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Prompt: Reflect on the scene where Huấn Cao writes for the prison warden in the conclusion of the story
3 exemplary essays reflecting on the scene where Huấn Cao writes for the prison warden in the final part of the story
Exemplary Piece 1: Reflection on Huấn Cao writing for the prison warden in the story's conclusion
The theme of the short story 'The Prisoner's Writing' and the beauty of the character Huấn Cao shine brilliantly in the scene where Huấn Cao writes for the prison warden. This is not just a scene of writing; it is the triumph of light over darkness, of beauty and nobility over the mundane, the sordidness of an unyielding spirit.
Firstly, it's the triumph of light over darkness. Nguyễn Tuân wrote that the scene of writing is 'a scene never seen before.' Why? Normally, there would not be such a beautiful and solemn scene of writing in this dark and filthy prison. However, here it is because there's a triumph of human 'nobility.' With artistic description and skillful contrasting techniques, the author creates contrasting scenes to emphasize the profound significance of this triumph. The scene of writing takes place at night in the prison. The prison is inherently dark, and at night, the darkness becomes even denser. But 'in an atmosphere as smoky as a house on fire, the red glow of an oil-dipped torch illuminates three heads focusing on a pristine white silk sheet still intact on the floor.' And 'the flickering fire illuminates brightly, and the falling embers sizzle.' It's not a coincidence that Nguyễn Tuân described the red glow twice, the 'flickering fire,' and how it spread and pushed back the dense darkness in the prison. Emphasizing the red glow of the torch, it's clear that this is the writer's artistic intention. Here, it's not just the contrast of light and darkness in a physical color sense but, more profoundly and abstractly, it's the contrast carrying the philosophical meaning of human life: the light of reason, divine righteousness, against the darkness of cruelty, brutality. The light of divine righteousness has dispelled and pushed back the darkness of cruelty right here in this prison. That light has awakened, has humanized the misguided back to a life of goodness.
Not only is there the triumph of light over darkness. The 'rare scene of old' is also the triumph of beauty and nobility over the mundane, the sordid. The mundane, the sordidness here is vividly portrayed in the scene of 'a narrow, damp cell, walls covered with spider webs, rat and insect droppings on the floor.' On the other hand, beauty and nobility are deeply expressed in two symbolically significant details: the pristine shine of silk and the fragrance emanating from the inkwell. Both seem unlikely in the prison. The white color of the silk symbolizes purity, while the fragrance of the squid ink is the scent of human emotion, life. The contrast mentioned highlights the triumph of beauty and nobility over the mundane, the sordid. Huấn Cao's soul is so overwhelmed that when he talks about the fragrance of the ink, he says, 'The squid ink, where did you buy it? It's good and very fragrant. Can you smell the fragrance from the inkwell?' So, there is no prison left, no darkness, no spider webs, no rat droppings. Only the delightful aroma of ink, the purity of silk - it's the fragrance and purity of human divine righteousness.
Above all, it is the triumph of unyielding spirit against the submissive attitude to slavery. This is a collaboration among individuals in the writing scene, especially here, where we see a change of roles. The prisoners seem like masters (dignified, upright, composed, serene), while the guards cower in fear and are moved by the advice of the prisoner (the warden 'cowers and sets the zinc coins marking the squares.' The poetry teacher is 'trembling, holding the inkwell'). The triumph of unyielding spirit against the submissive attitude to slavery has been vividly portrayed in the writing scene and the people in it. It's no longer just a regular writing scene but a sacred teaching moment between the writer and the recipient. Huấn Cao's heartfelt advice is like a farewell letter about the principles of life before he transcends into immortality. And that advice, full of compassion, has the power to humanize a soul that has long endured slavery, a person who has strayed back to a virtuous life. The choked-up words in the tears of the warden highlighted the triumph of beauty, goodness, and the divine righteousness of humanity: 'This enthusiast bows to the superior.'
Summing up the triumphs in the writing scene helps us understand the aspirations that the writer Nguyễn Tuân conveys. Many have found empathy there. The writing scene also highlights the humanitarian significance and human values of those great triumphs.
In this way, we have suggested the Reflection on Huấn Cao writing for the prison warden in the story's conclusion for the next article. Prepare for the section The Beauty of the Prison Warden in the essay The Prisoner's Writing, along with the part Why is it said that the writing scene in the work The Prisoner's Writing is an unprecedented scene or the essay Analysis of the writing scene in The Prisoner's Writing to better understand this content.
Exemplary Piece 2: Reflection on Huấn Cao writing for the prison warden in the story's conclusion
Opening
With an ancient, fresh, and richly colored language, through 'The Prisoner's Writing,' Nguyễn Tuân has crafted an image of Huấn Cao with romantic beauty, possessing personality, charisma, and the artistic beauty of a talented artist. This beauty seems to crystallize in the scene where Huấn Cao writes for the prison warden. This passage illustrates the theme and artistic value of the work.
Main Body
Idea 1: Summary of the painting:
In a cramped, filthy, and damp cell, filled with mouse droppings and lice, under the radiant red light of an oil-soaked torch, a man with a neck shackle and feet in irons is delicately inscribing the final lines of his life onto pure white silk. This is likely the last script of his existence. Meanwhile, the prison warden squats and the poet trembles while presenting a pot of ink. The external space is tranquil, with only the distant sound of temple bells echoing. Through vivid, sensual details, Nguyễn Tuân has painted a profoundly moving, dignified, and sacred scene.
Idea 2: Why this scene?
Why does such a unique scene exist? The story 'The Prisoner's Writing' revolves around two main characters: one, a rebellious individual now confined to death row, awaiting the day of execution, remarkably skilled in writing beautiful characters. The other is a prison warden fascinated by beautiful writing, admiring the talent of the death-row prisoner and constantly craving the man's script. On the societal level, they are each other's mortal enemies, but on the spiritual and aesthetic plane, they are kindred spirits. Their encounter creates a poignant and dramatic situation, highlighting the personalities of each individual. Huấn Cao, being rich in spiritual integrity, self-esteem, and disdainful of those with perverse hearts enslaved by money and power, initially expresses disdain for the warden. However, upon discovering the warden's noble tastes and appreciation for beauty, Huấn Cao immediately changes his attitude, presenting a script to the warden on that memorable night to express appreciation and respect, artist to patron.
Idea 3: This is an 'unprecedented scene'
- Indeed, it is 'an unprecedented scene.' The strangeness lies firstly in the act of writing, a refined and somewhat elegant pastime typically reserved for the serene ambiance of lofty towers amidst cool winds and fragrant blossoms. Yet, here it unfolds within the grim, damp, and squalid confines of a prison. Moreover, the artist wielding the beautiful script is none other than a death-row prisoner in chains, set to face execution the following day.
- The unparalleled aspect is not the prevalence of evil and cruelty in this dark prison scene but rather the ascension of beauty and talent. Through exceptional contrasting techniques, Nguyễn Tuân emphasizes this as the triumph of light over darkness, of virtue over vice, of beauty over ugliness and filth, of the sublime over the base, and of indomitable spirit in the face of submissive servitude. It is also the victory of character over circumstance. It's unusually abnormal. The death-row prisoner stands out with grandeur and nobility, while the prison warden and the poet, representatives of society, cower and tremble in the presence of the prisoner.
- With this unique scene of writing, the brutal, dark prison seems to collapse, leaving no criminals, death-row inmates, prison wardens, or poets. Only the artist remains, creating beauty under the admiring and reverent gaze of the 'linked talents.' All these individuals are bathed in the radiant red light of the sacred torch, talent, and dignity.
- In the wake of this scene, even though Huấn Cao's head may part from his neck tomorrow, his qualities of talent, dignity, and character will transcend into eternity. The white hue of the silk square, along with the vibrant characters, speaks of Huấn Cao's lifelong aspirations; the fragrant scent of the ink, the radiant red light of the torch, and Huấn Cao's counsel, preserved and heeded by the warden, seem to blend together, immortalizing like the immortality of Huấn Cao's beauty. It can be said that in this scene of writing, Nguyễn Tuân has erected a solemn monument to immortalize this profoundly talented and heroically majestic figure.
- Not just advocating for literacy, Huấn Cao also advises the prison warden: 'This place is a mess. I suggest that Warden Quản should change his residence... and then consider playing with words... cleanse this morally tainted life.' In this way, Huấn Cao refuses to accept that talent and beauty can coexist with evil and ugliness. He also rejects a person who loves beauty while committing evil deeds. To nurture the blossoming beauty, one must return to goodness.
- Faced with the radiant glory and splendor of Huấn Cao, the prison warden expressed a genuinely touching gesture. After listening to Huấn Cao's advice, 'Abandon this dirty profession and return to your hometown to preserve moral integrity,' the prison official 'bows to the prisoner' and utters a phrase with tears welling in the corners of his eyes, causing a choked voice: 'This infatuated soul pays its respects.' Some bowed heads make a person appear small and humble. However, there are also bowed heads that elevate a person, making them more dignified. It is the act of bowing before beauty and dignity. Earlier, Cao Bá Quát had a very eloquent line: 'In a lifetime, I only know how to bow before the apricot blossom, a symbol of beauty.'
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this is 'an unprecedented scene.' The passage deserves to be a masterpiece written with a romantic style, rich in vivid imagery, imbued with a somewhat solemn and heroic atmosphere, employing contrasting techniques that leave a lasting impression. It expresses the 'talent' and 'soul' of a great writer - Nguyễn Tuân.
Sample 3: Reflection on the Scene where Huấn Cao Writes for the Prison Warden at the End of the Story
In Nguyễn Tuân's short story 'Chữ người tử tù' (Literally: The Letter of a Death Row Inmate), the scene of writing is truly impressive for readers. The author has concentrated creative efforts to craft a distinctive conclusion, leaving a profound impact. With just this scene, characters truly reveal all that they inherently possess. Huấn Cao, previously known only for his rumored ability to write fast and beautifully, now wields his talented hand to create square, vibrant characters on the pristine silk, still intact before the admiring eyes of those privileged to witness. A poet, previously suspected of not being 'a bad person or indifferent,' now handles a pot of ink with a humble and respectful attitude, validating the purity of his character. A prison warden, originally characterized by benevolence and a heart devoted to the fine arts, now bows his head before the majesty and talent. Clearly, in the act of writing, everything is pushed to its peak, reaching the sublime—the culmination of all beauty. It is no coincidence that Nguyễn Tuân deems this a 'scene never seen before.'
- To further decipher the artistic significance of this remarkable conclusion, it is essential to understand that the act of writing, as described by the author, is the creation of a calligraphic artwork, implying the birth of noble beauty. Consider this: Has there ever been an artwork created under such peculiar conditions as the calligraphy written tonight in the Tỉnh Sơn prison cell? The space for the artist is not a warm, elegant study, as traditionally depicted, but a cramped, damp, and foul-smelling cell. The walls are covered in cobwebs, the floor filled with mouse and louse droppings. Despite being nighttime, it is the final night of a condemned prisoner. The light illuminating the cell is a brightly burning oil lamp, the smoke billowing like a house on fire, creating a genuinely intense atmosphere. The artist—central to the creation of the work—is a death row inmate 'with a collar around his neck and shackles on his legs,' who will be executed in a few hours. Even in these weakened conditions, the factors are enough to see that the act of writing is an incredibly rare and peculiar scene.
- In the story's conclusion, readers witness a strange and spectacular shift in the established order of the prison. The prison overseer, a representative of state power, becomes insignificant, quietly serving alongside the death row inmate, folding his hands and bowing to accept the prisoner's advice. Meanwhile, the death row inmate, stripped of all rights (including the right to life), becomes towering and majestic, wielding the supreme authority of an artist in a miraculous and creative moment.
- However, in this solemn and touching moment, that distance is not immutable. As the written characters are completed, the pure fragrance of ink pervades the entire room, cleansing away any filth. In the cool aftermath, distinctions of stature and status vanish, and three heads converge in silent reverence to admire the freshly born beauty. It's a miraculous encounter, a harmonious convergence of hearts, the radiance of talent, dignity, and benevolence, the exaltation of beauty... that is truly something never seen before.
- Enthralled by the spectacular scene of writing, readers are also captivated by the unique and mature artistry of Nguyễn Tuân. The author excels in crafting atmosphere, setting situations, and depicting characters. With just a few strokes, an artistic calligraphic scene, characteristic of Han script culture, vividly unfolds before our eyes. As someone remarked, the scene of writing exudes a cinematic quality as Nguyễn Tuân maximizes the effectiveness of contrast. This is the contrast between darkness and light, the lofty beauty of art and the squalor of the prison, the contrast between a prisoner physically bound but free in spirit and mind with a warden wielding power yet spiritually imprisoned, the contrast between a virtuous human being and a mere tool... From every perspective, the scene of writing is the deepest manifestation of Nguyễn Tuân's romantic inspiration in 'Chữ người tử tù' (The Letter of a Death Row Inmate).
Additionally, you can explore articles analyzing the character Huấn Cao or examining the scene where Huấn Cao writes for the prison warden to gain a more comprehensive and multidimensional view of the character Huấn Cao.
