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In the prison setting, the character Huấn Cao emerges as beautiful as a deity, with his nobility, indomitability, virtuous soul, and exceptional talent moving and inspiring us all.
Compilation of sample essays analyzing the image of the prison warden in 'The Prisoner's Letter' by Nguyễn Tuân
I. Outline of the Essay Analyzing the Beauty of the Character Huấn Cao
1. Introduction
- 'Echoes of a Bygone Era' comprises eleven stories depicting a distant past, now merely lingering shadows. Through this collection, Nguyễn Tuân expresses profound discontent with the late 19th to early 20th-century Vietnamese society and praises talented Confucian scholars who uphold their integrity amidst the pursuit of material gain, maintaining their high moral standards.
- One of the prominent characters is Huấn Cao in the short story 'The Prisoner's Letter.'
2. Body
2.1. Individuals embodying grace and dignity
Through refined prose evoking the ancient atmosphere of a bygone era, Nguyễn Tuân successfully portrays the characters' personalities.
a. A person of dignity, living with unwavering dignity.
- Self-respect, devoid of greed and lust for power: 'I, for one, never write couplets for the sake of wealth or power.'
- Unyielding and courageous: '... those who challenge the heavens and disrupt the earth, even when standing over someone, no one knows who...'
b. Noble spirit untouched by adversity, disdainful of suffering, including death
- Defying the court, imprisoned and facing execution, still undaunted: 'Even facing the prospect of death, he no longer fears...'
- Exhibiting liberated thoughts and actions: Mr. Huấn Cao calmly accepts food and wine from the prison guard, as if it were a normal occurrence amidst the monotony of incarceration.
c. Contemptuous of those representing ruling power.
- In his eyes, they were mere insignificant beings, so he always showed disdain for them, even amidst the cruel and deceitful scene, amidst a cesspool of filth.
- The character's attitude and language were extremely contemptuous. After the prison guard asked Huấn Cao if he needed anything else, he replied calmly: 'What do you ask of me? I only need one thing. That your kind stay out of here.' That demeanor, that posture, always stood proud and majestic amidst the dreary backdrop of the prison.
2.2. The beauty of the soul and talent of the individual
a. Noble soul
Huấn Cao praises moral integrity, meaning the inherent goodness of human nature: 'I mean it, Warden, you should return to your rural home and live there... Here, it's difficult to maintain integrity and eventually, even your lifelong morality may wither away.' The final advice to the prison guard reflects the character's innermost feelings.
b. Love for beauty and empathy towards those who cherish beauty
Huấn Cao, though proud and arrogant, upon understanding the sincere heart of the prison guard, happily accepted the writing brush, and even showed gratitude: 'Almost, I would have lost a heart in the world.'
c. Profound Talent
- Calligraphy (the art of writing Chinese characters) was once an elegant pastime of ancient people, alongside music, chess, poetry, and painting. Huấn was skilled in beautiful handwriting, 'In my homeland, they praise my writing as fast and beautiful.' Huấn Cao's writing is beautiful and square.
- This talent is reserved only for close friends: 'In my life, I have only written two sets of couplets and a hanging scroll for my three close friends.' And this time, as an exception, he gave the writing brush to the prison guard, because 'I feel the sincere heart of all of you.'
- He fulfilled his promise to the prison guard, showcasing his extraordinary talent in an emotional setting. Through this contrast, Nguyễn Tuân highlighted the theme of the story in the final passage.
- The elegance of calligraphy, a noble and dignified act with silk, ink, and fresh square characters, contrasts with the filthiness of the prison cell, dark, cramped, damp, walls covered in cobwebs, floor littered with rodent and insect droppings.
- The majestic image of the ancient prisoner wearing chains, feet bound in stocks, vividly contrasts with the trembling image of the poet holding an inkpot, and the prison guard furtively stowing away coins marking the cell... folding hands and bowing to the prisoner.
=> All symbolize a profound meaning: beauty can arise from the depths of iniquity, amidst the barren land (prison), by a man on the brink of death (condemned Huấn Cao). Yet, Huấn Cao's advice to the prison guard adds a complementary meaning: beauty cannot coexist with evil.
2.3. Evaluation of Huấn Cao's Image
- The character of Huấn Cao in 'Chữ người tử tù' epitomizes the beauty of dignity, of talent harmonizing with the beauty of moral integrity.
- Huấn Cao, like many other protagonists in 'Vang bóng một thời,' must necessarily be a talented individual. However, in Huấn Cao's case, alongside talent, there is the dignified beauty of a person responsible for the era and the beauty of moral integrity. This uniqueness in the character of Huấn Cao sets him apart from other characters in 'Vang bóng một thời.'
3. Conclusion
- Nguyễn Tuân's descriptive art in 'Chữ người tử tù' exudes a sense of antiquity through language, thought processes, treatment... evoking the atmosphere of a bygone era now steeped in legend. This art also carries a modern essence with its deeply analyzed passages, subtle character developments.
- The character of Huấn Cao, a person responsible for the nation, is portrayed with reverence by Nguyễn Tuân. This discreet exposition also reflects '... the aspirations to pursue lofty ideals of young Nguyen Tuân as he stepped into life' (Trường Chinh).
II. Sample Essay Analyzing the Beauty of Huấn Cao's Character
Essay 1
Huấn Cao - an ideal hero standing resolutely amidst the artistic and romantic prose of writer Nguyễn Tuân in the work 'Chữ người tử tù'. This heroic figure, even in the moments leading up to the execution, always demonstrates bravery and purity of heart, determined to sacrifice rather than submit to the enemy. It's truly admirable how Nguyễn Tuân's talented pen has left behind an ideal character with proud, noble beauties worth emulating by future generations.
Huấn Cao is a man with his head in the heavens and his feet on the ground. He always heeds the call of justice, of the impoverished farmers, to rise up and fight to reclaim his own right to live and his own freedom. Unfortunately, he fell into the hands of the authorities and was sentenced to death. In the narrative, he doesn't appear as a general wielding a sword against the enemy or as someone fighting against ruthless tyrants, but rather as a death-row prisoner awaiting execution. This precarious situation would be unremarkable if he were just another ordinary death-row inmate. However, even in the final moments of his life, he remains dignified and composed.
He feared not the shedding of blood, nor did he flinch at the thought of lashes raining down upon him. His unwavering will and bravery never wavered, even in the face of death. From the very reason for his death sentence, it is clear that he is a hero fighting for justice, for the people. We do not see Huấn Cao wielding a sword to slay enemies, but we witness in him actions of fierce determination reserved for foes: 'Huấn Cao, cold and relentless, nose sharply pointed, bends down his head to strike the iron gong with a resounding thud.' Even now, facing the role of a condemned prisoner, he may be subjected to blows, to torture at any moment, yet nothing fazes him. The heroic spirit within Huấn Cao has never diminished. He has slain countless enemies, stirred the very authorities; why then should he fear a lowly, insignificant soldier? Even death before him does not instill fear, let alone mere lashes. Truly, a prisoner with the demeanor of a genuine hero.
Furthermore, Huấn Cao is a talented artist with the gift of writing both swiftly and beautifully. Even the prison guards, confined within the walls, are aware of his reputation. Many may write, but to write swiftly and beautifully is exceedingly rare. In those times, people learned to write in pictograms. Mastering and understanding the characters meant grasping an entire cultural foundation from the symbolic strokes. Huấn Cao's writing makes the prison guards long for, yearn for. He views it as a treasure, and if denied Huấn's writing, they would regret it for a lifetime.
A heroic figure of resolute courage and profound artistic talent, yet falling into the hands of the enemy. Truly regrettable. Yet from this dire situation, we understand another noble aspect of this hero. It is a soul of purity, of goodness, always cherishing, esteeming beauty. With his character, he fears neither heaven nor earth but fears 'betraying a heart in the world'. As a condemned prisoner, under the authority of officials and petty henchmen, they have nothing but lashes to rain upon him like sudden downpours, yet he remains unshaken, unafraid. Especially when offered special privileges by the prison guards, he straightforwardly refuses with disdain, with contempt: 'What do you ask of me? I only ask one thing. That your people refrain from setting foot here.' Even in his words, Huấn Cao exudes humiliation, arrogance. Yet he did not know that the one standing before him was not a mere warden with cunning schemes and deceit as commonly seen. Only when he understood the unique heart of the warden did Huấn Cao feel astonished and moved, 'I am touched by your kind heart. I did not know someone like you, Mr. Quản, could have such noble interests. But for a little more, I would have lost a heart in the world.' At this moment, Huấn Cao fully comprehends everything. He was straightforward with himself and accepted the warden's offer for writing. 'Writing is truly precious. I have never written for gold, silver, or power. In my life, I have only written two couplets and a middle way for three dear friends of mine.' He deeply values art, cherishes beauty. He does not sell his talent for anyone's wealth or profit. This demeanor earns him the respect and admiration of others.
And true to his word, that night amidst the dark, filthy prison, Huấn Cao bestowed his noble writing upon the warden, along with profound words of meaningful reminders: 'It's chaotic here. I advise Mr. Quản to find another place to live. This place is not suitable for hanging a piece of white silk with fresh, square characters that speak of the rampant dreams of a lifetime. Ink, where did you buy it that's so good and fragrant?... I tell you the truth, Mr. Quản, you should go back to your hometown to live, quit this profession first, then think about playing with words. Here, it's difficult to maintain purity and eventually, even the most righteous life will succumb.' These words are not just for the warden but also for posterity, for those living in similar circumstances to the prison warden: living without being oneself, living while hiding one's own purity.
Nguyễn Tuân was very successful in constructing the ideal image of Huấn Cao with the noble beauties of a hero who is both talented and romantic. His soul is like a god full of goodness, a good example for future generations to follow.
Essay 2
Nguyễn Tuân is renowned as a talented, eloquent, and charismatic writer. He is an artist who spent his life seeking beauty. Among the many beauties he discovered and pursued, we find the radiant beauty amidst the dark prison scene, emanating from the convict Huấn Cao in 'The Letters of the Death Prisoner'.
In the work, Huấn Cao is a person living boldly and uncompromisingly, no power, no gold or silver can overpower him. 'People who stir up trouble are above everyone's heads, yet no one even knows who they are...' A person so assertive has no fear of tyranny or greed for money.
Là người chọc trời khuấy nước, không chịu được triều đình phong kiến ngày càng suy thoái, mục nát, Huấn Cao chống lại triều đình ấy. Bị gọi là giặc nhưng là vì nghĩa lớn, vì lí tưởng lớn nên điều đó có hề gì. Đến khi bị bắt giam, sắp lên đoạn đầu đài Huấn Cao vẫn hiên ngang, bất khuất "đến cái cảnh chết chém, ông còn chẳng sợ nữa là...". Trong những ngày ở nhà giam tỉnh Sơn, Huấn Cao vẫn giữ phong thái ung dung, tự do, tự tại, không quan tâm đến bất kì ẩn ý nào trong cách cư xử đặc biệt của quản ngục. Ông thản nhiên nhận rượu thịt của quản ngục và coi đó là một việc vẫn làm trong cái hứng sinh bình lúc chưa bị giam cầm.
In the tale, Huấn Cao is a figure of unwavering courage and defiance, impervious to the might of authority or the lure of wealth. 'Those who challenge the heavens stir up the waters, even upon people's heads, yet no one knows of their existence...' Such unequivocal assertion renders him impervious to tyranny or the allure of material wealth.
A person who stirs up trouble, standing boldly and unyieldingly, unafraid of violence or tyranny, yet Huấn Cao esteems the inherent goodness of humanity. In the deep recesses where, sometimes due to circumstances, one must conceal, his offering of words and counsel to the prison warden ultimately reveals the heart of Huấn Cao. Those words echo his innermost feelings, the essence of him: 'I tell you the truth, Mr. Quản, you should go back to your hometown to live, quit this profession first, then think about playing with words. Here, it's difficult to maintain purity and eventually, even the most righteous life will succumb.' He cherishes beauty and respects those who cherish beauty. Understanding the warden's heart, Huấn Cao willingly imparts his words, for he senses the essence of righteousness.
Huấn Cao is a highly skilled artist, especially in the art of beautiful writing. His writing is famous throughout the region, it's very beautiful, very square. Such talent is reserved only for close friends. He knows his talent and is ready to offer it to anyone: 'In my life, I have only written two couplets and a middle way for three dear friends of mine.' And the last time he wrote, it was no exception because he felt the heart of the warden, considering the warden as a kindred spirit. It can be said that the scene of writing at the end of the story is an unprecedented sight. Because there, beauty contrasts with filth. Beautiful writing is an artistic creation that usually takes place in clean, bright study rooms. But here it is a dark, dirty, foul-smelling prison cell. Illuminated amidst all the filth and foul odor of the prison, the light of the torch, the scent of ink, the white color of silk, all sparkled. It all demonstrates profound meaning: beauty can thrive in the midst of evil, in a land dead by a person soon to die (a death prisoner). Huấn Cao's advice to the warden shows that beauty cannot coexist with ugliness, with evil. In this scene, Huấn Cao's beauty is highlighted most clearly. Through this, it shows Nguyễn Tuân's talent in describing, creating scenes, and constructing characters.
Huấn Cao, akin to numerous other protagonists in 'Echoes of a Bygone Era', is undeniably a person of exceptional talent. In Huấn Cao, alongside talent, there exists an air of responsibility towards the era. This distinctiveness of Huấn Cao compared to other characters in 'Echoes of a Bygone Era'.
With refined prose and skillful portrayal of sensitivity, Nguyễn Tuân has evoked the ambiance of a bygone era, successfully shaping the character of Huấn Cao - a person of charisma, talent, with a sense of responsibility towards the nation. It also lays bare the yearning for pursuing lofty ideals of young Nguyễn Tuân stepping into life. (Trương Chính).
Article number 3
Nguyễn Tuân is a renowned writer in Vietnamese literature. He has created works revolving around ideal characters of exceptional talent, of spiritual beauty such as 'The Earthen Teapot', 'The Misty Tea Cup'... and once again, we encounter the portrait of talent in the world, that is the character Huấn Cao in the work 'The Letters of the Death Prisoner'.
Writer Nguyễn Tuân drew inspiration for the character Huấn Cao from the archetype of Cao Bá Quát as a creative source. The Cao family was a peasant leader against the Nguyễn dynasty in 1854. Huấn Cao was derived from this archetype with talent, shining personality, and extraordinary talent.
Huấn Cao epitomizes beauty, from the calligraphic talent of a Confucian scholar to the extraordinary nobility of a dignitary, the pure heart of someone who values talent and beauty. Huấn Cao is first and foremost a skilled calligrapher. Writing is not just a linguistic symbol but also reflects one's character. Huấn Cao's calligraphic talent is demonstrated through the dialogue between the prison warden and the poet. Huấn Cao's talent is also described through the narrator's words and the character's thoughts. Huấn Cao's writing is 'very beautiful, very square', the strokes of the characters also reflect a bold, commanding presence. Huấn Cao's writing is so beautiful and esteemed that the prison warden yearns for it lifelong. The prison warden is 'losing sleep and appetite', not hesitating to risk his life to obtain Huấn Cao's writing - considering it 'a treasure in this world'. If writing is 'a treasure in this world', then surely its owner must be an outstanding, extraordinary talent, a unique crystallization of all the essence, the noble spirit of heaven and earth fused together. Huấn Cao's writing is so beautiful, so is his character. He is a person of integrity and talent.
Huấn Cao possesses an extraordinary, noble demeanor of a dignitary. Although he adhered to Confucianism, which should have meant blindly showing loyalty, he defied the regime and now faces the charge of 'great rebellion,' sentenced to death. Because Huấn Cao harbors immense compassion; he empathizes with the innocent, impoverished people, suffering under the ruthless oppression of the ruling class. Huấn Cao detests the ruling elite and understands the suffering of the common people. If Huấn Cao had obeyed the feudal lords, he would have enjoyed wealth and prosperity. However, he chose a different path: the path of fighting for the innocent people's right to life. The struggle failed, and he was captured by them. Now he must live in the darkness of the dungeon, awaiting his execution. Before being imprisoned, the warden heard rumors that Huấn Cao had the skill to 'pick locks, escape prisons' - proving him to be a versatile individual, truly an extraordinary person in this world.
The author vividly describes Huấn Cao's psychological state during the days awaiting execution. At this moment, when the hero's 'fate is sealed,' Huấn Cao still maintains his dignified and resilient demeanor. Although physically imprisoned, Huấn Cao remains completely free in spirit, by 'breaking the heavy shackles onto the stone floor with a thud' and 'calmly' disregarding the threats of the escorting soldiers. In his eyes, they are merely 'a bunch of insignificant minions.' Thus, despite being held captive by them, he still displays 'contempt.' This hero, even in defeat, retains his power and authority. Truly admirable! Even in prison, he nonchalantly 'eats meat, drinks wine as if it were a regular occurrence in daily life.' Huấn Cao is completely free in spirit. When the prison warden asks what Huấn Cao needs, he replies: 'What do you ask of me? I only want one thing. Your kind should not set foot here.' Such a defiant, arrogant response is because Huấn Cao is naturally dignified, resilient; 'not even afraid of death ...'. He doesn't bother to retaliate against those he has offended. Huấn Cao is very aware of his position in society, he knows to place himself above the 'filth' of society - 'The vulgar are inept in grace, the mighty cannot be humiliated.'
Huấn Cao is also a person of 'innate goodness,' pure and noble. According to him, only 'innate goodness,' the intrinsic beauty of a person, is worthy. However, when he learns of the warden's heartache, Huấn, with joy, accepts the word for the character and even exclaims: 'I feel the estrangement of your distinguished heart. I know that someone like you, the warden, would have such noble preferences. A little more, and I would have offended a heart in the world.' Giving a character is very rare for Huấn Cao because 'his nature is capricious. I will never force a character for gold or power.' The act of giving a character to the warden demonstrates that Huấn Cao is a person who values talent, beauty, and cherishes ordinary people as equals.
The scene of 'giving a character' is truly peculiar, indeed a scene 'never seen before'. The death row prisoner 'wearing handcuffs, feet entangled in shackles' is 'deeply brushing each character on the bright white silk square with elegance' with an air of leisurely freedom. Huấn Cao is pouring all his essence into each character. The characters contain Huấn Cao's heart and are saturated with the sympathetic tears of the reader. Through this, Nguyễn Tuân indirectly condemns the contemporary society that suppresses human talent. And the prisoner suddenly becomes authoritative in front of those responsible for his captivity. Huấn advised the prison warden like a father advising his son: 'It's all mixed up here. I advise you, the warden, to leave. This place is not for hanging a white silk square with fresh square characters, which speak of the grand dreams of a lifetime... Here, it's hard to keep innate goodness safe and sound, and then it will gradually decay into the void of a good life.'
According to Huấn Cao, beauty cannot coexist with ugliness. People only appreciate beauty when it is inherently pure, noble in character. The last characters have been given, the last words have been spoken. Huấn Cao, that talented hero, may have departed forever, but he leaves a profound impression on those who have seen, heard, or enjoyed his characters. Living in this world, Huấn Cao stood up for what is right; he dispelled the darkness of this life. That's why the image of Huấn Cao has become immortal.
In the character of Huấn Cao shines the beauty of 'talent' and 'heart'. In 'talent' lies 'heart,' and the 'heart' here is the shining noble character of a talented individual. Beauty always goes hand in hand with 'heart' and 'talent,' only then does that beauty truly have meaning. By constructing the image of Huấn Cao, writer Nguyễn Tuân successfully built the typical artistic portrait in aesthetic literature.
Article 4
As a lifelong writer in pursuit of beauty, Nguyễn Tuân dedicated his entire life to writing pages filled with a rich aesthetic sense for all the most beautiful things in the world. Writing eloquently about beautiful pastimes, Nguyễn Tuân also didn't overlook the radiant beauty within human character. Some say Nguyễn Tuân's career would not be complete without 'Echoes of a Bygone Era,' and 'Echoes of a Bygone Era' would be incomplete without the presence of the celestial tale 'The Prisoner's Script.' Huấn Cao in the work is a luminous and beautiful character that Nguyễn Tuân created with both reverence and talent, imbuing profound philosophical views on beauty.
Huấn Cao is primarily remembered for the beauty of his extraordinary, comprehensive talent in both literature and martial arts. In a very subtle way, the writer did not let his character appear directly but through the conversation between the prison warden and the poet. However, even seen through the eyes of adversaries, Huấn Cao's talent remains undeniable. As the ancients said, 'Clear writing does not see the figure,' Huấn Cao entered Nguyễn Tuân's literature as a perfect image.
The talent of Huấn lies in calligraphy. As someone who 'writes very fast and very beautifully,' Huấn's reputation spread throughout a province, reaching even people like prison wardens and poets, making them both marvel and hesitate. Indeed, the good word spreads far, Huấn Cao's writing talent has already become famous and enduring. The joy of calligraphy that Huấn Cao is passionate about is one of the noble pastimes of ancient people, a symbol of the traditional cultural heritage. The characters embody the character and spirit of a person. Even the prison warden feels: 'Mr. Huấn's writing is so beautiful, so square, having his character hung in the house is a treasure in life.' In a society where East and West clash, old things have not completely disappeared, and new things have not yet replaced everything, Nguyễn Tuân is a Confucian scholar with a discordant, dissatisfied, and powerless temperament with reality, creating a character with extraordinary talent in traditional pastimes as a way for the writer to express regrets about a golden past now only echoed.
When Huấn Cao directly confronts readers, that gentleman is also known as a fierce hero with a dignified demeanor. Being a person versed in both literature and martial arts, in addition to calligraphy, Huấn Cao also has the skill of 'picking locks and escaping prisons.' Huấn Cao is a name that makes those in prison cautious. In the eyes of the courtiers, he is a leader of the rebels, but in reality, he is a hero standing up for righteousness, daring to oppose the court to protect justice. He is the embodiment of a person who is influential, heroic.
When placed in the prison situation, the image of Huấn Cao becomes even more prominent with the majestic and resolute demeanor. Calmly entering the prison, Huấn Cao's first action is to break the chains, not caring about the royal power on his head: 'Huấn Cao bowed, touching the heavy chain, pushing hard on the chain's head onto the stone floor with a thud.' It is the image of a bold hero, a great Han man 'Establishing Heaven and Earth,' unwilling to endure the oppressive prison conditions, wanting to break free from the shackles of slavery.
During the days of imprisonment, Huấn Cao showed no fear. As the ancients said, 'A day in prison equals a thousand autumns outside.' Instead of feeling sorrow or despair, he calmly accepted his fate as if it were just another day of ordinary life. His words to the warden displayed a defiant attitude towards oppressive authority: 'What do you want from me? I only want one thing. Don't ever set foot in here.' This bold declaration showed that Huấn Cao had cast aside all fear and worry, remaining steadfast in the face of power and violence.
Rising above as a beacon of integrity within the prison, Huấn Cao possessed a pure and steadfast character, with the strength to redeem souls tainted by darkness. He was a person of great intellect and courage, never swayed by unjust authority or worldly wealth: 'I never write for gold or silver, or for any form of power.' He was deeply conscious of the divine purpose and dignity of art, a person who never boasted of his talent.
What's more admirable is that Huấn Cao not only valued his own integrity but also that of others. This was demonstrated in his sincere behavior towards the warden. Initially, he scorned and looked down upon the warden as one would a lifelong criminal living in filth, living without honor. However, upon understanding the warden's 'noble aspirations,' he grew to admire and respect him deeply: 'Had I known, someone like you has such noble aspirations. I almost wronged a heart in this world.' It was this understanding that transformed their relationship from adversaries to kindred spirits.
But perhaps Huấn's talent, integrity, and noble character were most vividly and harmoniously displayed in the act of writing – a scene Nguyễn Tuân called 'an unprecedented scene.'
As the night grew late, with only tomorrow left before facing the executioner's blade, Huấn poured all his creative talent into the pen and wrote characters that spoke of the 'indomitable spirit of a human life.' The red glow of the oil-lit torches, the scent of ink, and the white of the silk scroll dispelled the darkness of the prison filled with cobwebs, spiderwebs, dung beetles, and rats. The fiery glow of the torch or the heavenly light made the image of the prisoner Huấn Cao more proud and majestic. With a neck restrained by chains, feet ensnared by shackles, and death looming nearby, he continued to 'brush strokes' in the posture of a true artist mastering the prison. The exaltation of talent and extraordinary willpower shone brightly in that scene of writing.
Huấn Cao also appeared truly beautiful in that moment as a guiding light for the misguided. His sincere advice to the kindred spirit illuminated that beauty: 'In this confusion, I advise the Warden to change his residence. This place is not for hanging a silk scroll with fresh square characters that speak of the aspirations of a lifetime.' Huấn Cao's advice affirmed that beauty and righteousness can never and will never coexist with ugliness and evil: 'It's difficult to maintain integrity here and it will eventually corrupt one's virtuous life.' A genuinely compassionate advice, moving the prison warden to tears: 'The prisoner bowed, clasped his hands, and said a word that brought tears to his eyes: This misguided soul pays homage.' The beauty of art erased all distances and boundaries, bringing people together in the beauty of righteousness, goodness, and beauty.
The essence of Nguyễn Tuân is still there, graceful and talented, both in thought and expression. The writer succeeded in constructing a unique narrative situation where initially opposing characters later unite in harmony, shining brightly together. The storytelling art, plot structure, dialogue, and monologue vividly depict distinctive character traits. Nguyễn Tuân used a series of precious Sino-Vietnamese words to create a historical, venerable, and magnificent atmosphere. Truly, Nguyễn Tuân is a master of language, elegant and graceful in history and society. As Vũ Ngọc Phan said, '... Nguyễn Tuân's literature is not something for the common people to enjoy.'
Article number 5
Nguyễn Tuân is the talented pen of Vietnamese literature. His creative career is divided into two periods before and after the August Revolution. Before the revolution, his pen leaned towards the motto 'glory of a bygone era - revelry - adventurousness.' The short story 'The prisoner's words' is a pre-revolutionary masterpiece that successfully portrayed the image of Huấn Cao - a talented knight with a straightforward heart.
Huấn Cao is a noble knight who sacrifices himself for a noble cause, condemning and accusing the blatant corruption of the court. He disregards everything to resist the decay and depravity of the ruling regime. To the soldiers, Huấn Cao is the 'most arrogant and dangerous' person to be wary of. For the poet, he is someone 'skilled in both literature and martial arts.' To the warden, Huấn Cao is a person who 'disrupts the heavens and agitates the waters,' disregarding money and violence. With such perspectives, Huấn Cao is a talented individual in the eyes of everyone, a prisoner with steadfast integrity, radiating nobility amidst the dirty shackles.
With his talented pen, Nguyễn Tuân portrayed Huấn Cao as outspoken, majestic, every line exuding uniqueness and transcendence. Despite being a prisoner, Huấn Cao seems unafraid of heaven or earth, capable of shouting at anyone. Without the need for action, his dignity commands respect from everyone.
In this prison, Huấn Cao is known as a noble knight, admired by people with the title 'the person praised by the Sơn region for his fast and beautiful writing.' Those with beautiful handwriting are always revered and admired as such. His handwriting is like a 'treasure in the world,' and anyone fortunate enough to possess his handwriting possesses a treasure in the world. Huấn Cao unknowingly desires the warden to own his handwriting, to hang his written characters in the house. His characters are beautiful and square. A person of complete talent and virtue, a person not only talented but also with a very pure and straightforward heart. Indeed, he writes beautifully but never 'forces himself to write.' This is a truly admirable character. He only writes for those truly deserving, those who can inspire the utmost admiration and respect.
Nguyễn Tuân is truly gifted, so much so that reading every word of his feels like witnessing a vivid painting of a dignified knight like Huấn Cao amidst the human world.
Huấn Cao embodies a reverence for pure righteousness in the world. Through the poet's narration, he understands the warden's heart and admires the sincerity as well as the affection and desire for his words. With just the phrase 'lose a heart in the world,' Huấn Cao evokes uncontrollable emotions in the reader. A person who appreciates beauty, gravitates towards it, embodies a life directed towards the true, good, and beautiful.
The scene for writing characters appears at the end, seemingly the most unforgettable scene in the work. A scene 'never seen before.' The scene unfolds not in a noble place but amidst the prison. The image of three people in that scene is truly beautiful; they are no longer prisoners or wardens but lovers of beauty, enamored with beauty. The scene for writing characters is truly sacred and moving, a belated encounter between people who love beauty, love the most perfect beauty. The image of Huấn Cao in shackles, writing the most concise characters, is truly the most beautiful, admirable, and admirable. The image of the warden 'bowing' and Huấn Cao supporting the warden is truly haunting when closing the book.
The character of Huấn Cao is vivid, majestic, and resolute through Nguyễn Tuân's pen strokes, truly captivating the reader's eyes on the page. He is the epitome of unwavering heroes amidst the dirt and injustice of the era.
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Refer to the sample essays analyzing the Four Binh Picture in the Viet Bac article to feel the beauty of nature in Viet Bac through traditional four-line and six-eight poems, realistically depicted by Tố Hữu's pen.
