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Prompt: Significance of Chí Phèo's 3 Visits to Bá Kiến's House
Exemplary Writing on the Significance of Chí Phèo's 3 Visits to Bá Kiến, Remarkable
1. Significance of Chí Phèo's 3 Visits to Bá Kiến, Sample 1:
Prominent in the work Chí Phèo are two contrasting characters: Bá Kiến and Chí Phèo. It's a confrontation between Bá Kiến, representing the ruling class of society at the time, and Chí Phèo, symbolizing the peasant class dehumanized in character. It's worth noting that Chí's dehumanization is not innate but arises in the process of evolution and development of the character amidst a society degraded and lacking in humanity. Previously, Chí was a kind-hearted individual who worked as a field guard for the Bá household, but was later thrown into prison by Bá Kiên. The years of imprisonment completely transformed the gentle and straightforward Chí into a daring and corrupted figure, a demon of Vũ Đại village, a person distorted and dehumanized in character. And nestled within him was an indelible grudge, so much so that if the time of Chí's release from prison is taken as a milestone, it can be said that Chí sought revenge against Bá Kiến three times. The three instances occurred in three different circumstances, with three different motivations.
The first time, Chí had just returned from prison. 'He returned the day before, and the next day, we saw him sitting at the market drinking.' In a drunken stupor, he carried a bottle to Bá Kiến's gate, calling out his name and hurling insults. It was the behavior of a drunken man, deeply ingrained in Chí Phèo's subconscious. Coupled with the years of imprisonment, that grudge was further nurtured, growing deeper and more intense. During his years in prison, Chí had the opportunity to reflect and weigh his decisions before making the right choice. Therefore, more than ever, upon leaving the prison walls, Chí was boiling with a desire for revenge. The hatred for the perpetrator of his suffering and the path of suffering led Chí to Bá's house, even in his drunken state. Chí's actions were entirely reckless and impulsive. Moreover, deep down, Chí was essentially an honest peasant, almost naive, so his failure in this first confrontation was very apparent. How could he surpass someone as cunning in life as Bá Kiến? Bá Kiến was a cunning fox, full of schemes, so dealing with Chí was not difficult for him. Just a glance was enough for Bá Kiến to understand the intentions of his opponent. Hence Chí failed miserably, feeling bitter and embarrassed before the sweet words, combined with a few coins, dazzled his eyes. From a position of questioning the crimes of the enemy, in an instant, the tables turned: the guilty party acted as if bestowing a favor while the questioner became a pawn serving the enemy without realizing.
The second time, also in a drunken stupor, Chí stumbled to Bá Kiến's house to ask to be imprisoned. It's truly a bizarre occurrence. Until now, no one has done such an illogical thing to the extent that only Chí Phèo could. Though this may seem absurd, it accurately reflects Chí's reality. Without food, clothing, or even a piece of land to cultivate, Chí's pitiful condition somewhat reflects the true state of society at that time: those who stray from the righteous path are lost in the mud of sin, unable to extricate themselves. Imprisoned until returned to normal life, Chí still couldn't find a means of livelihood, or more accurately, was not accepted, thus continuing to be pushed into a dead end. Listening to Chí speak to Bá Kiến evokes a sense of pity: 'It's so enjoyable being in prison, there's food to eat. Now that I'm back in the village, there's not even a piece of land to cultivate...' Is this the truth? Is prison a sanctuary? Literally, it seems so. But if we think a little deeper, we'll be surprised and morally troubled. Does prison nurture human beings? No, it nurtures dehumanized individuals, demons like Chí Phèo. If the purpose of prison is to awaken, rehabilitate people, return them to a righteous life, then the prison here does the opposite. It turns good people into wretched rogues. Writer Hugo was right when he said, 'Before going to prison, you're a fresh branch; after leaving prison, you're a dry stick.' Like before, Chí failed in the face of Bá's cunning: deceived without realizing it. Bá Kiến's schemes were truly venomous. 'Use poison to deal with poison,' using Chí Phèo to deal with the Tảo gang. Both Chí and the gang
All were his enemies, so there was no conflict; whoever won or lost, Bá gained, and no one accused him of being vindictive or petty.
The third and final time Chí went to see Bá Kiến. Also appearing drunk, but this time Chí carried a different mood, a different intention than before. Because after Thị Nở rejected his affection, Chí Phèo fell into complete despair. Deep in his heart, Chí harbored the intention to reconcile, to return to the righteous path and live a righteous life like everyone else. But the heartless society turned its back on the repentance and remorse of a criminal, closing off love, society rejecting Chí's return to being a human being. Chí would never find happiness in this life. The essence of his being awakened, then suppressed without mercy. It can be said that these are the most sober moments in Chí's entire intoxicated life, moments when the resistance of consciousness rises most fiercely. Almost at the end of his life, up to this point, Chí only discovers and realizes the truth of life. Though late, this discovery is invaluable to Chí, and he is determined to hold onto it, not let it slip away, even if he has to pay a very high price. Chí is like waking up from a long sleep, a profound transformation taking place in his soul. It's the awakening of humanity, righteousness. Chí has recognized the true nature of the enemy, Bá Kiến, so it's only right that he went to Thị Nở's house; deep down, his subconscious led Chí to Bá Kiến's house. In this final confrontation, Chí underwent a complete transformation, a sudden and rapid change that even Bá Kiến did not anticipate. Because of his failure to grasp his opponent, coupled with his arrogance and underestimation, Bá Kiến suffered a humiliating defeat. He paid dearly for his criminal behavior. With a proud and arrogant demeanor, Chí pointed at Bá Kiến and declared boldly, 'I want to be a righteous person.' Such a posture was never seen in Chí before. Previously, he only knew to bow respectfully, to revere others. It's a transformation and self-affirmation for Chí. Chí's language becomes increasingly philosophical: 'Who gives me righteousness? I can't be a righteous person.' The final words are uttered with bitterness and sadness. Chí has been pushed to the brink. With no way out, no other choice, only ending the life of his enemy first, then his own. The tragedy ends in blood and tears.
After delving into the meaning of Chí Phèo's visits to Bá Kiến's house three times, you can further explore the article 'What sounds did Chí Phèo hear after sobering up?' or refer to 'Reflections on love in Nam Cao's work Chí Phèo' to solidify your knowledge.
2. The significance of Chí Phèo's visits to Bá Kiến's house, sample 2:
From the time he returned from prison to the moment he ended his life, it's unknown how many times Chí Phèo visited Bá Kiến's house. In the work Chí Phèo, Nam Cao recounted three occasions when Chí Phèo visited Bá Kiến's house, marking three milestones in the character's development along the path to becoming a ruffian.
Chí Phèo first visited Bá Kiến's house the day after returning to the village. That time, he spent the whole day at the market drinking alcohol and eating dog meat until he was completely drunk and full. With a bottle in hand, he went to Bá Kiến's house intending to collect a debt that Bá Kiến owed him from years ago when he unjustly sent Chí Phèo to prison. Finding no one at home, Chí Phèo was greeted only by the loud barking of vicious dogs and the fearful looks of women and children. When Lí Cường returned, Chí Phèo smashed the bottle, cut his own face to draw blood, and started making a scene. In the midst of Lí Cường's confusion, Bá Kiến returned. As an experienced oppressor and exploiter of the poor, Bá Kiến quickly ingratiated himself with Chí Phèo, inviting him into the house, offering wine, slaughtering chickens, and feasting with Chí Phèo. After the wine and meat, Bá Kiến even gave Chí Phèo a silver coin, claiming it was for medicine. Chí Phèo forgot all about his grudge, happily leaving.
Just a few days later, after consuming all the silver wine provided by Ba Kien, Chi Pheo returned to Ba Kien's residence, carrying a small dagger. Chi Pheo pleaded with Ba Kien to send him back to prison because 'prison life is so delightful', free from worries. Otherwise, Chi Pheo threatened to fatally stab a few individuals to land himself back in prison. Recognizing this as a subtle extortion tactic, Ba Kien employed the strategy of 'fighting fire with fire', sending Chi Pheo to collect a debt of ten silver coins from Doi Tao, a formidable adversary. Since Doi Tao was indisposed, his wife, seeking peace, handed the money over to Chi Pheo. Satisfied with the repayment, Ba Kien further elevated Chi Pheo's status, promising to safeguard the money for him and even offering him a plot of land to reside on. Chi Pheo departed with an exceptionally jubilant disposition, convinced that he surpassed all other heroes in the village. Henceforth, Chi Pheo willingly served as Ba Kien's henchman, regarding Ba Kien as his benefactor, and transforming into a malevolent entity towards the virtuous.
Chi Pheo made his third visit to Ba Kien's abode after encountering Thi No. Treated with affection by Thi No, particularly when she brought him a bowl of onion porridge while he was ailing, the virtuous side of Chi Pheo suddenly awakened. Recalling the dreams of his past, the virtuous phase of his life, Chi Pheo yearned to return to a virtuous existence, with Thi No as the bridge to that life. However, Aunt Thi No forbade Thi No from marrying Chi Pheo. Frustrated, Chi Pheo, intending to visit Aunt Thi No's residence with a knife in hand, drunkenly bypassed her house and proceeded directly to Ba Kien's. When Ba Kien tossed money at Chi Pheo to get rid of him, Chi Pheo exclaimed at Ba Kien, 'I want to be a virtuous person.' He continued, 'But who will grant me virtue?... Only this!' With these words, Chi Pheo thrust the knife towards Ba Kien. Subsequently, Chi Pheo turned the blade on himself, putting an end to his life. As people rushed over, Chi Pheo lay amidst a pool of blood, gasping for words he could not articulate.
Recounting these three encounters, Nam Cao aptly depicted the transformation within the soul of a impoverished peasant, from his initial delinquency to becoming the lackey of a powerful figure, and ultimately awakening to his conscience albeit belatedly. Nam Cao's pen, through these encounters, portrayed reality with sharpness while also revealing a heart brimming with noble compassion.
Just a few days later, after consuming all the silver wine provided by Ba Kien, Chi Pheo returned to Ba Kien's residence, carrying a small dagger. Chi Pheo pleaded with Ba Kien to send him back to prison because 'prison life is so delightful', free from worries. Otherwise, Chi Pheo threatened to fatally stab a few individuals to land himself back in prison. Recognizing this as a subtle extortion tactic, Ba Kien employed the strategy of 'fighting fire with fire', sending Chi Pheo to collect a debt of ten silver coins from Doi Tao, a formidable adversary. Since Doi Tao was indisposed, his wife, seeking peace, handed the money over to Chi Pheo. Satisfied with the repayment, Ba Kien further elevated Chi Pheo's status, promising to safeguard the money for him and even offering him a plot of land to reside on. Chi Pheo departed with an exceptionally jubilant disposition, convinced that he surpassed all other heroes in the village. Henceforth, Chi Pheo willingly served as Ba Kien's henchman, regarding Ba Kien as his benefactor, and transforming into a malevolent entity towards the virtuous.
In their first encounter, despite appearing fierce and audacious, Chi Pheo was merely a naive lamb in the presence of the cunning wolf, Ba Kien. Ba Kien, a cunning and ruthless individual, swiftly disarmed Chi Pheo with false flattery and deceptive gestures. Feeling he had achieved his goal easily, akin to the character A.Q's spiritual triumph in Lỗ Tấn's 'A.Q', Chi Pheo's inherent weakness, exploited by Ba Kien, became apparent.
If Chi Pheo's transition from seeking revenge against Ba Kien to becoming his henchman is realistic, then his awakening and subsequent murder of Ba Kien are equally plausible. Despite serving as Ba Kien's lackey and harboring resentment towards him, Chi Pheo retained his enmity towards Ba Kien. The feud between these two individuals could not be easily resolved and would eventually come to light. Essentially, the goodness within Chi Pheo persisted, awaiting awakening. The appearance of Thi No with a bowl of fragrant onion porridge, an act of selfless and voluntary kindness, cleansed Chi Pheo's soul, transforming him from a demonic figure back to a human being. Touched by kindness, Chi Pheo resolved not to be a demon anymore, to cease his wayward and villainous life. This was when tragedy struck. The society that had once cast Chi Pheo aside, pushing him to the fringes of life, was unwilling to accept him back as a human being. Yet, Chi Pheo's fervent desire to be human was overwhelming. To continue being human, Chi Pheo had only one option left: to end his own life. But how could Chi Pheo not resent such a cruel fate? Lacking the consciousness to recognize that his suffering stemmed from society as a whole, Chi Pheo only identified a specific individual, Ba Kien, as the cause of his woes. Nam Cao profoundly depicted that initially, Chi Pheo intended to visit Aunt Thi No, but in his drunken state, he forgot and went straight to Ba Kien's house. Initially, Chi Pheo may have harbored anger towards Aunt Thi No, but subconsciously, he blamed no one but Ba Kien for ruining his life. Ba Kien's demise before Chi Pheo's self-inflicted death was the inevitable reaction of a person pushed to their limits.
'I want to be a virtuous person!' Echoing through more than half a century, Chi Pheo's cry still astonishes us today. Was it really so difficult to be virtuous back then? We are grateful to Nam Cao for helping us understand the pain of past generations, enabling us to cherish the life we have today, especially the desire to strive for a better, fairer, and more compassionate life.
3. The significance of Chi Pheo's three visits to Ba Kien's house, the number three:
Concealed within the tattered dress at the old brick kiln lies an abandoned fetus, a forsaken soul, a commodity, a child without parents wandering the fields for Ly Kien, serving seven to eight years in prison before returning to the village of Vu Dai, becoming one of the two malevolent demons, only for them to eventually 'kill each other, no need for others' hands'. It's a life of blood and tears, of confrontations and hired stabbings by Chi Pheo. From a virtuous peasant, Chi Pheo was pushed by the colonial feudal society into the path of criminality and thuggery.
Chi Pheo went to prison at the age of 20. He returned to the village at 27, 28 years old. He committed suicide at the age of over forty. Perhaps during the more than ten years when Chi Pheo became 'the faithful servant' of Ba Kien, he had visited 'Mr. Ba' many times to be 'assigned' to commit stabbings, schemes, and mischief... However, Nam Cao only recounts 3 instances of Chi Pheo visiting Ba Kien's house.
The first time he went to Ba Kien's house was the day after he returned to the village. Drinking wine, eating dog meat at the market, from noon to evening, intoxicated, Chi Pheo brought a bottle shard to Ba Kien's house, cursing and causing a commotion. He came for revenge, to demand the debt Ba Kien pushed him into prison for. Quarreling with Li Cuong, then smashing the bottle against the gatepost, causing a scene, feigning injuries. But the crafty Ba Kien softened, invited him in, slaughtered a chicken, and offered him wine. Suddenly, Chi became kin to Li Cuong, received additional silver, and happily left...
Four days later, out of money, Chi Pheo bought a bottle of wine at the tavern, twisted three or four green bananas, scooped a handful of salt from the vendor, and returned to the shrine by the river to drink wine, nibbling on green bananas dipped in salt. Satiated, he took a knife straight to Ba Kien's house, telling everyone he met: 'He's come to Mr. Ba's to collect debts!' He demanded Ba Kien 'put him back in jail' because 'jail is too enjoyable!' If not, 'he'll stab to death a few guys, then Mr. Ba can take care of the rest.' Gritting his teeth, sharpening the knife meticulously on the table's edge. Unable to resist, Ba used it. With just a laugh, a teasing remark, Ba Kien persuaded Chi to take the knife to Doi Tao's house, an adversary of his, demanding a debt of ten silver coins. Without shedding blood, Chi Pheo collected the debt. Ba rewarded 'Chí with five coins, provided Chí with a garden plot by the riverside as a place to stay.' Chi felt triumphant, seeing himself 'more majestic', swelling with pride: 'There's no one in this village who can match me!' Chi became 'the new indispensable henchman' of Ba Kien, the village's malevolent demon of Vu Dai.
On the third mention, Chi Pheo visited Ba Kien when Chi Pheo was 'forty or beyond'. His face then was 'like that of a strange animal' scarred vertically and horizontally, 'yellowish... the color of ashes'. After 5 days and nights with Thi No in intimacy, 'a fitting couple', being served onion porridge, Chi Pheo desires to restart his life. Chi longs for righteousness, wanting to reconcile with everyone. Aunt Thi No forbids Thi No from marrying Chi Pheo. Furious, Chi Pheo drinks heavily and heads to Thi No's house. On the way, he storms straight to Ba Kien's house. Without asking for money, he boldly tells Ba Kien: 'I want to be a righteous person!' But 'Who will give me righteousness?... I can't be a righteous person anymore...'. And 'there's only one way...' Chi Pheo throws a knife at Ba Kien's chest. While striking and shouting loudly for the village to hear. Then Chi Pheo stabs himself in the neck, committing suicide. At death, 'his eyes rolled back, his mouth gasping, wanting to speak, but no sound came out'. His body lies 'amidst so much fresh blood'.
After each visit to Ba Kien, he is tempted, bribed, his nature changes, from a peasant, a released prisoner, to becoming the malevolent demon of Vu Dai village, Chi Pheo becomes a thug, pushed by Ba Kien into the circle of crime, hired to stab... Nam Cao described Chi Pheo's character development along his path of becoming a thug. Chi Pheo has been crafted into a typical character. If the story 'Chi Pheo' is considered an excellent work on both realism and humanism on the theme of peasants, then the passages about Chi Pheo visiting Ba Kien's house are the core elements that create that value.
The story 'Chi Pheo' doesn't have many characters. From Mrs. Ba to Thi No, from Aunt Thi No to Tu Lang who practices pig-feeding and fortune-telling, from Ba Kien to Chi Pheo,... author Nam Cao has depicted the picture of rural Vietnam before the Revolution. Particularly through the two characters Ba Kien and Chi Pheo, their meetings, their antagonism, Nam Cao showed the very fierce conflict in our rural areas in the past. The ruthless villains represented by Ba Kien, 'the four-time chief magistrate', extremely cunning not only enriched themselves through tax collection, land seizure, house planting, but also used every means to bribe, push peasants onto the path of thuggery, crime. Most painful is that Chi Pheo has been stripped to the bone, robbed of both his image and his soul. Even though Chi desires to do good, is very eager for righteousness, wants to reconcile with his fellowmen, he can't anymore. The path of redemption for Binh Chuc, for Chi Pheo... has been blocked. They gradually sink into the quagmire of sin and can only die! The story 'Chi Pheo' reflected the depth of the impoverished, exhausted, degenerate life, gambling, alcohol, thuggery... of rural folks in the period of 1930-1945. A picture of the tragic 'blood-filled courtyard, village roads full of soldiers' with 'a bowl of rice brimming with tears' lives.
The story 'Chi Pheo' also has profound humanistic value. With a compassionate view, the author discovered the faint sparks of innate goodness in the depths of the souls of laborers twisted by the old society. It shows us the longing of the poor to live happily in a simple life, reveals the profound spiritual resistance hidden within them.
