1. Detailed outline
2. Sample essay #1
3. Sample essay #2
4. Sample essay #3
5. Sample essay #4
6. Analysis of The Girl From Nam Xương
7. Your reflections on The Girl From Nam Xương
8. Portray Trương Sinh to retell the story of The Girl From Nam Xương
9. Analysis of humanitarian values in The Girl From Nam Xương
10. Analysis of realism and humanitarian values in The Girl From Nam Xương
11. The tragedy of women in feudal society through The Girl From Nam Xương
3 sample essays Portraying Trương Sinh to retell the story of The Girl From Nam Xương
I. Outline Portraying Trương Sinh to retell the story of The Girl From Nam Xương (Standard)
1. Introduction
- Introduce the story of over twenty years ago.
- Tragedy leading to family breakdown.
2. Body
a. The Marriage and Living Together with Wife:
- I was born into a wealthy family, pampered from childhood. I had a tendency towards excessive jealousy.
- Vũ Nương, from a neighboring village, caught my attention with her beauty and gentle nature, so I did everything to marry her.
b. My Time Away from Home and Return:
- Three years in the military, facing death twice, then the enemy was defeated, and I returned home.
- At that time, Vũ Nương had given birth to a son named Đản for me.
- However, the joy was not complete as my elderly mother passed away while waiting for news from me.
- Everything at Vũ Nương's home was well-managed, and I truly saw it as her duty.
c. Suspicions Against Vũ Nương:
- I took my son to visit my mother's grave, but he stubbornly refused to follow me and even asked if I was his father.
- I harbored suspicions and questioned my young son, who innocently said that a man visited every night, and whenever the mother left, he left too, but he never carried him.
- Hearing this, I became convinced that my wife was unfaithful. Therefore, with my nature, I spared no harsh words, despite her explanations and the help of neighbors, I still drove her away.
d. The Death of Vũ Nương and My Belated Regret:
- My harsh words caused Vũ Nương immense pain; she said one last thing to me before bathing and running to Hoàng Giang river to drown herself.
- Though my heart still harbored suspicions, there was also a hint of regret, so I searched for her body but found nothing.
- Then, one sleepless night, sitting with my son by the lamp, he suddenly pointed to my shadow on the wall and said, 'Dad's back.' Only then did I understand Vũ Nương and comprehend her unjust suffering under my suspicion. However, it was too late, there was no way to salvage it.
- Days turned into months, until one day, a self-proclaimed man named Phan Lang came to see me.
- He recounted how he was saved by Linh Phi of Nam Hải Long Vương when his boat sank and he met my wife there. My wife asked him to tell me to hold a ceremony to clear her name.
- Based on Vũ Nương's earnest request, I held a ceremony for three days by the Hoàng Giang river, and finally, on the third day, she returned.
- Standing amidst the floral carriage, adorned with a canopy, in the middle of the river, she bid me farewell and disappeared.
- I regretted deeply, tormented by my jealousy that caused me to lose a gentle, capable wife like Vũ Nương.
3. Conclusion
- Regret has haunted me for twenty years, living in solitude to raise Đản.
- Now, he has grown up, preparing to start his own family, hoping that Vũ Nương, in a distant place, understands and forgives someone like me.
Refer to the sample essay Portraying Vũ Nương's Perspective: The Story of the Girl from Nam Xương for a fresh perspective and an easier approach when encountering this essay topic.
II. Sample Essay: Portraying Trương Sinh's Role in Retelling the Tale of the Girl from Nam Xương
1. Portraying Trương Sinh's Role in Retelling the Tale of the Girl from Nam Xương, Sample 1 (Standard)
Time passes swiftly like a fleeting breeze, yet over twenty years have flown by, and that event still feels as fresh as yesterday. Even now, regret still lingers in the heart of Trương Sinh. My blind jealousy, my suspicion of my wife, led me to lose a gentle, kind-hearted wife and shattered family happiness.
The Trương family had only me, the sole son, so from an early age, I was extremely pampered by my parents. My personality was somewhat suspicious, never trusting others, not even close family members. When it came time to marry, there was Vũ Nương in the village, gentle and beautiful. I admired her graceful demeanor, and through my mother, I sent betel nuts and a hundred gold coins to bring her home as my wife. Despite sharing a bed, I never truly trusted Vũ Nương, always wary of her in every matter. Yet, Vũ Nương never failed to fulfill her duties to me and the Trương family, always handling everything with utmost skill. Therefore, despite being married for some time, my wife and I never had any conflicts.
However, some events were truly beyond my imagination! Since childhood, I had relied on being born into a wealthy family, never bothering with books, thinking that with money, I could do anything. Even when there was war at the border and soldiers were recruited, I still thought that being from a noble family, I would not be sent far away to fight. But because of my lack of education, my name was the first on the list to be conscripted to fight in Chiêm Thành. Knowing it was unavoidable, I reluctantly prepared to depart. On the day I left, my mother choked back tears and admonished me, saying:
- Now you must depart for the sake of duty and country. I know this is your opportunity to forge your own career and reputation. However, amidst the battlefield's uncertainties, be vigilant and cautious. Do not fall into the enemy's traps for the sake of fame or gain. I do not wish for you to return with glory; I only wish for my son's safe return. Listen to my advice so that I may find peace at home.
I listened to my mother's advice with utmost reverence, kneeling down and bowing my head in obedience. As for Vũ Nương—my wife, she sorrowfully filled a cup to the brim with wine and instructed me:
- On this journey, I dare not hope for you to wear an official seal or silk robe, to return to our hometown in glory. I only wish for your safe return, bearing the words 'peace' and 'tranquility.' The perils of war are unpredictable, the enemy cunning, and the battlefield unforgiving. The emperor's edicts may promise great victories, but the reality of war often delays, leaving me with worry. In the moonlit nights of Trường An, swiftly fasten your coat against the cold, gaze upon the willow's shadow, feeling the distant border's sorrows. Even if countless letters arrive, it matters not if there's no word from you. You are far away, while I bear the burden of longing and worry!
After Vũ Nương spoke, tears flowed freely, stirring emotions in me and everyone present. My wife remained gentle and caring as always. At that moment, all I wished for was her steadfastness during our years apart. With a quick farewell to my elderly mother, I hastened to join the gathering of soldiers.
In the distant borderlands, the days and nights of marching were arduous. After three long years of battling at Chiêm Thành, facing life and death countless times, the stubborn enemy finally surrendered. After three years, I finally returned home.
However, joy was short-lived. Upon my return, I received news that my mother, longing for news of her son at the border, had fallen ill and passed away. Yet, I also gained a son, named Đản. My mother's passing brought boundless sorrow, but the presence of this son brought some joy to my heart. As for my wife, Vũ Nương, she remained the same—caring, gentle, and attentive. Since I left, with my mother's passing, she managed everything alone. Upon my return, she was overjoyed, and our family reunited in happiness.
The next day, I took my son to visit my late mother's grave, but the boy adamantly refused to follow, crying uncontrollably. I tried to console him, saying:
- Quiet down, don't cry anymore, it saddens your father! I was away for three years, and upon my return, your grandmother had passed away, a cruel twist of fate!
My innocent child looked at me and asked:
- Oh dear, are you also my father? It's so strange to hear you speak, my previous father never said anything at all!
Oh, how peculiar, I've been away at war for three years now, only returning this year, just meeting my son, yet he speaks of having had a father before. How could this be? I asked my child:
- Who was your previous father? Why did he come and not say anything?
The response from my child left me speechless:
- Before you returned, every night my father would come and sit with my mother, doing everything she did, sitting when she sat, walking when she walked, but he never carried me!
A man coming every night? Goodness, a married woman alone at home and still entertaining another man overnight? Could Vũ Nương have done something wrong to me, perhaps betrayed me and been unfaithful to someone? Waiting for her husband for three years yet mingling with another man, how could that be acceptable to me?
Upon returning home, I scolded my wife severely out of anger. I accused her of being a shameless woman, lacking in decency, not knowing shame, unable to fulfill her duties as a wife while her husband was away at war for three years. Initially surprised, Vũ Nương looked at me intently, then she cried and said:
- I, being born into a poor family, was fortunate to be married to you, and together we established the bond of marriage in the Trương family. Separated just six months after our marriage, being away from you, I felt deeply saddened! Three years of your absence, I thought my heart had grown cold, never once did I think of anyone else, never did my eyes wander towards another. I have faithfully upheld the duties of a wife to you, hoping that you would understand, not hastily believing the words of others and suspecting me unjustly!
However, at that time, I did not believe a word of her utterances. In my heart, there was only anger for being betrayed, and I stubbornly suspected her of wrongdoing. I never shared with her, never paid attention to her sincere words. If only I hadn't been consumed by blind jealousy, if only I had listened to her explanations, heeded the advice of our neighbors, then I wouldn't have endured years of estrangement from her.
At that time, I simply believed that she had been unfaithful, every day using harsh words, driving her away. On the Saturday after that incident, Vũ Nương cried and said to me:
- I leaned on you for the happiness of our family, for the sake of our son; I never once thought of leaving this family. Little did I expect, after your three-year absence, you returned, suspecting me of not upholding the duties of a wife at home just because of someone else's words. Now that it has come to this, I can no longer explain, justify myself to you. I can no longer bear to look up at the lofty Vọng Phu mountain!
However, those words barely registered in my ears; I remained stubborn and suspicious of her. After speaking, she got up, bathed, changed clothes, and left. At that moment, I thought she was ashamed to face her husband and neighbors, so she left. Little did I know, she went to the river and threw herself in, just to prove her fidelity.
Reflecting on this, I deeply regretted my groundless suspicions, which led the gentle and beautiful girl, like my wife, to her demise. When I heard that she had thrown herself into the river, despite the anger still lingering within me, I searched for someone to rescue her, but she was nowhere to be found. Consumed by sorrow and regret, sleep eluded me. One evening, while sitting with my son under the dim light of a lantern, my son suddenly exclaimed:
- Father, Đản is here again!
I was surprised and looked around, but saw no one. Thinking my son was playing a prank, I asked him where Đản was. He quickly ran to the wall and pointed to my shadow on the wall, saying:
- Here it is!
I felt as if I were struck dumb; now I understood everything. Surely my wife had told our son that the shadow on the wall was his father. I was foolish not to have clarified with my wife, and now, even with regret, there's nothing I can do. My Vũ Nương can never come back to me again!
Days and months passed slowly, the regret of losing my kind wife lingering in my heart. Then one day, someone claiming to be Phan Lang came to see me. I was puzzled because I didn't know this person. However, he brought me news that was even more shocking: my wife was still alive.
At first, I didn't believe it, thinking it was his jest. But when he handed me the golden ointment and recounted the story of his adventures in the underwater palace of the South Sea King, meeting my wife, and hearing her plea, and then giving me this ointment, I believed it to be true. Phan Lang also instructed me that Vũ Nương wanted me to set up a memorial for her at the Hoàng Giang River—where she threw herself in—and she would return. I was extremely fearful and suspicious, but if my Vũ Nương could return, then I was willing.
And so, I followed her instructions, setting up a memorial at the Hoàng Giang River for three days and three nights, yet Vũ Nương did not appear. On the fourth day, just as my hope seemed to dwindle, a splendid flower palanquin emerged from the vast river. Following the grand palanquin were over fifty ancient carriages, their flags fluttering in the wind, illuminating the river in a mystical glow. Then, from within the flower palanquin, Vũ Nương stepped out, adorned in dazzling attire. I eagerly waited; she had always been incredibly beautiful, but in this attire, she was even more radiant. However, as I hurriedly called out to her, she did not advance to the shore but stood amidst the stream, her voice echoing to me:
- I am grateful for your assistance in fulfilling my wish. But now, as the clouds disperse and the winds calm, I have vowed to stay behind to repay the debt to His Divine Majesty. I cannot return to the mortal world to reunite with you! Please nurture and care for our son, Đản, so my wish will be fulfilled. I thank you!
After speaking, she lifted the palanquin and stepped inside, the flower palanquin and procession then flickered and faded away, vanishing into thin air. I urgently called out her name, but no one responded; Vũ Nương had truly disappeared. I sorrowfully returned home, filled with regret. I was the one who pushed her to her limits, and now, nothing could salvage the situation. Everything had truly come to an end.
Now, over twenty years since the incident occurred, I still carry countless regrets within me. Although I have gradually amended my feelings in hopes of easing the burden, Vũ Nương's image still lingers in my mind. Sometimes, I wish to return to the Trương Sinh of twenty years ago to apologize to my beloved wife. However, it's too late; nothing can change anymore. My son has grown up, ready to establish his own household, raised with the love for Vũ Nương. I hope she, in the underwater palace, continues to watch over my son and me every day and rejoices in it.
2. Portraying Trương Sinh to retell the story of The Tale of the Nam Xương Girl, model number 2:
I was born into a fairly affluent family in Nam Xương. Upon reaching my twenties, my parents arranged a marriage for me. My wife, Vũ Thị Thiết, possessed a graceful appearance, gentle demeanor, and was diligent.
We lived harmoniously, happily anticipating the arrival of our first child. Suddenly, war erupted, chaos ensued everywhere. Upon receiving orders to join the military, I bid farewell to my elderly mother and young wife to head to the battlefield.
As I departed, my elderly mother tightly grasped my hand, solemnly advising:
- Be cautious amidst the arrows and bullets, retreat when faced with difficulty, advance with prudence, don't covet luxuries and fall into traps. Leave high positions to others. Only then will your mother at home be free from worries about you.
I knelt down to heed my mother's advice. My wife filled a cup of wine and handed it to me with both hands, saying:
- On this journey, I dare not hope for you to return adorned with honors or clad in fine garments. I only ask that you bring back two words: peace and safety. I worry about the unpredictable enemy, the cunning foe. The enemy is still lurking, the court army is still struggling. Yet, the bamboo shoots have not split, and the melons have ripened too soon, causing me and my dear mother to worry. Looking at the moon shining on the old city, I mend your warm clothes to send to the distant border, gazing at the willows swaying in the deserted field, my heart is filled with sorrow, pitying the people of this land. Even if a thousand letters were sent, I fear there would be no news of your return.
As she spoke, tears welled up in everyone's eyes. After the farewell banquet ended, I set off on my journey. Everything around remained the same, but my heart was heavy with the burden of life and the distant love that separated us. After traveling for a week, my wife gave birth to a son. She named him Đản. With the birth of our child, the house became less desolate. Days turned into months, and half a year had passed in the blink of an eye. My elderly mother missed and worried about me so much that she fell seriously ill. Knowing that her time was near, she said to my wife:
- Life is uncertain, influenced by fate. Mother didn't wish to wait for her husband's return. But greed knows no bounds, and fate is unpredictable. The well runs dry, the bell tolls, luck dwindles. A frail body, vulnerable day and night, life and death concerns haunt her. Your father is far away, unaware of life and death's trials. Unable to repay his debts, in the future, if heaven judges with kindness, granting blessings and prosperity, like a fertile lineage, numerous descendants. Green willow vows to never forsake you, just as you have never forsaken.
With those words, my mother closed her eyes. My wife wept with sorrow, worrying about laying my mother to rest in a peaceful and beautiful grave.
A year later, after the enemy was defeated, I returned to my hometown. Hearing of my mother's passing, I was deeply saddened! Taking my son from my wife's arms, I carried him to my mother's grave to light incense. In the field, he cried incessantly, despite my attempts to soothe him. I told him:
- Hush now, my son, don't cry anymore! Your father has returned, but your grandmother has passed away. Your father's heart is filled with sorrow!
Suddenly, my son exclaimed:
- Oh wow! So you're also my father? You can talk unlike my previous father who was always silent.
I was surprised and asked my son what he meant. He told me that every night a man would come to our house. His mother would sit and talk with him, follow him wherever he went, but never carry him.
I was naturally suspicious. Hearing this, a surge of jealousy erupted within me. I rushed home, yelling in anger. My wife, crying, said:
- I, born into poverty, found solace in the arms of wealth. Our union, however, was never truly harmonious, disrupted by the fires of war. Separated for three years, I remained faithful. My heart, once troubled, now at peace, never strayed despite the allure of others. The whispers of suspicion, unfounded as they were, pierced my soul. I pleaded with you, begged for understanding, to dispel the doubts. Please, do not unjustly accuse me!
But no matter how much you explained, I could not bring myself to believe. When you asked about that matter, I kept it from you. I scolded you harshly and drove you out, despite the neighbors' defense. Finally, with tears in your eyes, you said:
- I relied on you because of the pleasures of wealth and comfort. But now, as the lotus withers in the pond, as the willows shed their leaves in the wind, as winter's snow covers the fallen blossoms, and the swallows depart from the land, how can I return to the lofty mountain of our vows?
After bathing clean, you stood by the Hoang River, gazing at the sky, lamenting:
- This wretched fate, abandoned by husband and family, fate's whims driving me to despair, my cries unanswered, river gods bear witness! If I remain virtuous, my purity untainted, may I become the Jade Maiden in the water, or the grass by the river. I am willing to be food for fish and shrimp below, and rice for kites above, enduring the scorn of all.
After speaking, she cast herself into the river and perished. Despite my anger at her indiscretion, witnessing her resolve, I felt deep remorse. I tried to retrieve her for burial, but she was nowhere to be found. One night, sitting sorrowfully before the dim lamp, my son exclaimed: 'Father, there's Dad again!' and pointed to my shadow on the wall. It suddenly dawned on me, filled with immense regret! During my absence, my wife would play with our son every night, pointing to her shadow, claiming it was Dad. I understood her plight and blamed myself for my cruelty, but it was too late!
At the riverbank near the village, there was a local official named Phan Lang. One night, he dreamt of a woman in a blue dress begging for mercy. The next morning, someone presented him with a green tortoise. Recalling his dream, he released the tortoise into the river.
Several years later, when the Ming army invaded Chi Lang, the terrified villagers fled to the sea but perished in a great storm. Phan Lang drifted to a remote island cave. A woman named Linh Phi, recognizing him as her savior, gave him a miraculous potion to drink. Shortly after, Phan Lang revived.
Linh Phi hosted a lavish banquet. Among the guests, there was a beauty who barely adorned herself, bearing a striking resemblance to Vu Nương. Phan Lang inquired and learned she was Vu Thi Thiet from the same village, driven by injustice to drown herself in the Hoàng Giang River, only to be rescued and brought here to live with Linh Phi and other celestial maidens.
Before Phan Lang left the underwater palace, Vu Nương asked him to tell me that she would find her way back someday. If I still remembered our past love and loyalty, I should organize a truth-revealing ceremony by the riverbank.
Upon returning to the village, Phan Lang sought me out and recounted everything, but I remained skeptical. When he presented the evidence, the golden flower belonging to my wife, I reluctantly admitted it was indeed the item she carried when she left.
The next morning, I followed her instructions and organized the truth-revealing ceremony for three days and nights by the riverbank. True enough, I saw Vu Nương sitting on the flower-adorned palanquin in the middle of the river, accompanied by fifty decorated carriages, flags fluttering, and canopies shimmering. I called out loudly, but she remained in the middle of the river, echoing back:
- I express gratitude to the mercy of Linh Phi, who swore to live and die without forsaking. I am thankful for your affection, but I can no longer return to the mortal realm!
In an instant, everything vanished. I bowed my head in remorse. A terrifying sense of regret tore at my heart. It was because of my blind jealousy that my family ended up in such a dire situation. My mistake is beyond remedy. I only hope that people will learn from the plight of my family: in marriage, love, respect, and trust are essential. Only then can happiness endure.
The essay 'Portraying Trương Sinh to Retell the Story of the Girl from Nam Xương' was the most remarkable.
3. Portray Trương Sinh to recount the story of the Girl from Nam Xương, model number 3:
- Nobody is without mistakes in life, but what's important is knowing how to rectify them. However, for me, when I made a mistake, there was no way to redeem it, only left with pain, regret, and sorrow about what happened several years ago...I - Trương Sinh was born and raised in the land of Nam Xương. My father unfortunately passed away early, leaving only my mother and me in the house. The two of us relied on each other to live. My mother always wanted me to marry early so that she could have grandchildren, adding more joy to our family. When I reached the age of marriage, my mother found a matchmaker and arranged for me to marry a very beautiful and reputable girl in the region named Vũ Thị Thiết. I was very happy because our family situation was also normal, my widowed mother, and I were not wealthy, but I was diligent in my work. However, I was not a high-ranking official or landlord, yet she agreed to marry me. I loved my wife very much, and because of that love, sometimes I was jealous for no reason. It was a bad habit, but because I loved her so much, I couldn't control my emotions whenever there was another man approaching or getting close to Vũ Thị Thiết.
My small family was now additionally taken care of and nurtured by Vũ Thị Thiết, who was diligent and caring, and I felt truly happy and peaceful. That was probably the happiest time of my life. My mother was old and weak, she loved her daughter-in-law as if she were her own flesh and blood, and she was also extremely filial to her. We lived together harmoniously, happily, and eagerly awaited the arrival of our first child. Suddenly, war broke out, chaos erupted everywhere. Receiving orders to join the army, I had to say goodbye to my old mother and young wife to go to battle.
At the farewell, my old mother held my hand tightly, advising with a heavy heart:
- Son, take care of yourself amidst the arrows and bullets, retreat when it's difficult, assess your strength before advancing, don't be tempted by sweet bait to avoid falling into traps. Let the high-ranking officials give way to others. With that, your old mother at home won't worry about you.
I knelt down to heed my mother's advice. As for Vũ Thị Thiết, she filled a cup of wine and handed it to me with both hands, saying:
- On this journey, I dare not hope for you to return with honors, adorned in silk garments. I only wish for the day you return to bring back two words: peace and safety. I worry about the unpredictable military affairs, the cunning enemy. The madness of the invaders still lurks, the court troops are treacherous. Yet, the bamboo fence has not been split, and the melons have ripened too quickly, causing me to worry, dear mother to fret. Looking at the old moon shining, I mend my warm clothes to send to the distant border, gazing at the willows swaying on the deserted shore, my heart is filled with sadness, pitying the people of this land. Even though there may be a thousand letters, I fear there will be no carrier pigeon soaring high.
Seeing the two most important women in my life like that, I was deeply moved and speechless. In my heart arose a warm and comforting feeling knowing that our home, our family, was being cared for by the skillful hands of my wife and mother. On the day I left for the army, with a heavy heart, I turned away from our home, walking briskly without looking back.
After a week of marching, my wife gave birth to a son. She named him Đản. With a child, our home felt less empty. Days turned into months, and suddenly it was half a year. My old mother missed and worried about me to the point of falling seriously ill. Vũ Thị Thiết didn't shy away from hardship, she always stayed close to take care of my mother until she passed away. From then on, our small house lost one figure, leaving only the two of us, mother and child, relying on each other. Đản didn't know who his father was, because I had been away in the army for several years.
The day the enemy was defeated was when I packed up and returned home. Upon arrival, I heard the dreadful news from a neighbor that my mother had passed away over half a year ago. I was devastated, quickly dropping my bag containing personal belongings and rushing to visit my mother's grave. However, I didn't know where my mother was buried, so I took my little son along. At that time, my wife was busy buying food at the market to celebrate my victory over the enemy. While carrying my son to visit my mother's grave, he kept crying and refused to acknowledge me as his father. He even punched my back, saying, 'Let me go, you're not my father. My father comes every night.' The old saying goes, 'Ask the old for home, ask the young for the way home,' so hearing my son speak like that made me very angry. I believed that my wife had been unfaithful in my absence, hence her softness towards someone. I quickly lit incense, paid respects to my mother, and then hurried back home to confront my wife. As I walked, my heart burned like fire, truly filled with rage.
When I entered the house, my wife was busy in the kitchen preparing many delicious dishes. She came out with a smear of grease on her face, looking extremely beautiful, charming, and adorable. But the jealousy within me was reaching its peak, and I couldn't calm down. I stared at my wife and asked: The son said you have visits every night, who is that? Who is it? My anger surged like a raging fire, completely engulfing my rationality. I angrily scolded and shouted at Vũ Thị Thiết, disregarding her tears and pleas. When my anger reached its peak, I coldly ordered her to leave the house. Despite the neighbors' attempts to intervene, I yelled at them too, sending them away. Vũ Thị Thiết continued to cry, each tear soaking her clothes. I suddenly felt a pang of something, but then the flames of anger overwhelmed everything. I blindly drove her away, closing the gate behind her.
After being expelled from the house, I thought she would go back to her mother's house or ask some relatives for shelter. But no, my wife cleaned herself up, changed into her best clothes, and went to the Hoàng Gia palace, looking up at the sky and pleading with the heavens to testify to her purity and virtue. Then, my wife threw herself into the river to commit suicide. She was gone. I was shocked. She was really gone... Why did this happen? My heart ached as I looked down at the still water. I couldn't believe she would be so determined. I started to resent myself for being too suspicious. If she wasn't guilty, why did she react so strongly? My jealousy indirectly led to Vũ Thị Thiết's death. That poor woman, I loved her, but I hurt her to the point of losing her life just because she wanted to prove her innocence to me.
At night, in the cold house, I couldn't sleep, and my son kept crying, asking for his mother. I comforted him until he finally fell asleep. Unable to sleep myself, I got up and lit a lamp to brighten the room. When I saw my shadow on the wall, my son happily exclaimed, 'That's daddy!' His words startled me awake, realizing that I had wrongly accused my wife and pushed her to a tragic death. Painful memories flooded back. Everything happened so quickly, and I behaved so coldly and cruelly towards Vũ Thị Thiết. She only wanted me to trust her. But I couldn't do that. Now, I am filled with regret and sorrow, but I can't bring her back to this family anymore. My son has lost his mother because of his heartless father...
Near my house, there's a fisherman named Phan Lang. Once, he dreamt of a girl begging for mercy, and when he woke up, he found a large turtle, so he released it back into the sea. One day, he capsized at sea and was rescued by a girl, who turned out to be my wife. My wife, due to unjust grievances, sought death, which moved the water deity to save her. She asked Phan Lang to relay a message to me: 'Dear, please organize a ritual to clear my name, and I will return.' Initially skeptical, I believed him when I received Vũ Nương's golden flower, confirming his words.
Following Phan's advice, I arranged a ritual by the riverbank. Vũ Nương appeared intermittently. I called out, but she remained in the middle of the river, saying: 'I am grateful for Linh Phi's oath to never abandon me. Thank you for your love. I cannot return to the mortal realm.'
In the moment when the scene disappeared, I bowed my head in remorse. A profound regret pierced my heart. It was my irrational jealousy that led to the separation of my family. My mistake is irreparable. I hope others learn from my experience, that in a lifelong bond, with deep affection and trust, only then can a marriage endure.
As the vision dissolved, I knelt in anguish. A profound remorse gripped my soul. It was my irrational jealousy that tore apart my family, leaving us forever separated. My mistake is beyond redemption. I urge everyone to reflect on my story and learn the lesson that enduring happiness in marriage comes from love, respect, and trust in each other.
Currently, ninth-grade students are required to write essay number 3. To complete essay number 3 effectively and meaningfully, students should refer to sample essays on this topic. Essay assignment number 3 for ninth grade consists of 4 topics: Topic 1: Narrate a time when you accidentally read your friend's diary, Describe the encounter with the soldier driver in the poem about the unglazed vehicle squad, Recall a memorable moment between you and your former teachers, Recall a meeting with veterans on the occasion of the establishment of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22). VnDoc.com has collected sample essays for reference for this essay number 3. Students are encouraged to use them for better writing ideas. Good luck with your studies.
Portraying Trương Sinh to recount the story of the Nam Xương girl, ninth grade
4. Portraying Trương Sinh to recount the story of the Nam Xương girl, model number 4:
Her figure flickered above the river, expressing gratitude to me and my child, then she vanished... I desperately called her name to hold on, but she had permanently disappeared, forever leaving my father and me. All due to irrational jealousy, I have lost my gentle and virtuous wife.
Originally from Nam Xương, I hailed from a wealthy family but preferred pleasure over study. By the age of twenty, my mother arranged a marriage for me. The bride, Vũ Nương, was a delicate and virtuous woman with exceptional grace. Although satisfied with my wife, my jealousy often surfaced, fearing her beauty and grace would attract admirers. Aware of my insecurity, Vũ Nương took great care to maintain our family's tranquility and warmth. Consequently, my love for her deepened.
However, our blissful family life was short-lived as war erupted, and I was drafted. On the day of my departure, both my mother and wife wept, praying for my safe return. Amidst the years at the front lines, I longed for my family dearly, yearning for my elderly mother at home and my virtuous wife. I only wished for the war to end swiftly so I could reunite with my family.
After three years of war, I returned home with excitement and longing. Yet, upon my return, I was greeted by countless tragedies. My mother, overwhelmed by longing for me, fell ill and passed away. Carrying my younger child, Đản, barely a year old, I visited my mother's grave. However, Đản cried incessantly, refusing to accompany me. I tried to console him:
Hush now, my child, don't cry! Your father's heart is already heavy with sorrow!
My son said:
So you're also my father, huh? You actually speak, unlike the previous one who only kept silent.
I was surprised, stunned, my heart suddenly ached, jealousy surged within me. I pressed the boy for details about the man. The boy innocently replied:
'Every night, someone comes. When Mom sits, he sits. When Mom leaves, he leaves too. But he never carries Đản.'
By now, I'm no longer calm. My gentle and virtuous wife turned out to be just a facade. When I joined the army, she immediately betrayed me. I was furious and drove her out of the house. She pleaded earnestly:
'I, a poor girl, relied on a wealthy family. Our marriage lacked intimacy, and separation came due to wartime duties. Three years apart couldn't erase our bond. Your suspicions are unfounded. I dare to express this to dispel doubts. Please don't unjustly accuse me.'
But her words were mere deceit and excuses to me at that moment. I dismissed her and used harsh, condemning words to drive her away. If only I had remained calm and explained the situation clearly, my family wouldn't be facing this separation today.
Frustrated by the lack of understanding, Vũ Nương washed herself clean and went to the Hoàng Giang riverbank to end her life, proving her purity. At that time, I didn't fully understand the situation, but knowing that my wife committed suicide was heartbreaking. I went to the riverbank to retrieve her body for a proper burial, but couldn't find her. My child and I had to return home empty-handed.
Raising a child alone as a single rooster isn't easy. That night, as I lit the lamp, little Đản suddenly exclaimed:
'Daddy Đản is back! It's the daddy who always comes with mommy,' he said.
It was then that I realized I had wrongly accused my wife. During my absence, out of longing and a desire to compensate for our child, so that Đản could receive the full love of both parents, she had pointed to her own shadow and said it was daddy Đản. Blinded by jealousy, I didn't investigate the truth and caused her tragic death. I deeply regret it.
Time passed by swiftly. One day, Phan Lang from our village brought a flower that my wife used to favor and conveyed Vũ Nương's message. She instructed me to set up a ritual by the river, lighting lanterns and floating them downstream to call her back. I was skeptical at first, but seeing the flower, unmistakably hers, I reluctantly organized the ritual. When Vũ Nương returned, she looked at me and said:
'I am grateful for your kindness, your noble heart, and the divine intervention of Linh Phi, saving my life. I promised to stay by Linh Phi's side, even if it means facing death. I owe you my gratitude, my dear, as I cannot return to the mortal world anymore,' she said.
Before I could even apologize, Vũ Nương disappeared...
She returned without blame or reproach. That only intensified my pain and remorse. In a moment of jealousy, I deprived my child of the motherly love she deserved, and I lost my own happiness, my gentle and kind wife. I will live in regret and sorrow for the rest of my life, never forgetting her...
In the literature program for Grade 9, the section 'Appreciating the Father-Son Relationship through the Short Story 'The Ivory Comb'' is an important topic that students need to prepare for.
Explore the detailed analysis of the section 'Expressing Thoughts and Feelings about the Character Mr. Six in the Story 'The Ivory Comb' by Writer Nguyễn Quang Sáng' to excel in Grade 9 Vietnamese Literature.
