Lecture on Thuy Kieu's Scenes of Gratitude and Resentment

Assignment: Provide a discourse on Thuy Kieu's scenes of gratitude and resentment, excerpted from 'The Tale of Kieu' by Nguyen Du

Analysis of Three Exemplary Essays on Thuy Kieu's Scenes of Gratitude and Resentment

1. Discourse on Thuy Kieu's Scenes of Gratitude and Resentment, Sample #1:

One of the excerpts revealing the character and emotions of the character Thuy Kieu is the passage 'Thuy Kieu expresses gratitude and resentment.' When rescued by Tu Hai from a wandering and destitute fate, Kieu also finds her voice.

To express the heartfelt sentiment of 'remembering the source when drinking water' and 'remembering the planter when eating fruit,' as folk wisdom often says, embellishes the character of Thuy Kieu. Upon being revived once again, Kieu's first thought is to show gratitude to those who helped her along the challenging path she traversed.

Expressing Gratitude to Thuc Sinh:

'She said: Duty profound as mountains....
For whom, who else could share the devoted heart'

She does not blame what she went through, her hardships, her physical torment, on Thuc Sinh. Not at all. She understands that the story of her life is not sown with bitterness and shame by Thuc Sinh. Therefore, she always maintains composure, showing gratitude to the one who helped her along the arduous path. In her perspective, 'profound duty' means valuing what others have done for her, not necessarily doing it in return but acknowledging and wiping away all those contributions.

Hence, she always holds firm, expressing gratitude to those who assisted her through thick and thin. In her mindset, 'profound duty' is about valuing what others have done for her, not necessarily reciprocating, but acknowledging and appreciating all those efforts.

In her conversation with Thuc Sinh, she uses archaic language, addressing him as 'Sir,' not asserting her current status. This reveals a Thuy Kieu who possesses not only beauty but also a sincere and resolute heart towards those who assisted her.

Gratitude has been expressed; now, it's time for her to reflect on what she has been through. It's not just physical pain but also the bleeding agony in her soul. She harbors resentment towards a malicious and cunning woman, none other than Hoan Thu:

'The young lady has arrived here now...
The more cruel, the more unjust it becomes'

The finest Discourses on Thuy Kieu's Scenes of Gratitude and Resentment

Continuing the traditional address for Hoan Thu, she refers to that woman as 'young lady' with elegance. Thuy Kieu not only maintains proper etiquette in conversation but also displays sophistication. She speaks to the bitterness of that woman, who has tarnished her inherent beauty.

'She says: I, a woman of modest status...
A common husband isn't easily obedient to anyone'

However, with Hoan Thu's cunning and manipulative dialogue, Kieu not only defends herself but also forgives. The deceitful words of that wicked woman strike the heart of a fundamentally kind-hearted girl, using human emotions to treat human emotions, not in a cruel manner.

Nguyen Du painted a Thuy Kieu with a profound sense of humanity and compassion, a representation of the beauty of Vietnamese women in general.

The excerpt clarifies a Thuy Kieu with a heart full of compassion, an extremely tolerant heart. Just through a few verses, the character's personality is fully expressed, making us admire Nguyen Du's penmanship.

On the journey of life's hardships, Kieu tasted all bitterness, humiliation, 'from one calamity to another,' pushing her into a desperate path. In that harsh circumstance, Tu Hai appeared as a refreshing breeze, changing Kieu's life. Tu Hai, the hero of the era, not only rescued Kieu from the brothel but also elevated her from a humble status to the position of a court official, holding the balance of justice, to fulfill the act of 'repaying kindness and seeking revenge.' The excerpt describes the scene of Thuy Kieu repaying those who cared for and helped her, while punishing the unjust and cruel.

The 'gratitude and resentment' scene is the climax of the plot narrated in a long poem of 162 verses (from verse 2289 to verse 2450). Those repaid are Thuc Sinh, Quan Gia, Su Vai, and Giac Duyen. Those seeking revenge are Hoan Thu, Bac Ha, Bac Hanh, Ung Khuyen, Ma Giam Sinh, Tu Ba, and So Khanh. The lecture excerpt has been condensed, mainly emphasizing Thuy Kieu repaying Thuc Sinh and seeking revenge on Hoan Thu.

In the intimate storytelling, Thuy Kieu reveals all her grievances. Tu Hai becomes angry, sending troops to capture the criminals while inviting those with moral debts. Kieu is then entrusted to conduct the trial of 'repaying kindness and seeking revenge.'

The court session opened with three large swords held high, shining brightly, organized in rows inside and outside, guards here, attendants there. In that majestic scene, Kieu was given the authority by Tu Hai to actively adjudicate in a clear sequence: repay kindness first, seek revenge later.

Thuc Sinh was summoned for the first trial 'invited by the sword to Thuc Village.' Faced with the solemnity of the court, Thuc Sinh was so shocked that he almost lost his composure, 'his face as if crumbling, trembling.' Perhaps due to Thuc Sinh's timid nature, he couldn't even protect the one he loved, letting Hoan Thu freely torment Kieu. Above all, Thuc Sinh was fully aware of this issue, so his fear reached its peak. Nevertheless, in Kieu's eyes, Thuc Sinh is still considered her benefactor. Thuc Sinh saved her from the filth in Thanh Tower, married her legally, and created happy family days for Kieu. For a generous person like Kieu, she sympathizes with Thuc Sinh's helplessness and cannot forget his kindness. In fact, Kieu doesn't blame Thuc Sinh, but instead shows more appreciation. In the husband and wife relationship (even if it's a legal marriage), Thuy Kieu still sees it as 'a profound bond of a thousand layers,' so there's no room for resentment. She places herself in the past, in an intimate, appreciative, and loyal relationship, hence using terms like 'old acquaintance,' 'past friend,' 'gratitude,' 'thankful,' and the repeated phrase 'deep feelings.' This way of speaking is suitable for Thuy Kieu's personality. That is the beauty of ideal justice, of justice for the people, even repaying kindness with 'silk and silver worth a thousand pounds,' which is considered 'thankful to deserve the kindness.' This is the beauty in Kieu's perspective. The heart's 'profound bond of a thousand layers' is priceless; neither silk nor gold can measure it. Toward Thuc Sinh, Kieu is especially understanding and compassionate, sharing. She understands that her suffering is not caused by Thuc Sinh but by the main culprit, Hoan Thu. Therefore, when talking to Thuc Sinh, Kieu mentions Hoan Thu. This proves that the emotional wounds inflicted by Hoan Thu on her are still very painful. When speaking about Hoan Thu, Kieu's tone changes entirely; it's the tone of a judge with a hint of mockery and threat:

'Your wife, a devilish ghost
This time, the thief meets the old lady'

Nguyen Du is extremely clever in using the most effective familiar proverbs, 'when the thief meets the old lady,' 'ants crawling into the mouth of a bowl,' to demonstrate the act of punishing evil according to the people's perspective. Therefore, the language is simple, ordinary, in the people's way of speaking.

Next is the scene where Thuy Kieu seeks revenge on Hoan Thu. The atmosphere of the trial has completely changed. The gentle, kind, and charming voice of the gentle and virtuous girl has now turned sharp, sophisticated, and cold like a young lady who has experienced and tasted the bitterness of life for over ten years. Now facing Hoan Thu - the true culprit, Kieu is just as sharp and clever.

First is the bold way of addressing the opponent:

At once she greeted with poise:
Miss has come here now.

The addressing style remains the same as before, 'greeting with poise,' 'miss,' when Thuy Kieu was still under the identity of someone demanded at the Hoan family's house. This addressing style of Kieu, at the present moment, has deeply penetrated into the soul of the 'devilish ghost,' delivering the painful blows to the one who is at a disadvantage. Now Hoan Thu is no longer the daughter of the 'prestigious Hoan family' but a criminal who has been brought here for trial, and Kieu, as the judge, will decide the future, the fate of Hoan Thu.

Next is the intense and sharp tone of Thuy Kieu.

Women can have a few tricks,
In the old days, many faces in this life, many guts!
Easy is the habit of beauty,
The more malicious, the more unjust.

It must be said that when necessary, Thuy Kieu clearly shows that she is not someone to be trifled with. With a tone that makes each verse sound like a biting reproach, especially when the words are repeated: can have, easy, many tricks, many faces, in the old days, this life, many guts, the more malicious, the more unjust. This way of speaking is completely suitable for the character of the 'devilish ghost' like Hoan Thu 'Externally gentle and smiling - Internally treacherous and murderous without a knife.'

Kieu's voice clearly expresses a high level of anger, showing that she is determined to punish Hoan Thu according to the belief 'Deep schemes require deep repayments.' Kieu's attitude is evident, but it seems that Kieu has abandoned the role of the judge and turned herself into an equal dialogue partner with her enemy in the position of a woman who has not yet found a specific accusation, only remaining at a general level, closer to the relationship between women. Taking advantage of this situation, Hoan Thu cleverly grasped the matter of women to manipulate. In the first moment, Hoan Thu was 'wild and arrogant,' but then she quickly calmed down 'the complaint about a pitiful fate.'

Saying: I, a woman of modesty
Jealousy is a common human sentiment
Thinking while putting down the brush
Avoiding tearing apart the bond of affection
In private, those sentiments of love.
A common husband isn't easy to please anyone
Already caused troubles
Still dreaming of sympathy, which tale is this?

Indeed, the words of the daughter of the high-ranking Hoan family 'speaking of constraints, the hands are also old.' First, Hoan Thu relies on the compassionate psychology of the empress to clear her guilt: 'Saying: I, a woman of modesty - Jealousy is a common human sentiment.' Hoan Thu's reasoning is truly sophisticated in the art of defense. In just a moment, Hoan Thu has pulled Kieu towards her or at least made Kieu share a part of 'a woman's modesty.' Since she is a woman, everyone is the same, not just Hoan Thu. Lightening all the crimes down to women's affairs, so that women can sympathize with this matter. If Hoan Thu has a fault, it is also due to the common psychology of women: 'a common husband isn't easy to please anyone.'

Certainly, Hoan Thu knows how to hide what needs to be hidden to escape her guilt, such as the beatings, kidnappings, tortures, and threats to Kieu, forcing her into servitude with the adopted children, only keeping the 'favor' given to Kieu to write the scripture in the Quan Am tower and also arresting Kieu when she runs away from the Hoan family. This is also a unique form of false defense, and in the end, Hoan Thu accepts all the guilt and awaits Kieu's generous and forgiving heart like the vast sky: 'Still dreaming of sympathy, which tale is this?'

In terms of cunning and cleverness, Hoan Thu has no match. As for Kieu, it's only through thick and thin, enduring pain and suffering that she is much more than the smart and cunning 'lai bo' (stepchild) of Hoan Thu's family. Even Thuc Sinh is nothing compared to that Hoan Thu. Originally a person with familial guilt towards Kieu, when revealed, the matter becomes lighter for sympathy and guilt removal. The 'devilish ghost' tone of Hoan Thu has moved Kieu's heart. Kieu had to accept that Hoan Thu is a person 'Clever to the point of speaking pale words.' Hoan Thu pushed Kieu into a difficult situation, 'Release it and it's the same for generations - make it and it also comes out small.' Kieu's attitude of tolerance and magnanimity is clear, just recently Kieu was determined to take revenge to ease her wounded heart to some extent. But then everything was turned upside down in a moment, because Hoan Thu 'triqua,' it's also worth forgiving, and Kieu 'transmits orders down to spare her immediately.'

Apart from the mentioned content, you can explore the section Compose the Thuy Kieu Gratitude and Resentment to prepare for the content of Thuy Kieu Gratitude and Resentment (excerpt from The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du) in the 9th-grade Vietnamese Language textbook.

Compose the Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du is an essential lesson in the 9th-grade Vietnamese Language curriculum that students need to pay special attention to.

2. Commentary on the scene of Thuy Kieu expressing gratitude and resentment, sample 2:

Despite entering the 21st century, Nguyen Du and The Tale of Kieu still hold great allure for millions of readers in Vietnam and around the world. To this day, Nguyen Du remains the singular national literary master, and Thuy Kieu is still the foremost masterpiece of Vietnamese literature. In his work, Nguyen Du wrote: 'The word of the heart is equal to the word of talent,' a verse that clearly expresses the author's perspective of valuing both sincerity and a heart rich in compassion. This sentiment is somewhat revealed through the profoundly humane behavior in the excerpt 'Thuy Kieu expressing gratitude and resentment.'

Our folk proverb goes, 'Gratitude repays, resentment returns,' expressing a decisive, resolute attitude deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese way of life. Perhaps this lifestyle has endured for millennia, tested through time. Its value remains intact, but determining how to repay kindness and handle resentment culturally proves challenging. In this excerpt, through Thuy Kieu's expression of gratitude and resentment, Nguyen Du indirectly reveals his own cultural behavior. Here, Nguyen Du's humanitarian heart is more evident than ever. Firstly, expressing gratitude:

Inviting Thuc Lang with a sword in hand,
Face as pale as the dew on delicate grass trembling.
She said: Duty weighs as heavy as a thousand mountains,
Does Lam Tri, your former companion, still remember?
Sam Thuong never falls short of loyalty,
Who else dares betray an old friend?
A hundred volumes of brocade, a thousand catties of silver,
Expressing gratitude should be proportional to the favor received.
Your wife, a demon of eerie and mystical nature,
This time, the thief encounters the old woman.
Seeing a cow's mouth in a wine cup not long ago,
Even the deep rain repays deep kindness fittingly.

In reality, the passage 'Thuy Kieu expressing gratitude and resentment' not only includes expressing gratitude to Thuc Sinh and resenting Hoan Thu but also expresses gratitude to Giac Duyen and resentment towards:

Firstly, Bac Hanh and Bac Ba.
On one side, Ung Khyen; on the other, So Khanh.

Tu Ba with Ma Giam Sinh...

Nevertheless, the excerpt has been condensed to highlight the dialogue between Kieu, Thuc Sinh, and Hoan Thu, ensuring the content of gratitude and resentment. First is the expression of gratitude, an action aligned with life's moral code. Thuc Sinh is invited to the solemn scene where Kieu presides over the trial, 'Inviting Thuc Lang with a sword.' The image of the 'sword' clearly indicates the authority Kieu holds, thanks to encountering Tu Hai - the hero 'touching the sky and treading the earth.' Kieu is now firm and experienced, recognizing benefactors and offenders, vastly different from the past Kieu with the status of a 'bee, an ant.' Witnessing this seriousness, Thuc Sinh appears frightened to the point of losing color, 'face as pale as the dew on delicate grass,' and trembling like a frightened bird. This pitiful image perfectly matches Thuc Sinh's somewhat weak nature. It's a detail that influences how Kieu expresses resentment towards Hoan Thu in the following passage. After the first two lines about Thuc Sinh, the remaining ten lines are a dialogue between Kieu and Thuc Sinh. Through Kieu's words, it's evident she values Thuc Sinh's heart and help during her desperate times, calling it 'duty weighing as heavy as a thousand mountains.' It's a lofty comparison, as heavy as thousands of mountain peaks. Addressing Thuc Sinh, Kieu alternates between calling him 'old companion' with an intimate tone and 'respected person' with formality. Perhaps these are two emotional tones Kieu has for Thuc Sinh. For Kieu, Thuc Sinh guiding her out of the Green Tower, rescuing her from a life of disgrace, providing her with warm days in family life is an immense favor that she cannot fully repay. 'A hundred volumes of brocade, a thousand catties of silver' still doesn't do justice to that kindness. Beyond material wealth is the 'duty weighing as heavy as a thousand mountains' that she holds for Thuc Sinh. When speaking to Thuc Sinh, Kieu uses classical Chinese words: duty, chữ tong (according to), cố nhân (respected person), tạ lòng (repay kindness)... reminiscent of the Sâm Thương style. This dignified way of speaking suits Thuc Sinh, a scholar of the Thuc family, and conveys Kieu's profound gratitude for Thuc Sinh.

Commentary on the scene of Thuy Kieu expressing gratitude and resentment in detail

While talking to Thuc Sinh, Kieu also mentions Hoan Thu. Because she understands Hoan Thu's pain is not caused by Thuc Sinh but the main offender is Hoan Thu, 'Who else dares betray an old friend.' Still speaking to Thuc Sinh, but when talking about Hoan Thu, Kieu's language becomes colloquial and simple. She uses familiar idioms like 'thieves meeting an old woman' or 'a cow seeing its mouth in a wine cup.' This manner of speaking not only adds a sarcastic tone but also aligns with the people's perspective of 'evil begets retribution.' Kieu incorporates the folk saying into her speech to convey it. From this style of speaking, she transitions to Hoan Thu - expressing resentment. This passage includes direct dialogues between Thuy Kieu and Hoan Thu. In these two dialogue passages, Kieu's mocking attitude towards Hoan Thu is evident. She intentionally maintains the attitude and address she had when she was a courtesan in the Hoan family:

In a moment, she greeted:
Miss, it's your turn now.

The attitude of 'greeting' or addressing Hoan Thu as 'Miss' when there has been a change in roles between them, especially now that Kieu is sitting in the judge's seat and Hoan Thu is the accused, is a sharp mockery aimed directly at the reputation of the Hoan family. But it doesn't stop there; in the subsequent sentences, Kieu's tone gradually changes, becoming sharp, resentful, and increasingly intense. It feels like one can sense the articulate voice emphasizing:

Women may have a few tricks,
Life of old, many faces; in this life, many guts!
Ease is the habit of a charming appearance,
The more ruthless, the more unjust acts prevail.

This way of speaking truly befits the response, 'thick-skinned with sharp nails.' If not for that cunning woman, who once tormented Kieu, being as bold as she was before, Kiều had endured. At this point, we see Kiều's determined attitude to punish Hoan Thu for the days when Kieu suffered at her hands.

So how does Hoan Thu respond to that attitude?

Hoan Thu, with a cunning soul,
Bowed her head, seeking pity under the robe, lamenting aloud.

Truly wise to the point of craftiness. Sensing impending disadvantage, she tried to calm down to 'lament aloud.'

She said: I, as a woman,
Jealousy, after all, is a common human sentiment.

A remarkably clever statement dripping with subtle wisdom. Firstly, she delves into the general psychology of women: jealousy is a common affair, a phrase that both beckons the hidden depths of a woman in Kiều and carries a universal appeal. Secondly, the language is as sharp as a knife, diminishing oneself into insignificance, 'ordinary affairs' - normal matters rather than crimes: 'sharing a husband is not an easy task for anyone'. Through the eloquence of her words, the culprit becomes a victim of the polygamous system. Once a victim, who would dare to punish? Hoạn Thư proves to be an exceptionally skilled lawyer. Following the natural course to 'win the heart' of Thúy Kiều, Hoạn Thư 'reveals his merit' to Kiều: letting her escape from the Hoạn household without pursuit. Finally, Hoạn Thư confesses and hopes for the magnanimity and generosity of Kiều's heart:

Embarking on troublesome deeds with a sincere heart,
Relying on the vast ocean of compassion, which poem does not become touching.

Indeed, it is a meticulously arranged, logical, and reasonable dialogue. Through that conversation, Kiều must admit that it is human nature: 'Wise to the point of speaking wisely'. Those words alone persuade Kiều and leave her in a dilemma:

Forgive or lead a life,
Do or be a delicate soul.

In defending his actions, Hoạn Thư argues that if Kiều chooses revenge, she becomes petty and selfish. Kiều's attitude has indeed changed from the previous passage. Hoạn Thư admits his fault, stating, 'No one hits someone running away, but no one hits someone running back either.'

Through this excerpt, we perceive Hoạn Thư as a 'mysterious, supernatural' figure. Of course, Hoạn Thư's pardon is not just because of his ability to 'defend himself,' but primarily due to Kiều's forgiving and generous heart. Once again, her compassionate and tolerant nature shines through.

The verse reflects the dreams and aspirations for justice in Nguyen Du's era: the oppressed, the suffering, sitting in the judge's seat holding the scales of justice to enact the folk philosophy of 'repaying kindness and settling grievances.'

3. Lecture on the scene where Thúy Kiều reciprocates gratitude and grievances, pattern number 3:

Nguyễn Du's masterpiece, 'The Tale of Kiều,' echoes through Vietnamese literary history, leaving a profound impact. Among its memorable passages, 'Thúy Kiều reciprocates gratitude and grievances' stands out, imprinting deep emotions on readers about a morally upright and discerning Thúy Kiều who understands the complexities of right and wrong.

This excerpt unfolds after Từ Hải empathizes with Kiều's fate and falls in love with her. Từ Hải redeems Thúy Kiều from the tower and marries her. With newfound power, Thúy Kiều can now assert her desires. She organizes a meeting between those she's grateful to and those who have shaped her destiny, resolving all lingering doubts in her heart.

In Nguyễn Du's work, 'The Tale of Kiều,' the passage 'Thúy Kiều reciprocates gratitude and grievances' expresses the yearning to reclaim justice from both society and the author himself.

Before were Bạc Hạnh, Bạc Bà,
On one side Ưng, Khuyển, on the other Sở Khanh.
Tú Bà with Mã Giám Sinh,
Are those accused names still deserving of compassion?

In this excerpt, the author explores Thúy Kiều's expressions of gratitude towards Thúc Sinh and grievances towards Hoạn Thư. Through Thúy Kiều's handling of the situation, we gain a deeper understanding and feel her emotions in this passage:

After being deceived and sold to Tú Bà by Sở Khanh, Thúy Kiều is fortunate to encounter Thúc Sinh, who redeems her from the sordid life and genuinely loves her. Unfortunately, Thúc Sinh is married to the cunning and treacherous Hoạn Thư, who goes to great lengths to share her husband with Kiều. Despite this, Thúy Kiều feels gratitude towards Thúc Sinh for his sincere treatment and acknowledges his kindness.

The scene of expressing gratitude to Thúc Sinh is grand, with Thúy Kiều inviting him over. They share thoughts and reminisce about the past.

Essay on Analyzing the Passage where Thúy Kiều Reciprocates Gratitude and Grievances

While Thúy Kiều harbors some resentment for her days as a servant in Hoạn Thư's house, she understands Thúc Sinh's deep affection for her. He has done his utmost to protect her, but his cunning wife proved too formidable. The phrases 'Enduring love,' 'Past lover,' and 'Former partner' portray Thúy Kiều as someone valuing sentiments and loyalty, acknowledging the shared memories from her time as 'someone else's wife.'

She declares: 'Enduring love across countless peaks.
Do you still remember Lâm Tri, your past lover?
Sâm Thương's loyalty is unbroken,
For whom would dare to forsake the heart of an enduring person?

Thúy Kiều bestows numerous silk fabrics and money upon Thúc Sinh, indicating her unwavering loyalty. Wealth and prosperity don't make her forget the old bonds of affection.

Hundreds of rolls of silk, thousands of silver coins.
Expressing gratitude fittingly is called true reciprocation.

However, it seems Thúy Kiều still harbors resentment towards Hoạn Thư, expressing her disdain with sharp, common words for this deceitful woman:

The wife, a devilish and supernatural being,
This duo of thieves and old hags finally meet.
Ants crawl into the mouth of an untimely cup,
Deep schemes reciprocate deeply for what's deserved.

After successfully orchestrating the jealousy that led Thúy Kiều to distance herself from her husband, Thúc Sinh, Hoạn Thư rejoices. She revels in her triumph, pleased that her husband obediently follows her orders. Hoạn Thư even takes pride in her intelligence, handling family turbulence with a firm hand, showing no mercy to her formidable rival. Only by acting decisively can she maintain a warm family environment.

Suddenly, she greeted with a sneer:
The young mistress has finally arrived!
Women can have a few tricks,
In past lives, few faces; in this life, few guts!

From the moment Hoạn Thư appears, she uses sharp and bitter language, true to her nature, to talk about Thúy Kiều using rhetoric. Thúy Kiều patiently advises Hoạn Thư to moderate her language, not to escalate tensions.

'The more ruthless, the more unjust.'

Hoạn Thư is a master of manipulation, but now she's the culprit facing retribution, surrounded by numerous swordsmen. Hoạn Thư feels a bit frightened. She acknowledges her excessive treatment of Thúy Kiều and humbly pleads, using unwise words to defend her actions.

Consider when writing sacred scriptures,
With or without eternal affection, the outcome is uncertain.
Embarking on troublesome deeds with a sincere heart,
Relying on the vast ocean of compassion, which poem does not become touching.

Hoạn Thư's plea for forgiveness, upon reflection, holds reason and sentiment. Her excessive praise blinded her judgment. In this life, sharing a husband is disliked by all, so Hoạn Thư's actions may be forgivable. Acknowledging her fault, Hoạn Thư, and Thúy Kiều, rich in forgiveness, find common ground. Kiều agrees to pardon Hoạn Thư.

The unfolding of reciprocating gratitude and grievances is highly unexpected for readers. Initially, it seemed Thúy Kiều would retaliate against Hoạn Thư for the bitter and humiliating days. However, faced with Hoạn Thư's sincere and rational pleas, Thúy Kiều feels magnanimous and decides to forgive Hoạn Thư, surprising the readers.

Through this excerpt, we see Thúy Kiều as a person with a generous heart, capable of distinguishing right from wrong. She is not petty or resentful, truly a woman of integrity. She not only possesses beauty and talent but also a compassionate, virtuous, and forgiving heart towards others' mistakes.

The passage 'Thúy Kiều reciprocates gratitude and grievances' reflects the author's desire for justice and fairness in the old society. The aspiration to eliminate evil, make wrongs right, and reward goodness is the collective wish of everyone in society.