poems, and literary works are indeed pieces of literature. We approach literature in a natural way, driven by emotional responses. How many have pondered the significance of literature for ourselves and others? What does literature truly mean? By reading poems and stories, what do we gain? To answer these intriguing theoretical questions, we should read ‘The Meaning of Literature’ by Hoài Thanh, a renowned literary critic.

This text was written in 1936 (published in the book “Literature and Action”). It is a work of literary criticism, discussing issues pertaining to literature, distinct from political essays like ‘The Spirit of Nationalism.’ Since this is an excerpt from a longer essay, the text we study doesn’t have the three complete parts: introduction, addressing, and conclusion. In the text, three important aspects that Hoài Thanh collectively calls the Meaning of Literature stand out: the origin, the purpose of literature in general, and specific literary forms like poetry, prose, and drama.

At the beginning of the text, we encounter an intriguing old story. From this story, the author explains the origin of literature. According to Hoài Thanh, 'The essential origin of literature is compassion for others and, more broadly, compassion for all living things.' Is this notion correct? It is, but not the only one. Many theorists have explained that literature originates from labor or from the pain and lofty aspirations of humans. While Hoài Thanh’s view differs from these opinions, it does not contradict them. Rather, his view enriches the important discussion on the origin of literature. By using the word ‘essential’ after the word origin, he clearly points out that the primary source, the important source of literature, is compassion. This is a nuanced and diplomatic way of speaking, not imposing his opinion as encompassing every other view. From Hoài Thanh’s idea, further reflection and study at higher levels will deepen our understanding of this issue.

From a concise sentence explaining the origin of literature, the author continues: 'Literature will reflect the myriad forms of life. Moreover, literature can create life.' These two concise sentences present the primary functions of literature, summarized in the terms 'reflection of life' and 'creation of life.' What does this mean? Does the author intend to say that literature has the role of reflecting life? In this context, 'reflection' refers to imagery or the result of reflection and depiction in literature. Two lines by Hồ Chí Minh, 'The quiet stream is like distant music – The moon in the old tree’s shade, flowers in bloom,' beautifully reflect the landscape of the Vietnam North during the night. Or in 'My Beloved Saigon,' author Minh Hương vividly portrays the scenery and the lively life of Saigon past and present. The way literature reflects life is highly diverse, as Hoài Thanh says. Each writer and poet has their own way of reflecting life, depending on their experiences, talent, and soul. Human souls are vast and infinite. Thus, Hoài Thanh writes, 'This mundane, confined universe cannot satisfy the abundant emotions of writers. Writers will create different worlds.' This is also the task of literature: the task of creation. What does this mean? It means that through literary works, with the imagination and noble aspirations of the mind, writers create landscapes and life beyond reality, more beautiful than the life we encounter. For example, Nguyễn Trãi.

After the country was at peace, his life encountered many hardships. He resigned and returned to Côn Sơn. The forests here still look the same, with streams, moss-covered rocks, pine, and bamboo, silent and indifferent. Yet, in his 'Song of Côn Sơn,' all comes to life: a cithara playing music, soft cushions, flat beds, cool shades, and… flowing poems of relaxation. Nguyễn Trãi has created a different life from the reality he faces. Not only did he create life for himself to relieve his burdens, writers also convey messages, desires, and aspirations to readers, reminding us to love, to have righteous hatred, to share joys and sorrows, and to pursue goodness, aiming for a life that the writer envisions, which may be even more beautiful and new than life itself. In this way, literature extends life, develops it within the soul, will, aspirations, and actions of readers. Could this be Hoài Thanh’s notion of 'creation of life' in literature?

Talking about the task of reflecting life and creating life also touches upon another important aspect of literature. 'And therefore – Hoài Thanh writes – The utility of literature is to help develop emotions and evoke compassion.' The second part of ‘The Meaning of Literature’ focuses on explaining and commenting on the utility of literature. We understand the meaning of 'utility' as the effect, the enhancement of intellect, the evoking of feelings… of literature on readers. So, according to Hoài Thanh, how does literature serve as a utility? Hoài Thanh writes: 'A person who is preoccupied with their own worries… when reading stories or reciting poetry, can feel joy, sadness, happiness, anger with others from far away.' This means that literature has the power to stir the soul, helping us share sadness, joy, sorrow, happiness… with others, bringing us closer together in compassion, love, and unity among people. 'Literature creates feelings we don’t have and strengthens the feelings we already have.' Clearly, literature enriches readers’ positive emotions, deepens our inner world. Furthermore, literature also adds countless beautiful colors and sounds, making the world, people, and life more beautiful and lovable. From the time poets sang about landscapes and flowers, these landscapes and flowers appeared more beautiful; from the time people used the sounds of birds and flowing streams as motifs, these sounds became more melodious. As Hoài Thanh wrote, this emphasizes another utility of literature. Understanding and reflecting on these ideas, then relating them to the literary works we have read and studied, we see that it is indeed true. Reading folk songs about human compassion deepens our love for grandparents and parents. Through folk songs and laments, we better understand and sympathize with our ancestors, especially the sisters and mothers of Vietnam. Similarly, reading the collection of poems by Li Bai, Hạ Tri Chương, and Đỗ Phủ, our love for our homeland is strengthened through subtle emotional tones. Through Minh Hương’s essays, ‘A Gift of Young Rice: Green Rice Cakes,’ and ‘My Spring,’ we deeply feel the beauty of Vietnamese rice, the spring of Hanoi, our homeland’s spring. How can we ever list all the wondrous impacts of literature? Clearly, literature builds our emotions in a pure and uplifting way, leading us to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty. Some theorists state that the function of literature is to guide humans towards ‘Truth, Goodness, Beauty.’ While Hoài Thanh doesn’t use such overarching terms, through his simple arguments, combining gentle emotions and richly descriptive language, he has sufficiently explained the utility, effectiveness, and impact of literature. In other words, Hoài Thanh’s essay is filled with beautiful words and meaningful ideas, praising literature and honoring the talent and contribution of artists.

'If the history of humanity were to erase poets, writers, and simultaneously remove all traces they left in human souls, what a bleak spectacle that would be!' The final sentence of the text is quite intriguing. The author seems to affirm the miraculous role of literary artists while emphasizing the meaning of literature. At the same time, it reminds us to be grateful to writers, to cherish poetry and literature in general. This is a sentence that carries multiple meanings, compelling us to reflect further…

In conclusion, through a rhetorical style that blends reasoning, emotion, and imagery, Hoài Thanh asserts: the essential origin of literature is affection, compassion. Literature reflects life and creates life, helping to nurture emotions and feelings. If the history of humanity were to erase literature, life would become extremely impoverished. This notion may not be complete, but it contains fundamental truths, helping us to better understand: the origin, purpose, and utility of literature. As a result, when we read literature, learn about it, and contemplate it, we gain a clearer and deeper insight into literature.

Hoai Thanh (1909 - 1982) was a renowned literary critic, and his reviews were highly respected. His fame was cemented by his influential work "The Anthology of Vietnamese Poets" (1942). Although written over 60 years ago, his essay "The Meaning of Literature" still holds significant relevance today.

The term "literature" in this text refers to written works, especially poetry, and prose—essentially the beauty found in words. In this short article, Hoai Thanh discusses key ideas about the purpose of literature. He begins by narrating an ancient story about an Indian poet who weeps at the sight of a wounded bird, suggesting that such emotions are the origin of poetry. This gentle and captivating opening is referred to as "du-khoi" (the opening with an example, akin to the opening in "The Art of War" by Trần Quốc Tuấn). From this whimsical story, the author clearly outlines the origin of literature: human compassion, extending to all living beings. In other words, the inspiration for poetry and prose is rooted in love and empathy.

The origin of literature also lies in evoking emotions and nurturing altruism. Hoai Thanh uniquely identifies two primary functions of literature: perception and education. Literature reflects reality, enhancing our understanding of it, and helps readers "visualize the multifaceted lives". Moreover, literature "creates new worlds"—the magic of poetry and prose. For example, when reading poems like "Sky's Boundary, Trench of Bombs" (Lâm Thị Mỹ Dạ) and "A Poem about a Squad of Trucks Without Windscreens" (Phạm Tiến Duật), we can vividly grasp the hardships of Vietnam’s war against the U.S.

The essence of literature lies in feelings and compassion; genuine poetry and prose possess a profound power that can make readers feel joy, sadness, hope, or anger. This is the educational impact of literature.

Literature’s humanistic quality plays a crucial role in moralizing people. Hoai Thanh’s perspective on the origins and functions of literature is progressive and insightful. After reading folk songs like "The Great Father’s Love is as Immense as Mount Thái Sơn", we grow fonder of our parents. We also develop gratitude for those who plant seeds, from whom we derive the joys of life. "Whoever offers us a full bowl of rice, May it taste bitter but worth the toil." Literature is magical—it expresses our dreams and aspirations, cultivates existing sentiments, and fosters new ones, as Hoai Thanh suggests.

Compassionate love for our homeland, nature, and a yearning for knowledge and hard work are all nurtured through literature. It beautifies life, enriching it with vibrant colors. As Hoai Thanh writes: "The shallow and narrow life of individuals becomes deep and vast through literature—hundreds of thousands of times more expansive."

"I love the green rivers, the purple mountains; I adore the brows like newly printed moons, and I cherish the spring most..." (Vũ Bằng).

"With a cup of wine, a game of chess, watching flowers bloom, waiting for the moon." (The Tale of Kiều - Nguyễn Du)

Life cannot do without literature. It creates beauty, making life appear more meaningful and beautiful. Hoai Thanh vividly illustrates this idea: "Since poets praise nature, mountains, flowers have never looked so beautiful; since sounds like birds chirping and streams have been turned into poetry, they’ve never sounded so sweet." The role and position of poets and writers are immense. Humanity and societies, if deprived of poets and writers, would be impoverished beyond measure! Hoai Thanh's emotions overflow from the pages.

In discussing the meaning of literature, Hoai Thanh offers compelling arguments about its origin and functions. The humanistic and moral value of literature is vividly emphasized. The gentle, expressive writing, enriched with vivid imagery, makes Hoai Thanh's arguments persuasive, even though not entirely new.

Hoài Thanh, born Nguyễn Đức Nguyên (1909 - 1982), hails from Nghi Trung commune, Nghi Lộc district, Nghệ An province. A renowned literary critic, he was posthumously awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Arts in 2000. His most celebrated work is *Thi nhân Việt Nam*, published in 1942. The essay ‘The Meaning and Use of Literature,’ originally titled ‘The Meaning of Literature,’ follows this tradition.

In this essay, Hoài Thanh argues that the essence of literature lies in emotion and altruism. Literature serves as a mirror reflecting the multifaceted nature of life. Furthermore, it fosters creativity, generating new emotions in people and enhancing pre-existing ones. Without literature, human spiritual life would be barren and monotonous. This insightful view reflects the author's deep understanding and appreciation for literature. Scholar Phan Kế Bính succinctly defined literature as 'beauty,' and 'chapter' as 'brightness.' The words of people, brimming with beauty and brightness, are thus termed literature...

Traditionally, literature encompasses philosophy, history, and literature itself. In its narrowest sense, it refers to literary works, and even more narrowly, it denotes the artistic beauty in language. In this text, ‘literature’ is used in its narrowest sense. Hoài Thanh explains that the origin of literature begins with a mythical tale: An ancient Indian poet witnesses an injured bird fall at his feet. Overwhelmed by compassion, he weeps, his heart resonating with the trembling bird. That very weeping and shared pain is the origin of poetry.

With such an engaging introduction, the author captivates the reader’s attention. He uses this story to elucidate the origin of literature. Literature truly emerges when the writer experiences deep emotions toward a certain situation or phenomenon in life. The author concludes that the essence of literature is human compassion, extending to all living beings. This is a profoundly accurate observation. Nevertheless, alongside it, there are differing viewpoints, such as literature originating from human labor or being an art of language...

To clarify the origin of literature further, Hoài Thanh goes on to discuss the role of emotion in literature’s creation. Literature mirrors the diverse forms of life. Moreover, it can even create new life. Therefore, whether it reflects life or creates life, the origin of literature remains in emotion and altruism. In the first instance, the author emphasizes that life is inherently multifaceted, and literature’s role is to reflect this natural diversity. Literature, in fact, contributes to life’s creation, making existence increasingly beautiful.

In the second instance, he asserts that literature creates novel and progressive ideas not found in contemporary life, motivating people to transform these ideas into reality. It is evident that literary creation stems from the sincere emotions of writers, poets. Through literature, authors enable readers to grasp valuable insights about past and present life. By reading folk songs, proverbs, myths, and fairy tales, we gain an understanding of our ancestors' lifestyle over millennia. Dreams, aspirations to conquer nature, lessons in morality, and life experiences, conveyed through literature, seep into our very being, enriching our spiritual lives.

Literature guides individuals toward Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Hence, it is an indispensable spiritual nourishment, aiding people in perfecting their character to become more beneficial to their families and society. Centuries ago, our ancestors coined the proverb: ‘Words don’t cost anything, so choose your words wisely to make others happy.’ The origin of this proverb also stems from compassion, aiming to ensure people speak thoughtfully and act kindly...

Folk songs like: ‘A father’s love is as solid as Mount Thái Sơn, a mother’s affection flows like a never-ending stream’ have been passed down through generations, serving as a constant reminder for children to honor their parents. Responsibility, duty, and filial piety are measures of human virtue. Within the vast treasury of Vietnamese folklore, countless songs, lullabies, and stories encourage the cultivation of harmonious family bonds. One such advice is:

‘Siblings are like hands and feet,

If one is torn, the other supports, if one is hurt, the other helps.’

The laborious life of ancient farmers, hands stained with soil, becomes immensely poetic when viewed through a lens of compassion for both people and nature:

‘Fair maiden, treading water by the roadside,

Why do you scoop up the golden moonlight and let it go?’

In just two lines, the folk author paints a beautiful scene: a young girl scooping water under the moonlight. The moonlight fills every water scoop, turning it into golden reflections. This unique metaphor creates a poetic and romantic imagery. The rhetorical question, deeply artistic, subtly expresses a courtship. To celebrate the beauty of the countryside and the noble qualities of rural people, folk songs have verses such as:

‘In the pond, nothing more beautiful than a lotus,

Green leaves, white petals, and the golden stamens.’

This folk song extols the beauty of the lotus. Often found in ponds, the lotus stands out as the most beautiful flower. A symbol of both beauty and purity, the lotus blooms in muddy waters yet remains unstained. It not only celebrates the aesthetic appeal of the lotus but also the inner purity of rural laborers, who, despite living close to nature, retain high moral values. The deep love for the homeland of the ancients is clearly reflected in these folk songs. Discussing the captivating appeal and significant influence of literature, Hoài Thanh writes:... An individual absorbed in daily concerns may care only for themselves, but when reading stories or reciting poetry, they can experience joy, sorrow, happiness, and anger alongside people in distant places through tales from other lands. Isn’t this evidence of literature’s extraordinary power?

Indeed! Literature awakens noble human emotions. Reading Nguyễn Du’s *The Tale of Kiều*, generations have been enthralled, experiencing the joys and sorrows of the character Thúy Kiều. They feel hatred toward the villains Sở Khanh, Tú Bà, Mã Giám Sinh, and immense pity for Kiều’s plight. They are also revolted by a society that venerates wealth, as seen in this passage:

‘In hand, money ready to exchange,

Even the heart switches between right and wrong—

How hard is it!’

Reading Lý Lan’s essay *The Gate Opens*, readers gain a deeper understanding of a mother’s love for her child and the crucial role of education in shaping individuals. Through Lí Bạch’s poem *Sentiments of the Night*, one grasps the deep attachment to one’s homeland, even after years of living far from home. In discussing literature’s profound impact, Hoài Thanh writes: Literature provides emotions one doesn’t possess, sharpens emotions one already has; an individual’s shallow and limited life becomes profound and vast a hundredfold due to literature.

This is literature’s educational function. Literature nurtures the soul, thoughts, and emotions of individuals. Its purpose is to help people discover themselves, gain knowledge, enhance self-belief, and aspire to the truth and beauty of life. Literature elevates individuals beyond mundane material pursuits. Engaging with literature, readers live alongside characters, sharing their joys and sorrows. The moments spent with literature bring peace and tranquility to the soul. It can be said that literature brings immense joy and a rich spiritual life to people.

Literature satisfies human aesthetic tastes for beautiful language, rhythm, and cleverly constructed narratives. Yet, first and foremost, it touches the heart of readers through the portrayal of archetypal characters in literary works. Characters such as Thúy Kiều, Lục Vân Tiên, Huấn Cao, chị Dậu, Chí Phèo, endure and thrive across time because they fully and succinctly capture the joys and hardships of human life. Literature also imparts invaluable lessons about life, helping individuals become more virtuous and morally sound. Literature broadens knowledge and widens the mind. Thus, literature serves as both a close companion and an erudite teacher, always by our side on life’s journey.

Literature, like a magical force, transforms ordinary things in life into extraordinary beauties. Someone once remarked, ‘It’s only after poets praise the mountains, flowers, and fruits, that the mountains, flowers, and fruits appear so beautiful.’ Let’s revisit Nguyễn Trãi’s *The Côn Sơn Ballad*:

Côn Sơn stream flows murmuring,

Like a zither’s tune in my ear.

Côn Sơn has rocky, moss-covered slopes,

And I sit on the rocks as though on a cozy mat.

In the forest, pines grow thick as nails,

I climb into the shade and lie down.

The bamboo forest spreads shade far and wide,

I lie beneath its green canopy, peacefully reciting poetry.

The natural scenery comes alive with the murmuring stream and moss-covered rocks. The pine trees grow thick, resembling nails. The bamboo forest, dense with green shade, provides peace. Under Nguyễn Trãi’s skilled pen, Côn Sơn assumes a unique beauty, unlike any other landscape.

These verses help us understand Nguyễn Trãi’s deep love for his homeland. Reading *The Côn Sơn Ballad*, we feel an emotional connection, deepening our attachment to our local surroundings.

Hoài Thanh (1909 - 1982) was a distinguished literary critic. His writings are rich in insight and artistry. His name became immortalized with the seminal work "Thi nhân Việt Nam" (The Vietnamese Poets, 1942). Although his essay "The Meaning of Literature" was written over 60 years ago, it continues to offer many valuable insights today.

The term 'literature' in this essay refers narrowly to poetic and literary works—capturing the beauty of verse and prose. Since this is a brief article, Hoài Thanh only addresses a few aspects and ideas about the significance of literature. He begins with an anecdote from ancient India, where a poet bursts into tears upon seeing a wounded bird. From this story, the author suggests that such an emotional response is the origin of poetry. This opening is charming, gentle, and engaging. It is an example of 'dụ khởi'—introducing with an example, similar to the opening in Trần Quốc Tuấn’s "Hịch tướng sĩ". From this mythological tale, the author makes it clear that the source of literature lies in compassion, extending to care for all living things. In other words, the inspiration for poetry and literature is compassion.

The meaning of literature is to 'depict life or to create life'. The origin of literature 'also helps to cultivate emotions and evoke a sense of compassion.' Hoài Thanh articulates this with unique clarity, explaining two functions of literature: to inform and to educate. Literature reflects reality, deepens understanding of it, and helps readers 'imagine the myriad aspects of life.' Furthermore, literature 'creates life,' which is the magical power of poetry. For instance, when reading poems like "Khoảng trời, hố bom" (Sky, Bomb Crater) by Lâm Thị Mỹ Dạ or "A Poem About a Squad of Trucks Without Windscreens" by Phạm Tiến Duật, one can vividly grasp and understand the struggles of our people during the war against America, and how Vietnamese youth displayed remarkable bravery.

The origin of literature 'is emotion, compassion.' True poetry and prose possess a remarkable power to make readers feel joy, sadness, excitement, or anger. This is the educational impact of literature. Humanistic literature has helped to cultivate humane qualities in people. Hoài Thanh’s views on the origins and functions of literature are progressive and insightful. Reading traditional folk poetry, such as "Công cha như núi Thái Sơn" (A Father’s Love Like Mount Thái Sơn), can deepen our love and gratitude towards our parents. We are reminded of the labor and care from those who plant and sow, thanks to whom we taste the flavor of life:

“Whoever carries the bowl of rice

Sweet and fragrant one grain, bitter and biting a thousandfold.”

Literature is indeed miraculous—it manifests human dreams and desires, stirring emotions we do not yet have or refining those we already possess. As Hoài Thanh remarked, literature fosters compassion, love for one’s homeland, appreciation for nature, enthusiasm for study and work, and aspirations for boundless horizons. These emotions are cultivated through life experiences and literature, enriching our hearts. Literature beautifies life and adds depth, making our existence more colorful and meaningful. As the author wrote: “The shallow and narrow life of the individual becomes profound and vast a hundred thousandfold through literature.” “I love the green river, the purple mountains; I love a pair of brows as bright as new moons, and I dream of spring the most...!” (Vũ Bằng).

“When drinking wine, when playing chess

When watching flowers bloom, when waiting for the moon to rise.”

(Truyện Kiều - Nguyễn Du)

Life cannot exist without literature. Literature creates beauty, making life appear more beautiful and lovable. Hoài Thanh uses evocative imagery to convey this idea: “Since poets have sung of mountains and flowers, mountains and flowers look more beautiful; since someone has taken the sound of birds and the flowing of streams as inspiration, the sound of birds and flowing streams now sound more beautiful.”

Hoài Thanh is one of the most outstanding literary critics in Vietnamese literature. His evaluations and critiques of literature hold significant value. His most famous work is "Thi nhân Việt Nam," published in 1942. The essay "The Meaning of Literature" reveals the origins, impact, and significance of literature in human life.

Phan Kế Bính defined literature as: "Literature is beauty, and 'chương' refers to brilliance. People's words are dazzling and beautiful, hence they are called literature." Hoài Thanh’s concept of literature in this work aligns with Phan Kế Bính’s definition, emphasizing the artistry and beauty of words. The author begins the work by explaining the origin of literature through a legend: "An old tale tells of an Indian poet who saw an injured bird falling at his feet. The poet, feeling deep sympathy, cried loudly, his heart beating in harmony with the trembling of the dying bird. That cry, that sorrow, is the origin of poetry."

The origin of literature does not lie far from the small emotional responses in the heart of a poet towards the world. Literature cannot exist without sincerity in emotions. To conclude this view, the author reiterates: "The essential origin of literature is compassion for people, and by extension, for all living things." There is nothing else, but boundless compassion, which is the beginning of literature. This is a very accurate observation. Literature is a tool to express human emotions, whether loving or hating, all stemming from the kindness in the author’s heart.

Furthermore, the author also examines the origin of literature from a different perspective. Besides arising from compassion, literature also begins from the realities of life. This notion of Hoài Thanh aligns with Nam Cao’s view of art in general and literature in particular: "Art is not a deceptive moonlight... Art can only emerge from the sorrows of life..." This viewpoint is expressed by the author through the assertion: "Literature is a depiction of the myriad aspects of life." Events in the social and natural world are all recorded in literature, sometimes even detailed and specific ones.

Literature reflects life according to the natural laws of existence. This can be seen in the fact that when reading folk literature, one can understand how our ancestors lived and built the nation. One can visualize a time filled with war and bloodshed through heartfelt stories of soldiers. Literature helps us envision many facets of life. It has been suggested that "literature has opened a new world before my eyes."

Combining these two perspectives, we can see that the origin of literature stems from both compassion and the reality of life: "either imagining life, or creating life, the origin of literature is always emotion and compassion." These two factors, when combined, create profound works.

Literature is born not only from the human need to express emotions but also has significant and impactful effects on life. Hoài Thanh pointed out that “Literature depicts the myriad forms of life... Literature also creates life.” These two sentences affirm the role of literature in “depicting life” and “creating life.” This means that each author, with their unique perspective on life, offers different images of life’s many angles. Writing about Hanoi, for example, Vũ Bằng views it differently from Thạch Lam, each exploring a different aspect.

Images of life portrayed through literature are as diverse as the world itself. Nguyễn Trãi compares the sound of a flowing stream to the melody of a zither, while Hồ Chí Minh hears it as distant singing. The way authors imagine and depict life in literature is incredibly varied. The world does not seem large enough in the eyes of writers. Hoài Thanh wrote: "The universe is ordinary and confined, insufficient to satisfy the overflowing emotions of a writer. A writer will create other worlds." Indeed, writers, with their minds and hearts, create new worlds—worlds that encompass both the individual identity of the writer and the collective identity of humanity.

Literature serves not only to reflect the world but most importantly, to create. The creation here refers to both the author’s creativity in literature and the literature’s ability to create life. The worlds created in literature may resemble or differ from reality. They may be worlds to be dreamed of, like in fairy tales such as Cinderella or Tấm Cám, but they may also be harsh like in the realistic works of Nam Cao or war-themed literature. So, how do these works create life? Ultimately, literature, whether addressing the good or bad in life, aims to improve and build a better life. Fairy tales reflect people’s dreams of a world without injustices, filled with love and happiness. Reading realistic works or war literature helps people recognize the evil and the bad in society, enabling them to fight for a better life. That is literature’s role in creating a better world after having already reflected many aspects of life.

In addition, Hoài Thanh further emphasizes another significant effect of literature: "Literature awakens emotions we do not have, nurtures emotions we already possess; a person’s narrow and superficial world becomes vast and deep a hundredfold because of literature." The spiritual world of humans is perhaps the hardest realm to touch. We cannot see, feel, or hear it with our usual senses. Yet, literature manages to fulfill this difficult task. Children learn to love their family, their pets, and even the trees through stories told by grandparents and parents. People learn to love their homeland, the world around them, and others through literature. We can cry for the fate of Kiều, feel sorrow for the family of chị Dậu who had to sell her child and dog. These emotions are not easily experienced in real life. However, when they enter literature, with a broader perspective, human emotions become more compassionate toward others.

Our real world revolves around work, family, and a few friends. But through literature, we can know about the girl selling matches on Christmas Eve, or the boy who lied and got into trouble. A world of knowledge and compassion is revealed. Literature penetrates human spirits in a natural and profound way, making it a vital source of nourishment for our minds.

Literature plays such a significant and impactful role in life that it is an essential part of human existence. Without literature, the world would become dull, monotonous, and lifeless: "If history's pages erased all poets and writers, and simultaneously erased every trace of them in the human spirit, how impoverished life would be!" This is the invaluable and eternal value of literature. Literature creates a parallel world alongside human reality.

With his precise and humane arguments, Hoài Thanh helps us understand the origin and impact of literature. Literature provides knowledge like other scientific disciplines and more importantly, it nurtures emotions and the spirit in humans. Through a logical, scientific approach combined with delicate emotions, we can sense Hoài Thanh’s love for literature in this work. Through it, the author also affirms the timeless and everlasting appeal of literature to humanity.