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Prompt: Analyzing the emotions of sisters Liên staying up at night to catch sight of the passing train through the rural town
Essay:
Thạch Lam, the author, always directs his pen towards the tough life, the deadlock of the poor people in the countryside with profound sympathy. The short story 'Two Children' vividly demonstrates this style of the writer. Particularly, the emotional state of Liên sisters staying up at night to watch the passing train through the rural town has shown Thạch Lam's profound humanitarian thoughts.
'Two Children' revolves around the emotions of the character Liên. Initially, Liên perceives the scene of the countryside in the twilight, then at nightfall, and finally the emotions of both Liên and An staying up at night to catch sight of the passing train through the rural town. Both sisters initially say they stay up to sell goods, but in reality Liên 'doesn't expect anyone to come buy anymore'. Both sisters wish to see the night train - the final activity of the late night - passing by. An lays her head on Liên's thigh, about to fall asleep, reminding Liên 'when the train comes, wake me up'. Liên waits for the train while 'sitting still'. Both sisters eagerly await the train as it brings a new source of light to their dreary, impoverished lives.
When the night train appears with the slightest signals: 'pale blue flames, close to the ground like wandering ghosts', Liên manages to wake An up. Although the train has not arrived yet, the distant light dispels the darkness in the countryside, bringing a fresh, exciting feeling to the two sisters. An wakes up, rubbing her eyes awake, both sisters stand up to watch the train pass by: 'the noisy murmurs of passengers', 'the brightly lit carriages, casting light down onto the road'. It seems like Liên and An are extremely happy to see the train, but mingled with that joy is a slight sadness, a bit of disappointment because today the train is not crowded, sparsely populated, and seems dimmer. Their joy becomes incomplete, not genuine happiness but rather happiness derived from external factors.
As the train passes by, both sisters feel regretful and dream of Hanoi: 'Hanoi far away, Hanoi bright, cheerful and bustling. The train seems to have brought another world through'. Remembering the past in Hanoi, dreaming of a brighter future amidst the current darkness and sadness, that is Liên's emotion at this moment. The train becomes a symbol of longing for a bright, bustling future. Although that future is unclear, it still reflects Thạch Lam's understanding, appreciation for humanity. Even in the dreary life, his characters never stop dreaming. Briefly touching upon a sense of regret, ringing the bell of people's living aspirations louder than ever. When will human life stop being weary, when will it become more meaningful?
It can be said that by depicting the emotions of the two sisters Liên staying up to catch sight of the passing train through the rural town, readers perceive Thạch Lam's lofty humanitarian ideals. The writer expresses compassion for the lives in the rural town but never forgets to cherish their simple beauty, empathizing with their distant dreams and aspirations. Therefore, Thạch Lam's short stories always leave a profound impact on readers.
