Reflecting on the poem 'Wife's Affection'

Prompt: Reflecting on the poem 'Wife's Affection' by Trần Tế Xương

5 exemplary essays Reflecting on the poem 'Wife's Affection'

Tip: How to interpret a literary work, whether it be poetry or prose

I. Structured Outline for Reflecting on Tú Xương's poem 'Wife's Affection' (Standard)

1. Introduction

Introduction to Tú Xương's poem 'Wife's Affection'

2. Body of the poem

a. Two opening lines
- 'Year-round' suggests a long, relentless period without a day off.
- 'Mom riverbank' depicts the perilous, unstable land by the riverbank
- 'Raising five kids with one husband': humorously phrased but carries a sense of sadness. It reflects Mrs. Tú's hardship in bearing the responsibility for her husband and children.

b. Two real-life lines
- Rearranging the words 'struggling hard', 'narrow waist' at the beginning of the lines to portray Mrs. Tú's hardship and loneliness in livelihood.
- 'Struggling hard with a skinny waist' implies Mrs. Tú's hardship and sympathy in the chaotic, crowded scenes of buyers and sellers.
=> Vividly depicts Mrs. Tú's toil and hardship, also showing Mr. Tú's understanding and empathy towards his wife.

c. Two concluding lines
- 'One fate, two debts' suggests Mrs. Tú's hardship and resignation in her fate.
- 'Accepting fate': Embracing one's destiny without complaint
- 'Five suns, ten rains': Depicts the hardships and struggles of livelihood
- 'Dare to manage the house': Ready to shoulder the burden of life for her husband and children.
=> Highlights the admirable qualities of Mrs. Tú: Compassionate, hardworking, and rich in sacrifice.

d. Two closing lines
- 'Life's ways' here can be understood as the feudal society's injustice that pushed people into poverty.
- 'Negligent': indifferent, unreliable
- Tú Xương curses the wretched ways of life, curses his own insignificance which created hardships for Mrs. Tú's life.
=> The verse vividly portrays Tế Xương's sorrow, helplessness.
=> Demonstrates the noble character of Tú Xương.

3. Conclusion

General appreciation of the poem's value

>> Explore more sample Outlines Reflecting on the poem 'Wife's Affection' here.
 

II. Sample Essays Reflecting on Tú Xương's poem 'Wife's Affection'
 

1. Reflection on the poem 'Wife's Affection', sample 1 (Standard):

In ancient society, Confucian scholars often used poetry as a means to express principles and sentiments, with very few works addressing the mundane aspects of daily life. Medieval poetry about women was scarce, and even rarer were poems about wives. 'Wife's Affection' by Trần Tế Xương is one of those rare poems. The poet not only praises the merits and heart of his wife but also wrote it while his wife was still alive. This is exceptionally rare in literature, as ancient writers often wrote about their wives only after they had passed away.

'Wife's Affection' is the most famous poem that Tú Xương wrote about his wife, conveying his love and appreciation for his spouse.

“Year-round trading by the riverbank
Raising five kids with one husband”

Right from the opening lines, poet Tú Xương portrays Mrs. Tú in a special context. Mrs. Tú appears amidst the hardships of livelihood, bearing the family burden of 'raising five kids with one husband.' 'Year-round' suggests a long, relentless period where Mrs. Tú engages in trading livelihood year-round without a day of rest. 'Mom riverbank' depicts the precarious land by the riverbank, where Mrs. Tú conducts her trading activities. Despite the toils and dangers, Mrs. Tú diligently works because she carries the burden of 'raising five kids with one husband.' The line 'Raising five kids with one husband' sounds humorous but conceals underlying sadness. Tú Xương sees himself as a burden, even comparing his weight to that of five children.

The best essays Reflecting on the poem 'Wife's Affection'

If the first two lines of the poet focus on depicting time, space of work, and the burdens of Mrs. Tú, then in the next two lines, the poet concentrates on describing Mrs. Tú's hardships and struggles:

“Struggling hard with a skinny waist in desolate spaces
Squabbles on the water's surface during winter ferry rides”

In the two real-life lines, Tế Xương rearranges the words “struggling hard”, “narrow waist” at the beginning of the lines to portray Mrs. Tú's hardship and loneliness in livelihood. “Struggling hard with a skinny waist” implies Mrs. Tú's hardships and sympathy in the chaotic, crowded scenes of buyers and sellers. These two lines vividly portray the hardships and struggles of Mrs. Tú, also showing Mr. Tú's understanding and empathy towards his resilient wife.

“One fate, two debts, accepting fate
Five suns, ten rains, daring to manage the household”

Here, poet Tú Xương borrowed folk proverbs to depict Mrs. Tú's life. “One fate, two debts” evokes the hardship, resignation in Mrs. Tú's fate. She has only one “fate” but has to bear two “debts” when becoming Mr. Tú's wife. Despite the harsh and unfair life, Mrs. Tú doesn't complain but still accepts “accepting fate”, silently carrying all burdens, sacrificing for her husband, for her children. Even if she has to endure many hardships “five suns, ten rains”, she doesn't fear difficulties, doesn't fear suffering “daring to manage the household”.

Through flexible use of antithesis combined with applying folk proverbs, Tú Xương has completed a beautiful, admirable portrait of Mrs. Tú: Compassionate, hardworking, rich in sacrifice. The verse is also a self-reproach of the poet with his “uselessness”, helplessness when witnessing his wife's hardships without being able to do anything.

“Parents living off silver are indifferent
Having a husband indifferent is as good as none”

The last two lines are like reproaches, criticisms of the “ways of the world”, of one's own helplessness. “Ways of the world” here can be understood as the feudal society with much injustice that pushed people into poverty. Not only criticizing the ways of the world, but he also criticizes his own self “Having a husband indifferent is as good as none”. He himself is a husband, a pillar of the family but inadvertently created many hardships for his wife because of pursuing ambitions. The verse vividly portrays Tế Xương's sorrow, helplessness. However, through cherishing his wife's sacrifices, condemning his own “indifference”, we see the admirable character of the poet, which is deep love for his wife, self-awareness.

Tú Xương (1870-1907), born Trần Tế Xương, lived a short life of 37 years closely tied to the most painful period of the nation when the French colonialists completely held sway over Vietnam, the feudal regime was fearful and weak before the enemy, corrupt and miserable towards the people. From a young age, Tú Xương was renowned for his intelligence, brightness, adhering to the Confucian notion of 'entering the world for positive impact', aspiring to engage in the political arena to serve the country. However, despite dedicating his entire life to scholarly pursuits, he failed the imperial examinations eight times, only attaining the title of scholar without office, his family lost all its wealth, leaving him with deep bitterness, resentment, and frustration towards the degenerate Westernized society. He vividly expressed these emotions in his poetic works. Despite facing much humiliation and suffering in life, fortune granted him a virtuous wife, Phạm Thị Mẫn, representing the Vietnamese woman with her simplicity, loyalty, endurance, and lifelong dedication to the family. Understanding his wife's hardships, Tú Xương repeatedly portrayed her in his poetry as an exemplary figure to express his appreciation, love, and sympathy for her struggles. A notable example is the poem 'Missing My Wife,' one of Tú Xương's most well-known works in the realm of romantic poetry, alongside his satirical genre, which was his forte.

Despite being a romantic poem, 'Missing My Wife' still carries the faint touch of satire, which is Trần Tế Xương's distinctive trait unmatched by any other poet. Moreover, with the theme of the wife, Tú Xương inherently differs greatly from his contemporaries. He was one of the poets deeply influenced by the long-standing Confucian tradition but possessed a broad and compassionate view of women in feudal society. Alongside the great poet Nguyễn Du, who viewed women as complete in both talent and beauty but doomed like Thúy Kiều with profound realism and humanitarian values, Tú Xương took an interesting and unique step by depicting his simple and devoted wife through witty language, yet imbued with profound empathy, appreciation, and gratitude towards his beloved spouse. It can be said that Tú Xương is a rare poet in Vietnamese literature, with fresh and unique themes, a deeply satirical poetic voice alongside a life full of bitterness and resentment.

In the poem, the image of Mrs. Tú emerges through Tú Xương's loving heart, primarily in the opening couplet:

“Year-round trading by the riverbank
Raising children for years with just one husband”

In the opening lines, the author vividly portrays the time and space of Mrs. Tú's struggle for survival. The phrase 'year-round' evokes a sense of perpetual motion, from one day to the next, one season to another, suggesting that this woman never has a moment of rest, enduring a very harsh period throughout her life. Secondly, the mention of the 'mom riverbank' space, a strip of land protruding into the river, with moored boats, treacherous and unsuitable for prolonged travel. Yet, Mrs. Tú persists, jostling and competing to sell goods, to earn a meager living for her entire family. From such harsh and difficult circumstances, the image of Mrs. Tú emerges, toiling tirelessly in her arduous trading activities. Moving to the concluding lines, it explains the hardships endured by Mrs. Tú, particularly because she has to 'Raise enough children with one husband.' The entire family relies on Mrs. Tú's trading, burdening her with two heavy loads, on one side, her five innocent children, on the other, her husband, who is a special burden, akin to raising five more children. Tú Xương subtly mocks himself, ridiculing his own inability to share the burden with his wife in raising their five children. Meanwhile, he himself is no different from the children, depending on every hard-earned penny his wife earns to endure a bitter and dissatisfied life. Through these lines, we see not only the poet's deep affection for his wife but also his feelings of humiliation and shame towards her and himself for his ineffectiveness and impotence in the face of life's challenges, feeling sorry for the futile academic life, unable to support his wife and children, instead becoming a burden for his wife to bear alone. In addition to the explanatory meaning, this concluding part also reveals the fruits of Mrs. Tú's long and arduous labor. This is demonstrated through the phrase 'raise enough,' neither surplus nor lacking, similar to the folk proverb 'Eat well, sleep well.' It can be seen that Mrs. Tú is an extremely resourceful and resilient woman, despite her difficult work and the two heavy burdens on her shoulders, she manages to shoulder them all, ensuring a comfortable life for her husband and children. Excellently fulfilling the responsibilities of an economic pillar in the family, even surpassing many other men in ensuring the livelihood of wife and children. It can be said that behind these two words 'raise enough,' we see a sense of gratitude, appreciation, and admiration that Tú Xương has for his beloved wife.

The exemplary essay 'Appreciation of Tú Xương's Poem 'Missing My Wife'

The image of Mrs. Tú is further depicted through two vivid lines:

“Diving through the deserted bird's habitat,
Snaking through the water's surface in winter ferry times.”

The prominent artistry here lies in the structural manipulation, emphasizing the words 'diving' and 'snaking' by placing them at the beginning of each line, depicting Mrs. Tú's survival strategies. Firstly, 'diving' is a vivid imagery, portraying the arduous struggle of Mrs. Tú at the mercy of the elements, while 'snaking' echoes her everyday survival in the bustling market, bargaining, falling, jostling, and competing to secure the best profits. The author also vividly recreates the working environment of Mrs. Tú, with more specificity and detail. 'Through the deserted bird's habitat' depicts a desolate, barren space, revealing the uncertainties and dangers of both space and time, whether in the early morning or late evening. 'In winter ferry times' also represents a challenging working environment, fraught with chaos and conflict, while also concealing many risks for Mrs. Tú in her pursuit of survival. Not only does the author depict Mrs. Tú's image in labor through realistic details, but Tú Xương also employs a classic metaphor from Vietnamese folk proverbs: 'the bird's habitat.' This image suggests Mrs. Tú's solitary and diligent figure amidst the toil and hardship, deeply pitiable. Furthermore, 'the bird's habitat' also prompts readers to contemplate the appearance and status of laborers, women in old society, all sharing common characteristics of hardship, endurance, and unfortunate circumstances.

Transitioning to two lines discussing Mrs. Tú's image, which continues to emerge within her husband's loving and appreciative heart.

“One fate, two debts, such is destiny,
Five suns, ten rains, dare to manage the labor.”

Tú Xương skillfully employs folk proverbs to depict the immense hardships of Mrs. Tú throughout her life, in her marriage to Trần Tế Xương. 'One fate, two debts,' derived from the Buddhist term 'fate and debt,' creatively interweaves the numbers 'one' and 'two,' conveying profound meaning that in this marriage, there is only one fate, but two debts. And Mrs. Tú truly bears the brunt, as fate is scarce but debts are plentiful, with little warmth in happiness, but much bitterness and suffering. Alongside the proverb 'fate and debt,' the author also utilizes the saying 'five suns, ten rains,' where sun and rain represent unfavorable weather conditions, in the poem symbolizing the harshness of life that Mrs. Tú must endure. Besides employing folk proverbs, Tú Xương also reveals Mrs. Tú's character, soul, in the subordinate clauses 'such is destiny' and 'dare to manage the labor,' demonstrating her patience, endurance, unwavering dedication, and resignation, typical traits of women in the feudal regime, wholeheartedly devoted to husband and children. Highlighting Mrs. Tú's soulful beauty are her noble sacrifice and high forgiveness, stemming from her deep love for her husband and fervent affection for her children. Through these initial six lines, Mrs. Tú emerges with two poignant yet dignified characteristics.

Through the expression of love for his wife throughout the poem, the image of Mr. Tú also faintly emerges. Firstly, he is portrayed as someone who knows how to love, cherish, and appreciate his wife, which was rare in the old society where men often held superiority over women. Mr. Tú's affection is indirectly expressed through the depiction of Mrs. Tú, and directly conveyed through his humorous, witty remarks acknowledging her efforts in 'Raising five children with one husband.'

Tú Xương also reveals himself as a person of character through self-reproaching lines like 'One fate, two debts,' acknowledging himself as the 'debt' Mrs. Tú must bear and repay in this life. This self-reproach is further exemplified in the final two lines of the poem: 'Parents' habits of living in silver, A negligent husband is as good as none!,' which is self-directed criticism stemming from guilt and remorse for not fulfilling the responsibilities of a man in the family, followed by criticism directed at society, where injustice is glaringly present. The cursing and self-reproach subtly woven throughout the poem originate from the husband's sense of responsibility and fatherhood, as well as a sense of helplessness when unable to support his wife and children, and the frustration of being unable to achieve in his career. The self-reproach also stems from Mr. Tú's deep love and profound empathy for his wife in her struggle for survival, in this less-than-ideal marriage with him.

Through the poem, we see the image of a woman who is both pitiable and dignified, while also revealing the beautiful soul of Mrs. Tú with noble sacrifices, steadfast determination, forgiveness, and heartfelt love for her husband and children. Additionally, we witness Mr. Tú's affection for his wife and the beauty of his character through his self-reproach and witty remarks.

3. Reflection on Tú Xương's poem 'Thương Vợ' (Wife's Love), sample number 3:

In the history of our literature, poems about wives have been scarce. Therefore, genuine, profound, and emotionally stirring poems on this subject are even rarer. Hence, Tran Te Xuong can be considered a special case. In his poetry, he mentions his wife on numerous occasions.

At times, he carves her name on golden stone tablets to honor her. He even questions the officials about paying his wife's salary. Recalling centuries-old stories over the table. Sometimes, he strokes his beard to please his wife and child. There are also moments when he writes notes directly on the pillar, asking if his mother is foolish or wise. In a more lofty and pretentious manner, the writer has penned eulogies to celebrate his wife's life. But the pinnacle of this poetry genre by him must be the poem 'Wife's Love:',

Throughout the year trading by the river's edge
Raising five children with one husband pledge
Diving like a heron in the empty spaces rare
Wading through the river's face in winter's dare
One fate two debts, resignation takes its stance
Ten rains and five sunny days, daring life's dance
Parents living in silver, husband neglecting, near none!
This is a sentimental poem - folkloric and deeply touching. To express his love, gratitude, and appreciation for his wife, the poet vividly portrays her hardships and struggles, as a woman who has dedicated herself to raising children and supporting her husband. Through this, he praises the virtues of steadfastness and silent sacrifice, the noble traits of a devoted wife.

This is a sentimental poem - folkloric and deeply touching. To express his love, gratitude, and appreciation for his wife, the poet vividly portrays her hardships and struggles, as a woman who has dedicated herself to raising children and supporting her husband. Through this, he praises the virtues of steadfastness and silent sacrifice, the noble traits of a devoted wife.

In the first two lines, Tú Xương speaks of his wife's hardships and patience in a natural, intimate, humorous, and playful manner. He introduces the burden of raising children on his wife's shoulders while indirectly expressing his deep affection for her:

Trading by the river's edge all year round
Raising five children with one husband around

Selected interpretations of Tú Xương's poem 'Wife's Love'

These two lines serve as a work report. In the first line, although the trading job itself may not fully reflect the hardships or patience, the context of time (all year round) and space (by the river's edge) clearly convey that message.

Throughout the year, those two words alone contain countless hours of uninterrupted time, from the beginning to the end of the year, regardless of rain or shine, always, tirelessly trading. That's the temporal context. As for the spatial context, where to do business? That's the river's edge. According to Professor Lê Trí Viễn, the river's edge is a landform surrounded by water on three sides, constantly flowing into the river at unpredictable times (Lê Trí Viễn - Lectures on Literature at the University, Education Publishing House, Hanoi, 1982). Day in and day out, month after month, year after year, trading in the precarious river's edge.

Why does she have to toil so much?

The second line of verse has a clear answer:
Raising five children with one husband.

The poet elevated his wife to the pillar of the family. A heavy burden of livelihood was placed on the shoulders of the woman. Throughout the year, she endured hardship, danger, and difficulty to raise five children and a husband, meaning six mouths to feed including herself. But at the same time, he also lowered himself to be on equal footing with the children, or rather stood at the end of the line behind the five children to become the sixth mouth. 'With one husband' clearly indicates that he's just another mouth to feed, riding on the coattails of the children. The poet sees himself as a burden to his wife. This way of speaking implies both gratitude and pride, yet with a hint of regret, remorse, and ironic self-deprecation.

Following are two vivid lines where the poet expressed his love for his wife by depicting her hardships, yet also her resilience:

Diving deep like the lone crane in the solitude
Weaving through the waters in the winter ferry

Borrowing the imagery of loneliness and toil from ancient folklore: the lone crane navigating the riverbanks... he embellishes it with his skilled artistic touch. While folklore often uses the crane's image to indirectly depict women, more specifically wives and mothers toiling tirelessly, Tú Xương directly equates the crane's existence with the role of a wife. The poet employs the inversion 'Diving deep like the lone crane' to emphasize his wife's toil and hardship. Furthermore, the setting of the crane's livelihood here is not just any riverbank, which could be bustling or serene, but is precisely defined by the poet as 'the void.' All these analyses aim to express and have expressed the silent, arduous toil of the wife likened to that of the crane.

The subsequent line further elaborates on Tú's struggle with livelihood. Encountering the winter ferry (the bustling winter dock or crowded ferry), she always has to endure being jostled, clamoring to haggle, bargaining back and forth, squeezing through the crowd to conduct business like everyone else. Despite her noble lineage, Tú still has to get her hands dirty and hustle. The poet, more than anyone, silently empathizes with his wife's circumstances and her silent sacrifices. It's solely for the sake of her husband and children's livelihoods that Tú braves all dangers and hardships... While this line doesn't directly quote folk songs, it still subtly echoes the sentiment: 'When you go, heed this advice, Rivers are deep, don't ford, ferries are filled, wait your turn.' It's the advice for young women to protect themselves. However, here, solely for her husband and children, Tú must reluctantly ignore this advice.

With just two lines filled with evocative and poignant words, Tú Xương vividly portrays the image of a wife laboring alone, immersed in the most difficult, pitiable, and daunting spatial and temporal contexts. Many believe these to be the best lines of the poem. According to Professor Nguyễn Đăng Mạnh, with these two lines, Tú Xương not only succinctly captures the hardship and toil of Mrs. Tú but also evokes the bustling marketplace scenes along the riverside in Nam Định province during that era.

If the first four lines entirely represent Mr. Tú's words about his wife, the next four lines express Mrs. Tú's own lamentations and self-blame. More accurately, here the poet doesn't stand outside as an observer to describe anymore; he has immersed himself in the character, speaking as Mrs. Tú to vent her complaints more subjectively:

One fate, two debts, such is destiny
Five suns, ten rains, dare not manage the household

Fate, a term deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, holds a broad significance. In marital relationships, fate is the predestined origin, leading couples together or keeping them apart. From this meaning, our folklore has constructed a contrasting pair of concepts: fate and debt (One fate, two debts, three affections. What fate does Auntie owe Uncle, it's merely the debt of life...). Thus, in folk belief, 'One fate, two debts' signifies the capriciousness of a woman's life. However, in Tú Xương's verse, juxtaposed with the following line, 'One fate, two debts' takes on a completely different meaning: one, two are no longer mere numbers but rather qualities, quantities: fate is singular while debts from those two fates are abundant. Mrs. Tú considers herself fortunate to have Mr. Tú contemplate that, which is also considered a form of fate. He is slightly more accomplished than the average person. That's all. Yet, he is the husband who remains flawed and obtuse, simply put.

Money entrusted to a prostitute for her children; Asking officials to provide for their wives' livelihoods... truly a debt for life. Fate may be scarce, but debts are plentiful as such.

The toil and hardship of the egret wading in the previous verse is now elevated to the toil and hardship of a fate that is the destiny of an entire lifetime, heavy and bitterly poignant. When it's fate, it must be endured. 'Endure' here means resignation, which is also acceptance. A line that bears 'endure' twice. Because of endurance, 'Five suns, ten rains, dare not manage the household' is so. Despite the many hardships (Five suns, ten rains), she shows no fear, sparing no effort of her own. 'Dare not manage the household' not only carries the meaning as mentioned but also demonstrates humility. Emerged from these two lines is the virtue of sacrifice, silent endurance of a virtuous wife. This is also the traditional virtue of Vietnamese women from ancient times to the present. The poet's heartfelt love for his wife is deeply profound.

Finally, the closing two lines of the poem are a curse:

Parents living for silver all their lives
A husband indifferent is as good as none!

In Mrs. Tu's outspoken words, the poet cursed the very triviality and insignificance of the husband, meaning himself. All the love for his wife, along with the frustration of feeling powerless and anger towards life, resonates in that poignant curse. But does he truly possess triviality, indifference towards his wife? That's hard to answer.

Yet upon reflection, this poem has somewhat answered that question. Moreover, considering oneself as good as nothing, as an excess person, an indifferent being, living as if already dead, while it may be self-cursing, it's also praising and extolling the contributions of the wife. Though a curse, the concluding two lines still carry a playful tone. The poet's self-judgment is also an expression of profound sympathy for his wife. He speaks of living for silver, but his heart is not silver, not indifferent to her in the slightest.

Thus, Wife's Love is indeed a beautiful poem illustrating the profound and sincere love of the poet for his wife, who endures, sacrifices, toils, and suffers silently for the sake of her husband and children. With a rich imagery, melody, natural and folksy language, the poet not only expresses his own emotions but also creates an enduring portrait embodying the traditional values of Vietnamese women, including fortitude, diligence, patience, and sacrifice.

4. Review of Tú Xương's Wife's Love, model 4:

Poet Tú Xương, whose real name is Trần Tế Xương, is one of the satirical poets of Vietnamese literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alongside works of satire and social criticism, he also produced uniquely romantic poetry. One of his significant works is the poem 'Wife's Love'.

Year-round trading by the riverbank,
Raising five children with a single husband.
Diving and wading through the heron's realm,
Weary amidst winter's ferry crossings.
One destiny, two debts, such is fate,
Ten suns, ten rains, daring to manage all.
Parents in the habit of seeking silver,
A negligent husband is as good as none!

It can be said he was one of the writers, poets who faced adversity in their careers. Despite his intelligence, he passed the examination only on his eighth attempt. Being poor and having many children, teaching was unstable in that decaying society. Therefore, Mrs. Tú became the backbone of the family, managing everything for her husband and children. This virtuous wife inspired him to compose the poem 'Wife's Love'. This poem conveys his feelings towards his dutiful wife, who silently endured all. Tú Xương begins the poem by summarizing the occupation of Mrs. Tú and their family circumstances:

'Year-round trading by the riverbank,
Raising five children with a single husband.'

Reflection on Tú Xương's poem 'Wife's Love'.

He is the pillar of the family, yet the family's livelihood depends on his wife's bustling trade. The author uses the term 'mom' to encompass the stark reality, vividly portraying Mrs. Tú's toil trading year-round by the Vị River, a place of precarious business and danger. The opening line reveals the poet's sentiment towards his wife's arduous trade. However, this laborious trade of the wife entails:

'Raising five children with a single husband.'

The line vividly describes the situation of 'raising five children with a single husband', deliberately using enumeration in poetry to emphasize the burden and meticulous effort of Mrs. Tú for the family. Even the husband becomes a count, an ironic twist, as one would expect him to at least support himself, yet in reality, Mrs. Tú is the one supporting the husband. The family situation is already challenging with five children and a husband who accomplishes little throughout the year except for studying. Thus, from there:

'Struggling like a heron in solitude,
Through the watery maze in winter's solitude.'

The next two lines elevate the poetic language to a new level, intensifying the hardship of the wife. Every word in the lines is like a stroke of paint, blending and complementing each other to accentuate Mrs. Tú's plight. Tú Xương's wife has 'struggled' but with the demeanor of a 'heron', and there are times in the 'solitude'. The hardship of making a living by the 'riverbank' seems endless! The poet employs the image of the 'heron' in folk poetry: 'The heron wades along the riverbank...', 'The heron braves the rain...', to recreate the image of the 'heron-like figure', evoking deep sympathy for Mrs. Tú, as well as the arduous plight of Vietnamese women in society at that time.

The image of struggling like a heron is depicted by the author in folk poetry:

'The heron wades along the riverbank,
Bearing burdens, it echoes its mate's cries.'

Though brief, these two lines vividly depict Mrs. Tú: With her fragile body, she endures the scorching sun and the morning mist, all for a meager meal. Her slender figure in the afternoon sun's reflection portrays loneliness and vulnerability, with nowhere to lean on when needed, let alone the myriad dangers faced by a woman on the road. The lines evoke contemplation, sympathy, and pity from the readers! Mrs. Tú's image represents the women in the decaying society of that time.

Those women silently sacrifice for their husbands and children, enduring society's push and pull, and Tú Xương becomes the voice of their inner thoughts:

'One fate, two debts, such is destiny,
Ten rains, ten suns, dare I manage the household.'

Their union is heaven's will, hence she 'accepts fate'. 'Accepting fate' is akin to an involuntary acceptance, suppressing the injustice and humiliation she faces daily. The heavy tone of the word 'fate' at the end only amplifies the poem's resonance with the pent-up emotions. Mrs. Tú toils tirelessly, enduring rain and shine, yet never daring to recount her contributions to her husband and children, always silently enduring.

'Parents live for silver's sake,
A husband indifferent, akin to none.'

The author's overwhelming love for his wife, to the point of breathlessness, yet unable to assist his virtuous wife, leads the poet to self-blame. He becomes a mouth to feed for his nurturing wife, enjoying leisure while she toils tirelessly, which seems somewhat intolerant. All these sentiments explode in the concluding two lines 'Parents live for silver's sake...' like a scathing rebuke to life and also a self-condemnation. The bitter, sour lines reproach himself, resenting himself for allowing his wife to suffer, enduring hardships, always bustling, always worrying for the family. But in reality, Mrs. Tú never blames her husband and children. It's precisely her endurance, her willingness to bear, to endure and toil, that makes him feel even more guilty, even more self-reproachful. In such circumstances, he sees himself as the one living off his wife's toil. Mrs. Tú has a husband but seems like she doesn't because she is the one who sustains the family.

With sincere affection and vivid artistry, Tú Xương portrays the noble qualities of a wife, a capable woman, diligent and devoted, nurturing her husband and children. Mrs. Tú represents the women of old Vietnam. Despite all the efforts in the family, Mr. Tú only receives a resounding 'no' in return.

Throughout the poem is the author's sentiment for his virtuous wife, his profound respect, all the efforts, the best he gives to Mrs. Tú. The language is simple, colloquial, using many folk elements, and the poem holds profound humanistic value.

5. Reflection on the poem Beloved Wife, model number 5:

The image of women has always been a timeless topic in Vietnamese literature. However, literature depicting wives from the perspective of a husband is rare, and Trần Tế Xương is one of the rare literary figures of the medieval Vietnamese poetry who portrayed his diligent wife while she was still a vibrant flower on the path of life, in romantic verses yet equally satirical, highlighting her sacrificial virtue, her compassionate and hardworking heart as a life partner, Mrs. Tú, thereby also expressing gratitude to his wife:

Throughout the year, trading by the riverbank,
Raising a brood of children with a single husband.
Diving into the wilderness when times are tough,
Navigating the water's edge during winter ferry rides.
One fate, two debts, fate resigned,
Braving ten rains and ten suns for the family.
Parents live for silver's sake,
A husband indifferent, akin to none.

Trần Tế Xương, often called Tú Xương, lived in a transitional period marked by poverty, half under French colonial rule and half under feudalism. He was intelligent, scholarly, extravagant, and had a talent for poetry, particularly in satire and romance, with a touch of sharp humor stemming from his dedication to the people, the country, and life. He was once hailed as an outstanding satirical poet of Vietnamese literature in the late 19th century.

The literary treasure of Tú Xương, although not extensive with only 100 poems, mainly in Nom poetry, consisting of various poetic forms such as seven-word and eight-line regulated verse, six-eight verse, etc., and some prose works, prayers, praise, couplets, etc., but many are remarkably unique, reaching a level of perfection in both content and artistry and considered immortal poems. The most clear evidence of this is the poem 'Beloved Wife' written in the form of seven-word and eight-line regulated verse. The poem addresses many aspects of society, while also expressing Tú Xương's heartfelt longing and profound gratitude - a victim of a chaotic society, where people become indifferent to themselves and their families, to Mrs. Tú. Through this, readers can somewhat understand the great sacrifices of women at that time or of Mrs. Tú for her husband.

Reflection on the poem Beloved Wife reveals the sincere appreciation of Tú Xương for his wife

At the beginning of the work, Tú Xương introduces the circumstances and livelihood of Mrs. Tú, thereby expressing sincere gratitude to his hard-working wife:

Throughout the year, trading by the riverbank,
Raising a brood of children with a single husband.

The emotional pulse of this poem gradually unfolds with a panoramic picture full of hardships and worries of Mrs. Tú - whose real name is Phạm Thị Mẫn. The author used the phrase 'Throughout the year' - indicating a period of repetitive time like a closed loop of nature to vividly depict Mrs. Tú's endless hardships stretching from one day to another, from one year to the next, regardless of scorching sun or pouring rain, not missing a single moment. Just that alone is enough to leave an indelible impression on readers about the image of a wife who silently shoulders all responsibilities within the family like Mrs. Tú. Moreover, the meticulous measurement and counting of time contribute to highlighting the space, the location of Mrs. Tú's trading activities through the image of the 'riverbank'. The location of the 'riverbank' is very challenging, full of unpredictable dangers because it is just a strip of land jutting out into the river where villagers often gather to trade, so during harsh weather conditions, the precarious terrain is prone to erosion, causing many difficulties for Mrs. Tú. Despite the difficulties, Mrs. Tú remains resilient, always striving to ensure the well-being of her family:

Raising a brood of children with a single husband.

With a witty poetic tone and talent in the art of satire, the second line of the poem is a sharp condemnation of the feudal society of the past, which turned men, who were supposed to be strong pillars within the family, into insignificant individuals who relied solely on their wives for sustenance, especially in terms of 'earning a living':

Drums haven't ceased beating, fathers ascend the ladder,
Asking those in power, do they earn their living from their wives?

(In the Family - Trần Tế Xương)

The burden on Mrs. Tú's shoulders has grown exponentially as she 'unwillingly' becomes the mainstay of the family. The phrase 'Raising a brood' is just right, just enough to raise, neither lacking nor excessive, resonating with a dignified tone yet also exuding a sense of pride, depicting Mrs. Tú's utmost resilience as she manages to ensure both the material and spiritual well-being of her 'brood of children' and her husband with her year-round trading activities in the treacherous, perilous 'riverbank'. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of the count nouns 'năm' (five) and 'một' (one) alongside each other appears seemingly awkward yet remarkably unique and innovative. Tế Xương humorously belittles himself by comparing himself on equal footing with his 'five young children,' implicitly elevating his wife's status to a sacred level, like a 'dear mother,' in order to truly appreciate Mrs. Tú's contributions most logically and accurately. Moreover, the structure of 'năm' - 'một' together with the conjunction 'with' encapsulates so much shame and sorrow, delineating the heavy burden where in the middle lies the frail, petite shoulders of the woman who bears it all, with 'five children' and 'one husband' weighing heavily on both sides, but seemingly, the difficulties lean more towards the husband's side due to the prevailing 'male supremacy, female inferiority' mindset deeply rooted in the old society. It can be said that Mrs. Tú 'raises enough' for Tế Xương not only to provide him with 'warmth, comfort' but also to take care of his other extravagant needs, making him furrow his brow because, in the end, Tế Xương is still a talented individual, a person with ambitions:

Knows tobacco, knows Chinese tea,
Knows the taste of tall buildings, the scent of grand mansions.

(Asking the Heavens - Trần Tế Xương)

Great:

Yesterday you came to visit here,
You wore 'giôn' shoes, held an 'umbrella Tây'.

(Lost the Umbrella While Singing - Trần Tế Xương)

The two opening lines of the poem, though succinct in just fourteen characters, have captured all the noble qualities in Mrs. Tú with her enduring patience, resilience under the sun and rain to manage everything in the family. Through this, Tú Xương also cleverly expresses his gratitude to Mrs. Tú, while also somewhat describing the author's embarrassment as a man who cannot help his wife to the point of placing himself in a relationship with 'five young children.' Truly pitiful!

Understanding the worries and hardships of his great wife, Tú Xương evokes the image of the 'heron' from the old folk verse:

The heron wades along the riverbank,
Bearing rice to soothe the husband's murmurs.

(Folk Verse)

To vividly depict the anguish that Mrs. Tú is experiencing in just two lines:

Wading the marshes when solitude reigns,
Beneath the water's surface on a wintry ferry ride.

Tú Xương employs 'heron's body' instead of just 'heron' as in the old folk verse, not only expressing individuality and contemporary creativity in the poet's style but also aligning with Mrs. Tú's identity and the general portrayal of women with the frail image of the 'heron,' speaking of the hardships in the life of a cornerstone woman. Furthermore, the word 'body' seems simple but carries a bitter taste, evoking a sense of extreme pity. Long ago, poet Hồ Xuân Hương also lamented on paper when using the word 'body' with its bleak connotations:

Her body, both white and round,
Seven parts float, three parts sink in water and mud.

(Floating cakes)

'In the solitude' is a particularly evocative phrase as it not only conjures up the eerie space filled with a sense of loneliness and lurking dangers along the desolate riverbanks, in the chilling cold of that era, but also deeply expresses the poignant nostalgia for the time of hardship and toil, of struggling survival. When paired with the artistic inversion of the phrase 'wading the marshes,' the simple yet vivid image of the slender barefoot woman eking out a living in the forests and mountains at night - a time when other women are happily with their husbands and children, enjoying peaceful sleep, ever yearning to earn extra income to make ends meet - becomes even more prominent and glaring amidst the desolate and terrifying landscape of the rugged hills and valleys.

While the third line evokes the sheer hardship of solitude, the fourth line portrays Mrs. Tú's arduous struggle amid the bustling marketplace:

Battling the waters on wintry ferry rides.

Once again, the artistic inversion is employed in Tú Xương's verse, but with the picturesque phrase 'battling the waters,' suggesting the hustle and bustle to emphasize the mundane nature of the marketplace and the relentless toil of the woman 'with five children and one husband.' Additionally, the image of the 'wintry ferry rides' strongly contributes to the construction of the portrayal of a diligent and busy Mrs. Tú, and the crowded, chaotic scene echoes the folk verses of old:

Child, remember this saying well,
Deep rivers beware, full ferries refrain.

Though echoing in the ears is the heartfelt advice of our forefathers: 'Deep rivers beware, full ferries refrain,' Mrs. Tú persistently plunges into the silent and enduring warfare of the bustling and crowded marketplace, pushing and jostling, vying with other stalls, regardless of the countless passersby during the 'wintry ferry rides,' striving to earn a meager income to provide for her family's livelihood. It is only in such hustle and bustle that the opportunity to earn extra income increases dramatically 'in the solitude,' even if it means enduring pain when 'head touches the sky, feet trample the earth,' physical injuries from being jostled by the crowd. Oh! Truly, a woman brimming with love and compassion, she sacrifices herself, selling her goods piece by piece, to earn every penny to support her family, truly admirable!

By placing the evocative inversions 'wading the marshes,' 'battling the waters' at the beginning of the concluding lines and juxtaposing the contrasting images 'in the solitude' - 'wintry ferry rides' in the two real lines, the image of the diligent wife perspiring in the crowded place because of the hustle and bustle, shedding tears in the desolation when finding customers emerges with all the poet's pride both in the robust physicality and the steely spirit of Mrs. Tú, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Moving on to the subsequent verses, Tú Xương seems to embody the sentimental subject to borrow his wife's words to subtly praise the silent sacrifices for her husband and children that Mrs. Tú is carrying on her shoulders:

One fate, two debts, destiny's decree,
Five sunny days, ten rainy, dares to manage the work.

According to ancient feudal beliefs, 'fate' and 'debts' are two extremely sacred definitions of the predestined marital relationship, originating from fate, from the red thread of Mr. Tơ and Ms. Nguyệt:

Why does human life sway endlessly,
Mr. Tơ, Ms. Nguyệt, the red thread weaves fate.

However, when it comes to the verses of a seasoned sage like Tú Xương, that definition seems to have lost its noble essence and become exceedingly burdensome, like a lament when 'fate' is only one while 'debts' are two:

What's a husband, what's a wife to us,
Just life's debts, no more, no fuss.

(Folk Saying)

In addition, the simultaneous use of two ancient idioms 'One fate, two debts' - 'five sunny days, ten rainy' not only contrasts in terms of numbers: 'one' - 'two', 'five' - 'ten', but also contrasts in meaning, suddenly quieting the poetic tone in the face of Mrs. Tú's increasingly burdensome worries, clearly demonstrating the literary talent of the poet in skillfully applying the value of idioms and simple numbers to sanctify the image of Mrs. Tú. It can be said that despite countless difficulties and obstacles ahead, though burdened with debts, Mrs. Tú has never once faltered, only nodding patiently and enduring, as expressed in the corresponding three phrases: 'destiny's decree', 'dares to manage the work'. The reason behind Mrs. Tú's diligence, silent endurance is simple yet noble: it is for the predestined fate and the future of her little children. Truly a mother, a wife rich in sacrificial virtues!

By blending poetry with perfectly interwoven idioms and employing extremely subtle rhetorical devices and accurate exponential numbers, poet Tú Xương successfully portrays the complete profile of a sacrificial, patient, and compassionate Vietnamese traditional woman in two eloquent sentences. In doing so, he also subtly expresses deep gratitude to his beloved wife for forgetting her own ego and assuming all responsibilities as a pillar of the family. Indeed:

Children suffer for having children,
Husbands bear the burden of their household's hills.

(Treasure trove of folk hexameters)

Out of excessive love for his wife, for the plight of women's fate, yet taking on the role of a pillar, Tú Xương blames himself, expressing bitter resentment towards the strict gender bias that has rendered him insignificant:

Parents live off silver in their old age,
A careless husband is as good as none.

The emotional pulse of the poem seems to undergo a sudden shift as Tú Xương no longer 'conceals himself' behind verses to praise his wife but instead appears to express blame towards himself, reproaching the husband, reproaching the fate of Mrs. Tú. 'Parents live off silver in their old age' is indeed a somewhat coarse and blunt expression but it fits well with the satirical poetic style of the poet. It signifies anger and resentment towards the society of that time that did not allow him to share the family burden with his wife.

Furthermore, few know that behind that resolute curse lies a tragedy of a person filled with resentment, pain, and numbness:

A careless husband is as good as none.

Tú Xương curses 'life' but also 'self-curses,' 'self-curses' his own demeanor as a man on the path of career, the demeanor of an elder who only knows to lament about life, without realizing the suffering of those around him. Tú Xương sees himself as indifferent, 'living off silver' with his wife and children, always 'negligent' in the responsibilities and roles of a father, a husband. Truly, 'a careless husband is as good as none'! However, if we look at the situation optimistically, Tú Xương is not worthy of blame but rather deserving of pity because ultimately, it is the society's turmoil that has pushed him, an outstanding talent, onto a dead-end road, causing the noble wife to suffer. How painful!

Daughters of the convent marry market men,
Some get a piece, others not, whether good or bad.

(Living Veneration for Wives - Trần Tế Xương)

The closing two lines of the poem serve as Tú Xương's self-deprecating remarks but carry a profound societal condemnation, affirming his boundless love for Mrs. Tú. That husband, though 'living off his wife's income,' is not 'living off silver,' not negligent but rather attentive, always following her every step in life, and notably expressing gratitude towards his wife. The poem concludes unexpectedly: deeply imbued with the author's personal sorrow and misfortune yet also witty and humorous.

In summary, the poem 'Loving Wife' is a deeply humane literary work. With its simple yet heartfelt poetry mixed with satire, Tú Xương has not only depicted a beautiful portrait of his hardworking and devoted wife but also portrayed the beauty within his own character. The image of Mrs. Tú, diligent and caring, represents the most beautiful aspect of Vietnamese women at that time: both simple and robust, gentle yet strong.

With just a few succinct verses, Tú Xương vividly portrays the image of a devoted, patient, and tolerant wife. He also expresses his clear appreciation and gratitude towards his wife. Also, in the 11th-grade Literature program, analyzing the character of Chí Phèo through the short story Chí Phèo is an important task for students to focus on. Additionally, students should prepare for the upcoming lesson on Analyzing Satirical Artistry through an excerpt from 'Happiness of a Funeral' in the novel Số đỏ to master their 11th-grade Literature knowledge. Explore more in Mytour's document repository!

Thus, with just a few succinct verses, Tú Xương vividly portrays the image of a devoted, patient, and tolerant wife. He also expresses his clear appreciation and gratitude towards his wife. Also, in the 11th-grade Literature program, analyzing the character of Chí Phèo through the short story Chí Phèo is an important task for students to focus on. Additionally, students should prepare for the upcoming lesson on Analyzing Satirical Artistry through an excerpt from 'Happiness of a Funeral' in the novel Số đỏ to master their 11th-grade Literature knowledge. Explore more in Mytour's document repository!