Topic: Analysis of the tragic character Vũ Nương
1. Outline
2. Sample Article 1
3. Sample Article 2
4. Sample Article 3
Paragraph analyzing the tragic character Vũ Nương
Section I. Outline Paragraph analyzing the tragic character Vũ Nương (Standard)
1. Opening:
- Introduction of the author Nguyễn Dữ, the work 'The Story of Nam Xương's Daughter,' and the tragedy of Vũ Nương.
2. Body paragraph:
a. Introduction of Vũ Nương:
- Vũ Nương's real name is Vũ Thị Thiết, hailing from Nam Xương.
- She is described as a 'graceful, gentle, and charming' young woman.
b. Tragedy of Vũ Nương:
- She was forced to marry an 'uneducated' man:
+ Vũ Nương, admired by Trương Sinh for her beauty, was 'married off with a hundred gold coins.'
+ She had no freedom to choose her love or marriage, and moreover, she had to marry an 'uneducated' man with a 'suspicious and overly cautious' temperament.
- Family separation due to war:
+ Shortly after their reunion, her husband, though wealthy, was drafted to 'fight in Chiêm thành' due to his lack of education.
+ Left alone, she had to shoulder the responsibilities of the family, taking care of the young child and elderly mother.
- Enduring unjust accusations of infidelity:
+ After three years of military service, Trương Sinh returned, suspecting Vũ Nương's fidelity based on their son's innocent words.
+ Despite Vũ Nương's explanations, he not only 'didn't believe her' but also 'insulted and drove her away.'
+ In the end, Vũ Nương chose death by 'throwing herself into the river' to prove her innocence.
c. Root causes of the tragedy:
- Due to the innocent words of little Đản: 'Oh! So you are my father, huh?'.
- Driven by blind jealousy and the suspicious nature of Trương Sinh.
- The unjust war that separated the couple for 3 years, causing misunderstandings.
d. Artistic Highlights:
- Blending autobiographical narrative with romantic elements.
- Seamlessly incorporating elements such as the fantastical, ...
- Exceptional depiction of characters and their inner emotions.
3. Closing Paragraph:
- Emphasizing the value of the literary work.
II. Exemplary Paragraphs: Analysis of the Tragic Character Vũ Nương
1. Excerpt: Analysis of the Tragic Character Vũ Nương, Sample 1 (Standard)
'Her figure akin to peach blossom silk
Fluttering in the market, uncertain whose hand it falls into.'
- These are the words of sympathy for the women in ancient feudal society. They were beautiful and virtuous but confined to small roles, enduring the injustice and harsh prejudices of society. 'The Story of Nam Xương's Daughter' by Nguyễn Dữ is one of the finest medieval works depicting women. Vũ Nương, a beautiful and graceful girl with 'charming elegance,' is forced into marriage with Trương Sinh, who is wealthy but 'uneducated.' Soon, their happiness is shattered as he is drafted to 'fight against Chiêm.' This marks the tragic beginning of her life. As her husband goes off to war, she shoulders the responsibilities of the family, caring for the newborn and elderly mother. Even when her mother-in-law passes away, she diligently performs funeral rituals, treating it with the same respect as her birth parents. Yet, this virtuous woman is labeled as 'unfaithful,' suspected by her husband based on their son's innocent words. Despite Vũ Nương's explanations and support from neighbors, Trương Sinh remains adamant, accusing and driving her away. This becomes the greatest tragedy of Vũ Nương's life, and even after years, the unjust stigma persists, leading her to prove her innocence by sacrificing her own life. Regardless of the reasons – whether it's the 'suspicion' and blind jealousy of Trương Sinh or the unjust war that separates the couple – it is a condemnation of the feudal society, its rituals, and the 'male superiority' mindset. Through brilliant storytelling and a mix of romantic and autobiographical elements, Nguyễn Dữ creates the poignant character of Vũ Nương, representing traditional Vietnamese women with a tragic destiny and immense pain.
2. Excerpt: Analysis of the Tragic Character Vũ Nương, Sample 2 (Standard)
Women in ancient feudal society lived under the prejudices and customs of religious rituals. They had no freedom and were denied the happiness they deserved. In 'The Story of Nam Xương's Daughter,' through the character of Vũ Nương, writer Nguyễn Dữ vividly portrays the life and fate of women in the past. Vũ Nương is not only beautiful and gentle but also possesses 'charming elegance.' She deserves love and a happy marriage. However, she is married to Trương Sinh, a man from a wealthy but 'uneducated' family. Moreover, Trương Sinh has a 'suspicious and overly cautious' nature. This can be considered the first tragedy in Vũ Nương's life. Despite that, during their time together, she managed to resolve it by 'maintaining proper decorum.' When war breaks out, Trương Sinh is drafted, becoming the main cause of her life's most agonizing tragedy. With her husband away for 3 years, Vũ Nương bears the burden of taking care of the family, worrying about the small child and the ailing elderly mother. Even when her mother-in-law passes away, she meticulously conducts the funeral, being careful and considerate 'like for her birth parents.' However, this virtuous and capable woman is unjustly accused of the greatest misfortune of a woman in the past – the loss of virtue. When her husband returns after 3 years, a simple word from a child makes him 'firmly believe his wife is unfaithful.' Despite Vũ Nương's endless explanations, she faces no understanding. Eventually, she chooses death to prove her purity. The root cause of Vũ Nương's life tragedy can be attributed to the 'suspicious and jealous' nature of Trương Sinh. It's because of an innocent remark from a child that he suspects his wife's fidelity. And perhaps, the feudal society with its unjust war is somewhat responsible for the heartbreaking fate of the couple. Nguyễn Dữ employs a self-narrative style combined with romance and vivid character descriptions, portraying the unfortunate fate of Vũ Nương. 'The Story of Nam Xương's Daughter' is a representative medieval work illustrating the unjust fate of traditional Vietnamese women.
