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Prompt: Exploring the characteristics of fantasy fairy tales through the lens of Tấm Cám
Unraveling the enchanting traits of fantasy fairy tales through the narrative of Tấm Cám
Assignment:
Vietnamese folktales always hold a tremendous allure for any generation of Vietnamese people. The magnetism of these tales lies not only in the plot but also in the genre's distinctive features. These characteristics are evident in the selection of characters, the subplots, the ideas the creators want to convey, and the magical elements—the most prominent feature of fairy tales. These traits are vividly manifested in the familiar fairy tale of Tam Cam.
Fairy tales open up before the reader a sparkling, warm space full of wonder and attraction. It can be said that the distinctive features of this genre have brought about a peculiar charm, from the characters to the thoughts of the story, to the magical elements. Speaking of the characteristics of fairy tales, firstly, we can immediately observe in this genre the choice of the central characters of the story. The central characters in this genre are often poor but virtuous laborers who have suffered a lot from the beginning. However, after enduring continuous hardships and challenges, they ultimately change their lives and live a happy, fulfilled life. It can be seen that every fairy tale has a main character with such characteristics.
Comparing it to the fairy tale of Tam Cam, we see that the central character of the story is Tam. She is a gentle, virtuous, diligent, and very humane girl. However, Tam's life is full of thorns as her mother passed away early, and her father remarried. Facing the hostility of her stepmother, Tam had to endure many injustices caused by her. Not only did she have to work hard, but Tam also had to endure the mistreatment of her stepmother and stepsister. When she went to pick water chestnuts with Cam, Tam was deceived and lost her basket full of chestnuts, and her red silk dress was stolen. Then, when Tam befriended a fish, Cam's mother heartlessly killed Tam's only friend. Moreover, Tam was the target of envy when she tried on the glass shoes and became the queen of the king. However, Tam only resisted weakly by crying and did not retaliate against anything against Cam's mother. All these things show how gentle and virtuous Tam is when she is repeatedly treated as a miserable person. And when she becomes the queen, her happy journey is also hindered by Cam and her mother, who repeatedly tried to harm her. However, no matter how many difficulties and how many times she was harmed, Tam still rose strong in her journey to find happiness. And in the end, she returned to her husband and lived a happy, fulfilling life. It is a happy ending, in line with the wishes of the ancient working people, and also in line with the moral principles that our ancestors taught us: 'Goodness begets goodness.' The characters in fairy tales, no matter how much pain and oppression they endure, ultimately enjoy a fulfilling life. That is also the aspiration of the ancient working people.
Characteristic number two that one can readily discern when reading fairy tales is the conveyed ideology. The prevailing ideas often revolve around optimism, zest for life, resilience, and a firm belief in justice, where good triumphs over evil. This ideology is vividly expressed in the fairy tale of Tam Cam.
Tam is an orphaned girl who has endured many hardships while living with her stepmother and stepsister. However, she never lets herself despair. In her, one always sees a strong vitality, an optimistic and life-loving spirit. Furthermore, Tam demonstrates a clear belief in justice and goodness. Even when she is persecuted and has to go through numerous deaths and rebirths, she ultimately enjoys happiness, while those who harmed her face the most painful retribution. This belief in justice is what the working people want to express. They always believe that living virtuously will surely lead to the expected fortune, happiness, and a fulfilling life. On the contrary, those who are wicked, cunning, and harm them will undoubtedly receive the most painful consequences.
The third characteristic, also the most prominent feature of these fairy tales, is the element of fantasy and magic. Every fairy tale we read contains this element. It is the most important and distinctive feature of the fairy tale genre. The inclusion of magical elements helps the story flow seamlessly, resolving conflicts and contradictions within the narrative.
Comparing it to Tam Cam, we see that this magical element is present throughout the story, from Tam's impoverished girlhood to her becoming a queen. In the initial stage, when Tam was a normal orphaned girl frequently bullied by her stepmother and stepsister, the embodiment of this magical element was Mr. But. Mr. But is considered a fairy godfather who regularly helps the kind and virtuous in the Vietnamese folklore tradition. He represents the embodiment of the magical element that assists Tam in her most difficult times. For example, when Tam was deceived by Cam and lost her basket of water chestnuts and her red silk dress, But magically provided Tam with a fish as a companion. When the fish was harmed, hearing Tam's cries, But appeared again, instructing Tam to bury the fish's bones in four jars under the four bedposts so they would transform into beautiful clothes and shoes for her to wear to the festival. It can be said that But is the embodiment of the magical element that helps Tam in her most challenging moments.
In the second phase, as Tam ascended to the throne, the embodiment of the magical element shifted from Mr. But to Tam's own transformations. This occurred when she fell from a tree and, upon death, turned into a golden bird. The golden bird was killed, and she transformed into a pine tree, then a bamboo frame, a persimmon, and finally reverted to her true form. The magical element did not aid Tam in resisting her enemies but facilitated her reincarnations, enduring numerous cycles of life and death. This magical transformation is the clearest evidence of the indestructibility of goodness, accurately reflecting the viewpoint and aspirations of the ancient people.
The magical element in Tam Cam has guided the plot to its climax and helped resolve conflicts and contradictions within it. It is an indispensable and vital part of the fairy tale because without it, the story would take a different direction with different developments, and the conflicts within might remain unresolved. Simultaneously, this fantastical element has enabled people to realize their dreams and aspirations, dreams that are challenging to achieve in reality. It can be said that this element is an essential characteristic of magical fairy tales.
In summary, a fairy tale is constructed by a distinctive plot and essential features, including central characters, reflective ideologies, and most importantly, the magical element. Through Tam Cam, we clearly see these features expressed in every detail of the story, from the central character Tam—a kind and humane orphan girl whose ideology reflects the triumph of goodness over evil—to the magical element, a divine force that assists characters and resolves conflicts.
It can be said that Tam Cam vividly illustrates the characteristics of a fairy tale, especially the magical element. Through this, we perceive the enduring ideologies and beliefs of the ancient working people in the vitality of goodness. These elements contribute significantly to creating a mystical, colorful, and captivating space that appeals to everyone.
