Exploring Thach Lam's Compassion through the Short Story 'Two Children'

Thach Lam's Compassion in the Short Story 'Two Children'

Sample essay on Thach Lam's Compassion in the short story 'Two Children'

Writing Assignment

1. Thach Lam (1910 - 1942) stands as the most talented writer in the Self-Reliance Literary Group. His series of short stories bear the imprint of a compassionate heart, like the early season breeze, soaked in empathy for the unfortunate fates, lives immersed in darkness. Faintly in his stories, there is the shadow of memories engraved deep in Thach Lam's childhood. 'Two Children,' a work saturated with humanity, serves as a quintessential evidence of a compassionate heart.

2. Some have remarked that each of Thach Lam's short stories is like a lyrical poem. The Lưu Thế, a close friend, commented: 'The truth of the soul that Thach Lam portrays in his complex literary language is always profound, humane, and with a touch of silent tears of love.' The affection for people in 'Two Children' forms in the impoverished district full of darkness, with lives struggling, such as Tý's mother and children, phở Siêu's aunt, and uncle Xẩm's family. But the characters he reserves the most 'silent tears of love' for are likely the two sisters Liên and An. For Thach Lam, these two children represent a piece of impoverished life in Cẩm Giàng district (Hải Dương). The world of the district unfolds through the innocent perspective containing mysterious dreams. More than anyone, Thach Lam understands the emotions of children without a carefree childhood, how painful it is, as he himself experienced. Everything the writer brings in this plotless story: the melancholy atmosphere of the district, time fading into the night, the living moments of Liên and An waiting for the last train to cross the district... carries the message of a sincere heart: never forget lives in the darkness! And he is the one who awakens the magical light sources for each reader to deeply experience the simple and profound beauty of human beings.

3. Thach Lam is more aware than anyone of the true role of a genuine writer, as stated in the preface of the 'Early Season Wind': 'Literature is not a way to bring the reader escape or forgetfulness. On the contrary, literature is a powerful and noble medium that we have to accuse and change a false and cruel world; making the human heart cleaner and richer.' This belief is expressed on every page, every emotion in 'Two Children,' creating the top quality in Thach Lam's literature, allowing readers to live in the world of compassion. That heart helped him create an atmosphere full of human emotions, deeply exploring the unique beauty of people and expressing the aspiring feelings of humanity. Readers have the opportunity to permeate the ordinary aspects very subtly that we often overlook in a story interwoven with realistic and sentimental elements, with impressions and indelible feelings about life and people in the district.

4. That is life vividly portrayed by the author, capturing the most distinct impressions of a bygone era. The space is constructed through memories, prompting deeper reflections on human life in circumstances full of the haunting darkness covering existence. Each detail of the district stirs up countless human sentiments. From a slow, ponderous, scattered pace, starting with the 'autumn drum not on the small district's hut, every beat echoing to call the evening,' a lingering sense of sadness gradually increases along with the sound of 'croaking frogs' to 'the buzzing of mosquitoes.' The quietness doesn't bring a soothing feeling, but what follows are images seen through the eyes of the girl Liên, eyes filled with darkness. 'The hour of sunset' also reveals lives withering away.

5. Those lives faintly appear in the bustling market scene: 'The market gathering in the middle of the vanishing street has been there for a long time. People leave, and the noise disappears,' 'a few poor children from the outskirts of the market bend down on the ground, exploring. They pick up pieces of bamboo, pieces of wood, or anything usable left by the vendors.' These simple sketches enhance the typical realism of the district. These details not only demonstrate the writer's keen observational skills but also give specific meaning to the sensitivity of a soul that does not overlook any ordinary expression of life, sparking associations about the fate of human beings. Then, he directs the reader's attention to specific fates: Tý's mother and children searching for crabs and catching shrimp during the day, delivering water at night, every evening, following a regular cycle 'from dusk until night,' an old lady Thy half mad and half awake appearing but unforgettable, a phở vendor Siêu with a small and golden flame shining in the night, a family of uncle Xẩm... these people vividly paint the nightly life of the district, blending with the stall of the sisters Liên and An.

6. That life is immersed in darkness, gloom, and melancholy. Light is gradually overshadowed. Thach Lam has crafted the district scene using the contrasting technique of light and darkness, a familiar method of romanticism. However, the writer's rich evocative language brings practical significance to the work. Light and Darkness are not symbolic abstractions in Thach Lam's literature but concrete manifestations in each scene, each life, hiding subtle conflicts in seemingly calm life. Writing about darkness, but in reality, the writer aims to lead the reader towards light. He uses light to illuminate the mysteries of the human soul. Impressions of darkness, light associated with the perception of a beloved older sister - the silhouette of the author himself, guide the reader to explore the hidden corners of the rich and profound human soul. Through this, the writer also expresses complete sympathy and love for the small human being.