Composing the Old Story in the Trịnh Lord's Palace

Composing the Old Story in the Trịnh Lord's Palace page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 volume 1
 

COMPOSING THE OLD STORY IN THE TRỊNH LORD'S PALACE (SHORT 1)

Structure:
- Part 1 (from the beginning ... that is an extraordinary sign): the excessively extravagant lifestyle of the lord.
- Part 2 (the rest): The corruption of the officials.

Reading comprehension:
Question 1 (page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 Volume 1):
- The excessively extravagant lifestyle of Lord Trịnh and his close officials is described:
+ Building continuous fortresses and the extravagant feasting habits of the lord.
+ The inner court plays lavish tricks, wasting money on buying and selling, decorating with music everywhere.
- The author's language is objective, without the need for too much expression; the recounted events are enough to expose the essence of society, enough for readers to understand the author's attitude.
- The conclusion '...the discerning reader knows that this is an extraordinary sign' predicts a disaster that will occur when society is in chaos like this.

Question 2 (page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 Volume 1):
- The officials disturb the people by stealing and making a fuss. The people are robbed twice, or they have to destroy their own precious belongings.
- The significance of the last paragraph: It is evidence that helps enhance the persuasiveness of the recorded details and reveals the author's critical and condemning attitude.

Question 3 (page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 Volume 1):
The difference between a story and an essay:
- Story: has a specific plot, can be real or imaginary, builds characters with appearance, personality, psychology...
- Essay: spontaneous notes, sometimes narrates real events, not following any specific plot.

PRACTICE
Question 1 (page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 Volume 1): Based on the article...
The reality of our country during the late 13th century under the reign of King Lê - Lord Trịnh was a period of a decadent feudal regime. The king and officials enjoyed a luxurious life, plundering the wealth of the people, neglecting the economy, and ignoring the country's affairs. The people's lives were chaotic, impoverished, and extremely difficult.

 

Preview and review recent lessons to study Grade 10 Literature better

- Compose the summary of the autobiographical text
- Compose Hoàng Lê's unifying chronicle
- Compose the Scene of Spring

COMPOSING THE OLD STORY IN THE TRỊNH LORD'S PALACE (SHORT 2)

Structure:
- Part 1: From the beginning... an extraordinary sign: The extravagant and luxurious life of Thịnh Vương (Trịnh Sâm)
- Part 2: The rest: The officials taking advantage, robbing the property of the people

Summary:
Around the year Giáp Ngọ, there was Lord Trịnh Sâm who enjoyed playing with lights, often staying in various palaces. He built continuous fortresses. To do that, the inner court officials wore women's clothes, disguised to sell some items to earn money. Sometimes they had musicians sit on the bell tower of Trấn Quốc Pagoda and play a few tunes. Whenever they found exotic animals, the Lord collected them all. The officials, seeing this, borrowed trouble to threaten the people. Whenever they saw a wealthy house with beautiful plants or objects, they accused them of offenses, and people had to beg desperately for mercy. The author also planted a beautiful flowering pear tree and two pomegranate trees, but had to cut them down for that reason.

Composing:
Question 1 (page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 Volume 1):
- The excessively extravagant lifestyle of Lord Trịnh and officials:
+ Enjoyed playing with lights, staying in various palaces.
+ Built continuous fortresses.
+ Wherever the boat went, there were buying and selling activities.
+ Exotic animals, ancient stones, and beautiful potted plants, the Lord collected them without missing anything.
+ The palace was adorned with paintings of mountains and rivers.
+ Birds chirping, gibbons singing echoed in all directions.
- The author's language records the truth, what the author saw.
- The author concludes with 'the discerning reader knows that this is an extraordinary sign,' implying criticism of extravagant and indulgent habits, on the sweat of Trịnh Lord's effort. Thus, a warning of an inevitable collapse of the dynasty.

Question 2 (page 63 Literature textbook for grade 9 Volume 1):
The officials disturb the people through
- Checking which houses have potted plants, good songbirds, then writing the two words 'phụng thủ' (offense and tribute) - At night, sending soldiers to confiscate and then accusing the owners of hiding valuable items to extort money.
- Any large rocks or trees must be destroyed immediately.