Top 9 Best Analytical Essays on Nguyễn Khuyến's 'Thu Ẩm' Poem (SGK Ngữ văn 8 - Kết nối tri thức) - Mytour.vn

In poetry, the mention of autumn often evokes sadness – a sadness that spans various emotions: from sorrow, to melancholy, to wistful longing… But for each poet, the sorrow tied to autumn carries a unique reflection.

In Nguyễn Khuyến's *Thu ẩm* (Autumn Drinks) – the poet of Vietnam’s rural landscapes – readers are treated to a vivid depiction of autumn filled with vibrant colors and sounds, seen through the eyes of a poet who is alone, quietly raising a cup to life. The title “Thu âm” – autumn drinks – aptly reflects the core theme of the poem. Among Nguyễn Khuyến’s three autumn-themed poems, only *Thu điếu* maintains consistency in both time and space. The other two, *Thu vịnh* and *Thu ẩm*, leave the specific setting and time indefinite.

Perhaps the poet, Nguyễn Khuyến, wrote the poem while sipping wine one autumn night, but the scene depicted does not necessarily belong to the night. As the effects of alcohol take hold, various images gradually form in the poet's mind, creating a dynamic, multi-faceted autumn scene. Using his familiar realistic style and simple language, Nguyễn Khuyến begins the poem with the following scene:

Five straw huts, low and small

The alley dark and deep, fireflies flicker.

The place where the poet sips his wine and writes is not a grand study or a lavish mansion, but a humble, solitary cottage in the countryside, a simple house with a thatched roof “low and small.” From there, the poet gazes into the deep, vast night, a night that seems infinite, with the only light being the flickering glow of fireflies. In the stillness of the autumn night, Nguyễn Khuyến reflects beside his cup, as images of autumn in different places flicker and emerge in his mind. These include the serene, warm autumn afternoons of his homeland:

The back fence sways, bathed in light smoke.

It is the scene of the full moon over autumn, viewed from the pond by his home: "The pond’s surface shimmers with the moonlight." It is autumn on a sunny day: "The sky’s color, dyed in deep blue." These imagined scenes are very real, simple, and familiar. They embody the essence of the countryside, deeply ingrained in Nguyễn Khuyến’s soul, so that when he is inspired to write, these images naturally surface. Autumn moonlight, a familiar poetic motif, takes on a fresh and lively form when viewed through the eyes of the poet from Yên Đổ village.

The poet Xuân Diệu praised this line as “a rare verse,” a brilliant discovery by a talented poet: “…the line ‘The pond’s surface shimmers with the moonlight’ is from a truly gifted poet, as the golden moonlight reflecting from the pond shines brightly, and the four words (làn, lóng, lánh, loe) evoke the metallic golden hue of water, while the three rising tones (lóng, lánh, bóng) suggest light scattering; the word ‘loe,’ with its ‘oe’ sound, evokes something round (like the pond).”

Xuân Diệu carefully analyzed the phonetic power of these words. However, the beauty and uniqueness of the image first come from the perspective, the approach the poet takes. For centuries, poets have written about the autumn moon, but seeing the moon through the pond creates a distinct, sparkling beauty, as it reflects the light to form scattered beams. A true poet can always make a fresh interpretation, breathing life into any subject, keeping it vibrant. *Thu ẩm* is an autumn scene where the poet drinks wine, yet only at the very end of the poem do we see the image of the one drinking:

His eyes, though not swollen, are red

The wine, said to be good, is barely effective

After just three cups, he is tipsy.

This is a self-portrait of Nguyễn Khuyến in his later years, secluded in his rural home. What inner sorrow weighs so heavily on this scholar, causing his eyes to redden and tear up? From his eyes, the reader can feel the profound sorrow of the poet. Once a top scholar in the imperial exams, once bestowed with high honors, Nguyễn Khuyến found no joy in his worldly achievements. At times, he even felt that his past education was pointless, that serving in the imperial court was a humiliation. He thought returning to his ancestral home would bring peace, but instead, his heart remained heavy with grief:

The winter wind turns, leaving tears on his cloth

Love for the homeland stirs through layers of time.

(Return to the old garden)

To ease his pain and find solace, Nguyễn Khuyến turned to poetry and wine. In China, poet Lí Bạch wrote numerous poems about wine, and in Vietnam, no poet wrote more about wine than Nguyễn Khuyến. He drank wine often, but never excessively. While others drink to forget, Nguyễn Khuyến drank to remember, to reflect more deeply, and to feel greater sorrow. In *Thu ẩm*, the poet may seem tipsy, but in reality, he is keenly aware. His intoxication helps him forget everything, yet he cannot forget the sorrow of his homeland.

The poet’s image, drinking wine on a quiet autumn night, concludes with verses filled with deep emotion. In some poems, besides the title *Thu ẩm* – there is no further mention of autumn, yet the essence of autumn, its spirit, permeates the entire poem, lingering in the reader's heart long after. With *Thu ẩm*, Nguyễn Khuyến has created a piece of poetry that bears the distinct mark of his talent, revealing his inner sorrow about the fate of the nation. His patriotism is expressed quietly, subtly, but profoundly.

Nguyễn Khuyến is one of the most renowned authors of Vietnam's classical literature. His poem *Thu ẩm* (Autumn Drinks) is part of his collection of autumn-themed poems and is considered one of his most captivating works. This poem marks a unique thought in the life of humans and reflects the poet's deep emotions about his homeland. The autumn scene in the poem is depicted through an exceptionally creative artistic technique, one that is highly representative of his style.

The poem *Thu ẩm* by Nguyễn Khuyến begins with the following opening lines:

Three small straw houses stand low

The alley is dark, the night deep, with fireflies flickering.

Nguyễn Khuyến doesn't choose a bright space to highlight the autumn scene, but instead opts for the quiet darkness of the night: “The alley is dark, the night deep, with fireflies flickering.” The autumn scene in this poem is not one of beauty, grandeur, or brightness. It’s a depiction of poverty with the “three small straw houses.” The straw hut symbolizes poverty and hardship. However, in Nguyễn Khuyến's poetry, poverty seems to be softened. The word “le te” (low) suggests the humble setting, where the darkness almost erases the landscape.

The following two lines:

The fence sways in the light smoke

The moonlight sparkles on the surface of the pond.

These poetic images are very unique: autumn mist, like smoke, envelops the fence. The choice of such simple, rustic imagery brings clarity to the scene and presents it to the reader in a fresh, lively way. Starting from the two opening lines, “Three small straw houses stand low, The alley is dark, the night deep, with fireflies flickering,” the poem *Thu ẩm* takes the reader into a nighttime scene of poverty and haze. However, thanks to the author's use of simple, down-to-earth language and imagery, the scene is brought to life in a vibrant and dynamic way.

Through the two descriptive lines, “The fence sways in the light smoke, The moonlight sparkles on the surface of the pond,” Nguyễn Khuyến paints a picture of the autumn mist as smoke drifting around the fence and moonlight shimmering on the pond’s surface, creating an exquisite portrayal of the autumn drinking experience.

With its noble tone and impressive language, Nguyễn Khuyến immerses readers in a world full of color and emotion. *Thu ẩm* is one of his most famous works, a vivid portrayal of Vietnam’s culture and traditions.

The small thatched house with five rooms stands humbly,

The dark alley and deep night, with fireflies flickering.

The fence sways gently, faint with smoke's hue,

The pond reflects the shimmering light of the scattered moon.

Who dyed the sky to such a vivid blue?

The old man’s eyes, even without tears, are red and swollen.

The wine, as some say, tastes good, but after just a few sips,

He is already drunk, his head spinning.

Every time the autumn season is mentioned, a particular mood often emerges: a sense of sadness, nostalgia, longing… an overwhelming sorrow. Poets have artfully used their unique literary style to express these feelings, creating paintings of autumn filled with melancholy. Nguyễn Khuyến, a poet renowned for capturing the beauty of rural northern Vietnam in autumn, is often remembered for his poem “Thu ẩm,” which is part of his famous autumn-themed works. The title “Thu ẩm” translates to “Autumn and Wine,” which reflects the essence of the poem—a vivid depiction of autumn through the eyes of a lonely soul, reflecting on life while drinking wine. The first five lines of the poem reveal a rural scene in autumn, specifically set during the night.

Unlike other poets who often depict moments of twilight or dusk—time periods commonly used in literature to evoke emotional depth—Nguyễn Khuyến chooses the late-night setting. Twilight and dusk are familiar literary devices that evoke both the scenery and emotions associated with those times of the day. These moments have led to some of the most famous works in literature. But for Nguyễn Khuyến, these familiar moments did not match the feelings he wanted to convey. The poet thus creates his own distinctive mark by choosing this special time of night for his depiction.

“The small thatched house with five rooms stands humbly,

The dark alley and deep night, with fireflies flickering”

In the stillness of the night, where everything seems swallowed by darkness, the poet gently uncovers a humble thatched house, the fireflies flickering in the air, emitting a subtle light. The simplicity and modesty of the scene are beautiful in their own way. Alone in this vast, dark space, simply seeing something, anything, becomes a miracle. Alone, with no company, the poet finds solace in the fireflies’ light and the quiet house, creating a sense of companionship between himself and nature in the quiet night.

“The fence sways gently, faint with smoke’s hue,

The pond reflects the shimmering light of the scattered moon”

As night deepens, nature and everything around him seem to pause for rest, but Nguyễn Khuyến does not allow his surroundings to fall asleep. Instead, he watches them continue to awaken in their own rhythm. As the night progresses, the poet experiences and observes the life around him as it continues even in the stillness of the night. The landscape reflects the essence of autumn—cool, gentle winds replacing the harsh summer heat, and the air feels fresh but with a hint of the approaching cold. The poet sees beauty in the smallest details: the swaying fence, the pond shimmering under the moonlight, and the ethereal atmosphere of the night. The wind rustles through the land, as the faint smoke of autumn gently swirls around, creating a delicate scene.

As the autumn wind spreads, it gently caresses the surroundings, making the mist, now infused with a pale hue, rise and spread across the landscape. The poet's perception of this mist is almost like a living thing, a beautiful presence in its soft, delicate form. As it moves across the poet's eyes and soul, the mist seems to take on new beauty, colored by the season itself—an enchanting scene that only autumn can offer. The wind carries with it the mist that lingers in the air, making even the most mundane scenery appear extraordinarily beautiful.

“Who dyed the sky to such a vivid blue?”

The poet poses this rhetorical question, reflecting on the beauty of the night sky. The question is not meant to have a real answer; it is a poetic way of expressing admiration for the flawless sky. The poet wonders at the impossibility of someone being able to dye the sky to this exact shade of blue, a metaphorical longing for an unattainable perfection in life. It reflects the poet’s yearning for beauty and harmony, a deep desire to see the world through a lens of clarity and peace, even amidst sorrow.

In these lines, Nguyễn Khuyến also employs an artistic inversion, reshaping the typical structure of the question “Who dyed the sky?” into “Who dyed the sky to such a vivid blue?” This subtle change draws attention to the beauty of nature while underscoring the impossibility of controlling such magnificence. The poet’s search for a deeper understanding of life, and his reflection on the things beyond human reach, invites us to think about our own place in this world, as fleeting and uncertain as it may be.

The poet continues to reflect on the scene before him, using rich language to describe his surroundings, while also revealing more of his inner thoughts. He observes the changing pond, now glistening under the moonlight, creating a surreal, beautiful sight. The shimmering light of the moon and the slight ripples in the water reflect the peaceful yet intense presence of autumn night. The poet, in his solitude, feels both connected to the world around him and isolated from it—his wine providing him some solace, though it cannot erase the pain of life's losses.

“The old man’s eyes, even without tears, are red and swollen,

The wine, as some say, tastes good, but after just a few sips,

He is already drunk, his head spinning”

The poet turns inward, focusing on himself, on the emotions that rise from within, as he reflects on the trials of life. His drunkenness is not a pursuit of pleasure, but an attempt to numb the pain that life has dealt him. Through his wine and the gentle night, he tries to find peace, but instead, his sorrow deepens, bringing even more awareness of the emptiness and suffering within. The old man’s swollen eyes, filled with uncried tears, tell the story of grief that no amount of drink can drown. His sorrow is ingrained within him, unshakable, even in moments of quiet reflection.

“Thu ẩm” ends with a bittersweet realization of the inescapable sadness that the poet cannot avoid. In the midst of autumn’s beauty, the poet contemplates life’s inevitable suffering. The rural scenery, the quiet of the night, and the act of drinking wine all become metaphors for his attempt to cope with loss and loneliness. The melancholy atmosphere of the poem lingers as the poet’s feelings of grief and yearning for a better world echo throughout the verses, making “Thu ẩm” a deeply emotional and timeless work of art.

Nguyễn Khuyến is one of Vietnam’s most celebrated poets, known for his poems about autumn, written in both Han and Nom scripts. 'Thu ẩm' (Autumn Drinking) is part of a trio of famous Nom poems: 'Thu điếu' (Autumn Fishing), 'Thu ẩm' (Autumn Drinking), and 'Thu vịnh' (Autumn Reflection). This collection of poems has placed Nguyễn Khuyến at the forefront of poets who write about the autumn season in Vietnam, celebrating the rural landscapes of the North.

The title of the poem 'Thu ẩm' translates to autumn drinking. It’s one of Nguyễn Khuyến’s three renowned Nom poems that explore autumn: 'Thu điếu' (Autumn Fishing), 'Thu vịnh' (Autumn Reflection), and 'Thu ẩm' (Autumn Drinking). These works capture the essence of autumn in the rural plains of the Northern region. Each poem expresses different forms of autumn and the poet’s inner thoughts, deeply intertwined with his reflections on the state of the nation.

In 'Thu ẩm,' Nguyễn Khuyến brings the imagery of autumn, the spirit of autumn, and his personal emotions into the poem. The setting is familiar—the view from his house and garden, overlooking the fields, pond, bamboo groves, hedges, and winding alleys, all under a clear sky. Yet, the perspective here is different: instead of a poet or a fisherman, Nguyễn Khuyến is an old man, sipping wine to ease his sorrow. This change in the poet’s role transforms the scene into something more unexpected and intriguing.

The poem describes a humble thatched house with a narrow, dark alley lit by flickering fireflies. The mist, like a thin layer of smoke, covers the hedge, softening the night’s colors, while the moonlight dances on the surface of the pond. The sky is a deep blue, and the poet’s eyes are red from the wine, reflecting his inner melancholy.

The first six lines of the poem are filled with vivid colors representing autumn’s transformation through the poet’s solitary drinking. There’s the dark, suffocating black of the deep night and narrow alley, the flashing light of the fireflies, the pale white smoke drifting above the hedge, the golden glow of the moonlight reflecting on the pond, and the clear blue sky. The poet’s eyes, red from the wine, complete this landscape of quiet solitude.

The central line of the poem—“My eyes, though not teary, are red”—symbolizes a state of mild drunkenness, where everything becomes subtly altered. In 'Thu ẩm,' even though autumn is not explicitly mentioned, every line evokes the season's spirit, infusing the poem with a deep, melancholic autumn atmosphere.

Through 'Thu ẩm,' Nguyễn Khuyến captures his sadness and inner turmoil as he reflects on the state of his country. Seeking solace in a few cups of wine, he only deepens his sorrow, and in the end, it is his love for his homeland that resonates most profoundly in the poem.

The poem 'Thu Ẩm' (Autumn Drinking) is one of the three famous autumn poems by the poet Nguyễn Khuyến. It is also known by the alternative title 'Drinking Wine in Autumn.' A striking feature of this poem is that, aside from the title, there is no direct mention of autumn throughout the poem. Nevertheless, Nguyễn Khuyến beautifully captures the essence of autumn in the scene he paints, demonstrating his remarkable ability to evoke the season without naming it explicitly. This is what makes 'Thu Ẩm' unique and exquisite. Let’s dive deeper into the beauty of this poem.

The poet describes a thatched house, weathered and dilapidated, with a narrow, dark alley illuminated only by the faint light of fireflies. The scene reflects the calm and quiet that define autumn evenings. The moment you read the lines, you can sense autumn’s presence, even if it’s not overtly mentioned.

The first lines convey the image of the house, barely standing, surrounded by a dark alley where only fireflies seem to move. This conveys the desolation and solitude of the autumn night. The scene then shifts to a more ethereal landscape as smoke from the hedge and the moon’s reflection on the pond join together in a dreamlike fusion. This vivid imagery conjures a peaceful, almost magical autumn evening.

The mood shifts when the poet introduces the bright, clear sky. The autumn day, compared to the dark night, is filled with expansive blue skies that bring a sense of openness, quiet, and the gentle rustling of a soft breeze.

The poet’s description of the old man’s red eyes further enhances the emotional depth of the scene, blending the man’s physical state with the vibrant surroundings. The colors—of smoke, the green sky, and the reddish hue of the man’s eyes—create a harmonious and poignant atmosphere of autumn.

The old man, sitting alone with his wine, seems to drift into a quiet reverie. The poem’s beauty is in how Nguyễn Khuyến blends the natural world with the internal landscape of his subject. It’s not just the wine that causes the old man to lose himself; it's also the powerful pull of the autumn landscape surrounding him.

The final lines of the poem show the old man slowly becoming intoxicated, not only from the wine but from the autumn scenery itself. His drunkenness symbolizes a deeper reflection on life, with thoughts about the world and personal concerns flooding his mind. Nguyễn Khuyến’s portrayal of the poet’s introspection makes this more than just a poem about nature—it’s a poignant meditation on life’s fleeting moments, captured in the beauty of autumn.

"Thu ẩm" refers to the autumn of drinking wine, one of the three famous Nôm poems about autumn written by Nguyễn Khuyến: Thu điếu (Autumn fishing), Thu vịnh (Autumn poetry), and Thu ẩm (Autumn drinking). This trio of poems captures the essence and spirit of autumn in the countryside of Northern Vietnam in the past. Each poem portrays a distinct autumn atmosphere and reflects the poet's emotions, deeply intertwined with the poet's sorrowful concerns about the country's situation under foreign invasion.

The autumn depicted in "Thu vịnh" is vast and distant, both familiar and strange. The autumn sky is a deep blue, the bamboo clusters shrink into the image of a bamboo stalk, and mist like smoke gently drapes over the water's surface, allowing the moonlight to pass through, with flowers that seem to transform from this year into last year’s, and the distant call of geese evokes dreams and nostalgia. The spirit of autumn appears to sink into the depths of the landscape, hidden in its profound layers.

In "Thu điếu," the autumn spirit is defined by stillness and quietude: a tiny fishing boat barely moves, the water's surface gently ripples with hardly any sound, the yellow leaves fall silently, and the faint sound of fish splashing under the water's surface. Everything seems to be at rest, quiet and still. It’s as if the fisherman himself had turned to stone, frozen in his waiting position, the endless patience mirroring the tranquility of the autumn day.

Comparing these poems helps emphasize the unique autumn spirit and emotions in "Thu ẩm." The surroundings remain familiar, but Nguyễn Khuyến here is not the poet or the fisherman—he is now an old man, sipping wine to ease his sorrow. This shift changes how the surroundings appear, creating a new perspective full of surprises and deeper meanings.

The first lines of the poem:

Three small houses made of straw,

Dark alleys and deep nights, with flickering fireflies

Here, the use of "house of straw" lowers its value, but the phrase "low and shabby" clearly indicates that the house is dilapidated and worn out. The dark alleys and deep nights are usual, but the flickering light from fireflies transforms these ordinary elements into something more mysterious and dynamic.

In the next lines:

The fence sways in the pale mist,

The pond’s surface glistens with the moon's light.

The autumn mist, light as smoke, gently covers the fence, dulling the night’s colors. Particularly skillful is the depiction of the ripples on the pond's surface, which reflect the moon's light, flickering and transforming, much like the changing landscape around the poet.

The following lines:

Who dyed the sky to such a deep blue?

Why are my eyes red even though I haven’t cried?

Nguyễn Khuyến describes both the sky and himself as though both have been altered by some invisible force: the sky, unexpectedly dyed blue, and his eyes turning red without reason—perhaps from the wine. The question in the line leaves room for doubt, not random but purposeful. This could also represent the poet’s state of mind, reflecting on the changes in the world, feeling the pain of the nation’s turmoil, while asking himself what is truly causing this internal turmoil.

The poet’s tolerance for alcohol is also not what it once was: Wine is said to be fine, but it only takes a few cups to make me drunk. Why does the world transform so? Is it because of drunkenness? When intoxicated, everything seems to distort—things merge and change colors, shapes, and edges become blurred.

The sounds in the poem mirror this: the words "le te," "lập loè," "loe," "đỏ hoe," and "say nhè" all converge around the vowel sound "e". These words, repeating or shifting to other vowel sounds like "oè" or "oe," seem to echo drunkenness, altering the perception of reality. The imagery of the firefly's flickering light, the moon’s shifting reflection, and the reddened eyes further convey the sense of distortion caused by intoxication.

The poet, alone with his wine in the quiet autumn night, drinks a few cups to ease his sorrow. However, with each drink, his thoughts become sharper and more vivid, resonating with the autumn landscape around him. The beauty of "Thu ẩm" lies in this blending of the poet’s deep sorrow with the ever-changing world, where each drink brings the poet closer to understanding the unrelenting weight of his emotions and the sorrow for the country’s plight.

“Wine”, “flowers”, and “moon” are timeless pleasures cherished by scholars and intellectuals of old. The poem "Raising the cup, asking the moon" by Li Bai is a favorite among many:

The people of today can’t see the moon of the past

The moon of the past now shines on us

People before, people now, like flowing water

But the moon’s brilliance is the same

Only wishing to sing and enjoy a cup of chrysanthemum wine

The wine is golden, and the moonlight shines through it.

(Translated by Tương Như)

Nguyễn Khuyến’s works are also known for their deep, poignant lines about wine:

When joy comes, the wine intoxicates without knowing

Tilting the head, gazing at the distant mountain

(Farewell from my official post)

I am neither hungry nor full,

Carefree, like a leaf, with wine in hand

(Flood, inquiring after a friend)

Good wine without a friend to share it with

Not buying because there’s no money to buy…

And then there’s "Autumn Drinking" – drinking wine in autumn. The central image of the poem is “The old man’s eyes, though closed, are still red”. This line captures the state of being slightly tipsy… reaching the point of “drunken sleep”: “The wine is said to be fine, but after two or three cups, I fall asleep.” “Drunken sleep” refers to a gentle, light intoxication, followed by falling asleep unknowingly. It’s not a reckless drunkenness. Nguyễn Khuyến, with his refinement, only needs “a few small cups”, embodying the joy of “When happy, one drinks and forgets the world” or “When in the mood, one enjoys five cups of wine – When melancholy, one composes a poem” (The Elder).

The first six lines of the poem present various colors depicting a quiet scene of drinking alone. There is the deep, dark blackness of the late night, the flickering light of fireflies, the pale white smoke drifting gently over the tangle of morning glories in the yard of a modest house. The golden hue of the moon reflects on the surface of the pond, its ripples barely moving, clear as crystal. The sky takes on a striking blue. And the reddish hue of the old man’s eyes, the poet who drinks his wine in solitude.

The landscape is depicted with high, low, distant, and near elements, thin and light in appearance. The low, humble thatched house. The depth of the deep night and the “dark alley” in the rural wetland. The light smoke drifts “gently” and “softly” across the yard. The slight tilt of the “morning glory fence”, the ripple of the pond, and the round shape of the moon’s reflection on the cold pond surface. The vastness of the sky and horizon, the hollow of the old man’s “red” eyes filled with wine. These images, seen through a half-conscious, slightly tipsy perspective, are expressions of inner moods and thoughts. The colors and contours represent the emotional landscape of the poet’s heart. There is no longer the fellowship of sharing a cup with a friend, as in the past.

There are times, too, when wine is enjoyed alone with a solitary cup of chrysanthemum, in the fleeting spring.

Now the poet drinks alone in the quiet of the night, silently and deeply, with a sense of solitude. Cao Bá Quát, in the early 19th century, drank wine to ease sorrow. Nguyễn Khuyến, in his autumn years, drank wine to soothe the pain of life’s fleeting moments: “Does he mourn the spring or does he long for the country still in dreams?” (The Cuckoo’s Song). With the passing of friends, the death of his wife and children, the aging body, Nguyễn Khuyến turns to his “few cups of wine” to ease the loneliness:

The world is chaotic, like a lone crane

Old age drifts like a solitary cloud

(To my friend)

The poet’s cup of wine seems to overflow with tears, and the closing lines carry a profound, unspoken sorrow. The reader is deeply moved as the poet “drunkenly” falls into a peaceful sleep:

The wine is said to be fine, but it hardly matters

Two or three cups and one is fast asleep

Though the poem is titled “Autumn Drinking”, no mention of autumn is found in the text; yet each line carries the essence of autumn, with its lingering, melancholic spirit. This is the unique, poetic quality of this work. The use of reduplicated words such as “le te”, “lập loè”, “phất phơ”, “lóng lánh” alongside words like “wine”, “cup”, and “drunken sleep” illustrates Nguyễn Khuyến’s refined mastery of language, imagery, and emotional expression. Nearly five centuries before Nguyễn Khuyến, Nguyễn Trãi wrote:

The book, a loyal companion to my thoughts

Five cups of wine trade for fame and fortune

(Self-Reflection – 10)

After Nguyễn Khuyến’s passing, nearly half a century later, Hồ Chí Minh penned a verse about wine: “The guerilla returns, the wine still lingers.” (Autumn Night, 1948). These cups of wine, too, represent a lifetime, the cups of poets — noble and elegant.

Nguyễn Khuyến, whose real name was Nguyễn Thắng, is renowned as a scholar-official with an impeccable sense of integrity and honesty. His reputation as a noble and upright man was well known among the people, and numerous fascinating folk tales surround his close relationship with the common folk.

Not only was Nguyễn Khuyến a righteous official dedicated to the people, but he also possessed a sensitive and passionate soul, deeply connected to nature, the countryside, and his homeland. Through his autumn poetry, we can sense the vivid colors of autumn in the northern plains. His autumn poems are exquisite snapshots, rich in emotional language, reflecting his profound love for nature. One cannot discuss Nguyễn Khuyến’s autumn poetry without mentioning the poem “Autumn Drinking.” If “Autumn Fishing” celebrates the art of fishing in the fall, then “Autumn Drinking” highlights the joy of wine during this season.

In “Autumn Drinking,” readers can feel the soul, the shape, and the emotions of the poet. The poet paints a picture of his house, garden, distant fields, rows of bamboo, ponds, and fences. These elements have a winding, labyrinthine character. Reading these verses, we can see Nguyễn Khuyến not as a poet, but as an elderly man savoring wine to ease his sorrow. Through this tipsy perspective, the landscape transforms in intriguing and unexpected ways:

“Three small thatched rooms, low and simple,”

“A dark alley in the deep of night, fireflies flickering.”

The autumn scene comes alive with the poet’s image of the humble, fragile thatched house. “Low and simple” suggests a modest and dilapidated dwelling with worn, torn roofs. The scene becomes even more forlorn with the flickering fireflies in the deep, dark night, intensifying the feeling of desolation:

“The smoke drifts lightly over the bamboo fence,”

“The pond reflects the moon, shimmering.”

In this “Autumn Drinking” scene, a faint autumn mist resembling thin smoke creates a dreamy, blurred effect, making the scenery appear hazy in the twilight. Particularly, the image of the autumn pond is no longer cold and transparent but is now shimmering with the moonlight. The moonlight intermittently condenses and diffuses, creating an ever-changing, fascinating effect that fills the poet with emotion:

“Who dyed the sky that deep blue?”

“The old man’s eyes, though closed, are still red.”

At night, the poet sees the sky as a deep blue, while his eyes, though not moving, are strangely red. This unusual vision is a poetic expression of his melancholic mood, as he turns to wine to soothe his sorrow. Hence, the poet says, “Wine, though said to be pleasant, hardly matters—Two or three cups and I am tipsy.”

It’s not drunkenness, but a gentle, subtle intoxication, leading to a peaceful sleep without chaos or disorder. For Nguyễn Khuyến, autumn seems the perfect time to indulge in a few cups of wine.

Although he retired to a life of seclusion, enjoying the simple pleasures of rural life, deep within the poet’s heart remained a persistent concern for his country’s fate. Through the landscape in his poetry, Nguyễn Khuyến subtly conveys his sorrow and regret over the nation’s plight in the face of foreign invasions. The collection also showcases the poet’s remarkable talent, as only those with a sensitive soul could craft such deeply moving verses.