Analysis of the Poem “Đồng chí”

1. Origin:

The poem “Đồng chí” is taken from the poetry collection “Đầu súng trăng treo” (1966) by Chính Hữu.

2. Context of Creation:

The poem was written in 1948, during the early stages of the resistance war against the French, after the author participated in the Việt Bắc Autumn-Winter campaign.

3. Historical Context and Influence on Content:

– The early years of the resistance war against the French were a time of great hardship and scarcity, but also a period of burning determination to fight for the country.

– After participating in the battle, Chính Hữu became a true soldier, understanding the hardships of military life and the bond between soldiers on the battlefield.

Therefore, the poem portrays the harsh realities of soldiers’ lives, while painting a picture of their noble camaraderie.

4. Title:

– “Đồng chí” is a term referring to those who share the same aspirations, goals, ideals, and who live and work together in a unit or organization.

– The title implies a sincere, close bond between those who share hardship, embodying a blend of noble sentiments: class solidarity, friendship, humanity, and brotherhood.

– Comradeship is a new sentiment emerging in wartime poetry, reflecting the author’s appreciation, admiration, and praise.

– The title also affirms the poem’s theme: praising the noble camaraderie that serves as a great source of strength for soldiers to overcome difficulties and hardships.

5. Emotional Flow:

The poem follows a natural emotional trajectory, starting from the foundation of camaraderie, moving through the noble expressions of this sentiment, and concluding with its empowering strength.

6. Grammatical Structure:

– The opening line “Đồng chí!” is an exclamatory sentence, expressing a discovery, an affirmation, and a definition of comradeship.

– This exclamatory sentence acts as a hinge, creating a sense of compressed emotion and highlighting the entire poem.

7. The Image of “Đầu súng trăng treo”:

– Compared to “Đầu súng mảnh trăng treo” in the manuscript, “Đầu súng trăng treo” portrays a magnificent, luminous moon, evoking a sense of suspension and precariousness.

– This change reflects the author’s artistic intent:

– To affirm the soldiers’ optimistic and life-loving spirit.

– War – Peace: to express the noble purpose of fighting.

– Present – Future: a yearning for a peaceful life.

– Soldier – Poet, Poetry – Steel, Reality – Romanticism: embodies the beauty of the soldiers’ souls.

8. The Words “đợi” and “chờ”:

– “Đợi”: a passive state, waiting passively.

– “Chờ”: an active posture, readiness, reflecting the soldiers’ unwavering determination and courage.

9. The Word “tri kỉ”:

– “Tri kỉ” could be replaced with “bạn thân” (close friend), but “bạn thân” cannot fully capture the meaning of “tri kỉ”:

– It loses the formality of “tri kỉ.”

– It fails to express the author’s artistic intention: to convey the strong, close, and intimate bond between soldiers.

Conclusion:

The poem “Đồng chí” is a successful work in expressing noble camaraderie, a sacred sentiment serving as a great source of strength for soldiers to overcome difficulties and hardships. The poem is written in simple language, rich in poetic imagery and emotion, leaving a profound impression on readers.