Prompt: Analysis of Từ Hải's portrayal in the excerpt of Heroic Spirit
Analyzing the depiction of Từ Hải in the excerpt of Heroic Spirit
I. Outline Analyzing the portrayal of Từ Hải in the excerpt of Heroic Spirit (Standard)
1. Introduction
Provide an overview of the excerpt of Heroic Spirit and the character Từ Hải.
2. Main Body
a. Từ Hải - the beauty of a dreamer
- Từ Hải's departure:
+ 'Half a year of warm home life': marital bliss.
+ 'Stirring the four directions': nurturing grand ambitions.
+ 'Gentleman': a man with aspirations.
+ 'Clearing the sword, mounting the horse, heading straight': decisive attitude, bold actions, confidence.
b. Từ Hải - an incredibly understanding and loyal husband:
- Hải tactfully rejects Kiểu's request to follow.
- 'Heart and mind in unison': affirmation of deep, loyal affection.
- Từ Hải hopes Kiều can be strong, abandon the desires typical of women, worthy of the loyalty of a true gentleman.
- Từ Hải fears Kiều's departure will add to worries and hardships.
- Promise: 'one year' - 'escort her back to the family' => loyalty, cherishing the one loved.
c. Từ Hải - a confident, courageous hero:
- Images of grandeur like 'ten thousand soldiers', 'shadows covering the land', 'bells ringing throughout the streets' paint a magnificent, glorious scene in battle.
- The last two lines depict the departure of the hero beautifully:
+ Strong verbs 'decide', 'resolve' along with the action of 'departure' further demonstrate Từ Hải's determination, decisive actions.
+ Symbolic image of 'wings spread': he is like a soaring bird riding the wind, reaching for the heights of ambition, ideals, and dreams nurtured throughout his life.
3. Conclusion
Reaffirming the beauty of the character and the author's aspirations conveyed through the character.
II. Sample Essay Analyzing the portrayal of Từ Hải in the excerpt of Heroic Spirit (Standard)
The excerpt of Heroic Spirit vividly depicts the beauty and ideals of the hero 'head touching the sky, feet treading the earth' Từ Hải. Through symbolic imagery and delicate descriptions, the great poet Nguyễn Du has brought deep impressions to readers about the character through the excerpt 'Heroic Spirit'.
Previously, when focused on describing in the excerpt 'Heroic Spirit', Nguyễn Du has given readers the first impressions of Từ Hải with outstanding beauty in appearance:
'Beard like a crab, jaw like a swallow, brows like a lord
Shoulders measure five feet wide, stature ten feet tall'
Not only prominent in outward demeanor, Từ Hải also embodies qualities of a hero within the realm. Firstly, he carries lofty dreams and aspirations:
'Half a year of warm home life
The gentleman's heart stirred, longing in all directions
Gazing towards the vast sky and sea
Clearing the sword, mounting the horse, heading straight on the road'.
The author begins the excerpt by depicting Từ Hải's departure. Amidst a life of marital bliss, after half a year spent with Kiều, he decides to depart due to his longing for adventure in all directions. It is often said that 'Heroes struggle with the temptation of beauty', when living in happiness, one finds it hard to abandon personal happiness for the call of ideals. But for Từ Hải, it's different; deep within his heart lies a burning desire to achieve greatness. The silent aspirations within Từ have decided to act in an instant, perhaps this is the best opportunity, the right moment for Từ to pursue his aspirations. Decisiveness is action, Từ Hải embarks without hesitation or doubt. The resolute attitude, along with the imagery of 'Clearing the sword, mounting the horse, heading straight on the road' indicates confident, bold actions with eyes set on the future, looking towards the triumph of the hero.
Amidst the vast universe evoked by phrases like 'in all directions', 'sky and sea', Từ Hải, alone on horseback, takes to the road, mastering the space. Though the universe is vast, humans are not insignificant; instead, they are incredibly confident and imposing with a figure full of courage and confidence.
Through dialogue with Thúy Kiều, Từ Hải further demonstrates the qualities of a true man, not only a hero among men but also an exemplary husband, devoted to his partner. Faced with Kiều's desire to accompany him, Hải tactfully declines, explaining to alleviate Kiều's worries:
'He said: Heart and mind in unison
Why have you not yet freed yourself from ordinary feminine desires.'
'Heart and mind in unison' - a firm affirmation of deep, loyal affection. Afterwards, Từ hopes Kiều can be strong, casting aside typical feminine desires to pursue grand ambitions together. Từ Hải's explanations are sincere and understanding, showcasing his determination to build a great future together. As someone with foresight, Hải has anticipated the challenges ahead, hence why he doesn't want Kiều to follow. He fears she will worry:
'Today, the four seas have no home
The more we know, the more we wonder where to go'
Sensing Kiều's confusion and worried gaze, Từ Hải continues to reassure her with confident promises:
'When ten thousand soldiers gather
Bells ring, shadows cover the land
Revealing extraordinary faces
Then I shall escort you back to the family.'
Behind those words lies a high determination to achieve victory upon return. Images of grandeur like 'ten thousand soldiers', 'shadows covering the land', 'bells ringing throughout the streets' paint a magnificent, glorious scene in battle. It is also the moment when Từ Hải 'escorts you back to the family', fulfilling extraordinary aspirations, establishing a career of eternal glory, fulfilling the wish to enjoy peaceful happiness with Kiều. Từ Hải's grand ambition reminds us of the verses of Nguyễn Công Trứ:
'Righteousness makes men journey North - South - West - East
Giving strength to wave vigorously across the four seas'
The final two lines of the excerpt once again depict the departure of the hero beautifully:
'Resolutely deciding to depart
The wind and clouds have arrived at the distant ocean'
The strong verbs 'decide', 'depart', along with the action of 'leaving', further demonstrate Từ's determination and strength. Words align with actions, as he is like a soaring bird riding the wind, reaching for the heights of ambition, ideals, and dreams nurtured throughout his life.
