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Introduction to Nguyễn Dữ, with Enchanting Narratives and the Judicial Chronicle at Tản Viên
1. Introduction to Nguyễn Dữ, with Enchanting Narratives and the Judicial Chronicle at Tản Viên, sample 1:
Our national culture has been significantly influenced by the Confucianism of China. Therefore, medieval literature often bears the unmistakable mark of Chinese literature. In this period, the renowned author Nguyễn Dữ and his 'Enchanting Narratives' cannot be overlooked. This collection of stories vividly portrays the thoughts and life spirit of Nguyễn Dữ, especially through the work 'The Judicial Chronicle at Tản Viên.'
When discussing Nguyễn Dữ, one often mentions a secluded poet with profound insights into life. He lived in the 16th century, with an exact birth and death year still undetermined, known to have lived during the Hậu Lê period. His hometown, in present-day Thanh Miện district, Hải Dương province, was Đỗ Tùng village. Legend has it that he was a disciple of the philosopher Nguyen Binh Khiem. Despite achieving success and serving as an official under the Lê dynasty, internal conflicts and wars among the Mạc, Lê, and Trịnh houses left him disillusioned. Consequently, after just a year in office, he resigned to seclusion with his elderly mother, writing books and leading a discreet life like many intellectuals of his time.
Insights into the author Nguyễn Dữ and the work The Judicial Chronicle at Tản Viên
While his tenure as an official was brief, Nguyễn Dữ, with his profound knowledge, left behind monumental works. Despite writing extensively in the years following his resignation, his most impactful piece is 'Enchanting Narratives.' This extensive work reflects his significant imprint on medieval Vietnamese poetry.
Opinions on 'Enchanting Narratives' vary, but most agree it is a literary masterpiece by Nguyễn Dữ, revealing his life perspective and heartfelt sentiments.
'Enchanting Narratives' (recording miscellaneous anecdotes passed down) is a collection of twenty works written in classical Chinese at the beginning of the 16th century. While traditional 'enchanting narratives' capture mystical stories with supernatural elements, intertwining spirituality and human experiences, Nguyễn Dữ elevated this prose to new heights. The tales in 'Enchanting Narratives' still draw inspiration from folklore but are cleverly woven into the contemporary reality of feudal society at that time. These stories often revolve around vulnerable women or contemporary intellectuals dissatisfied with their current lives, all seeking an escape from adversity for a better existence.
In each masterpiece, we witness the humble fate, the bitterness in society, and the tragic love stories of women yearning for love and family happiness. However, they are cruelly thwarted by ruthless forces, harsh religious rituals, pushing them towards the society's ultimate fate. In addition, Nguyễn Dữ explores intellectual characters, passionate yet dissatisfied with life, embedding national pride, Vietnamese cultural pride, and praising loyalty, ethics, and humanity.
'Legendary Love Chronicles' carries a clear and realistic significance. The reality it reflects is the current state of the feudal society gradually pushing individuals into the painful final steps, exposing and criticizing the existing problems. The humanitarian meaning lies in the deep sympathy and empathy of the author conveyed through the words of the characters, compassion for the fate of individuals in society.
Nguyễn Dữ employs the art of prose, a popular genre in the medieval era, in 'Legendary Love Chronicles.' However, he cleverly adds elements of fantasy and wonder, prompting readers to contemplate the meaning, ideas, and emotions that the author conveys through each detail. He also integrates elements such as personification, allegory, comparison, and gradually unfolds the story's structure, revealing the characters' personalities clearly towards the end of the narrative.
In summary, Nguyễn Dữ has erected a 'Legendary Love Chronicle' deserving to be a 'transcendent literary work' in the medieval literature of Vietnam. Among the outstanding works within 'Legendary Love Chronicles,' one often mentions 'The Tale of Judicial Duties at Tản Viên Shrine.' The story revolves around the character Ngô Tử Văn, a straightforward, upright, yet impulsive person. Witnessing a shrine dedicated to Thổ công, originally a Historical Official of Lý Nam Đế, being occupied by a Thôi clan spirit, he took action to burn down the shrine. However, the Thôi clan general offered a compromise to the King of the Underworld, threatening Tử Văn to rebuild the shrine. Despite his straightforward nature, he refused and was arrested for questioning at Ming Court. Due to Thổ công's previous advice, at the Ming Court, he exposed the crimes of the wicked, leading to their arrest and imprisonment, while he returned to the mortal world. Seeing Tử Văn's straightforward and upright nature, Thổ công recommended him as the Judge of Tản Viên Shrine. Tử Văn joyfully accepted and 'departed without illness.' Later, he wandered like the wind, aiding the world in his new role.
Through the character Tử Văn, we perceive the author's intended thoughts in the story. Tử Văn's personality, revealed through details about his name, background, title, and temperament, becomes evident, especially in the act of burning the shrine. Despite the Thôi clan spirit's malevolence, even deceiving the King of the Underworld, he is exposed and arrested. Nguyễn Dữ implies that his era is filled with vices, evil, and darkness, but evil will never triumph; it will be instantly vanquished. The Thôi clan representative of evil is defeated, while Tử Văn's integrity elevates him to a higher position, continuing to contribute to society.
Reading the work, we discern the realistic and humanitarian significance Nguyễn Dữ aims to convey. It depicts a society manipulated by malevolence, yet the 'knight' must always possess courage and steadfastness to achieve victory. 'The Tale of Judicial Duties at Tản Viên Shrine' is written in prose with a touch of fantasy. Additionally, it incorporates various artistic techniques, making the story captivating, with intricate details vividly portraying the characters.
In conclusion, Nguyễn Dữ, a talented and knowledgeable individual, has bequeathed to the world an outstanding 'transcendent literary work,' particularly in the 'Legendary Love Chronicles,' notably 'The Tale of Judicial Duties at Tản Viên Shrine.' He deserves recognition as an excellent disciple of the esteemed Trình Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm.
2. Introduction to Nguyễn Dữ, with Legendary Love Chronicles and The Tale of Judicial Duties at Tản Viên Shrine, Sample 2:
Nguyễn Dữ stands as a talented author in the medieval literature of Vietnam. Living around the 16th century in Thanh Miện, Hải Dương, he was a diligent and intelligent individual, nurturing grand dreams from an early age. Having served as an official during the Mạc and Lê dynasties, disillusioned by the chaotic times and the unjust society, he ultimately chose a secluded life in Thanh Hoá. He left a remarkable and valuable literary work for the nation, known as Legendary Love Chronicles.
The story is written in classical Chinese characters, comprising twenty short tales, each followed by comments evaluating events or characters. It transcends beyond tales of plants, ghosts, or the supernatural to narrate everyday life. Through this, it exposes the societal realities of that era – a society plagued by vice, where officials prioritize pleasure over the well-being of the people, and deception, robbery, bribery, and disorder run rampant. Each tale carries a rich philosophical value, emphasizing the author's dream of a peaceful society, living in justice, with warmth and sharing. Legendary Love Chronicles also condemns gender inequality, portraying talented and beautiful women enduring much suffering and misery in life. They accept hardships, even sacrificing their lives to protect their dignity. It serves as a compassionate voice, expressing sympathy for the fate of contemporary women, praising their noble qualities, and highlighting the pride of Vietnamese culture, promoting a humane and loyal lifestyle. Considered a 'transcendent literary work' of Vietnam.
Introduction to Nguyễn Dữ, with Legendary Love Chronicles and The Tale of Judicial Duties at Tản Viên, concise
The Tale of Judicial Duties at Tản Viên is one of the twenty stories in Legendary Love Chronicles. It centers on the character Ngô Tử Văn, known for his bold and straightforward nature. Faced with a shrine haunted by a malevolent spirit, he expresses his discontent by setting it ablaze. Threatened by the vengeful spirit, with the assistance of Thổ công, he triumphs by exposing deceit and manipulation before King of the Underworld. The spirit is sentenced to the Cửu U prison, and Tử Văn, having restored peace, is appointed as the Judge of Tản Viên Shrine. The conclusion highlights the significance and ideology of the work: “A knight worries only about...hardens and softens as needed.”
