Analyzing the Character of Sister Dau in the Excerpt 'The Dam Bursts'

Topic: Analyzing the character of Sister Dau in the excerpt 'The Dam Bursts' by Ngô Tất Tố.

Analyzing the Character of Sister Dau in the Excerpt 'The Dam Bursts'

I. Outline of Analyzing Sister Dau in the Excerpt 'The Dam Bursts' (Standard)

1. Introduction

Sister Dau, as depicted in the excerpt 'The Dam Bursts' from the work 'Turn off the Light' by Ngô Tất Tố, is a quintessential symbol of the resilience and fierce resistance of farmers against unjust oppression.

2. Body of the Essay

*Context:
- Comes from a poor background, considered low-class in the village
- Forced to work to pay off debts, including for her recently deceased brother-in-law
- Sold her own child but still couldn't repay the debt
- Husband was abused, beaten, only just returned home

*Character's Virtues:
- Resilient, caring, extremely loving, takes care of and worries about her husband.
+ Quickly prepares porridge for her husband to eat
+ Watches anxiously as her husband eats, trying to comfort him and kindly asking if the food tastes good...(Continued)

>> View the Detailed Outline Analysis of Sister Dau in the Excerpt 'The Dam Bursts' here.
 

II. Sample Essay: Analyzing Sister Dau in the Excerpt 'The Dam Bursts' (Standard)

Realistic literature is where the most complex, painful slices of social life are authentically reflected. Vietnamese literature before 1945 focused on depicting the pitiful, miserable conditions of farmers in feudal society. One of the most powerful realistic works is 'Turning off the Light' by Ngô Tất Tố, particularly the excerpt 'The Dam Bursts', which not only reveals the cruelty of the ruling class and officials, the suffering, and tragedy of the farmers but also shows the resilience and strong resistance within these pitiful people.

Sister Dau's circumstances are extremely difficult. As a low-class villager, during tax season, Sister Dau's family and many other poor families in the village must scramble to come up with money to pay the heartless tax collectors. Even before finishing paying off the tax for her husband, they forced her to pay for her recently deceased brother-in-law. What greater pain could there be? The heinous crime of those vile tyrants is truly appalling. Forced to work to pay off debts, she had to sell her own child but still couldn't make enough. Oh, what a pitiful situation, those heartless beings, how could they stoop so low, a group of ruthless murderers, tormenting those wretched souls to the extreme.

Despite unjust oppression and cruelty, Sister Dau remains resilient, steadfast, and caring, serving as the pillar for her entire family amidst the storm. First and foremost, Sister Dau presents herself with the beauty of a loyal woman, capable and rich in love and concern for her husband and child. When her husband, Dau, returns after a horrific beating, she worries immensely. Given a bowl of rice by a sympathetic neighbor, she quickly cooks porridge for her husband to temporarily relieve his hunger. While waiting for the porridge to cool, she scoops out a bowl for her child and takes it to her husband, using gentle, caring words to encourage him to eat and ease his hunger. She watches anxiously as her husband eats, trying to reassure him and kindly asking if the food tastes good. Even in the most chaotic moments, she wants to spend some time ensuring her husband enjoys the meal, staying to watch if he enjoys it, showing Sister Dau's affectionate, caring, and sacrificial nature. A wife full of love, care, and concern for her husband.