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Exploring Ideology and Critical Significance in The Spirit of Trương Ba, the Flesh Merchant
I. Outline: Exploring Ideology and Critical Significance in The Spirit of Trương Ba, the Flesh Merchant
1. Introduction
- Brief Overview of Lưu Quang Vũ and Writing Style.
- Introduction to The Spirit of Trương Ba, the Flesh Merchant.
* Rejected Tragedy:
- Wife wants to leave home, granddaughter rejects him.
- Although his daughter-in-law understands, she also feels sad seeing her father-in-law changing.
=> Trương Ba awakens and wants to end the tragedy, he chooses to depart from this world forever to return to himself, to escape the domination of the worldly body.
b. Critique Thoughts and Meanings in the Drama:
* Humanitarian Message:
- Living as a human is precious, but living as oneself, living fully aligned with the values one pursues and desires to pursue, is even more precious and worthy of cherishing.
- Life only truly gains meaning when humans live naturally, authentically with harmony both physically and spiritually.
* Critique Significance:
- Criticizing the irresponsibility of some individuals that leads others to bear the consequences.
- The selfish and stubborn attempts to correct mistakes indirectly bring tragedy to others of Emperor Thich.
- Critiquing individuals who live without struggle, unwilling to strive for self-improvement and dignity, living a life where their souls are gradually dominated by worldly desires, devoid of ideals, devoid of dreams.
3. Conclusion
Conclusion.
II. Sample Essay Critique Thoughts and Meanings in The Spirit of Trương Ba, da Hàng Thịt
Lưu Quang Vũ (1948-1988) was a talented poet, writer, and playwright of modern Vietnamese literature. Despite starting his artistic career late and living only 40 years, he left behind a significant body of work, notably in the genre of stage plays reflecting the pressing issues of contemporary society during a period of transformation. With his humanitarian and deeply realistic approach, intertwining with human life and societal themes spanning from rural to urban settings, from the past, wars, to the present, economics, and reforms, Vũ's plays have left a profound impact on readers and have been staged by renowned directors. Regardless of the subject matter, Vũ's plays always revolve around the themes of good and evil, making them perpetually educational and humanitarian. One of Vũ's most famous works is 'The Spirit of Trương Ba, da Hàng Thịt,' which not only addresses the wrongs perpetrated by the deities against Trương Ba but also introduces a new ending, turning it into a tragedy with profound critique thoughts and meanings.
In 'The Spirit of Trương Ba, da Hàng Thịt,' the character Trương Ba has to endure the tragedies inflicted upon him by fate. It's the mistakes of the higher-ups, represented by Nam Tào, that lead to the unjust death of Trương Ba, a once respected and talented individual, plunging his family into grief and initiating a series of other tragedies. While Nam Tào seeks redemption, Emperor Thich, out of pity for a chess prodigy and a favored friend, tries to coerce Trương Ba back to life. Initially driven by compassion, their actions ultimately result in pain and tragedy for Trương Ba, his family, and his wife. Trương Ba's resurrection within the body of Hàng Thịt is shocking for both families. Though happiness seems elusive, Trương Ba's spirit struggles against the crude desires of the fleshly body each day. As time passes, he finds himself consumed by vices, neglecting his once cherished hobbies, even succumbing to carnal desires in the presence of Hàng Thịt's wife. This realization fills him with shame and despair as he confronts the harsh truths and criticism from his own fleshly body, rendering him increasingly vulnerable and feeble. Despite the validity of its accusations, he feels immense shame and desperation at his own degradation. Following the tragedy of degradation, an even more painful ordeal awaits him as he faces rejection from those he loves. His wife, in anguish, threatens to leave, his granddaughter views him as a monster unworthy of their garden, leaving only his daughter-in-law to empathize with his suffering, though even she forces him to confront the truth of his complete assimilation into Hàng Thịt's body. Ultimately, Trương Ba is forced to make a decision; he cannot continue living in this limbo, torn between two worlds. He must find a way to escape the intersecting tragedies burdening him and his family. In the end, Trương Ba chooses to depart from the world, to fully embrace death, to return to being the Trương Ba of old, a man beloved by all, rather than a Trương Ba consumed by the worldly flesh.
