Thơ mới

Thơ mới (meaning "New Poetry") refers to a significant literary movement in Vietnamese poetry that emerged in the 1930s and flourished until the mid-1940s. It marked a radical departure from the traditional forms and conventions of earlier Vietnamese poetry, particularly thơ Nôm and thơ Đường luật.

Origins and Influences:

Thơ mới arose in the context of French colonialism and the increasing influence of Western culture on Vietnamese society. Vietnamese intellectuals and writers, exposed to Western literary styles, sought to create a new form of poetry that could better express modern sensibilities and experiences. Key influences included French Romanticism and Symbolism.

Characteristics:

• Rejection of Traditional Forms: Thơ mới abandoned the strict rules of tonal patterns, rhyme schemes, and syllable counts characteristic of thơ Đường luật. Poets experimented with free verse and more flexible structures.
• Emphasis on Individual Emotion: The poetry focused on expressing personal feelings, individual experiences, and subjective perspectives, a significant shift from the more objective and didactic nature of traditional poetry.
• Use of Colloquial Language: Thơ mới employed everyday language and imagery, making poetry more accessible to a wider audience. It moved away from the highly stylized and often archaic language of earlier forms.
• Exploration of New Themes: The movement explored a wider range of themes, including love, loneliness, disillusionment, social injustice, and the search for identity in a rapidly changing world.
• Influence of Western Literary Techniques: Thơ mới poets incorporated techniques such as metaphor, symbolism, and free association to create richer and more evocative imagery.

Key Figures:

Some of the most prominent figures associated with Thơ mới include:

• Xuân Diệu
• Huy Cận
• Thế Lữ
• Lưu Trọng Lư
• Nguyễn Bính
• Hàn Mặc Tử
• Chế Lan Viên

Significance:

Thơ mới revolutionized Vietnamese poetry and had a profound impact on Vietnamese literature and culture. It paved the way for new forms of artistic expression and helped to modernize Vietnamese literature. The movement also played a role in fostering a sense of national identity and resistance to colonial rule.

Legacy:

Thơ mới continues to be studied and celebrated in Vietnam as a pivotal moment in the country's literary history. Its influence can be seen in subsequent generations of Vietnamese poets and writers.