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Sample Essay: Reflecting on the Passage of Bestowing Charm
Reflecting on the Passage of Bestowing Charm
I. Outline
1. Introduction
- Introduction to the author Nguyen Du and The Tale of Kieu
- Introduction to the excerpt Bestowing Charm
2. Main Body
a. Thuy Kieu's Invocation for Bestowing Charm (First 12 verses)
* The first four verses: Thuy Kieu's earnest plea
- The words 'rely,' 'bear' in speech and actions like 'pray,' 'say' make the plea extremely heartfelt.
- 'Rely' carries both a desperate plea and an invisible weight.
- Kieu employs speech and actions of the beneficiary to communicate with Thuy Van.
=> Kieu's behavior continues to demonstrate sophistication, clever intelligence, and modesty.
* Next eight lines: Kieu's Persuasion
- Four subsequent verses: Thuy Kieu recounts her love story with Mr. Kim
+ 'Fan and oath' are symbolic images evoking beautiful memories of love with Mr. Kim...(Continued)
>> See detailed sample essay HERE.
II. Sample Essay
1. Sample 1:
Directly perceiving the Bestowing Charm passage, the sample essay below essentially captures the tragic situation and complex emotions of Kieu.
Essay:
The Bestowing Charm passage belongs to the section of family changes and exile. The excerpt spans from verse 723 to verse 756 in the work. The false accusations lead to an unjust case against Thuy Kieu's family, forcing her to sell herself to save her father and younger brother from imprisonment. After arranging the sale, Kieu sits through sleepless nights reflecting on her fate and her lost love. Urgently, she implores Thuy Van to repay her gratitude to Mr. Kim on her behalf.
Relying on you, will you heed my plea,
Sit in my place, bow for me, then speak dutifully.
The author employs a series of words expressing Kieu's pleading and urgent attitude: 'Rely': (with a musical tone), revealing trust, anticipation, and a heavy tone to convey the agony and pain within the character's inner self...(Continued)
>> View the detailed sample essay HERE.
4 selected essays Reflecting on the Bestowing Charm excerpt
2. Sample 2:
It can be said that during the Bestowing Charm, Thuy Kieu underwent highly intricate emotional developments, experiencing pain, sorrow, regret, and despair. The sample essay below will explore these sentiments with the readers.
Essay:
When it comes to Vietnamese literature, even international friends are familiar with the masterpiece 'The Tale of Kieu' by the great poet Nguyen Du. 3245 six-eight couplets, each verse penetrating the heart, resonating through time. 'Bestowing Charm' is one of the outstanding excerpts in Kieu's story. The passage successfully depicts the complex psychological developments and the inner turmoil of Kieu as she implores Thuy Van to repay gratitude to Mr. Kim.
Thuy Kieu and Kim Trong met, impressed by each other's talents and beauty. One clear moonlit night, they made vows to each other. However, Kim Trong had to return to his hometown for a relative's funeral. Unexpectedly, tragedy struck Thuy Kieu's family. To save her father and brother, Kieu had to sell herself to Ma Giam Sinh. Fulfilling filial duty, she had to give up her beautiful love with Kim Trong. Shortly after their vows, Kieu couldn't fulfill them...(Continued)
>> View the detailed sample essay HERE.
3. Sample 3:
Facing the family crisis, Thuy Kieu decided to sell herself to save her father and brother. She entrusted her love with Mr. Kim to Thuy Van. The essay below reflects Thuy Kieu's emotions during the Bestowing Charm.
Essay:
Nguyen Du is an exceptional poet in Vietnamese literature. Through the masterpiece 'The Tale of Kieu,' the author vividly portrays the image of a deteriorating feudal society at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, oppressed and pushed people to the brink. 'Bestowing Charm' is one of the remarkable excerpts in Kieu's story. Although only a short passage, it somewhat illustrates the complex psychological developments and inner struggles of Kieu as she implores Thuy Van to repay gratitude to Mr. Kim.
After being unjustly slandered, the family faced adversity. Thuy Kieu decided to sell herself to Ma Giam Sinh to save her imprisoned father and brother. Prioritizing filial duty meant giving up her beautiful but unfinished love with Kim Trong. Unable to fulfill the couple's vows, Thuy Kieu asks Thuy Van to fulfill the promise to Kim Trong, even though it brings immense pain and sorrow...(Continued)
>> View the detailed sample essay HERE.
4. Sample 4:
After summarizing the content of the previous chapters, students have their perceptions of the Bestowing Charm passage as well as the emotions of Kieu during this scene.
Essay:
Nguyen Du is the national poet of Vietnam. He lived during a turbulent period in history, where society was dominated by money. In that society, Nguyen Du witnessed many scenes of injustice and the decay of society. He deeply empathized with the unhappiness of women at that time. He wrote many famous works to express the profound sympathy and pity for the unfortunate women. Among them is the masterpiece 'The Tale of Kieu,' which includes the Bestowing Charm passage, resonating with the tragic ending of a beautiful love. The passage describes the ironic situation of Kieu when she has to bestow her charm to her sister and clarifies the painful and desperate emotional developments as her love falls apart, having to betray Kim Trong's trust.
After the vow between Kim Trong and Thuy Kieu, Kim Trong had to return to attend his relative's funeral in Lieu Duong. Tragedy struck Thuy Kieu's family, forcing her to sell herself to redeem her father and brother. The night before going with Ma Giam Sinh, Kieu entrusted Van to repay gratitude to Kim Trong on her behalf...(Continued)
>> View the detailed sample essay HERE.
Explore the content of the Bestowing Charm passage and the emotions of Thuy Kieu within it. In addition to the Reflection on the Bestowing Charm passage provided here, you can also refer to my perception of the first 12 verses in the Bestowing Charm passage and the article Analysis of the Bestowing Charm passage from The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du.
