Analyzing the excerpt of 'Sisters Thuy Kieu'

Prompt: Analyze the 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' excerpt

Top 4 exemplary essays analyzing Sisters Thuy Kieu

I. Outline of Analyzing the 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' Excerpt
 

1. Introduction

- Brief overview of the story of Kieu.

- Introduction to the 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' excerpt.
 

2. Body

a. Excerpt Position:

b. Identity and Common Beauty of the Two Sisters Thuy Kieu: (First Four Verses)
- Born into a noble family, Kieu is the elder sister, Van is the younger.
- 'Majestic bone, snowy spirit': Exuding noble beauty akin to plum blossoms, with a spirit as pure and clear as snow.

c. Beauty of Thuy Van “Van considers...skin tone”: 
- Dignified demeanor, noble and graceful.
- Round face resembling the moon, dark, thick eyebrows, blossoming.
- Laughter as bright as blooming flowers, voice gentle, clear, warm as precious gems => Elegant, gentle.
- Hair like clouds, reflecting the beauty of a gentle, loyal, pure-hearted girl, snow-white skin, immaculate beauty without worldly dust.
=> Nguyen Du used symbolic imagery such as moon, flower, gem, cloud, snow to evoke the beauty of a girl with noble beauty, not overly sophisticated, but endearing and pleasant, suggesting to the reader, as well as predicting a calm and warm life for Van.

d. Beauty of Thuy Kieu: “Her autumn-like eyes...one chapter”: Beauty combining talent and appearance.

* Physical beauty:
- “Her autumn-like eyes”: Beautiful eyes, as clear as autumn water, romantic, but also an expression of a complex, flirtatious, fateful person.
- “Spring mountain-like brows”: Willow-shaped eyebrows embellish the face, adding a touch of sophistication like spring mountain ridges, yet implying a life full of obstacles.
- “Her lips outshine the tham flowers”: Only her lips are as red as lipstick, making flowers ashamed, sometimes also understood as the excessively radiant beauty of Kieu, making even flowers feel ashamed, angry (referring to the beauty of Dương Quý Phi).
“The willow’s envy pales”: Graceful figure, ethereal beauty making willows, known for their softness, jealous.
=> “A tilt of the head, a tilt of the kingdom/Beauty demands a talent, talent demands two”, implying that Kieu's beauty is perhaps no different from the ancient beauties like Tây Thi, Điêu Thuyền, with rosy cheeks, water-like charm, leaning water, leaning kingdom is indeed true.

* Beauty of mind and talent:
- Skilled in poetry, music theory.
- Proficient in playing the zither.
- Able to compose music, yet the sorrowful tune of “Silver Fate” by her reflects her emotional complexity, while also predicting an unhappy life of a beautiful but unfortunate woman.

e. Final four verses: The lifestyle of Sisters Thuy Kieu

- Prosperous, peaceful life.
- The two sisters have reached marriageable age but remain pure and innocent, unaware of love, maintaining the noble family tradition.

3. Conclusion

Express personal thoughts on the excerpt.

II. Sample Essay Analyzing the 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' Excerpt
 

1. Analysis of Sisters Thuy Kieu, Model 1 (Standard):

Nguyen Du's 'The Tale of Kieu' is not only an immortal masterpiece of medieval literature but also of Vietnamese literature. With profound ideological values, reflecting, condemning the injustice, cruelty of the feudal regime and the unfortunate fate of women. It also embodies humanitarian thoughts, deep sympathy for human fate, especially for women under the old regime. It can be said that although a product of the feudal system, through 'The Tale of Kieu', we can recognize Nguyen Du's thoughts and insights that transcend his era by hundreds of years, leaving a monumental work that deeply influences Vietnamese culture. 'The Tale of Kieu' serves as a great source of inspiration, a starting point for various cultural forms such as fortune-telling about Kieu, copying Kieu, playing Kieu, painting Kieu, singing Kieu, etc., even becoming a subject for various forms of artistic expression such as theater, music, painting, ... Moreover, 'The Tale of Kieu' is also a rare work of Vietnamese literature translated and published in over 20 countries. The success of 'The Tale of Kieu' stems not only from its realistic and humanitarian content but also from its artistic values, showcasing Nguyen Du's exceptional literary talent. This includes the seamless use of the nation's hexameter verse, the art of depicting emotions, scenery, and people through symbolic imagery, flexibility, evoking more than describing,... The excerpt 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' is one of the passages that demonstrates the remarkable talent of using symbolic imagery to describe the beauty of Nguyen Du's characters.

Thuy Kieu, the protagonist of the work, comes from a prestigious family, adorned with beauty, 'smoothly draped with curtains', the excerpt 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' is located in the 'Encounter and Engagement' section of the work, introducing the context of the Kieu family and the fateful love between her and Kim Trong. 

The opening lines of the excerpt 'The hearts of two girls share the same affection/Thuy Kieu is the elder sister, Thuy Van the younger' introduce the identities of the two sisters as the two eldest daughters of the Vương family, with Thuy Kieu being the eldest and Thuy Van the second. Their most common beauty is succinctly captured by Nguyen Du in the phrase 'Mai tree root, snow spirit', epitomizing the author's poetic style of depiction. 'Tree root' refers to the character, personality of the two girls, likened to a mai flower - one of the Four Gentlemen, symbolizing noble beauty, prosperity, and perseverance in life. Using snow, delicate yet pure, to represent 'spirit' suggests the portrayal of the pure, innocent souls of Kieu and Van, young girls just stepping into adulthood, untouched by the world's complexities. Despite sharing common beauty traits, Kieu and Van each possess their unique beauty in appearance, demeanor, and soul, as indicated by Nguyen Du in the line 'Each person has their own beauty, complete in tenfold' signifying the difficulty in distinguishing the allure of the two sisters, even though Kieu, as the main character, may stand out more. To emphasize Thuy Kieu's beauty, Nguyen Du was astute and clever in choosing to describe her younger sister, Thuy Van, first. This is akin to the fashion industry's practice of featuring the star model as the final catwalk, making a prominent impression compared to the opening models. The passage describing Thuy Van, concise in four verses, is as follows:

'Van exudes elegance beyond compare/Moon-like face, with features so fair/Smile as bright as flowers, voice soft as pearl hair/Cloud-like tresses, skin as pale as snow rare'

In general, Thuy Van's beauty conforms to the standards of feudal society, representing the appearance of those blessed with fortune, leading a peaceful, gentle life. Perhaps Van's fate is tied to becoming a noblewoman; hence Nguyen Du describes her demeanor with the phrase 'elegance beyond compare', signifying sophistication and elegance that not every girl possesses. 'Moon-like face, with features so fair' may not be today's preferred facial type, but in traditional aesthetic standards, a round face like Thuy Van's signifies good fortune. The idealized image of 'moon' symbolizes purity, gentleness, and elegance of the girl. Besides her round, fortunate face, Thuy Van is fortunate to have 'features so fair' - clearly defined, well-spaced eyebrows, reflecting beauty and fortune on her face, indicating that Van is a person of etiquette, generosity, and gentleness in life. Regarding her smile and voice, Nguyen Du bestows upon her phrases of delicacy and elegance, 'Smile as bright as flowers, voice soft as pearl hair'. Van's smile is as radiant as blossoming flowers, exuding joy, brightness, and gentleness. Her voice is clear, both melodious and warm like pearls, hence, it's often said that beautiful girls have beautiful voices, a statement perfectly fitting Thuy Van. Summing it up with her smile and voice, Nguyen Du gives Van the phrase 'graceful', which is truly fitting. Thuy Van's beauty is further described in the line 'Cloud-like tresses, skin as pale as snow rare', her hair resembling clouds, long, dark, and flowing, from which we can infer somewhat about her character even though Nguyen Du does not mention it. It symbolizes the gentle, calm nature of a girl, devoted to love and loyalty. As for 'skin as pale as snow', perhaps there's no need for debate; using snow to describe skin color, white as snow, is exquisite beauty comparable to nature's creation, a blessing for Van. In conclusion, through the four verses describing Thuy Van's beauty, Nguyen Du uses the technique of symbolic imagery, depicting her as a girl of noble beauty, not overly sophisticated, yet endearing and admirable, suggesting to the reader, as well as predicting a calm and warm life for Van.

In contrast to Thuy Van, when describing Thuy Kieu, Nguyen Du uses eight verses to express her beauty, indicating that Kieu's beauty is rare and exquisite, as compared to Thuy Van, who is already beautiful but only requires four verses for a concise summary. Thuy Kieu's exceptional beauty can be clearly seen through Nguyen Du's phrase 'Kieu's elegance is saltier and sweeter/In beauty she surpasses all others'.

'Autumn's water-like gaze, spring's mountain-like grace/Flowers envy her blush, willows resent her verdant hue/A tilt here, a tilt there, water tilts, city tilts/Her beauty demands one talent, while her charm warrants two/Inherent intelligence bestowed by the heavens/Blending poetry and painting, with a scent of lyrical charm/Among musicians, she's a quintessential virtuoso/Her skill surpasses even the mastery of a chapter in the Book of Songs'

Compared to Thuy Van, Nguyen Du seems to employ a more extensive use of symbolic imagery when describing Thuy Kieu. While with Van, the author explicitly outlines the beauty of each body part, then likens it to nature, with Thuy Kieu, Nguyen Du merely hints, using dotted strokes for readers to envision Thuy Kieu's portrait themselves. 'Autumn's water-like gaze' refers to her eyes, clear as autumn water, with gentle ripples, describing eyes with a watery hue, evoking an ethereal, delicate, and immensely romantic beauty. Yet it also suggests that those with such eyes are often melancholic, sensitive, and destined for fleeting romances. Similarly, 'spring's mountain-like grace' alludes to her eyebrows, beautiful as spring mountains, invoking images of willow-like, slender, arched brows, bringing a spring-like beauty to the entire face, a rare beauty expressing a gentle, soft character. However, why did Nguyen Du choose to liken Kieu's eyebrows to mountainous scenery instead of other objects is something to ponder. It may be interpreted as another metaphor for Kieu's life, full of ups and downs like mountains, sometimes rising, sometimes falling, seldom experiencing peaceful days. That's about her eyes; to describe Kieu's beauty further, Nguyen Du writes, 'Flowers envy her blush, willows resent her verdant hue', although not analyzed in depth, from the surface of the text, it's apparent that Thuy Kieu is a woman of striking, captivating beauty, starkly different from the refined, delicate beauty of her sister Thuy Van. Compared to 'Autumn's water-like gaze, spring's mountain-like grace', this verse is even more ambiguous, unclear about which aspect of Thuy Kieu's beauty Nguyen Du intends to allude to. However, from the word 'blush', it's likely that the author wants to describe Kieu's lips, as red as vermilion, to the extent that even flowers envy them for not being as vibrant. Another interpretation could be that 'blush' here refers to the celestial beauty, exquisite and enchanting, of Thuy Kieu that no flower can rival. This interpretation brings to mind one of the Four Beauties of ancient China, Yang Guifei, with her celestial beauty so extraordinary that even flowers feel ashamed. The phrase 'willows resent her verdant hue' is particularly vivid in Nguyen Du's poetic depiction, everyone knows that willows are renowned for their soft, gentle nature, however, when compared to Kieu, they resent being 'less green'. Here, green signifies vitality, resilience, and also suggests a lithe, supple figure, gracefully surpassing the willow's elegance without being inferior. Thus, compared to Thuy Van, Thuy Kieu's beauty is also portrayed through her delicate, fragile figure, perhaps a deeper thought would allow us to imagine her exquisite figure. Though not as clearly delineated as Thuy Van, Nguyen Du dedicates two verses to emphasize Kieu's beauty that 'A tilt here, a tilt there, water tilts, city tilts/Her beauty demands one talent, while her charm warrants two', indicating that Kieu's beauty is perhaps no different from the legendary beauties of ancient times, captivating both the landscape and the hearts of men. Indeed, Kieu even led a man like Tu Hai to forsake his homeland, ultimately leading to an irreversible fate.'

Especially, Thuy Kieu's outstanding beauty is not only in her appearance but also in her talents, suggesting that although Nguyen Du may have had progressive thoughts, he was still deeply influenced by Confucianism, believing that women need not excel too much to be happy, exemplified by Thuy Van, while conversely, women who are both beautiful and talented often face unfortunate destinies. Thus, Nguyen Du constructed the image of Kieu as not only possessing exquisite beauty but also being exceptionally talented in poetry, song, and painting. She is a woman of intelligence, mastering ten subjects with ease, especially with the zither, where she displays unparalleled skill. 'Among musicians, she's a quintessential virtuoso/Her skill surpasses even the mastery of a chapter in the Book of Songs', she can compose music, creating beautiful melodies, yet perhaps as a portent of her tragic fate, from mastering the zither - an instrument commonly found in the secular world, her compositions mainly consist of melancholy, sorrowful notes. Even Kieu herself wrote a piece called 'Destiny', full of sorrow and heaviness, somewhat reflecting the tumultuous life of a peerless beauty.'

'Elegance in vibrant red attire/Spring's verdant embrace almost reaches the week of unveiling/Tranquil beauty drapes the curtains/Around the eastern wall, bees and butterflies flit away, leaving her alone'

The final verses circle back to depict the living conditions of the two sisters, both born into wealthy families, leading what could be considered a lavish, 'high-spirited' life, surrounded by luxury. Kieu and Van are approaching the age of marriage, nearing the time for them to leave the family home. Before the storms arrive, the sisters 'tranquil beauty drapes the curtains', life flows peacefully, joyously. Though mature, both sisters remain very pure, innocent, untouched by romantic entanglements, preserving the family's reputation.

The excerpt 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' showcases Nguyen Du's masterful talent in depicting characters through symbolic imagery, hinting and sketching with dotted strokes, allowing readers to uncover the characters' portraits themselves. It also reflects Nguyen Du's humane ideology, highly valuing and delicately appreciating the beauty of the Thuy Kieu sisters. Particularly in the character of Kieu, he not only explores her rare beauty but also portrays her through her inner beauty, talent, intelligence, and character, highlighting the complete picture of a talented and virtuous young woman despite her unfortunate fate.

Analysis of the 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' excerpt, model 2:

In ancient poetry depicting noblewomen, the excerpt 'Sisters Thuy Kieu' from 'The Tale of Kieu' by the great poet Nguyen Du is a masterpiece. Twenty-four verses in lục bát form have depicted the beauty, talent, and virtues of the two sisters Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van.

With the magical pen of a literary genius, Nguyen Du has painted the portraits of two exceptional noblewomen:

In the forefront, two maidens stand,
Thuy Kieu elder, Thuy Van hand in hand.

Van is the younger, Kieu the elder. Both sisters, Van and Kieu (the eldest daughters of the Vương family), are exquisite maidens - beauties to behold. Their beauty is like the elegance of plum blossoms, the purity of snow:

Plum in character, snow in spirit,
Each unique, complete in merit.

Through the art of metaphor and allegory, Nguyen Du has evoked a harmonious and flawless beauty both in form and soul. The beauty of the two maidens is exquisite, each perfect in her own way. Nguyen Du has drawn from the most beautiful aspects of nature to describe the two sisters. Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van both possess ideal beauty, adhering to convention yet transcending it.

After introducing the two sisters through poetic verses, Nguyen Du's pen takes a more specific direction in portraying the elegance of Thuy Van:

Grace in Van shines distinct and grand,

The two words 'grace shines' in this verse reveal the majestic and dignified beauty of Van. Her beauty is compared to the lofty and beautiful things in the world:

The moon-shaped face brims with elegance,
Smiling lips akin to precious pearls,
Clouds yield to her hair, snow surrenders to her complexion.

Van's portrait is described in thorough detail, from her face, eyebrows, skin, hair to her smile and voice. Van possesses a full, gracious face akin to the moon, with sharp eyebrows like a lord's, lips bright as flowers, a voice as clear as jade, and hair as billowy as clouds. Her skin is fairer than snow, her beauty comparable to the purity of heavenly treasures. Radiating a refined, gentle, and dignified beauty, Van surpasses the splendor of nature yet exudes harmony and tranquility: clouds yield, snow surrenders. With such beauty, Van is destined for a serene, smooth life and a calm demeanor. Through this portrait, Nguyen Du conveys messages about the future, life's journey, thus Thuy Van's portrait carries a character of destiny.

Describing Van meticulously and specifically, Nguyen Du only sketches Kieu with broad strokes as he does not wish to be an inept painter:

Kieu is more sophisticated and captivating,
Her talent and beauty surpass the rest.

Kieu's beauty is contrasted with Van's refined and dignified beauty to highlight Kieu's superiority in both talent and intelligence, evident in her captivating charm. Without describing her face, voice, laughter, skin, and hair like Thuy Van, Nguyen Du ingeniously chooses Kieu's eyes for description, as eyes are windows to the soul, revealing the brilliance of her soul and intellect.

The autumn water, the spring mountain,

The verse describing the eyes evokes a picturesque scene of mountains and water, exquisite and beautiful. That painting has autumn water - the water of autumn, with the spring mountain - the form of a spring mountain. Just as Kieu's face has bright, sparkling eyes, with delicate eyebrows that make:

Envious flowers vie with willows' envy.

Kieu's beauty transcends nature itself, making flowers envious and willows jealous. Nature no longer simply yields but frowns in frustration, unable to compete with such splendor. If Van's beauty embodies purity, Kieu's is the essence of landscapes, boundless spaces, and endless time. Such beauty tilts rivers and topples kingdoms.

One, two, rivers bend and kingdoms sway,

Best Analysis of Thuy Kieu Sisters

Nguyen Du skillfully portrays Kieu's incomparable beauty, revealing hidden qualities of talent and unique affection within her.

Skillfully blending the art of poetry with the essence of melodious singing,
She excels in both the realms of music and verse,
Her talent surpasses even the most skilled musicians.

Kieu possesses the talents of poetry, music, and painting, all mastered to perfection by the literary elite. Her expertise in music reaches unparalleled heights. Her instrument of choice, the 'ho cam' tree, renders any other artist's performance obsolete, becoming her unique craft. To vividly portray Kieu's talent, Nguyen Du employs a plethora of descriptive words: inherent talent, skillful blending, and aromatic essence. Not only is she a proficient singer and musician, but Kieu also composes music. Her creation, the 'Bac menh' melody, is a celestial gift. This melody captures the sentiments of a multi-faceted soul, imbued with sorrow and passion. Nguyen Du's depiction of Kieu's talent is a tribute to her exceptional soul. Kieu's talent surpasses all, embodying noble qualities of generosity, warmth, and compassion. Her beauty is the amalgamation of beauty, talent, and affection, reaching transcendental ideals. However, her beauty incites jealousy among flowers and resentment among willows, leading nature itself to envy her prowess and intellect. Her multifaceted soul, brimming with sorrow and emotion, naturally attracts the harshness of fate. It is because of Kieu's perfection and completeness that she struggles to find her place in feudal society. And her self-composed 'Bac menh' melody foretells a life of beauty and tragedy, an inevitable fate for Kieu. Like the portrait of Thuy Van, Kieu's portrait depicts a character intertwined with destiny.

Nguyen Du lavishly praises Van and Kieu, each with their own distinct beauty, but the author's pen delineates their differences. Van's beauty lies predominantly in her appearance, whereas Kieu's encompasses talent, beauty, and soul. This distinction creates a diverse beauty between the two young women, revealing their contrasting personalities and predicting different destinies awaiting the two heroines. The portraits of the sisters Thuy Van and Thuy Kieu demonstrate the artistry of Nguyen Du's exquisite pen.

Concluding the section with four lines of 'luc bat' poetry, describing the lavish lifestyle, the epitome of refinement, of the two sisters Kieu:

Extravagance flourishes in their crimson attire,
Spring arrives in anticipation of their elegance.

The two daughters of the Vuong family possess not only beauty, talent, and charm but also virtue. They lead lives of utmost extravagance, adorned in crimson attire. Both have reached the age of adorning their hair with hairpins, yet they continue to live amidst:

Calmly draping curtains invite serenity,
While bees and butterflies return to the bustling walls, indifferent to any observer.

These two verses provide shelter, enveloping the two sisters, two blossoms still in bud amidst the tranquil scene, never once emitting fragrance for anyone. Nguyen Du has unveiled the curtain, dispelling all obscurity from their lives of extravagance to elevate their virtue above all else.

With humanitarian inspiration and poetic talent, Nguyen Du painted portraits of Thuy Van and Thuy Kieu with the utmost beauty and grace. These poetic depictions of beauty exemplify the symbolic imagery and eloquent literary techniques of the national literary master Nguyen Du.

3. Analysis of the excerpt 'The Sisters Thuy Kieu,' model 3:

Some argue that 'The Tale of Kieu' is a masterpiece that has been widely transmitted for centuries and holds great appeal for readers. Indeed, with his talent and heart, Nguyen Du has created a timeless masterpiece. The excerpt 'The Sisters Thuy Kieu' exemplifies his skill in characterization and description.

This excerpt vividly portrays the two sisters Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van, not only that, but through these depictions, it also reveals the characters and destinies of the two sisters. Beginning with four introductory lines, it introduces the two sisters Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van:

At the forefront are the two graceful sisters,
Thuy Kieu as the elder, Thuy Van the younger,
Distinct in character, yet akin in spirit,
Each exuding perfection, tenfold.

The two sisters emerge, referred to by the author as 'graceful swans,' denoting a beautiful young woman in ancient times. Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van, two slender figures akin to plum blossoms, with hearts as pure as early season snow. Both sisters possess different yet equally flawless features, seemingly serving as the epitome of contemporary beauty.

After introducing the two beautiful and delicate young women, the literary master delves into portraying each character. In the excerpt, Thuy Van's beauty is described as mesmerizing:

Van appears ethereal and graceful,
Her face radiant as the full moon, features blooming gracefully.
Flowers marvel at her elegant demeanor,
Clouds envy her flowing hair, snow yields to her complexion.

Van possesses the graceful beauty of ancient maidens. Her face, round as the full moon, features sharp as a noble's, smiles as bright as flowers, skin as smooth as snow, hair flowing as softly as clouds. Through artistic metaphor and comparison, using natural imagery such as 'moon, noble, flowers, clouds, snow,' Van's beauty comes alive vividly with all its natural charm. Through the author's depiction, Van emerges as a demure, virtuous, graceful, and charming young woman. Particularly, her beauty harmonizes with nature: 'clouds envy, snow yields,' indicating nature's humble acceptance of her beauty. Gazing upon Thuy Van's beauty gives us a premonition of a future of peaceful and beautiful fate awaiting her.

If Thuy Van possesses noble and graceful beauty, then Thuy Kieu's beauty surpasses both in both beauty and talent, as described through 12 lines depicting Kieu and 4 lines portraying her portrait:

Kieu exudes a charming, captivating allure,
Her talent outweighs her beauty,
Her graceful demeanor reflects her spirit,
Flowers pale in comparison, willows envy her radiance.

In the old society, nature was often regarded as the standard of beauty. Humans were often compared to nature or depicted through idealized symbolic imagery. The author ingeniously describes Van first, using leverage to highlight Kieu's beauty. While Thuy Van possesses graceful and noble beauty, Thuy Kieu exudes a captivating charm, complete in both talent and beauty. Kieu's beauty is portrayed distinctly, creating a prominent focal point. Through her clear, gentle eyes, like autumnal waters, and sharp, fresh brows akin to spring mountains, a familiar idealized image combined with implicit comparison has portrayed the perfect beauty of Thuy Kieu. Her beauty causes 'flowers to pale, willows to envy.' 'Jealousy' and 'envy' are verbs expressing hatred, envy, which carry strong connotations, representing nature's jealousy towards Thuy Kieu's beauty, a beauty that tilts the waters and harbors hidden dangers. And behind nature's anger lies the revenge according to the laws of nature: 'the sky's blue accustomed to jealousy, the blush of cheeks triggers jealousy.'

While in Thuy Van, the author only stops at describing beauty, in Thuy Kieu, beauty and talent converge:

Beauty demands one, talent demands two.

The author praises Thuy Kieu as an exquisitely beautiful young woman, whose talent is so outstanding that there might not be anyone else in this world to rival:

Inherently intelligent, blessed by the heavens,
Blending the art of poetry with the essence of melodious singing,
Excelling in both realms of music and verse,
Her unique craft surpasses even the most skilled musicians.
Her compositions stand out among the finest.

The standard of excellence in the past converged: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all of which Thuy Kieu possessed, not only knowing but also achieving a level that commanded respect from others. Among them, she particularly excelled in 'music'. Her skillful playing resonated with the emotions of a young woman filled with sorrows and emotions, perhaps the music she composed in her youth was a prophecy of a turbulent future:

A prophecy of turbulence, yet more remarkable.

With all her talents and qualities, it is certain that, amidst the current peaceful life, a quiet preparation is underway for a stormy tempest. In ancient folklore, there is a saying: 'much talent brings envy from heaven and earth' or 'talent is closely related to trouble.'

Closing the excerpt, Nguyen Du once again portrays the serene life, day by day, of the two sisters Thuy Van and Thuy Kieu:

Living within the bounds of propriety, within the 'veil of serenity', the two sisters were approaching the age to seek husbands for themselves, but perhaps with the word 'while' in the final verse, it expressed the attitude of Kieu and Van, not entertaining thoughts of those outside.

With both his talent and heart, the great poet Nguyen Du vividly and sharply portrayed the two characters. With the traditional, delicate six-eight verse form, the structure and sequence express connotations. Parallel to that is the familiar figurative language (gentle as autumn water, fresh as spring, noble character like a pine, pure as snow, etc.), skillfully using rhetorical devices such as vivid personifications. Not only successful in portraying portraits but also through that, a premonition of the fate of the two sisters. Especially the portrait of Thuy Kieu is a portrait that embodies all aspects of fate: beauty, talent, sentiment, destiny.

Thus, behind the portrayal and the premonition of fate by Nguyen Du lies the poet's heart for the young women in the old society. That is the distinctive feature in the excerpt: 'sisters Thuy Kieu' - a typical excerpt for the extraordinary talent of portrait painting by the great poet.

As such, behind the depiction and premonition of fate by Nguyen Du lies the poet's heart for young women in the old society. This is the unique feature of the excerpt: 'the sisters Thuy Kieu' - a characteristic excerpt demonstrating the exceptional talent in portrait painting by the great poet.

4. Analysis of the excerpt about the sisters Thuy Kieu, model number 4:

Nguyen Du (1765 - 1820) hailed from Tien Dien - Nghi Xuan - Ha Tinh, was the national poet, and a cultural luminary of the world. One of his successful works in Nom script is 'The Tale of Kieu,' also known as 'Kim Van Kieu.' The tale not only delves into profound themes but also excels in artistic expression. Exemplifying his skill in character portrayal is the excerpt 'the sisters Thuy Kieu.' This excerpt elevates the appreciation of human beauty, especially women, through the depiction of the talent and grace of the sisters Thuy Kieu. It reflects Nguyen Du's profound inspiration for his characters.

The author's four lines of verse introduce the status and beauty of the sisters Thuy Kieu:

'In the hearts of the two sisters from noble lineage,
Thuy Kieu is the elder, Thuy Van the younger.
With noble character and pure spirit,
Each possesses her own unique charm to the fullest.'

By introducing the two 'fair maidens' concisely yet impressively, the author presents a complete and straightforward image. In the Vuong family, there are two firstborn daughters as beautiful as 'Hang Nga.' And the line 'With noble character and pure spirit,' through the use of symbolic imagery such as 'mai' and 'snow,' the author conjures before us the beauty of the two young women with slender figures, graceful like the elegant and noble mai flower, their souls as pure as snow. Both are perfect and flawless, 'each possessing her own unique charm,' truly reflecting the author's appreciative and reverent perspective.

Moving on to the next four lines of verse, the author evokes the beauty of Thuy Van.

'Van appears dignified and elegant,
Her face is full and radiant, her demeanor graceful.
Her smile is charming, her voice melodious and gentle,
Her hair surpasses clouds, her skin outshines snow.'

The first line, 'Van appears dignified and elegant,' succinctly summarizes the character's traits. The two words 'dignified and elegant' evoke the sophisticated and noble beauty of Thuy Van. Nguyen Du employs various elements of nature to create Thuy Van's portrait, including the moon, flowers, snow, pearls, and clouds. Through vivid and specific descriptions of facial features, eyebrows, hair, skin, smile, and voice, the author highlights the beauty of the subject. Specific language usage emphasizes the subject's beauty: 'full and radiant,' 'graceful,' 'charming,' 'melodious and gentle.' The use of figurative language such as metaphor, comparison, and personification serves to depict the noble and graceful beauty of the young woman. A Thuy Van with a face as full and gentle as the full moon, eyebrows sharp as a connoisseur's, a smile as bright as flowers, a voice as clear as pearls, hair softer than clouds, skin whiter than snow. Such beauty earns admiration from nature, as 'clouds yield' and 'snow yields.' The words 'yield' and 'outshine' express contentment without jealousy, foreshadowing a tranquil and peaceful life ahead for her.

Describing Thuy Van with four lines of poetry, Nguyen Du dedicated twelve lines of verse to Thuy Kieu. While Van's beauty is depicted as perfect, Kieu transcends that perfection. If Nguyen Du only mentioned beauty for Van, Kieu is beautiful in both appearance and talent, embodying the beauty of an extraordinary and clever woman.

'Kieu's beauty surpasses mere appearance,
Her talent outshines mere beauty.'

Here, Nguyen Du successfully leverages the art of comparison: Describing Van first to set the stage for Kieu's beauty. With just a line of poetry using words like 'more' and 'beyond,' the author vividly portrays Kieu's superior beauty. She excels not only in physical beauty but also in intelligence and charm.

'Her demeanor as gentle as running water, her appearance as fresh as spring,
Flowers pale in envy, willows wilt in jealousy.'

When portraying Thuy Kieu, the author still employs the art of metaphor through natural imagery like 'gentle as running water,' 'fresh as spring,' 'flowers pale in envy,' and 'willows wilt in jealousy.' However, Nguyen Du doesn't list many details like with Van but focuses only on the eyes. The picturesque image of 'gentle as running water' describes Kieu's beautiful eyes, clear as autumn water. 'Fresh as spring' evokes the delicate eyebrows on her youthful face. These eyes of Kieu are the windows to her soul, reflecting her intelligence and charm. Kieu's beauty makes people admire her to the point of being 'lost in admiration,' while nature envies and begrudges her.

Analyzing the Thuy Kieu sisters reveals the talent in character building of the great poet Nguyen Du.

Beauty aside, what about Kieu's talent and character? The author spends one part describing her beauty and two parts discussing her talent. This is Nguyen Du's artistic device. He wants to emphasize that there's no way to describe Kieu's beauty adequately. While Kieu's beauty is unmatched, her talent might have a rival in the world:

'Beauty demands a unique, talent seeks a secondary place.'

Kieu possesses innate intelligence, a talent bestowed by the heavens. Her talents reach a level of perfection according to aesthetic ideals, encompassing 'music, chess, literature, and painting.'

'Intelligence is a divine gift,
Blending poetry with painting's fragrance.
Her musical skills surpass the lute's charm,
Her expertise eclipses the Guqin's mastery.'

Her musical talent, in particular, shines brightest - it's her forte. Her melodies are so enchanting that they can outshine any skilled artist in the world. Kieu not only excels at playing the instrument but also composing music. She can compose a piece titled 'Silver Destiny' about her own fate. Every time she plays this melody, it evokes melancholy in people's hearts, bringing tears to their eyes. The 'Silver Destiny' melody captures the sentiments of a heart filled with sorrow and emotion.

Thus, Kieu's beauty combines both beauty, talent, and emotion, a beauty that transcends boundaries, arousing envy and jealousy from creation itself.

'Envious flowers pale in comparison to her grace, willow trees envy her verdant elegance.'

Through portraying the portrait of Thuy Kieu, the author predicts a fate of hardship and sorrow, a future of turmoil awaits her. Despite the differing fortunes foreseen for Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van, both their virtues are worthy of admiration, as reflected in the final four lines:

'With refined elegance, she awaits the spring's arrival,
As nature's tranquility veils impending turmoil.
Amidst the bustling spring, bees and butterflies flutter,
Indifferent to the observer's gaze.'

Though reaching the age of maturity, the 'twin beauties' lead disciplined, virtuous lives; the glamorous lives of these young women lack no genuine love.

Thus, with the two stanzas in the excerpt 'sisters Thuy Kieu' is one of the exemplary passages of artistic depiction. Through the techniques of symbolism, leverage, and figurative language such as comparison, personification, and metaphor, the author has portrayed the portraits of the two young women with all their beauty, talent, sentiment, and destiny. Behind the portrait of the Thuy Kieu sisters is the author's appreciative spirit - an expression of humanism in The Tale of Kieu, through which we further appreciate the beauty of the individual, especially women.

5. Analysis of sisters Thuy Kieu, model 5:

Nguyen Du is a national literary giant, a world cultural figure. To this day, his 'Tale of Kieu' is still considered a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature written in Nôm script. In it, Nguyen Du demonstrates masterful talent in many aspects, especially in character construction. Most portraits are vividly described, full of life. This can be seen clearly through the excerpt 'Sisters Thuy Kieu.'

In the first four verses, the poet does not describe but introduces the shared position and comprehensive beauty of the two ladies:

'Firstborn, two celestial nymphs,
Thuy Kieu as elder, Thuy Van as younger,
Mai core grace, snowflake spirit,
Each with her own charm, tenfold perfection'

'Ả' is the term used by the people of Nghe land for elder sisters, young ladies. Meanwhile, 'tố nga' is an idealized portrayal of the beauty of young women, radiant and fresh. Alongside the idealization of 'tố nga' are symbolic representations of 'mai core grace' and 'snowflake spirit,' evoking slender figures and noble characters like the mai flower. 'Snowflake spirit' represents purity, as white as snow. Nguyen Du has also introduced their positions, with Thuy Kieu as the elder and Thuy Van as the younger, each with their beauty and dignity, 'Each with her own charm, tenfold perfection.'

Moving on to the detailed description of the portraits of Kieu and Van. Nguyen Du described the portrait of Thuy Van first:

'Van exudes a different solemnity,
Moon-shaped face brimming with elegance,
Smiling flowers, pearls in speech,
Clouds surpassing water, hair yielding to snow-like skin'

'Elegance' is a term from Sino-Vietnamese referring to the beauty of demeanor; 'graceful' evokes the beauty of character, lifestyle. Thuy Van carries herself with sophistication, elegance, and refined manners, exemplary of a well-bred, cultured, dignified lady—attributes often seen in the aristocratic households. Her face is round, full, shining like the full moon. Her eyebrows are delicately arched, soft and glossy. Her smile is charming, radiant like a flower. Her voice is melodious, words as beautiful as pearls, as precious as jade. Her hair is silky smooth like clouds. Her skin is fair, smooth, smoother than snow...

With Thuy Van, readers perceive a gentle, gracious beauty. Though few can compare, her beauty remains within the realms of the earth and sky, serene, harmonious with nature:

'Clouds surpass water, hair yields to snow-like skin'

Faced with the beauty of Thuy Van, nature 'yields,' 'surrenders,' without contest. Does this beauty perhaps foretell a smooth, calm life without storms? The author skillfully employs idealization, symbolism, personification, contributing to the vivid, authentic portrayal of Thuy Van's portrait

Nguyen Du portrays Thuy Kieu's beauty with a unique artistic metaphor:

'The more sophisticated Kieu's beauty,
The more superior it is to mere appearance'

Thus, by describing Thuy Van first, her pure and gentle beauty, the author sets the stage to highlight the more vibrant, sophisticated beauty of Kieu. Moreover, Kieu is not only beautiful but also an exceptionally talented lady.

'The autumn's waterline, the spring's mountain features,
Flowers envious, willows resentful, inferior to her green'

Using imagery from nature alongside artistic metaphor, the poet creates a general impression of the beauty of an exceptional woman. When depicting Kieu's beauty, the writer emphasizes the eyes because they represent both physical beauty and the sophistication of the soul and intellect. While Thuy Van's beauty is 'surpassed' by nature, with the extraordinary beauty of Thuy Kieu, nature becomes 'envious' and 'resentful'. With this description, Nguyen Du foreshadows the future challenges and uncertainties in Kieu's life.

Thuy Kieu is also a woman of 'beauty and talent in every respect'. She not only possesses outstanding beauty in appearance and intelligence but also is a highly talented individual, a true prodigy: 'Beauty demands one, talent demands two':

'Inherently intelligent from the heavens
Mixing poetry and painting, fragrance of melodic tunes
Playing the zither, surpassing a chapter of the hồ cầm'

Thuy Kieu is proficient in all: music, chess, literature, and painting. Among them, her skill in playing the zither is outstanding. Kieu's talent reaches the ideal level according to the aesthetic standards of contemporary feudal society. In just four lines, Nguyen Du reveals Kieu's excellence and artistic talent. 'The zither of destiny' composed by Thuy Kieu reflects the heart of a deeply sorrowful and emotional person. Kieu's beauty is the harmonious combination of appearance, talent, and sentiment. The last four lines are Nguyen Du's observation on the 'serene and luxurious' life of the two sisters. It is a life of extreme luxury, even at the age of 'cap ke' - the age of hairpins and hair ties, they still live under the care of their family.