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Assignment: Humanitarian Values in Hồ Xuân Hương's Poem 'Floating Rice Cake'
Sample essay on Humanitarian Values in Hồ Xuân Hương's Poem 'Floating Rice Cake'
Written Work:
Hồ Xuân Hương, a female literary figure with a unique poetic style in ancient Vietnamese literature, has bequeathed numerous valuable works to the world. Her poetry stands as an advocate for women and a critique of the male-dominated and divine authority system. The poem 'Floating Rice Cake' distinctly articulates the empathetic voice and heartfelt sentiments of the poet towards the fate of women in feudal society.
The body, both fair and round
Seven float, three sink in water's bound
Even though crushed, the hand molds with delight
Yet, she holds a heart that remains bright
Using the imagery of the floating rice cake, poet Hồ Xuân Hương reveals her emotions about her own harsh and precarious destiny, simultaneously expressing empathy for the plight of women in society at large. The smooth and lovely white rice cake symbolizes the fate of women. A woman with a beautiful and healthy physique:
The body, both fair and round
The phrase emphasizes the girl's self-pride and confidence: fair and round, yet
Seven float, three sink in water's bound
The life of a woman is restless, and fate fluctuates. The description of the shape of the floating rice cake, round and misshapen, depends on the maker. Similarly, the fate of women in feudal society, whether fortunate or unfortunate, living in comfort or suffering, is shaped by those with societal power, the 'divine authority' who mold them. The imagery of husbands and wives in feudal society has persisted for thousands of years, and the lives of ancient women were as such. Born as individuals, they could not control their own lives. The poet Hồ Xuân Hương herself experienced many bitter hardships, loving Chiêu Hổ but facing betrayal, marrying the Tổng Cóc by necessity, becoming the wife of Phủ Vĩnh Tường... Life did not stop at 'seven float, three sink' but perhaps involved dozens, hundreds of bitter experiences. Not only female poets but even Vũ Nương in the story 'The Girl from Nam Xuong,' virtuous, graceful, filial, and loyal, also faced the tragic fate of being thrown into the Hoang River. Nguyễn Du had once shared empathy with Thuý Kiều, fair-faced but destined for sorrow. Fifteen years of wandering - is this not the fate of every woman in the old society?
Pain replaces the fate of women, Words binding destiny are also common sayings
Compassion for others is like compassion for oneself, caring for one's own destiny, and sympathizing with those in similar circumstances. Through poetic self-disclosure, the female poet expressed the most poignant aspects of women's lives. The poetry serves as resistance, condemning the unjust society. Simultaneously, the poet also condemns the authoritarian male-dominated regime that makes their lives days of suffering.
Not only representing women speaking about their own fate. Hồ Xuân Hương also asserts their own dignity. No matter how tumultuous life may be:
Yet, I still hold a heart of resilience
