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Assignment: Analyzing the Humanitarian Value in the Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter
Sample essay: Analyzing the Humanitarian Value in the Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter
Essay:
The spirit of humanitarianism has become the essence of many literary works, expressed in various shades and forms. In medieval literature, one expression of this humanitarian spirit is the compassionate heart towards the fragile fate and many misfortunes of women. In the work 'The Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter' by Nguyễn Dữ, this content is manifested through the author's profound appreciation for the simple yet noble beauty of women, as well as empathy towards the hardships they endure in life.
Vietnamese women have long been praised for their gentle beauty, modesty, and magnanimous souls. The woman depicted in 'The Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter' is no exception. She is Vũ Nương, graceful in appearance and full of self-respect.
She possesses a renowned 'good reputation,' known far and wide. So much so that Trương Sinh - a person from a wealthy family - had to request his mother for a hundred taels of gold to bring her home as his wife. Not only that, she is also a gracious and gentle woman, a kind wife, a dutiful daughter-in-law, and a loving mother.
In the daily husband-wife relationship, knowing her husband's 'suspicious nature, Vũ Nương took care not to provoke him excessively.' She 'maintained decorum, never letting discord arise between them.' When they were separated, Vũ Nương only thought about her husband's safety, 'As you embark on this journey, I dare not hope for noble titles or luxurious garments upon your return to our humble village. I only wish for peaceful days upon your return. That will be enough.' [...] Watching the moonlight over the familiar scenery, adjusting the warm clothes, sending off the distant traveler, gazing at the desolate fields, her heart aches, feeling compassion for all living beings! Even with a thousand letters, she fears there will be no carrier pigeons.' Thus, she never thought of wealth and luxury, only of loyalty to her husband. Away from her husband, Vũ Nương remains faithful, her heart always yearning for him: 'Days turn into months, half a year has passed, whenever I see butterflies fluttering in the garden, clouds covering the mountains, the sorrow in the distant horizon cannot be contained.'
Upon Trương Sinh's return, he unfairly accuses Vũ Nương; using cruel and mocking words towards her. Yet even then, Vũ Nương speaks with righteousness, earnestly expressing her sorrow and desires for a happy family life.
In her relationship with her mother-in-law, she wholeheartedly cares for her when she falls ill: 'She spares no effort in administering medicine, offering prayers, and wisely counseling her.' When her mother-in-law passes away, deeply loving and concerned, ensuring everything is handled properly: 'She is filled with compassion, handling funeral arrangements and rituals, as if it were for her own parents.' Her devotion moves her mother-in-law so deeply that in her last moments, she blesses her daughter-in-law. Through Vũ Nương's sincere and profound attitude towards her mother-in-law, readers understand her genuine and profound affection for her.
With her children, Vũ Nương has devotedly nurtured, cared for, loved, and pampered them (to the extent that one of her innocent actions became the reason for her suicide...).
Moreover, as an individual in society, Vũ Nương also exhibits a touching sense of self-respect. Misunderstood by her husband, unfairly accused, though still longing for worldly happiness, Vũ Nương chose death to prove her purity. This action demonstrates self-respect, a consciousness of maintaining honor and virtue in this admirable woman.
In praising the beauty of 'Nam Xương's Daughter,' Nguyễn Dữ contributes to the general admiration for the compassionate women of medieval literature. Alongside Vũ Nương by Nguyễn Dữ, we can also mention sisters Thúy Kiều and Thúy Vân by Nguyễn Du, female martyrs in the poetry of Đặng Trần Côn and Đoàn Thị Điểm,...
However, in the feudal society during its decline, beauty often accompanies unhappiness and unforeseeable disasters: 'Talent is often paired with disaster in a rhyme.' At that time, literature raised a sympathetic voice for those whose destinies were 'buried by the wind and waves' with no place to turn.
Nguyễn Dữ's Vũ Nương also endured many misfortunes.
Firstly, she had an arranged marriage. With her inherent beauty, she should have been able to choose a virtuous and suitable husband. Unfortunately, fate only allotted her Trương Sinh. He was uneducated but wealthy, a 'son of a wealthy family' who 'asked his mother for a hundred taels of gold' to marry her. This virtuous woman had no right to choose a suitable husband for herself. Her marriage was paved with gold and silver, akin to a transaction, full of commercialism.
Upon arrival at her husband's home, Vũ Nương had to be extremely cautious around Trương Sinh, who was highly suspicious: 'being overly cautious with his wife.' However, happiness should be nurtured by both husband and wife. After years of longing for her husband's return, the price Vũ Nương paid was truly bitter.
When her husband went off to war, night after night, to ease her child's sadness and her own longing, Vũ Nương would cast her shadow on the wall and claim it was his father. But her goodwill was misunderstood. Hearing the child talk about his absent father every night, Trương Sinh's inherent suspicion led him to misunderstand Vũ Nương's loyalty. He hastily believed the child without considering right or wrong: 'Your nature is jealous, hearing the child say so, you're convinced your wife is unfaithful, suspicion deepens by the day, nothing can resolve it.' Then hastily, tyrannically, without listening to his wife's explanations, treating Vũ Nương poorly: 'only using trivial matters to scold her, and driving her away.'
Unable to resolve the injustice (because Trương Sinh did not clearly explain the reason for his anger), Vũ Nương's life became hopeless: if she lived, she would carry the shameful label of opposing her husband. Therefore, despite still yearning for worldly happiness, she accepted death, sinking herself into the Hoàng Giang River.
The insignificant fate of women under the feudal regime is such that they have no control over their lives, always passive, enduring injustices and bitterness. Vũ Nương's unfortunate fate evokes the storms that have passed through the lives of many characters in medieval literature, such as Đạm Tiên, Thúy Kiều, Tiểu Thanh, palace maids, and female martyrs.
But if it stopped there, Nguyễn Dữ's work wouldn't advance beyond folklore. Nguyễn Dữ deeply pondered the fate of the virtuous woman in his work. Trusting and loving the character, the author allowed her to enter the ethereal realm of Linh Phi. There, although not surrounded by family and loved ones, it remained a place where beautiful souls were cherished. Vũ Nương returns to the mortal world amidst the dazzling illusion of candlelight, in the magical water surface.
'The Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter' by Nguyễn Dữ has contributed a voice of compassion and humanity, demanding the right to live and enjoy happiness for Vietnamese women under the crumbling feudal regime. The humanitarian inspiration in the work has enabled 'The Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter' to traverse the tumultuous history of the nation.
>> Check out another exemplary essay analyzing the humanitarian value in the work 'The Tale of Nam Xương's Daughter' here.
