Đất Nước – Nguyễn Khoa Điềm

Author: Nguyễn Khoa Điềm

Hometown: Huế

Writing Style

Nguyễn Khoa Điềm’s poetry is a blend of passionate emotion and profound contemplation, deeply rooted in the intellectual perspective of a learned individual about Vietnam’s land and people. He often draws on folk culture, utilizing language rich in imagery and metaphors, creating verses brimming with emotional power, simultaneously lyrical, political, and epic.

Circumstances of Writing & Excerpted Work

• Work: “Đất Nước” is an excerpt from the opening chapter of the epic poem *Mặt đường khát vọng* (12/1954) – considered one of the most moving poems about the theme of homeland in modern Vietnamese poetry.
• Circumstances: Written in the context of a nation newly liberated after war, the work expresses the poet’s pride and gratitude for Vietnam’s glorious past while affirming the determination to build a prosperous nation.

Content

• A Fresh Perspective: “Đất Nước” is a multi-faceted poem, offering a novel perspective on the homeland through the poet’s understanding. Beyond geographic borders, “Đất Nước” encapsulates the essence of Vietnam’s history, culture, and people.
• The Convergence of Labor and Aspiration: The poem utilizes various images and details to portray this essence. “Đất Nước” is:
  • “The sweat of our fathers” – representing hard work and diligence.
  • “The blood of our mothers” – symbolizing sacrifice and courage.
  • “The river” – signifying the unwavering strength of life.
  • “Mountains and rivers” – embodying the majestic and unyielding beauty of the land.
  • “Storms” – representing challenges and hardships.
  • “Love” – the connective thread and source of spiritual motivation.
• The “Land of the People” – The People Are the Nation’s Creators: The poet emphasizes the crucial role of the people in building and defending their homeland. They are the roots, the driving force of history, and the very soul of “Đất Nước”.
• Interwoven Past, Present, and Future: The work not only celebrates Vietnam’s glorious history but also affirms the unwavering resolve to create a flourishing nation in the future.

Voice of the Poem

• A Lyrical and Political Voice: Nguyễn Khoa Điềm expresses his profound love, pride, and gratitude for “Đất Nước” through a voice that is both passionate and heartfelt.
• Masterful Integration of Folk Culture: “Đất Nước” skillfully incorporates proverbs, folk songs, and traditional verses, contributing to a sense of familiarity and closeness, while demonstrating the poet’s profound understanding of Vietnamese culture.

Note

• “Đất Nước” stands as a masterpiece of Vietnamese modern poetry on the theme of homeland, embodying Nguyễn Khoa Điềm’s profound thoughts and sentiments about his nation.
• The poem utilizes a rich tapestry of imagery, metaphors, and powerful language, creating verses that are both lyrical and politically charged, with a touch of epic grandeur.
• “Đất Nước” has become a timeless classic, cherished and treasured by generations of Vietnamese people.

Further Insights

• Beyond the excerpt “Đất Nước,” the epic *Mặt đường khát vọng* contains many other moving poems that articulate the aspirations and dreams of young Vietnam after the war.
• Nguyễn Khoa Điềm is considered one of the most important poets of the generation that emerged after 1945. Other notable works by him include *Vầng trăng khát vọng* (The Moon of Desire), *Thơ Nguyễn Khoa Điềm* (The Poetry of Nguyễn Khoa Điềm).