Analyzing the emotional journey of the character Mrs. Tu in the story The Wife Collector

Prompt: Analyze the emotional journey of the character Mrs. Tu in the story The Wife Collector

3 Sample Essays Analyzing the Emotional Development of Mrs. Tu in the Story The Wife Collector
 

I. Outline Analyze the emotional journey of the character Mrs. Tu in the story The Wife Collector

1.  Introduction:

-  Introduction to the author and the work

2. Analysis of the Emotional State of Grandma Tu in the Story The Wife Hunter, Standard 2

Kim Lan may not have produced a large body of work, but most of his works have resonated deeply, establishing him as one of the top ten representative writers of pre-revolutionary realism literature. With a life intertwined with the countryside, a profound understanding of the lives of humble farmers, Kim Lan has painted a vivid and authentic picture of the reality of the previous century, especially during the country's most difficult periods. The Wife Hunter is one of Kim Lan's most successful and outstanding works, not only reflecting the fate of individuals and the harsh reality during the famine of 1945 but more importantly, delving into humanitarian values, revealing the inherent beauty in the souls of farmers. Despite the harsh reality of hunger and imminent death, they still exude the beauty of faith, hope for a better life, and the boundless love and compassion of motherhood. In The Wife Hunter, these beauties are exemplified by the character of Grandma Tu, who, despite limited scenes, still manages to convey the hidden beauties that Kim Lan intends to convey.

Grandma Tu is a typical representative of the farmers of the previous century, living a life burdened with the hardships of survival, struggling with the horrific famine of 1944-1945. Grandma Tu is a widowed woman, living in a dilapidated 'home' in the Ngụ Cư neighborhood. Her image in the story is only a few words, but it leaves a vivid impression in the reader's mind, portraying a woman who has endured nearly a lifetime of hardships and suffering. She is depicted as frail, sickly, with a mouth that is 'hoarse and coughing', a body that is 'hunched', always 'mumbling something in her mouth'. Looking at that scene, the reader immediately senses the miserable fate of Grandma Tu, as she has likely suffered much hardship and sorrow throughout her life, living in a solitary situation, tirelessly raising her children, and even in her old age, she still does not enjoy a peaceful life, but continues to endure hardship, fighting against the terrible hunger.

Moreover, Grandma Tu's entire life is always subjected to the torment and worry of not being able to provide for her only son a wife, simply because she is too poor. But in the midst of dire poverty and hardship, through Kim Lan's subtly depicted psychological developments, the spiritual beauty of this woman is even more pronounced. It is the sacred beauty of motherly love, hope for a better life, and the heart of compassion, empathy for the unfortunate destinies.

The story begins with the unexpected arrival of Trang's unusual bride amidst the direst famine, a wedding devoid of flowers, lights, or feasts. Following Trang home with only 4 bowls of rice cakes, they hoped for a better life, avoiding the horrific famine engulfing the village. In that situation, when the old lady was introduced to the newlywed daughter-in-law, at first, she didn't understand the situation, the slow pace of an elderly person, along with a strange event that immediately baffled her, leaving her full of questions. However, she didn't rush to ask or appear anxious. Instead, she silently looked at her son, hinting for him to slowly explain the story. It was an expression of experience, of a heart willing to listen, share, and trust, the love of a mother who understands reason.

After listening to Trang's explanation of the bizarre marriage story, the old lady suddenly 'understood all the reasons', then she remained silent with countless thoughts swirling in her mind, numerous anxieties flooding the heart of a loving mother. She felt pity for her son's fate, marrying a wife had to fend for herself, and marrying right in the midst of scarcity and imminent death, with death lurking everywhere, including for her, her son, and the strange woman. The more she thought, the more sorrowful Grandma Tu felt, sorrowful for herself, her son, and the emotions overwhelmed her, making 'tears trickle down her cheeks'. However, having lived for decades, experiencing countless strange events, hardships, Grandma Tu quickly shook off the sadness in her heart, looking at the woman who would be her daughter-in-law tomorrow, the one who would accompany her son, Grandma Tu quickly regained her spirits, accepting her son's fleeting marriage. Grandma understood that Trang had been of marrying age for a long time, now that Trang and Thị were fated to be together, she was content. Grandma only worried about one thing, 'knowing whether they can support each other through this terrible famine'. At that moment, the motherly love became even more evident, she didn't blame her son for making his own decisions about marriage, nor did she inquire about this strange marriage story. She only had one thought, fearing that Trang and his wife couldn't endure through this terrible famine to build a happy home. She pitied her son's fate, lacking in everything, even in married life, uncertain about the future. However, on this momentous day, her son's joyous day, Grandma didn't allow herself to be sad for too long, nor did she want to ruin the wedding. Grandma quickly regained her spirits with self-encouragement 'People encounter such difficulties, such hunger, how many people marry their children? And my child just got a wife. Well, it's a mother's duty, a mother can't worry about her child... Unfortunately, if heaven wants to take them, I'll have to accept it, how can I worry about everything?'. Then quickly conversing, taking care of Thị, pulling her out of the awkwardness of being a new daughter-in-law. At the same time, she comforted and encouraged, nurturing the new marriage with the words of her ancestors 'Who knows what it's like, dear, some people are rich, some are poor, three generations...'. At the same time, she quickly concealed the worries and sorrows that were overwhelming her heart, to open up for her children a hopeful and beautiful future, even though outside is a scene of real darkness, full of death, and pain. Grandma Tu's motherly heart is truly warm and understanding, tolerant.

The essay Analyzing the Emotional Development of Grandma Tu in The Wife Hunter

Not only in her loving and caring heart for her child, but Grandma Tu's image also appears as a person with a compassionate, understanding, and deeply sympathetic heart towards the unfortunate human destinies, epitomized here by Thị. Faced with the sight of her son bringing home a woman without background, ragged, miserable, introduced as her daughter-in-law, Grandma Tu didn't express any dissatisfaction or rejection; on the contrary, she silently listened to her son's story and quietly observed the woman. After the story was clear, she quickly accepted the whirlwind marriage while showing understanding for Thị's hardship 'People encounter such difficulties, such hunger, how many people marry their children? And my child just got a wife'. She also felt sorry for the miserable woman who had to come to the end, being tortured by hunger to the point of accepting her fate as Trang's wife without any dowry. The steadfast gaze at Thị is a gaze of understanding, pity for a life in ruins, compassion for the fate of a woman who isn't properly married, without a feast, humbly becoming someone's wife without any betrothal gifts. Thinking about it, Grandma seemed even more sympathetic to Thị, because luckily, with Thị's appearance, her son finally had a wife, a family life.

It's through such insightful thoughts and understanding that Grandma quickly became familiar with her new daughter-in-law, gently caring for Thị 'Sit down here, rest your legs,' to make Thị feel less awkward in the new home. Then, seeing Thị's timidity, Grandma's heart overflowed with pity, feeling sorry for a woman whose life was already hard, now even more so in this poverty, perhaps Thị's life would be similar to Grandma's life decades ago. Thinking so, Grandma loved Thị even more, gently advising, comforting, explaining to Thị about the wedding without a feast, hoping Thị wouldn't blame the poverty of her and her mother, but rather love and nurture happiness with Trang, while also sparing Thị the embarrassment of going back home empty-handed. Then Grandma confided softly 'The main thing is that you two get along, that's the most important. This year's famine is severe. You two marrying now is very compassionate,' it's the love for her son, daughter-in-law, the mother's compassion in the face of her children's suffering. It can be said that despite being less educated and poor, Grandma Tứ has a heart of understanding, empathy, deep love for people, making the story even warmer, driving away the coldness of the horrific famine raging outside.

Analyzing Grandma Tứ's emotional development reveals the changes in the character's feelings and thoughts.

Not only impressed by the profound maternal love, tolerance, understanding, Grandma Tứ also shines with the beauty of faith, intense hope in life, in a brighter future ahead, even in the most wretched, horrifying scene of the 1945 famine. Grandma Tứ was at an age close to the ground, unable to live another few decades, yet her heart was always filled with faith in a bright future, about a day when the famine would pass, her family would once again have days without worrying about hunger, life would be less precarious. At the same time, Grandma also instilled that faith, hope into the minds of her son and daughter-in-law with whispered words 'Who knows what it's like, dear, some people are rich, some are poor, three generations...'. Then at the breakfast after Trang's wedding night, Grandma always spoke of cheerful things, inspiring her children with good plans for the future, whether it's raising chickens for eggs, business ventures. Those words full of hope, faith in a better future made the breakfast 'only a clump of tangled banana leaves, a plate of salt with porridge' albeit harsh, frugal but truly cheerful and warm. At breakfast, Grandma Tứ also treated her children with a pot of bitter rice husk tea, choking and choking at the throat, it not only showed the deep love of the poor old mother for her children but also revealed her profound thoughts about the difficult life ahead. Grandma hoped that her children, even if faced with many difficulties, even harder than today, would strive to overcome them, just like today they swallowed down the bitter rice husk porridge, difficult to eat, to start a new life. It can be said that despite being the oldest, Grandma Tứ is the one with the strongest vitality and the most intense faith, becoming the one who inspires, sowing hope, and aspirations in Trang and Thị, for a better, brighter future, no longer afraid of the ravages of hunger and poverty.

Kim Lân's 'The Wife Hunter' is one of the works that vividly reflects the horrifying, appalling nature of Vietnamese peasants during the 1945 famine. However, alongside the horrors of hunger and cold, the dark reality, Kim Lân also simultaneously portrays profound humanitarian values ​​through reality to highlight the beauty of human beings in poverty, misery. Grandma Tứ amidst poverty, misery, amidst her son bringing home a scavenging wife, emerged as the image of a mother who deeply understands and loves her children, a woman who sympathizes, shares, and embraces the miserable lives like Thị, and finally, the image of a person with faith, fierce vitality, the one who instills in future generations beautiful thoughts, creating hope for life, overcoming adversity to move towards a brighter future.

3. Analysis of the character's emotions of Grandma Tứ in the story The Wife Hunter, standard 3

History has receded into the past, but the traumas of the horrifying famine of 1945 still leave pain in the subconscious of the Vietnamese people. During those years, hunger and hardship besieged everywhere, rural spaces immersed in an atmosphere of mourning. But aside from those sorrows, we still encounter the warm rays of human kindness. This has been portrayed through Kim Lân's work 'The Wife Hunter'. Through the work, readers are not only impressed by the character of Tràng, the taciturn but 'gracious, humble' wife, but also deeply feel the motherly love, human affection through the emotions of the character Grandma Tứ.

By the middle of the story, the character Grandma Tứ appears, but her appearance is profound enough to complete the idea of a family. The figure of the poor peasant mother has been depicted through details: 'clanking into the alley, murmuring calculations in her mouth' evokes the image of a gaunt, bent figure due to the vicissitudes of life of the familiar grandmother.

In the work 'The Wife Hunter', besides constructing a unique story situation, author Kim Lân also demonstrates his talent in describing the character's psychology. His delicate pen has successfully depicted the image of Grandma Tứ with subtle emotional developments. When seeing the scavenging wife, the initial curiosity of the poor mother is a surprise, questioning: 'What woman stands at the foot of my son's bed like that?', 'Who's that? Why did she greet me so familiarly?'. The event of Tràng 'picking a wife' amid the years of scarcity has created a very special situation to push the character's emotional developments to a climax. Before understanding the reason, the old lady went from one surprise to another, to the point: 'no longer believing her eyes, her ears'. 'The old lady blinked her eyes to avoid tearing up because suddenly she felt her eyes tearing up. The old lady looked closely at the woman again, still not recognizing anyone. She turned back to look at her son, showing she didn't understand'

The poor mother pondered until everything was clarified through her son's confirmation: 'My house has just befriended her, you see...'. After understanding the situation, the old lady 'bowed her head in silence'. It was an action filled with countless emotions and sorrows. First of all, it was a silence full of poignant humility. As someone who has experienced it all, she is very aware of the hardships hidden behind Tràng and Thị's marriage. With a loving heart, she secretly sympathizes with the fate of her unique son: 'Oh! People build a wife to marry their son when the family is thriving, hoping to have children later - while I...'. Behind that hesitation lies so much misery, bitterness for not being able to fulfill the duties of a mother. The sorrow enveloped her mind, making her unable to hold back her tears: 'In the corner of her eyes, tears streamed down'. Kim Lân's delicate pen is like a slow-motion film reel touching the deepest moments in the poor mother's heart. The two lines of tears expressed the pain of a mother witnessing her son getting married in the harsh reality of famine and an uncertain, bleak future.

Analysis of the emotional developments of Grandma Tứ when Tràng brings the scavenging wife home

Faced with such a situation full of contradictions, absurdity, the mother couldn't hide her worry: 'Knowing that they can barely support each other through this famine...'. She felt sorry, pitied her son and then pitied the 'scavenging wife' as well. That is also the noble expression of human compassion. The inner monologues are filled with warm human emotions, like waves surging in a mother's heart, expressing the poignant vibrations of a generous heart: 'If they had faced such hardships, they wouldn't have married, and my son wouldn't have a wife... Well, as a mother, I couldn't take care of my child...'.

With empathy, appreciation, the mother accepted the new daughter-in-law with a 'joyful heart'. The poor mother suppressed her tears and worries inside to comfort her children: 'Is there a lamp? Yes, light it up a bit for brightness... Oil is so expensive now...'. The worry about tomorrow has become a private concern that cannot be shared. Through this, we can see the benevolence of a mother's heart. Love transcends the boundaries of hunger, poverty: 'even if they could barely make a few meals, it's enough, but our family is poor... to get married at this time is too pitiful...'. Faced with the terrible devastation of famine, the mother could only advise Tràng and his wife to protect, love each other to overcome it together. In the midst of hunger, hardship, we can still see the joy, hope of Grandma Tứ for a brighter tomorrow: 'Then if heaven allows it to be better... who's rich, who's poor, it's all destiny...'. The words rang out like a simple encouragement, containing faith and optimism.

It seems like faith has transformed into joy. In the morning after Tràng got married, she was happy doing 'repair and decoration work in the garden'. The mother's mood became lighter, brighter than usual, 'her chubby, gloomy face suddenly lit up'.

On the first morning welcoming the new daughter-in-law, she woke up very early, she 'neatened up, swept the house, cleared the weeds in the garden'. In the 'terrible famine breakfast' with only watery porridge and bitter 'scavenging tea', she still tried to create a warm, cheerful atmosphere to encourage her children. The mother tried to spread the flame of hope through stories about the future. Even on the brink of death, she still thought of the light of tomorrow, of life.

With all the nurturing and appreciation, Kim Lân successfully constructed the image of Grandma Tứ - the poor mother with noble qualities, the embodiment of love, compassion, infinite maternal love. That old mother has created the bright light of faith, optimism in the story.

4. Analyzing the character of Grandma Tứ in the story Scavenging Wife, model number 4 (Standard)

Kim Lân stands as one of the prominent authors who write about farmers. His stories are always simple, straightforward, much like his own demeanor. 'Scavenging Wife' is a work set in the famine years of 1945, containing deep compassion for the lives of the impoverished clinging to each other amidst a scene of death. Shining amidst that backdrop of hunger is the love shared among these people. The image of Grandma Tứ - the elderly, impoverished mother with her complex emotions and feelings upon witnessing her only son 'pick up a wife' - leaves a profound impression on readers.

The main character in the work 'Scavenging Wife' is a young man named Tràng, living in a makeshift neighborhood. Amidst the famine, he earns a living by pulling hired rice carts, and one day, he encounters a destitute woman sitting by the roadside 'waiting to pick up scattered grains'. She jokingly helps him push the rice cart, and the second time he meets her, she is so hungry that she has become 'skinny' and he invites her to eat rice cake. With just four bowls of rice cake, she accepts his offer to go home with him and become his wife.

It can be said that the situation in the story that Kim Lân has constructed is extremely unique, 'one of a kind' in Vietnamese literature. Through this, we suddenly feel sorry for the fragile, pitiful nature of humans in famine, but above all, we are deeply moved by the strong affection, mutual support of the impoverished amidst hunger. In the warm picture of human compassion, we also encounter the image of an old mother with a heart full of love for her child, boundless compassion, that is Grandma Tứ.

Grandma Tứ - Tràng's mother appears only through a few brief introductions by the author. She is an old, impoverished woman, a resident of the makeshift neighborhood. Her gait is 'clumsy', slow, and she 'mumbles something while walking'. She appears as a woman full of weariness and hardship. She has a son, but she never thought of finding a wife for him because their house is too poor, too hungry, who would be willing to marry into a 'desolate, crumbling house', not even enough to eat? Yet, amidst the most severe famine, Tràng brings home a 'wife', a woman Tràng 'picked up' while working. At a time when she could barely worry about herself like this, how would Grandma Tứ react to her son's marriage? Would she accept this 'unwed' daughter-in-law, or would she blame her son for 'carrying a burden', 'bringing back a life's debt'?

Top-notch Essays Analyzing Grandma Tứ's Emotions in The Scavenging Wife

Upon seeing her son 'greet her' from outside the alley, the first reaction of the old lady is surprise. A sense of 'bewilderment' rises within her, as she cannot understand why her son is behaving differently today! And her surprise peaks when she looks inside the house and spots another woman standing 'right at the foot of her son's bed' and 'greeting her with a nod'. The old lady 'stands frozen', her perplexity seems to make her old eyes 'blur', she 'eagerly' tries to 'gaze closely' at the woman. The astonishment and bewilderment envelop the old impoverished woman, she is extremely surprised, not understanding anything until her son speaks up.

When her son explains everything, she suddenly 'bows her head in silence'. What is going on in that mother's mind? Kim Lân skillfully guides the emotions of that elderly mother, skillfully allowing readers to see the upheavals in that woman's heart. She bows her head in silence, but in her heart, she suddenly understands, 'the old lady understands now'. She understands that her son has already established himself, has acquired another companion, but, they are getting married amidst the most impoverished time of their lives, what will happen then?

Perhaps, that impoverished woman has shed tears many times in her life, yet this time, those tears are different. They are love, they are compassion for Tràng, 'from the corners of her eyes, along with the tears streaming down'. Those tears are 'both resentful and compassionate for her child's fate'. However, she also understands that their house is poor, Tràng is also unsightly, now that he has someone to be friends with, it's truly a happiness beyond measure! She feels both pity and joy for Tràng.

The more Grandma loves her child, the more she pities herself. She pities her own impoverished fate 'Oh my, when people arrange marriages for their children, it's a time of prosperity in the family, hoping to have grandchildren in the future. As for me...' The silence in her thoughts is a lamentation for her own plight. Her entire life has been difficult, yet she couldn't do anything for her children, feeling guilty for not being able to arrange marriages for them. Now, when her child has a wife, she feels both happy and pitiful 'You guys getting married now, it's so touching!'

Loving her child, loving herself, then 'gazing at the woman', she suddenly feels compassion for this woman. That impoverished woman has to come to 'this difficult, hungry phase, only then would people arrange marriages for their children.' She empathizes with Thị, sympathizes with her involuntary situation, her heart 'full of pity' for the woman in front of her. And she also feels compassion for Tràng's awkward happiness.

That's it, but readers can clearly see the heart of that old mother. It's the heart of a woman who loves her children wholeheartedly and loves others who share her fate. Grandma Tứ not only sympathizes but also understands the sorrows of that poor woman, understands to accept Thị as her daughter-in-law. After all, she feels happy, feels blessed because her ugly child now has a companion, she opens her heart to the new daughter-in-law 'since you guys have a fate together, I'm also happy'. And she hopes 'even if they can only afford a few meals, that's enough' to celebrate the new daughter-in-law in the family, but now, amidst this hunger, she only hopes 'you guys can reconcile, that's what matters'. That's the heart of a mother, the heart of a woman rich in compassion!

However, accompanying the joy of having a new daughter-in-law is also a worry, a deep compassion. Because Tràng and Thị came together amidst the situation 'where people died like flies', the living were 'as pale as ghosts'. They came together in happiness, but also in 'bearing the debts of life'. Since knowing they were getting married, Grandma Tứ has been tearfully wondering 'Knowing they can barely feed themselves through this famine?'. The famine of those years, which turned what seemed like wonderful joy into sighs, mixed with the darkness of death, the cries of starvation: 'the old lady thinks of her long, miserable life. Will their lives be better than their parents' before?'

The emotional journey of Grandma Tứ upon learning that Tràng 'picked up' a wife is truly complex. It fluctuates in every moment, from surprise, confusion, to compassion, from happiness to endless worry. Yet, we can still see the heart of a mother loving her child, the empathy, the understanding of a woman who has experienced with another stranger woman, and the appreciation of the new daughter-in-law within the family. Having a new daughter-in-law in this situation means sharing food, sharing life, yet Grandma Tứ gladly accepts it. Grandma Tứ is indeed a woman rich in sacrifice and compassion!

The mood of Grandma Tứ not only had fluctuations that evening but also the next morning when Thị became her daughter-in-law. If in the past, Grandma's face was 'bulky, gloomy', then today, that face is 'light, bright unlike usual', 'radiant'. Perhaps a new hope of life has sprouted in the heart of that old woman? A sense of relief, happiness, a belief filled with the future ahead?

In the meal to welcome the new daughter-in-law, there was only 'a pile of chopped banana flower, and a plate of salt to eat with porridge', yet the three-person family 'ate very happily'. The dismal celebration meal, yet in the heart of each person, it was overflowing with new joys, overflowing with a belief in life. Grandma Tứ, who usually had a gloomy face, now becomes different. She recounted 'only happy stories, only joyful stories about the future'. It's the optimistic, life-loving heart of an old mother wanting to pass on to her children a belief in a new, happier, warmer life.

Grandma Tứ is a character that appears very little in the work, yet leaves us with deep impressions. Through each emotional change of hers, we can see the heart of an old mother in hunger and thirst who still loves her children, always imparting to them an optimistic outlook on life, a belief in life. And we also see the image of a poor rural woman, rich in compassion, ready to share her meager 'source of life' with others in the most famine-stricken period of her life.

Kim Lân has brilliantly portrayed the emotional evolution of Grandma Tứ. Each phase of her complex psychological journey is depicted with utmost authenticity and logic. It seems as if the author has immersed himself into the character to deeply feel the innermost tremors of that mother's heart!

'The Wife Picker' is an outstanding realistic work that reflects the fate and precious humaneness of the farmers before the August Revolution. The horrendous famine had drained the life out of people, but somewhere within individuals like Grandma Tứ, Tràng, the wife picker, still lies the hidden beauty worth cherishing, the beauty of love, of resilience.

5. Analyzing the character's emotions of Grandma Tứ in the story The Wife Picker, standard 5

As a short story writer, Kim Lân's writings always focus on rural life with its optimistic, life-loving portrayal of poverty and scarcity, and the short story 'The Wife Picker' is one of such works. 'The Wife Picker' successfully portrays unique character images so that readers can fully grasp life, the fate of people in that famine, and Grandma Tứ is one of the characters who leaves a profound impression on readers.

Though Grandma Tứ doesn't appear much in the story compared to Tràng or the wife picker, she still leaves a lasting impression on readers. Kim Lân vividly portrays Grandma Tứ's appearance as impoverished, worn-out, and full of unique details and images. She embodies a 'gaunt figure,' 'mumbling to herself as she walks,' and 'calculating as she goes.'

However, perhaps it's in Grandma Tứ's character that people are most impressed, especially in her emotional turmoil, the mixed feelings of joy and sadness before the event of Tràng—her son—getting a wife. Upon returning home and seeing Tràng with his wife, a myriad of questions floods Grandma Tứ's mind in utter surprise: 'Why is there a woman in my house like this? What woman stands by my son's bed like this? Why is she greeting me with a curt nod?' Perhaps Grandma Tứ doesn't understand, not because she doesn't comprehend but because she's bewildered, incredulous that her son would have a wife during such dreadful times of famine. And then, she understands, and she understands much more.

Analyzing the character of Grandma Tứ in Kim Lân's short story The Wife Picker

She believed that Tràng had a wife, and no one else but that woman was her daughter-in-law, leading to a surge of pity and compassion within the mother. It's a mix of resentment, pity for her son, for Thị, and for herself: 'Oh, people set up wives for their sons when they're well off, hoping to have sons and daughters in the future. But me...' Then the old lady cried, she cried for her son, for worrying about him, and for not fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother, but perhaps those tears were also tears of joy, of happiness when her son had a wife. Through Grandma Tứ's intertwining emotions of joy and sorrow, readers not only sense her love for her son but also recognize her as a compassionate person, one who welcomed the new daughter-in-law with open arms: 'Well, if you two are fated to be together, I'm happy.' Thus, in Grandma Tứ's character with its various emotions, we see not only a mother rich in love for her child but also someone rich in compassion, caring for those in similar circumstances.

Upon seeing Tràng with his new wife at home, Grandma Tứ experienced a mix of sadness and happiness. However, the next morning, with the new daughter-in-law in Tràng's house, Grandma Tứ was filled with immense joy. If in previous days, Grandma Tứ's face was full of hardship, now it radiated with happiness, appearing 'lighter, brighter than usual.' Her face exuded sheer joy, excitement, and happiness. During that early morning meal, despite its simplicity, Grandma Tứ spoke only of 'joyful, happy tales' about the future. These stories, along with her joy and hope, illuminated Tràng and his wife's hearts with optimism and zest for a brighter future. This also showcases the beauty of Grandma Tứ's soul—amidst adversity, one can still cherish life and believe in a brighter tomorrow.

In summary, with a unique portrayal of character psychology and natural language, writer Kim Lân successfully crafted the character of Grandma Tứ in the short story 'The Wife Picker'—a mother rich in love for her child, a woman rich in compassion, ready to love and care for those in similar circumstances.

6. Analysis of the emotional development of Grandma Tứ in the story The Wife Picker, model 6:

Before and after the August Revolution, although he didn't write much, Kim Lân always produced excellent works. As a sturdy short story writer, he depicted rural life and people with the sentiment and soul of a true writer who was born of the fields. In the context of the famine in 1945, Kim Lân wrote the short story 'The Wife Picker.' The work is an outstanding contribution to the national prose literature. With a simple plot but unique and captivating situations, 'The Wife Picker' addresses a significant issue with profound realism and humanity; the kind-hearted Vietnamese people, in the face of the terrible famine caused by colonialism and fascism, sheltered and cared for each other, hoping and looking forward to the liberating power of the revolution. The deep impression left on readers by the work is perhaps the precious heart of Tràng's mother and also the truly precious heart of the writer towards the impoverished laborers.

Tràng has a wife in an unusual situation. He didn't marry her conventionally but 'picked her up' on the street, driven by a compassionate heart. Seeing the woman starving, he willingly shared his meager food. Witnessing her determination, despite fearing for the future, he couldn't refuse. Tràng brought his wife home with a mix of worry, confusion, and newfound happiness.

The second character in the story, Grandma Tứ, Tràng's mother, although not extensively mentioned, evokes deep empathy through vivid descriptions and genuine psychological portrayal. Like Tràng, the impoverished, elderly mother living in a makeshift shelter is a kind-hearted woman.

Upon returning home and seeing a stranger, Grandma Tứ was 'stunned' with disbelief. She couldn't fathom her son marrying under these circumstances. But upon understanding the situation, she bowed her head in silence, feeling sorrow for her child's fate and her own. She agonized over their ability to survive this famine. Then, feeling miserable and too poor to present the couple to neighbors, she shed 'streams of tears,' deeply pitied. In Nam Cao's short story 'A Wedding,' life was harsh (the bride was brought in at night to hide her tattered clothes, and the wedding provided the parents with a decent meal). In this tale, the suffering is multiplied. The family's first meal, instead of a wedding feast, is a 'rice husk porridge.'

Guidance on analyzing the character development of Grandma Tứ to achieve high scores.

Bringing a stranger woman home as a wife in such circumstances, what did Mother think? Tràng worried a lot. When he knew his mother agreed beforehand, 'Tràng let out a sigh of relief, his chest lightening'. Because that mother had the right to disagree, the right to scold Tràng. But out of love, she also loved her daughter-in-law. She understood that whoever agreed to marry her son was commendable. For the elderly, in a strict feudal society, not everyone could easily recognize that. She 'thought of her long, arduous life' then looked at her daughter-in-law, also struggling like herself, 'full of pity'. In the awkward atmosphere, she had a gentle attitude, caring compassionately.

She spoke to ease the bride's embarrassment: 'Sit down here, sit down here to relieve your feet'. She paid attention to her daughter-in-law's privacy: 'When you're home, take a break and find a little straw to knit a basket for yourself.'

Her mother's heart was truly precious. Not worrying about finding a wife for her son, now that he had one, she was happy and felt responsible for her. She tried to suppress her sadness, worry, encouraging her son to believe in life and the future through her care. She and the new daughter-in-law cleaned and tidied up the house together, encouraging each other with stories, bright future plans: 'When we have money, we'll buy a pair of chickens...look around, they're easy to come by, we'll have chickens to watch.' Before her child's simple happiness, her life seemed to change too, she was 'lighter, brighter than usual, her chubby face glowing'. From that tolerant attitude, simple happiness, but her heart had reached everyone. Grandma Tứ's character has brought a broad general meaning: in any era, any situation, the mood of poor mothers is truly pitiful, they understand, love, and worry for their children but due to poverty they have to endure bitterness, regret.

With a simple plot but intricately crafted character development, Kim Lân's short story 'The Wife Picker' has addressed profound humanitarian issues. Laborers, no matter how dire the situation, still crave happiness, and they find it when they help each other. How touching it is, under the compassionate gaze of the writer, those impoverished people have been able to find happiness, however small, in life.

Kim Lân's 'The Wife Picker' serves as a natural continuation of the realistic critiques seen in works by Nam Cao and Tô Hoài before the August Revolution. Life's scene remains dark, suffocating, yet Kim Lân's characters have found belief and hope in life. And surely life will change, the final image of the work with 'the red flag fluttering' illustrates that belief.

Kim Lân is an outstanding short story writer. He writes very well about the 'carefree rural life'. 'Fit for Each Other' and 'The Ugly Dog' are two famous collections of short stories by the writer. 'The Wife Picker' - a unique short story extracted from the collection 'The Ugly Dog' published in 1962. The story is imbued with humanitarian spirit reflecting the impoverished, arduous life and the desire for family happiness of Vietnamese farmers during the colonial period. The setting of the story is the severe famine of 1945. The writer tells the story of Tràng, who 'picks up' a wife when the entire village of refugees is starving. Among the three characters in the story, the image of Grandma Tứ - Tràng's mother leaves a deep impression on the reader.

Grandma Tứ's life is truly pitiful: old age, poverty, widowed, gentle and silent... She first appeared in the pale twilight, when her son brought a stranger woman home. A thatched house 'stood awkwardly on the overgrown lawn, with weeds sprouting everywhere'. Behind the torn mat were 'pots, pans, clothes strewn messily all over the bed and floor'. The old mother, poor and desolate, was no different from a shadow 'slinking into the alley'. Grandma was surprised when she suddenly saw a strange woman standing at the head of her son's bed. She 'stood still', even more surprised. She wondered to herself: 'Why did she greet me with u? Not Đục's [nickname] for sure. Who is this?'. Her eyes widened, feeling her eyes 'blurring', ... then she 'hesitantly' stepped into the house. Another greeting, the old lady 'wondered' as she sat on the bed, her heart full of confusion! After hearing Tràng introduce the strange guest, Grandma Tứ felt both happy and worried, then pitied herself. Her heart was stirred with countless emotions. A lifetime of suffering, loss, bitterness, she felt sorry, feeling herself a mother but not fulfilling her duty to her child. She cried. A bitter, poignant mood: 'The heart of that poor old mother... both resentful and compassionate towards her child's fate'. Grandma Tứ thought of her circumstances, adding to her sadness. The sounds of lamentation, sighs flowed through the tears. Pity for her child, pity for her own fate, the long years of hardship with so much sorrow. She pitied herself for enduring a bitter life: 'Alas! People arrange marriages for their children, hoping for grandchildren in the future. But me...'

7. Analyzing the mood of Grandma Tứ in the story 'The Wife Picker', model number 7:

The essay Analyzing the Development of Grandma Tứ's Character has a structured outline.

Famine looms. Grandma worries: 'Can they even support each other through this famine!'. Widowed, impoverished, lonely. Her husband passed away, her daughter also deceased. She lives with her son, who is crude and simple-minded, 'small eyes, protruding jaw', and mutters nonsensically while walking. Grandma grows older each day, yet Tràng remains single. There's a saying: 'You rely on your parents when you're young, on your children when you're old'. The older mother feels increasingly sad and worried. Despite her discomfort with her fate, she immediately thinks of her family's fortune: 'Only when one encounters difficulty and hunger like this, will they marry off their children, and only then can their children have wives'. Happiness comes to old age too great and sudden! Joy surges within the heart of the poor old mother. She happily welcomes her new daughter-in-law. Her gestures are gentle, affectionate. She calls the stranger woman 'child' and affectionately says, 'Yes! Well, since you two are destined for each other, I'm also delighted'. She looks at her daughter-in-law with compassion. Beyond all customs, she joyfully celebrates that her son now has a wife. She is overjoyed at her son's happiness. Joyful yet melancholic, tears flow profusely.

Filial love profound! The old mother's heart towards her son and daughter-in-law is vast. She lowers her voice affectionately, advising and comforting: 'as long as you two reconcile, I'll be delighted. This year's famine is severe. You two getting married now, I'm overwhelmed with pity...''.

Kim Lân is very astute in depicting the complexities of Grandma Tứ's psyche. The scene of the old mother welcoming the new daughter-in-law, simple and poignant. The emotions of the old mother are sometimes surprised, sometimes worried, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. Despite her feelings about poverty, her heart still holds some hope for her son's life: 'then if providence smiles upon you... who knows, my child, some families are rich for three generations, others are poor for three lifetimes. Whether you prosper or not, your children in the future will...'

Welcoming the new daughter-in-law after Tràng's 'mini wedding' was a highly skilled, richly compassionate portrayal. On the worn plate serving as a tray were a dish of salt, a bunch of sliced banana blossoms, and a pot of rice porridge. Each person got two bowls of watery porridge. Yet Grandma Tứ was very happy. Throughout the meal, she talked about nothing but joy, all happiness. She referred to the rice porridge as 'bitter-sweet soup', then praised its taste, a little proud, comforting and encouraging her son and daughter-in-law: 'This rice porridge! Delicious, try it. Our neighborhood doesn't even have rice porridge to eat!'

Utilizing the external setting, the event to showcase the character's emotions is also a success for Kim Lân in depicting Grandma Tứ's mood as her new life unfolds. Fresh scenes, changes inside and outside the house: 'two washbasins full of water, piles of garbage scattered along the path have been cleaned up. Several torn clothes, like bird nests, are still piled up in a corner, have been taken out to dry...' The house, the yard, are cleaned up, bright. Grandma Tứ and her daughter-in-law 'mow the grass...'. Her life, her son's, her family's begin to change. The faint crying of houses with newly deceased relatives from hunger. Grandma Tứ's tears flowed again, but 'dare not let her daughter-in-law see her cry'. Against that dark background is the image of the red flag and the crowd breaking into the Japanese rice store. Amidst anxiety is a fleeting, blurry happiness. Famine has not been overcome, but the prosperous, generous old mother, a support for Tràng and his wife... to affirm the belief: 'Some families are rich for three generations, others are poor for three lifetimes...'

Happiness in hand. The son has a wife. Grandma Tứ worries about starving to death but is still happy and hopeful. There's a meaningful detail. Perhaps for the first time in the house, the poor mother has two kerosene lamps lit, the darkness gradually dissipating. It is the light of happiness, the light of hope.

In the poem 'Thirty Years of Our Party Life' by Tố Hữu: