Exploring the Masterpieces of Writer Thach Lam

Short story Two Little Ones stands out as one of Thach Lam's most successful works. This literary piece is included in high school textbooks. With a gentle and emotionally resonant writing style, the story reads like a poem about life.

In this vivid portrayal, life's fragments and the unfortunate pieces of existence emerge like scattered bright spots, fragile and the dreams of a brighter society and life. The author vividly depicts the dreams and aspirations of these little children, the tiny individuals at the bottom of society, yearning for a brighter tomorrow.

Part of the collection 'Sunshine in the Garden' by Thach Lam, this short story unfolds the tale of two children, Sơn and Lan, who, amidst the chilly winds of winter, witness the plight of Hiên – a child without warm clothing. Touched by compassion, they selflessly share a hidden cotton jacket with Hiên's mother. Upon learning of this, Sơn and Lan's mother praises their actions and bestows warm gifts to Hiên's family for the cold winter.

The story carries profound humanistic significance. The cold wind does not chill the hearts of people. Children like Sơn and Lan serve as shining examples of empathy and sharing. Thạch Lam beautifully conveys this message, akin to a gentle and deeply resonant romantic poem.

This is a profoundly humanistic short story, exploring the fragile boundary between good and evil, akin to a strand of hair easily broken at any moment without purpose and determination.

The narrative unfolds around two close friends. In a moment of vulnerability, one friend notices the other's wallet and contemplates stealing it due to dire circumstances. He envisions scenarios and schemes to avoid wrongdoing, but upon regaining composure, he realizes the wrongfulness of his intentions and decides against becoming the villain.

A poetic short story, these pages unfold the breath of everyday life, immersed in emotions. Putting oneself in the shoes of the main character, Thach Lam senses the hardships and material scarcity of the street vendor. Her life flows amidst worries, bearing the burdens of street vending for her younger sibling, mother, and husband.

Thạch Lam's finesse and sensitivity lie in his ability to infiltrate the alleyways of the human soul, listening to the deep echoes within, fostering understanding and empathy for diverse fates. Without genuine sincerity and abundant love, could Thach Lam portray these life fragments with such authenticity and vividness?

Another exceptional short story by the writer Thach Lam, this narrative unfolds the pure love between the protagonist and a girl from the neighboring village.

They share numerous memories when the protagonist returns to his hometown to visit his grandmother after long work trips. The orchid's shade holds countless memories of their love—a witness to their meetings, emotions, dreams, and thoughts for each other. It encompasses the warmth of family, the respect for the grandmother, and the anticipation of the lovely girl always awaiting the protagonist's return.

The character Mai, aware of the wrongdoing in her actions, intentionally tries to spare her husband from the shame of the 'modest' daily meals. She is not a deceitful, malicious person as her husband thinks. Unfortunately, he fails to understand her and, unintentionally, drives her away, hurling insults. Despite her silent sacrifices, Mai offers no justification for her actions.

The heightened pain and unhappiness, uncomprehended and unshared, elevate the tragedy of this woman to unprecedented levels.

Depicting the image of a petite, unfortunate woman entangled in the twists of a misfortunate life. Widow Lê, after losing her husband, tirelessly and diligently raises 11 innocent children. In dire circumstances and scarcity, she endures the humiliation of borrowing rice from the affluent household. Twice she goes, twice she returns empty-handed, cruelly driven away even with her dog fatally bitten.

In just a few succinct pages, the writer authentically reflects the harsh reality and the unfortunate fate of former laborers. For a morsel of rice, countless families and individuals unjustly perish. Thạch Lam's writings perhaps allocate significant space to portray images of these unfortunate women, yet amidst adversity, their simple, enduring beauty shines brightly.

Thạch Lam crafted the short story The Mute with exquisite detail to delicately portray our mental connection with those simultaneously distant and familiar: the French. The Mute, originally published in the newspaper Ngày nay (1937) and later reprinted in the collection Sunshine in the Garden (1938), can be summarized as follows:

Once, the author went to watch a film at the Pathé cinema (facing Hoan Kiem Lake, later changed to Hòa Bình cinema, now a puppetry theater). There, he encountered a mute person accompanied by his daughter. Strangely, the two sat in second-class seats, typically reserved for locals. What's even more peculiar is the humble and modest demeanor of the woman, her shy and tearful gaze making the author both uneasy and moved. During the intermission, she bought candy for her daughter, displaying great friendliness towards the candy vendor, especially when she saw the child running away in fear of the police, which saddened her deeply.

Similar to many other short stories by Thạch Lam, The Mute concludes with an outdoor scene of 'dusty rain and cold wind,' as the two women 'walk sadly along the deserted street' away. Since then, the author, who identifies himself as 'I' in the story, never encounters the woman again. The landlord shows understanding, tolerance, and a reasonable perspective towards strangers.

Over centuries of contact between the French and Vietnamese, how do the French perceive the Vietnamese in their consciousness? How have these images changed over time? These questions should have been raised early on and sought answers through literary works. By putting aside colonial viewpoints, one can confidently say that, during those times of interaction, the French soul served as a good mirror for the Vietnamese to reflect upon and recognize their own identity.

In the story 'Homecoming,' found in the collection Early Season Wind, the author vividly portrays the anguish of an elderly mother in a poor rural village due to her ungrateful son. The mother, who worked hard to put Tâm through education, finds herself abandoned when he moves to the city, enticed by a life of luxury and success. In six years of separation, Tâm neither inquires about nor acknowledges the heartfelt letters his mother sends from the countryside. To make matters worse, fearing the discovery of his impoverished mother, he marries without informing her. When he is forced to visit, he responds to his mother's affection with arrogance and discomfort.

As Tâm “leaves the house, feeling light,” he drives away, splashing mud on the two women by the roadside, his mother and the kind neighbor. At this point, “nothing binds Tâm to village life anymore,” and he remains unmoved by pity or remorse. Here, the writer not only condemns the ingratitude of the son but also evokes empathy for the unfortunate fate of the mother.

'Hanoi's Six Streets' is the renowned collection of essays by the author Thạch Lam. The collection is compiled from articles published in newspapers after his passing, as if speaking on behalf of every loving heart that always turns towards the capital, proclaiming 'Love Hanoi with the soul of Hanoians.' According to Thạch Lam: 'The French have Paris, the English have London, the Chinese have Shanghai. In their books and newspapers, they speak of their city with deep affection and love.' We, the Vietnamese, take pride in having Hanoi. 'Hanoi's Six Streets' mainly delves into stories of streets, neighborhoods, the daily life of the people, and especially explores the unique gifts found only in this place.

Within those charming pages, ancient Hanoi reveals itself through various facets and distinctive features, creating a strangely enchanting allure that captivates any visitor. It's the old houses adorned with unique architecture, the winding but gentle curves of familiar streets, the subtle and sophisticated culinary culture... all amidst a tranquil, peaceful, and yet vibrant atmosphere. In other words, the book helps readers see both the physical and spiritual essence of Hanoi.