Exposition on Author Nguyen Du and 'The Tale of Kieu'

Essay Prompt: Explaining the Author Nguyen Du and 'The Tale of Kieu'

I. Outline Exposition on Nguyen Du and 'The Tale of Kieu'
 

1. Introduction

'The Tale of Kieu' and its author, Nguyen Du, hold a uniquely important place in the literature of Vietnam and the world at large.

2. Main Body

a. Author Nguyen Du
- Hometown: Tien Dien village, Ha Tinh
- Birth and death years: 1765 - 1820
- Family: nobility with a tradition in literature, many generations served in high government positions
- Life: served as an official, wandered many places, deeply understood various cultures

b. The Work 'The Tale of Kieu'
- Composition period: early 19th century, based on the story of Kim Van Kieu
- Poetic form: Luc Bat (six-eight), 3254 verses
- Plot: 3 parts (meeting, family changes, reunion)
- Character system: protagonists (Thuy Kieu, Thuy Van, Tu Hai) and antagonists (Ma Giam Sinh, Tu Ba, Hoan Thu, etc.)
- Ideological value:
+ Reflects the longing for freedom, dreams of equality, and justice in social life.
+ Expresses empathy and sorrow for the suffering endured by women like Kieu.
+ Denounces an authoritarian society where money becomes the dominating power over ethics and human values are belittled.
+ A call to awaken every heart to love, protect, and support each other.
- Artistic value:
+ Skillful combination of scholarly and colloquial language
+ Expresses characters' inner thoughts through actions, and the art of 'describing scenery to express feelings' uniquely
+ Masterful, adept use of the Luc Bat poetic form
+ Innovative and creative storyline construction
+ Versatile and flexible poetic tone, especially the tone
 

3. Conclusion

Summarizing Nguyen Du's position in national literature: Past, present, and future, the name of the great poet Nguyen Du continues to resonate in the hearts of readers across generations.
 

II. Expository Sample Essay on Nguyen Du and The Tale of Kieu

'Through life's tempestuous seas
Verse echoes human affection's pains
Drifting through life's ebbs and flows
O Tố Như, tears cascade around Kiều's form'.

Countless poets and writers, upon perusing Nguyen Du's verses, find themselves deeply moved and impressed by the exceptional talent of Vietnamese literature, by the cultural masterpiece of the nation. The Tale of Kieu stands as a poetic masterpiece, a cherished literary companion for generations of Vietnamese. Kiều's life and fate continue to evoke profound sorrow and enduring pain in the hearts of readers, reflecting not only empathy and sympathy for Kiều's plight in Nguyen Du's poetry but also the shared circumstances of many women in ancient feudal society. And for this reason, The Tale of Kieu and its author, Nguyen Du, maintain a particularly significant position in Vietnamese literature and global literature at large.

Nguyen Du was a native of Tien Dien village, Ha Tinh - a land steeped in literary tradition. His ancestral roots in Bac Ninh are renowned for their eloquent question-and-answer sessions. Thus, from a tender age, Nguyen Du possessed a profound understanding of the culture of various Vietnamese villages, further appreciating and cherishing the cultural values of his homeland. Born into a relatively affluent family, with many generations serving as high-ranking officials in the court, Nguyen Du's family boasted a literary tradition, affording him ample opportunities for learning from his relatives.

Nguyen Du was born in 1765 and passed away in 1820, a period marked by significant upheavals in our country. It was a time of decline for the feudal regime, with fierce conflicts between the Trinh and Nguyen factions, and numerous peasant uprisings, notably the Tay Son movement led by Nguyen Hue. Society was tumultuous, and the people endured hardship and injustice under greedy and oppressive rulers. Nguyen Du empathized with the struggles of the people, particularly women, which enriched his poignant and compassionate works.

Nguyen Du traveled extensively, experiencing different cultures and lifestyles. His travels, including diplomatic missions to China, provided him with profound insights and enriched his life experiences, greatly influencing his literary endeavors.

Throughout his literary career, Nguyen Du left behind many valuable works, including poetry and prose in both Han Chinese and Nom scripts, such as 'Van Chieu Hon,' 'Thanh Hien Anthology,' and 'Nam Trung Miscellaneous Poems.' His masterpiece is undoubtedly the epic poem 'The Tale of Kieu,' composed in Nom script.

Nguyen Du composed 'The Tale of Kieu' around the beginning of the 19th century, drawing inspiration from the story of Kim Van Kieu by Thanh Tam Tai Nhan. However, with his talent and compassion, Nguyen Du transformed and adapted the story to reflect the unique spirit of the Vietnamese people and resonate with the societal context and values of Vietnam.

The Tale of Kieu is written in the traditional Vietnamese verse form of luc bat, comprising a total of 3254 lines divided into 3 main parts: The first part involves the encounter and betrothal of Kieu and Kim, their destined meeting and oath of love amidst the night. The second part depicts Kieu's trials and tribulations after selling herself to save her father and brother, portraying years of hardship and humiliation. The final part, the reunion, sees Kieu and Kim reuniting after years of separation, rejoicing yet sorrowful, still cherishing each other but choosing to be 'friends for life.'

With its extensive number of lines, Nguyen Du constructed The Tale of Kieu with a rich array of characters. Protagonists include Thuy Kieu, Thuy Van, Tu Hai, Kim Trong, Dam Tien, and more. Antagonists are developed such as Ma Giam Sinh, Madame Tu, So Khanh, and others. Despite the large cast, Nguyen Du's skillful character development ensures each character is unique, with distinct actions, appearances, and personalities, contributing significantly to the storytelling.

The poem 'The Tale of Kieu' holds significant value in Vietnamese literature. In terms of ideological value, it embodies the desire for freedom, equality, and justice in society. It also expresses empathy and sorrow for the suffering endured by women like Kieu. The work serves as a poignant indictment of a society marked by tyranny and materialism. Artistically, The Tale of Kieu demonstrates the author's mastery in combining scholarly and vernacular language, portraying characters' inner emotions through actions and vivid descriptions. The luc bat verse form is skillfully utilized, and the narrative structure is innovative and creative, while the varied poetic tones, particularly the mournful and poignant tones in Kieu's story, add depth and resonance.

'Who knows, after another hundred years,
Will anyone shed tears for To Như?'

Throughout the ages, the name of the national literary master has resounded in the hearts of generations of readers, from the past to the present and for generations to come.

The Tale of Kieu stands as a monumental work in the medieval Vietnamese literary landscape. Exploring The Tale of Kieu, alongside the essay Exposition on the Author Nguyen Du and The Tale of Kieu, students can also refer to other excellent grade 9 essays such as: Character analysis of Thuy Kieu in the excerpt Sisters Thuy Kieu, Appreciation of the beauty and talent of Thuy Kieu in Sisters Thuy Kieu, Analysis of the excerpt Spring Scene, Analysis of Kieu's feelings in Kieu at Ngung Bich Pavilion.