What is the sample argumentative essay on comparing and evaluating two poems for 12th-grade students? What learning outcomes are required for writing practice content in the 12th-grade Literature curriculum in Vietnam?

Argumentative essay on comparing and evaluating two poems: "Tây tiến" and "Đồng chí"

Writing on the theme of soldiers in the French resistance war, countless stories and poems have been composed on this subject. Among the famous authors are Quang Dung and Chinh Huu. The poems "Tây tiến" and "Đồng chí" remain beloved and highly appreciated works. Let's write about soldiers during the French resistance, highlighting not just the similarities but also the differences between them.

The first difference lies in their backgrounds. The soldiers in the two poems come from different backgrounds, leading to distinct personalities.

The "Tây tiến" soldiers, depicted by artist Quang Dung, primarily originate from the youthful intellectual spirit of Hanoi. They embark on their journey with a strong belief in love for their homeland, sacrificing personal happiness for the happiness of the country. This creates their romantic spirit:

'Night in Hanoi cushions itself in dreams'

Despite facing fierce difficulties in battle, the romantic spirit never fades from the hearts of these young soldiers. They cherish the image of beloved women to enrich their lives, balancing the harsh reality. They immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, admiring the majestic landscape of the Northwestern mountains, their guns held high, reaching for the sky. And notably, these soldiers carry a youthful, joyful spirit.

The soldiers in Chinh Huu's poem "Đồng chí" are not individuals from the intellectual class but are simple farmers living in peaceful villages:

'My hometown, salty sea waves

Beloved poor village, pebbles scattered all around

You and I, two strangers

Unscheduled, becoming comrades in distant skies'

They are peasant soldiers from poor villages with salty sea waves, where pebbles abound. They are both strong and full of compassion. Previously accustomed to a life of farming, driven by love for their homeland and hatred for the enemy, they left everything to 'leave' their peaceful home, ready to enter the battlefield. Leaving behind the fragrant well, the familiar brown cloth jacket, the peasant soldiers donned the green military uniform, guns in hand to protect their homeland.

The second difference between the soldiers in the two poems is their physical appearance. Poet Quang Dung depicts the "Tây tiến" soldiers with a commanding appearance, though they may appear frail, they are never weak:

'"Tây tiến" battalion, hair does not grow

Uniform green as leaves, mighty and fierce

Eyes glaring across the border

Dreaming of Hanoi, fragrant and charming'

With the lack of conditions in warfare and the combat environment in the wilderness of the mountains, the "Tây tiến" soldiers appear with shaved heads, their olive uniforms blending in either as a camouflaging foliage or possibly symbolizing the color of the military uniform, or even suggestive of a deficiency in vitamins. However, they are not weak but rather exhibit a 'mighty aura.' With glaring eyes, they convey their hatred for the enemy, and even in sleep, they dream of victories on the border.

In contrast to the "Tây tiến" soldiers, Chinh Huu's peasant soldiers exhibit a rustic, sincere beauty with tattered clothing:

'Your shirt torn at the shoulder

My trousers patched with silk pieces

Smiling coldly in the cutting cold

Barefoot, without shoes

Loving each other, grasping each other's hands!'

The physical traits of peasant soldiers do not focus on facial features but emphasize the shortages in their clothing. They have to wear a patched shoulder shirt, with trousers pieced together from silk scraps. In the early frost, they stand close, barefoot, smiling coldly in the darkness. They appear simple yet warm due to their camaraderie. Despite the biting cold or tattered clothes, this is precisely what makes their camaraderie special.

Both poems express camaraderie, but the way soldiers demonstrate this camaraderie differs.

The "Tây tiến" soldiers, the intellectuals, express their feelings subtly. The poet does not directly describe care but through reminiscences and feelings about comrades, showing deep bonds. It forms a tight-knit connection that makes the "Tây tiến" soldier willing to:

'Who will ascend "Tây tiến" in the coming spring

Back to Sam Nua, never to return'

In Chinh Huu's portrayal of camaraderie, the peasant soldiers describe it directly. For them, camaraderie is unplanned, coming from distant places but:

'Gun against gun, head close to head

Cold night, sharing a blanket became companions

Comrade!'

Or:

'Holding hands, tonight the jungle tastes salty

Leaning close, waiting for the enemy in the mist

Gun against gun, moon hanging over the barrel'

Through these poems "Tây tiến" and "Đồng chí", we see the unique beauty of soldiers during the French resistance created by the artistry of Quang Dung and Chinh Huu. Despite their differences, these unique points together create a common beauty for Vietnamese soldiers. No matter where they are, who they are, or their backgrounds, they share the same patriotic heart, ready to sacrifice for their people's happiness.