Reflecting on Thuy Kieu's Fate in the Excerpt from The Life of Ma Giam Sinh by Nguyen Du

Prompt: Present your reflections on Thuy Kieu's fate in the excerpt from The Life of Ma Giam Sinh where Kieu is sold, excerpted from The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du.

Reflecting on Thuy Kieu's Fate in the Excerpt from The Life of Ma Giam Sinh by Nguyen Du

I. Outline for Reflecting on Thuy Kieu's Fate in the Excerpt from The Life of Ma Giam Sinh where Kieu is Purchased (Standard)
 

1. Introduction

Introduction to the excerpt 'The Life of Ma Giam Sinh where Kieu is Purchased'.

2. Body of the Essay

- To save her father and younger brother, Kieu sacrifices herself, fulfilling filial duty. The excerpt recounts the 'transaction' between Ma Giam Sinh and the matchmaker:
- The true nature of a human trafficker is revealed through rude actions and cunning words:
+ Rough speech
+ Uncouth behavior, lacking manners like an uncultured person
+ Inappropriate attire for his age
+ Revealing the nature of a trafficker through bargaining and pricing

- Kieu's Emotions:
+ Humiliation, pity for herself
+ Each step heavy with sorrow, each step shedding tears
+ Silently, without a word, she walks, bitter to the core

3. Conclusion

The verses resonate like cries of a lifetime, desperate pleas to rescue humanity from the schemes of crime and wickedness.
 

II. Sample Essay Reflecting on Thuy Kieu's Fate in the Excerpt from The Life of Ma Giam Sinh where Kieu is Purchased (Standard)

The Tale of Kieu stands as an outstanding masterpiece of our national literature, becoming the noble soul of Vietnamese literature, the 'national spirit, national gem' of the people. Thuy Kieu's life and fate in the work are truly pitiful. This young, talented woman has endured countless tragedies and storms in her tumultuous life. The excerpt 'The Life of Ma Giam Sinh where Kieu is Purchased' marks the beginning of Part 2 'Transformation and Exile', where Kieu, from a pampered young lady, is drawn into the harsh realities of life. Through this excerpt, Nguyen Du vividly portrays Kieu's anguish and insecurity.

While the family life was stable, an unexpected disaster struck. Thuy Kieu's father and younger brother were unjustly imprisoned. To secure their release, a large sum of money was needed to bribe the officials. Facing the predicament of her family, Kieu, as the eldest daughter, could not remain indifferent. In fulfilling her filial duty, Kieu had no choice but to sell herself to save her father. This excerpt depicts the human trafficker Ma coming to buy Kieu, accompanied by his cronies, in a manner both laughable and arrogant.

'Nearby, there exists an old woman
Guiding distant travelers seeking a place to dwell
Asked for her name, she replied: 'Ma Giam Sinh'
Asked for her hometown, she said: 'Lam Thanh District is also nearby'

The stranger remains unknown in name, place of residence, and manner of speech, being rough and lacking in courtesy, ignorant of even the most basic etiquette of communication such as greetings and farewells when engaging with others. His responses lacking specificity and detail about his origins, family, etc., inevitably raise doubts in others. Self-proclaimed as a scholar from the National Academy, yet his language and speech fail to reflect such claims, perhaps merely a facade of someone 'posing as an intellectual' to carry out unjust and unscrupulous deeds.

'Past the age of forty, wrinkles mark the face,
Yet his appearance is oddly polished and prim'

Despite being over forty, having experienced the ups and downs of life, matured and seasoned, his outward appearance, in his flashy attire, makes us laugh. Smooth-shaven, meticulously dressed, his appearance is bewildering. Such attire, such attention to appearance, is inappropriate for someone 'beyond forty', making Ma Giam Sinh's image comical and absurd. His peculiar behavior, lack of manners, and rudeness further highlight his difference from others.

'Before the master, after the servant rushes around
....
Sitting on the high seat, he's composed and confident'

Particularly appalling are the flowery words he uses to propose to Kieu:

'Saying: 'Buying jade to bring to Lam Kieu'
How many lessons will you offer in exchange?'

The dignified appearance is one thing, but then the cunning nature of the human trafficker is blatantly revealed. He bargains one or two coins for the value of a whole person. To him, Kieu is nothing but a commodity for trade. The essence of the trafficker is cunning; he knows how to deceive, bargain, to avoid loss on his part. He haggles to buy Kieu at the cheapest price possible. As an outsider, reading these lines cannot help but feel sorry for Kieu, indignant at the ruthless, despicable actions of that person. For an outsider, it's evident, but for a woman as intelligent and talented as Kieu, it must deeply resonate with the extremes of suffering and misery. Kieu has suffered greatly due to lost love, separation from her parents, and now facing life's storms. She suffers but resigns herself to fate, because for a 'commodity' like her, there's no choice. She remains silent, tears flowing bitterly from her heart:

'Shyly amidst the wind and mist
On the flower doorstep, tears flow endlessly'

Walking with a heavy heart, burdened with agony. The woman of the past, once carefree and vibrant, indifferent to the world's affairs, now subjected to dependence, trampled upon by others, degraded to such a degree, how can she not feel embarrassed, not suffer so:

'Shy amidst the breeze, fearful of the mist
The flowers cease, shyly facing the mirror's reflection.
The matchmaker tugs the hair, clasps the hand,
A sorrowful look, as thin as a chrysanthemum, as frail as a plum'

They coerce her to play music, dance, they hesitate, deliberate only to bargain, to pay the price for her perfection. Kiều's unconscious, sorrowful actions make our hearts ache, sympathize. Kiều has endured so much humiliation, shame, sorrow, and bitterness, the melancholy emanates from her face, enveloping her frail figure.