Introduction
Xuân Quỳnh was a prominent Vietnamese poet of modern Vietnamese literature, known for two main areas of writing: poetry about war and poetry about love. Her poetry has been described as sincere in emotion and natural in poetic craft.
Career and activities
From the early days of her writing career, Xuân Quỳnh demonstrated a beautiful and profound lyrical self. She once said of her poetic vocation: 'Because of enjoyment. Doing literature feels like living another life. Because of frustration. When I first entered the profession I was pushed around, looked down upon, so I had to decide to live. And to live means one must write.'
During the period when American air raids expanded across northern Vietnam, whenever there was an opportunity for fieldwork she set off: to the mountainous areas of Bắc Giang, to the rice fields of Thái Bình, or to the coastal region of Thanh Hóa. In those circumstances she wrote the poem Sóng (Waves), which surprised readers and those interested by showing a penmanship deeper and stronger than before. The poem was copied into notebooks by many poetry lovers at the time and sent to one another as a gift of affection.
In 1969 and 1970, Xuân Quỳnh spent many months in the fire zones of Quảng Bình and Vĩnh Linh. The poem Gió Lào cát trắng (Lao Wind, White Sand), written in 1969, presents a fate on a land of white sand, with the depth of wartime life.
Before 1973, she already had truly fine love poems, such as Sóng and especially Thuyền và biển (Boat and Sea). Upon its release, the poem was immediately praised by readers and colleagues; it was later set to music and the song was also greatly loved by listeners. Many readers and those interested consider Thuyền và biển a brilliant highlight in the successes of Xuân Quỳnh's poetry.
In 1973, the poet Xuân Quỳnh and the poet Lưu Quang Vũ built a new family. This was a major turning point in her life and in her poetry. At this stage, a gentle, devoted Xuân Quỳnh clearly emerged. Those who knew a little about her private life, reading the poem Tự hát (Singing to Myself), would know she was writing about Lưu Quang Vũ. Tự hát is considered a very fine love poem by Xuân Quỳnh and also a truly fine love poem of modern Vietnamese poetry.
After her first two poetry collections (published jointly), she published Gió Lào cát trắng (1974), Sân ga chiều em đi (1984), Tự hát (1984), Lời ru trên mặt đất (1987), Hoa cỏ may (1989). She also wrote several collections of poetry and stories for children.
Xuân Quỳnh's poetry was consistent throughout her life in its sincerity of emotion and its naturalness in poetic craft. A literary critic remarked: 'Xuân Quỳnh's poetry is natural, as if being a woman means one must give birth to children.'
Key milestones
- Wrote the poem Sóng during the period when American air raids expanded across northern Vietnam.
- In 1969 and 1970, spent many months in the fire zones of Quảng Bình and Vĩnh Linh.
- In 1969, wrote Gió Lào cát trắng.
- Before 1973, wrote Thuyền và biển.
- In 1973, built a new family with the poet Lưu Quang Vũ.
- Poetry collections: Gió Lào cát trắng (1974), Sân ga chiều em đi (1984), Tự hát (1984), Lời ru trên mặt đất (1987), Hoa cỏ may (1989).
Xuân Quỳnh died together with Lưu Quang Vũ and their child in a traffic accident.