Prompt: Analyze Nguyễn Thành Long's masterpiece 'Silent Sa Pa'

Exploring 5 Sample Essays Analyzing 'Silent Sa Pa' by Nguyễn Thành Long

1. Introduction:

- Introduction of the author Nguyễn Thành Long

- Overview of the content and artistry of 'Silent Sa Pa'

2. Body:

a. General Introduction to the Work:

- Theme: Celebrating the beauty of Sa Pa's nature and the individuals silently dedicating themselves to the country's development day and night.

- Story Situation: A brief, chance encounter between the painter, the engineer, and the young meteorologist on Yen Son peak. From this, the portrait of the characters is revealed, highlighting the theme of the work. 

- Significance of the Title: 

+ Sa Pa stays 'Silent' because it's a less frequented, tranquil place without hustle and bustle. 

+ Sa Pa is the very place where people always remain 'silent,' silently working to contribute to the country. 

b. Content:

* Sa Pa's Natural Landscape:

- “Sa Pa begins with cherry blossoms,” “with long-necked buffalo wearing bells in the grassy fields of the valley.”

- “the scene in front suddenly appears strangely beautiful”

- “Now, the sun begins to reach out, igniting the forest. The pine trees are so tall above…”

- “The sun chases away the clouds, rolling them into individual clusters, rolling on the damp dew-covered leaf canopies…”

=> Art of personification, comparison, and punctuations. 

=> Sa Pa's nature is uniquely beautiful, bright, and dreamy -> Revealing the author's love for nature.

* Young Man Character:

- Unique Living and Working Conditions:

+ Living alone on the 2600m high Yen Son peak, surrounded by only grass and chilly mist.

+ Working as a meteorologist and geophysicist, tasked with measuring wind, rain, sunshine, calculating ground vibrations, etc., for weather forecasting, supporting production, and military operations.

=> Harsh living conditions, challenging work requiring precision, meticulousness, and a high sense of responsibility.

- The Young Man possesses many positive qualities:

+ He is a dedicated professional, willing to sacrifice his own life for the silent work on the high mountain, finding happiness in selfless dedication.

+ He has a high sense of responsibility, seriousness, punctuality, and always excels in his work.

=> The young man embodies the labor force in the mission to build and protect the homeland, making it more prosperous and beautiful.

+ He has an optimistic spirit and a deep love for life: organizes his home neatly, plants flowers, raises chickens, and regularly reads books -> Optimism serves as a solid foundation to help him overcome challenges, finding joy and meaning in life. 

+ A sincere, open, and hospitable person: makes tea, gives flowers to the female engineer, gives herbal medicine to the driver, utilizes every minute to converse with everyone due to the fear of wasting precious time.

+ Humble and genuine: When the painter wanted to sketch his portrait, he declined, preferring to introduce others he deemed more 'worthy' of being portrayed.

=> The young man deserves to become an icon for the virtues and souls of the people in the land of Sa Pa. 

* Other Characters:

- The driver: cheerful, friendly, fond of the young man and his passengers.

- The painter: Elegant, emotionally rich, experienced, and profound.

- The female engineer:

+ Youthful, modest, gentle, sensitive, and full of aspirations.

+ Symbolizing the vigorous vitality of youth, she volunteered for duty in the Northwest right after graduation.

=> They are all silent contributors, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to their work.

c. Artistry:

- Naturally occurring, coincidental, captivating story situations.

- Profound monologues, dialogues that reveal the inner thoughts and personalities of characters.

- Outstanding artistic descriptions of nature, portraying characters from multiple perspectives.

- Combines personal narrative and argumentation. 

3. Conclusion:

- Evaluate the content and artistry of the work 'Silent Sa Pa.'

1. Analyze the work 'Silent Sa Pa' by Nguyễn Thành Long, sample number 1:

In Vietnamese literature, modern writers often specialize in short stories and essays. Nguyễn Thành Long (1925-1991) is one such notable figure, focusing on short stories and essays in the late 60s and 70s with nearly a dozen published books. He was a meticulous and serious writer, deeply committed to artistic work and keen on delving into the reality of life. Many of Nguyễn Thành Long's creations directly result from these 'reality dives,' and the short story 'Silent Sa Pa' is a special case.

In the summer of 1970, as the author narrates, he and a literary friend decided to vacation in Sa Pa. Instead of approaching local authorities or seeking out 'advanced models' as was common among artists at that time, Nguyễn Thành Long luckily stumbled upon the story of a young man working at the weather station atop Yen Son mountain, alone in the silence of Sa Pa. With professional sensitivity, the writer seized this real-life material, enriched it with creative imagination, and infused reflections and perspectives on life and art from a writer who had experienced much into this short story.

Nguyễn Thành Long's success in this short story lies, perhaps foremost, in creating a pure and harmonious atmosphere unique to the work. This emanates from the harmony between the splendid and dreamy natural landscapes of Sa Pa and the beauty encapsulated in the thoughts, emotions, and work of the characters and their relationships. 'Silent Sa Pa' has a simple plot, revolving around the unexpected encounter between an elderly painter, a recent graduate female engineer, and a young man living and working alone at the weather station atop Yen Son mountain. This brief encounter is enough to leave a lasting impression and evoke profound thoughts and emotions in various characters in the story. The creative construction of this situation and the selection of multiple perspectives from the viewpoint and feelings of the elderly painter—a seasoned artist with life and artistic experience—demonstrates the author's mastery of the success of his literary creation.

Selected essay analyzing 'Silent Sa Pa'

The story features four characters: The driver, the elderly painter, the female engineer, and the young man. They belong to two different generations and professions, yet share many close similarities, primarily in their beautiful thoughts, attitudes toward life, work, and others. The characters (and those briefly mentioned in the young man's narrative) are intentionally unnamed by the author. This signifies the writer's desire to portray them as ordinary, simple individuals encountered unexpectedly during a bus journey, much like the people we might meet anywhere in the country. Despite their somewhat idealistic qualities, the characters also embody the images of people during a historical period.

The central character, the young man, appears briefly but shines as the most prominent highlight in the narrative. To prepare for his entrance, the author uses the driver's words to introduce him: twenty-seven years old, the loneliest person in the world, alone at the weather station atop a two-thousand-six-hundred-meter high peak, very 'yearning for company.' This introduction captivates and sets the mood for the encounter with the elderly painter. When the bus stops, the young man appears with a naturally brisk demeanor and a slightly petite figure that seems unremarkable. His allure lies in his attitude and reflections on life and work, living alone in the silent embrace of nature. What the author wants to emphasize in these characters is not the challenging work that demands high responsibility but the extraordinary living and working conditions: alone on the high Yen Son mountain year-round amid the vast silence of grass, clouds, and mountains. The most significant challenge for him is loneliness. What helps him overcome these circumstances?

Firstly, it's a sense of responsibility and love for his work. His daily tasks involve 'measuring wind, rain, sunshine, cloud calculation, seismic measurements, contributing to the daily weather forecast for production and military service.' He deeply understands the silent importance of his work, connecting him with everyone and the shared life of the nation. He loves his job: 'My work is tough, but if I abandon it, I would be so sad that I could die,' he says.

The beauty in this character lies not only in an idealistic way of life but also in profound thoughts about work and life. For instance, when contemplating loneliness, what were his thoughts?

'Before entering this profession, on those pitch-black nights, upon closer inspection, I'd see a distant star and think it's alone. Now, in this line of work, I don't think that way anymore. When working, I and the job are a pair, so how can it be called alone? Moreover, my work is interconnected with the tasks of countless comrades below,' he ponders. As for the 'yearning for company' mentioned by the driver, he contemplates, 'Who doesn't yearn for others? What are we born for, where do we exist, and for whom do we work?' His longing isn't for the bustling urban life.

In his solitary life, he finds joy in books, akin to having a conversation with a friend whenever he reads.

Due to all these aspects, the young man's life amid the high mountains and mist is not dull. He organizes his solitary life at the weather station neatly and proactively: planting flowers, growing vegetables, raising chickens, and reading books. Apart from work, he fosters friendly interactions with the driver and engages with others. The young man is also open, sincere, and eager to meet and converse with people. His warmth towards the driver, caring attitude, and hospitality towards the elderly painter and the new girl he meets for the first time highlight his endearing qualities.

In the story, aside from the main character, the supporting characters (the driver, the elderly painter, the young engineer fresh out of college, etc.) not only participate in the narrative, elucidating the main character further, but also enrich and deepen the story's theme. Among them, the most notable is the elderly painter. The author has almost 'immersed' into the perspective and emotions of this character to narrate, including observation, description, reflection, and commentary. Through the eyes of the painter, the portrait of the main character becomes clearer, more beautiful, and evokes reflections on human life and art.

In the initial moments of meeting the young man, moved by the experiences of an artist, he was emotionally stirred, feeling he had 'encountered something he had always longed to know, a trait alone enough to affirm a soul, to inspire creativity.' And for him, 'that young man is lovely indeed, but he makes me weary: with things that make people ponder about him and the things he thinks about.' Just as the painter thought: 'Right thoughts always have echoes, arousing various thoughts in the minds of others.' For instance, from the story with the young man, the painter contemplated art with its power and impotence compared to life, about humans, and the land of Sa Pa.

As for the young engineer fresh out of college, the encounter with the young man and his stories left her shocked. 'She gained a deeper understanding of the brave and beautiful solitary life of the young man, about the world of people like him.' More importantly, she understood and believed more in the path she had chosen.

Thus, through the emotions and thoughts of the other characters, the image of the young man shines brightly under a clear and vibrant light, making it more beautiful, illuminating with many more colors. This is a technique of old called 'painting clouds to make the moon leap.'

If only there were no bus journeys, perhaps few would set foot in Sa Pa, missing out on experiencing the graceful, tranquil beauty of this mountainous region enveloped in mist and the highest dreams of Vietnam. On the topographical map, Sa Pa sits on the right bank of the Red River, while the railway runs along the left bank. As a tradition, those who visit Sa Pa should take the train to Lào Cai and then hop on a passenger car for an 80km uphill journey to reach Sa Pa. The Lào Cai - Sa Pa bus ride unintentionally becomes a bridge, a storyteller. On this bus, there are three characters: besides the elderly revolutionary driver, there is also the cheerful old painter and the young agricultural engineer embarking on her first trip to the Northwest. They meet on a bus, a common occurrence. However, author Nguyễn Thành Long depicts them as three characters with pure souls, endearing personalities.

This short story was written in the 1960s, capturing the sweet flavor of the new life and people of that era. Here, we encounter an old driver who is not only experienced but also jovial, possessing a 'soul of an artist.' An elderly painter who still craves practical experiences in remote areas for his art, and a young agricultural engineer, ready for her first assignment in the Northwest. Though strangers meeting for the first time, their pure souls, shared ideals, and genuine emotions bring them together. Their conversation reveals the beauty of a new life. However, despite having three characters, they are not yet the main protagonists.

To reach Sa Pa, one must wait for the car, take a 30-minute break there, and then have the opportunity to meet the main character. He is a young man, twenty-seven, working in meteorology and physical geography on the summit of Yên Sơn, at an elevation of two thousand six hundred meters. Naturally, when meeting the familiar old driver, the cheerful old painter, and the young engineer, this young man does not appear talkative at all. But the silent Sa Pa belongs to him. He works silently alone on the high mountain, 'the loneliest person in the world' (as described by the elderly driver), yet his work is connected to the entire country. Performing tasks like measuring wind and forecasting weather silently on the summit, amidst the vast land of mist and snow, the young man loves life, filled with responsibility, diligence, and courage. Despite the solitude, he manages to create a disciplined, rich, and dreamy life: raising chickens, growing flowers, and reading books. Nevertheless, this young man occasionally descends the mountain to meet the elderly driver and passengers passing by, easing his loneliness and 'longing for someone.' A very human detail captured by the author because, after all, who isn't afraid of loneliness? However, the young man's way of meeting people is quite unique. The old driver recounts: 'Four years ago, I was driving like this when suddenly I saw a tree trunk blocking the road, had to brake. A young man from somewhere ran up, helped me and the passengers push the tree trunk aside for the bus to pass. I asked who would put a tree trunk in the middle of the road like this, and he just blushed.' Turns out, it was him! 'He had just taken the job, living alone on the mountain, surrounded only by grass and chilly mist, not used to it, too eager for human contact. He stopped the bus to meet us, gaze at us, and chat for a while.' And the trick of this young man was to push a tree trunk into the middle of the road to make the bus stop. Oh, that's a unique trick!

The best analyses of the masterpiece Silent Sa Pa

But that's a story from four years ago; now, let's see, he still 'welcomes the bus with joy' when it arrives. Once he brings the passengers to his home, he diligently and swiftly tends to every minute to cut flowers, freshen up, share stories, all within the 30 minutes the bus can stop here. Observers notice he talks a bit too much, speaks rapidly, 'finishes talking and rushes away as if arriving.' He can also communicate in his native language with his people. On ordinary days, he sings loudly, and perhaps only the mountains and clouds hear. Yet, among all encounters, this time he may be luckier. Besides the familiar old driver, he meets an elderly, cheerful painter 'deeply moved' by valuing both his work and his person. Especially, the young engineer is genuinely touched. She 'inadvertently blushes' when hearing the old driver's story about him and is moved again when 'seeing the young man, small in stature, with a radiant face running towards the parked bus.' When the young man presents flowers, 'the engineer just gasps! ... forgetting manners, she runs to the young man cutting flowers. The young man, as natural as with an old friend, hands the bouquet he cut to the girl, and naturally, she accepts it.

The author meticulously describes the emotional development of a easily moved young girl. Because her soul is filled with aspirations and dreams, she genuinely accepts the story and bouquet from the 'loneliest person in the world.' Even when the young man says somewhat abruptly: 'Stop the flower-picking act - The young man suddenly decides - driver, give us only thirty minutes. It's been over five minutes already...' the girl still 'holds the entire bouquet in her hand, ears attentive.' Until reading the books of the old painter practicing art, the girl feels 'shocked' about something budding in her, helping her erase the dullness of a past romance. Then, perhaps unintentionally or intentionally, she leaves a handkerchief 'as a memento of this first meeting. A small piece of cloth that can turn into a bit of tenderness, a bit of courage in his life.' Readers may think the girl's emotional development is a bit rapid, but who can truly understand in that situation, the farewell in the 'limitless' Northwest, likely to never meet again, can evoke similar emotions. Therefore, the final handshake of the girl with the young man is different: 'Giving her hand for him to hold, careful and clear, like people exchanging something, not just a handshake.'

Nguyễn Thành Long's short story surprises with both realistic and unusual details. The author cleverly narrates the encounter gradually, leisurely yet amusingly. The dialogue language suits each character: the lively and innocent young man, the engineer tenderly moved, the elderly painter with a wise demeanor. Clearly, life is an adorable, lovely flow. Enthusiastic people sooner or later will have the chance to meet and harmonize in the same purpose, shared ideas. And life is truly worth cherishing when on the summit of Sa Pa, beyond the young man, there are many others like the old vegetable garden engineer innovating new carrot varieties, like the comrade researching science all day ready to wait for lightning to map 'the comrade is getting bald gradually. But the lightning map is almost done.' The author writes: 'In the silence of Sa Pa, under the old structures of Sa Pa... there are people working and caring like this for the country.' Perhaps, that is the main theme of this short story that the author wants to convey to the readers.

3. Analysis of Silent Sa Pa by the writer Nguyễn Thành Long, model number 3:

In the new labor life, humans are the fundamental core for a sturdy construction. Virtuous qualities will affirm the role of mastering the new life. The character, the young man, in the poetic tale Silent Sa Pa is one such person.

To highlight the admirable qualities of the young man, Nguyễn Thành Long lets the old painter portray him through his perspective. The story's content is simple, lacks suspenseful situations, making it rich in sentimental value rather than self-narrative. The appearance of the young man, though a character with many positive traits, is surprising, indirectly narrated through the old driver's words. And just as quietly, he fades into the mist in the eternal silence of Sa Pa upon arrival. The image of the young man, with qualities like humility, love for labor, dedication to work... all portrayed on a large canvas, yet even the old painter has to exclaim: he knows the helplessness of art. A small person, but those admirable traits make him appear grand.

In labor, the young man reveals himself as someone who loves history and is willing to dedicate himself to work. A very fresh perspective when he comments on the job considered 'the loneliest in the world': when we work, we and the work are a pair, how can we call it being alone? From that viewpoint, he rises above himself to find happiness in labor. Perhaps only with such a perspective can he feel not alone, not isolated. From the confessions of the young man, even the old painter and the reader are amazed at the profound appreciation, the attachment to labor ingrained in this young person's blood: the grandchild's job is tough, but if you take it away, the grandchild would be utterly sad. Self-determination regarding the crucial role of labor for everyone in general, and especially for himself. A new and unique thought as he uses whether the job is difficult or easy to determine who is more alone, more lonely on the Phan-xi-păng summit station, one thousand four hundred forty-two meters above sea level. Perhaps it's precisely these thoughts and confessions transcending age like the young man's that help him find more happiness by realizing the connection between oneself and the collective in contributing to the nation: he has the task here to measure wind, measure rain... serving production, serving in battles.

Analysis of the short story Silent Sa Pa by Nguyễn Thành Long

In his work, he recognizes his role and, more importantly, understands why he labors. These thoughts make this small person feel even more happiness in labor. Acknowledging the role of labor for oneself, he adopts conscientious and serious attitudes toward work. The young man's job is unique with absolute isolation. In his youth, his vitality is traded for monotonous work day and night: his work revolves around these machines in the garden only. He sends home figures via the walkie-talkie: four hours, eleven o'clock, seven in the evening, and one in the morning. Despite all, the work is excellently completed. Not being a patient person, without high self-awareness, he wouldn't endure redoing this dull job, especially during the quiet hour at one in the morning: snow and Silence... just waiting for him to rush in. Even harsh weather cannot overcome the person who loves labor and lives responsibly for work. No regular checks, yet he is not negligent, finishing work quickly and accurately, meticulous, with a serious sense of responsibility and high self-awareness. The young man not only excels in labor but also in his way of life.

The young man is also an open, sincere, and hospitable person. From how he seeks people to talk to, pushing the tree stump aside to let passing vehicles rest, he runs down to chat, seeing in it a wide-open heart wanting to connect. When the old driver introduces the guests who will visit his house, he joyfully and sincerely, with good intentions, invites them to his house on the two-thousand-six-hundred-meter-high Yen Son peak. The old painter, the young engineer, are strangers, perhaps meeting for the first and maybe the last time, but he warmly gives the cut flowers to the girl and invites the two to drink rainwater-infused tea, fragrant like the Yen Son rain. He is extremely friendly, treating guests with humble but valuable items, both for himself and the two special guests from below. Between them now seems to have no distance because of human kindness, the naturalness of the young man erases the strangeness. He says: this is for lunch for the driver, for the lady, and the driver - a basket of eggs expressing very sincere feelings.

Living alone not only does not demand others' attention and care but he himself is very concerned and attentive to those around him. The ginseng he just dug up, he sent to the sister-in-law to soak in alcohol. The other day, the uncle reported that the sister-in-law had just recovered, what's the matter? He cares even for people he has never met, people probably only known through the words of the old driver. A person who knows how to live well with others is simply through very sincere care. Even in the conversation with the old painter, the fact that the young man repeatedly mentions which weather station machines can show humility in speech and thought. Not boasting, not arrogant, he sees himself as just an ordinary and simple person like everyone else. Therefore, when the old painter busily flipped through the notebook on his knee, he had to stop him because he felt he didn't deserve the honor that was so great to him. Not only did he not let the old painter draw him, but he also introduced him to the old painter: the vegetable garden engineer and the comrade in scientific research - they also dedicate themselves for the Fatherland, for society, for the new life.

He has the right thought when he sees life as beautiful because there are people day and night laboring with responsibility and high spirits. One thing that surprises the old painter and even the reader is the very scientific and orderly arrangement of the young man's life. Silk flowers, medicinal herbs, gold, purple, red, pink, beehives... - that is the garden created by the hands of this young man. A colorful life of living alone. It takes extraordinary perseverance to have such a rich spiritual life. And even when his work at the weather station is considered stable, every day he still asks the driver to buy books downstream, he never stops enhancing his knowledge so that he can find something more to contribute even more to this innovative era of the country.

Young individuals like him are enriching Vietnam day by day. He represents the youthful generation continuing the labor enthusiasm of predecessors like the old driver, the painter... The young man and the beauty of his soul have strongly influenced the painter and especially the engineer traveling up and down to Sa Pa for assignments. It's not just the characters in this short story; even we, as readers, need to think more about our current work and strive more positively to make society better and more developed because of individuals with noble qualities like the young man.

The silent story of Sa Pa folds, leaving a lingering impression on each reader. Particularly, the character of the young man has a captivating, soul-stirring appeal. Praising him is akin to praising labor, and it reminds us to reevaluate ourselves.

4. Analysis of the story 'Silent Sa Pa' by Nguyen Thanh Long, sample 4:

Nguyen Thanh Long (1925-1991), hailing from Quang Nam, was an outstanding short story writer, renowned for works like 'Amidst the Pure' (1972), 'Ly Son Garlic Season' (1980)...

The short story 'Silent Sa Pa' is extracted from the collection 'Amidst the Purity.' It praises the people living amidst the tranquil yet vibrant green mountains, wholeheartedly dedicated to the homeland, possessing a beautifully humane heart.

A beautiful depiction of nature, full of poetic essence. Lao Cai in the Northwest of the homeland is not desolate; on the contrary, it's very friendly and splendid. As the car 'ascends the mountain,' 'clouds pop up like white fans from the valleys.' The stopping station is where 'the stream has a dazzling white waterfall.' Amidst the green of the forest, the pine trees 'sway in the sunlight,' and the cypress trees 'with flowers like cassia' appear dreamy. Sometimes, the mountainous scenery is extremely magnificent, like when 'the sun has silvered the entire pass, igniting the forest like a big torch.' Sa Pa with its cherry blossoms and the herd of long-necked cattle with bells... captivates travelers into this fascinating and mysterious land.

On the backdrop of this nature painting, the life of people in the beloved Western part of the homeland becomes even more flavorful: 'the evening sun makes the bouquet even more radiant and makes the girl feel radiant too.' It can be said that these are very delicate and romantic strokes.

Lovely people in the silence of Sa Pa.

The cheerful, open-minded taxi driver is always enthusiastic with passengers.

The elderly artist is passionately devoted to art, 'asking friends to postpone the party until next weekend' so that he can embark on his final journey to Lao Cai before retirement. He is always contemplating 'having to paint something I love for a lifetime.'

The young engineer, fresh out of school, eagerly volunteered to work in Lao Cai, stepping out of the narrow student life. Stepping into the vast and fresh life, everything makes her excited. She yearns for wide land and high sky, where she can go anywhere and do anything...

The Sa Pa vegetable garden engineer dedicates his whole life to researching and breeding large and sweet taro varieties to serve the people and exports. The scientific research cadre 'waits for lightning all day,' whenever he hears thunder at midnight, he 'rushes out startled.' Eleven years without a day away from the office, 'didn't go anywhere to find a wife,' worries about 'making a lightning map for our country,' that map 'is really authentic, truly priceless. His forehead is gradually balding.'

Analysis of the work Silent Sa Pa

Most notably, the 27-year-old young man, working as a meteorological and geographical physics officer on the 2600m high Yen Son peak, is 'one of the loneliest people in the world,' with the task of 'measuring wind, rain, sunshine, calculating clouds, measuring ground vibrations,' contributing to weather forecasting, serving production and combat. In the midst of snowstorms, chilling cold, alone with a storm lamp, he goes to the 'garden' to collect data at midnight, and his figure seems to be cut by the wind into pieces. After finishing work, returning home, 'cannot sleep anymore.' He has worked with high responsibility, with strong will and determination to overcome hardships and solitude amidst the green mountains. Progressive thinking is a beauty in him: reading books, self-study. Diligent and hardworking: raising chickens for eggs, planting flowers... making life more diverse. Very humble when talking about himself, dedicating the best words to praise the brightness in silent Sa Pa. Very hospitable, he is joyful and affectionate when strangers come to visit. A beautiful bouquet for the young engineer, a fresh egg for the elderly artist, a ginseng root sent to the wife of the taxi driver who just recovered from illness... are expressions of a loving heart, treating fellow humans sincerely. He lives and works for noble ideals, for the beloved homeland, as he confides to the elderly artist: 'What am I born for, where am I born, and for whom do I work?' So after finishing the portrait of the meteorological officer, the painter thinks of him: 'That young man is lovely...'

In summary, these characters are images of people who have lived beautifully, rich in love, wholeheartedly serving the country and the people. Living silently in the green mountains - but they are not silent at all! On the contrary, their lives are extremely vibrant, full of revolutionary enthusiasm and warmth. Just as Uncle Ho said: Every good person, every good deed is a beautiful flower. Bringing our ethnic group is a beautiful forest of flowers. Writer Nguyen Thanh Long has dedicated the best words to speak about the people living and dedicating in the silent Sa Pa. Each person in that green land is a shining example, a fragrant flower.

The story 'Silent Sa Pa' is a prose poem that is very bright and sentimental. Against the backdrop of the magnificent nature of the forest, the streams of Sa Pa reveal lovely people. Each person with just a few strokes that the author has described their souls, personalities, and appearances. Nguyen Thanh Long is very authentic in narration and description, thanks to which we feel that characters like the taxi driver, the elderly artist, the young engineer, the young man... are very close and lovable.

5. Analysis of the short story Silent Sa Pa by Nguyen Thanh Long, sample 5:

The story features four characters: the taxi driver, the elderly artist, the young engineer, and the young man. They belong to two generations, old and young, with different professions, yet they share many close similarities, primarily in their beautiful thoughts, attitudes towards life, work, and others. The characters (including those mentioned indirectly in the young man's narrative) are all given names by the author. This is certainly not without the author's purpose. The writer wants to portray them as ordinary, simple people in a chance encounter on the journey of a bus, just like we might encounter such people in many places across the country. The characters in the story are somewhat idealized, but they are also images of people with the beauty of each historical period.

The main character of the story - the young man - only appears for a moment but remains the most prominent highlight of the canvas that the author focuses on. To prepare for his appearance: twenty-seven years old, the loneliest person in the world, alone at the meteorological station at an altitude of two thousand six hundred meters, very 'craving for human contact'... This introduction arouses interest and sets the mood for the meeting with the elderly artist and the young engineer. When the bus stops, the young man appears with a brisk, natural demeanor, and a slightly petite figure that seems nothing special. His allure lies in his attitude and thoughts about life and work while being alone amidst the silence of nature. What the author wants to emphasize about this character is not the challenging tasks that require a high sense of responsibility but the extraordinary living and working circumstances: Alone on the Yen Son mountain peak all year round amidst the vast silence of grass, clouds, and mountains. The biggest difficulty and challenge for him is loneliness. What helped him overcome this situation?

Firstly, it is a sense of responsibility and love for the job. His job is to 'measure wind, measure rain, measure sunshine, calculate clouds, measure ground vibrations, rely on forecasting daily weather, serve production, serve combat.' He understands that his silent work is necessary and useful for everyone; it connects him with everyone and a life shared with the country. He loves his job: 'My job is tough, but if I lose it, I'll be sad to death.'

Analysis of the work Silent Sa Pa to see the image of people silently amidst the mist-covered Sa Pa

The beauty in this character is not only in an ideal way of living but also in profound thoughts about work and life. For instance, regarding loneliness, he thought: 'Before entering the profession, on nights with pitch-black skies, upon closer inspection, you'd see a distant star, and I used to think that star was alone. Now, doing this job, I don't think like that anymore. When working, you and the job are a pair, so how can it be called being alone? Moreover, his view on 'craving for human contact,' as the taxi driver put it, he thinks: 'Who doesn't 'crave' for someone, right? What am I born for? Where am I born? Who am I working for?' But the 'longing for someone' feeling, for him, can never be compared to the longing for the 'flourishing urban life.'

In his solitary life, he finds joy in books, which he feels like having someone to converse with whenever he reads. Because of all these factors, the young man's life amidst the high mountains and mist is not dull. He organizes his life alone at the meteorological station neatly and proactively: planting vegetables, growing flowers, raising chickens, reading books during work breaks, and having friendly exchanges with the taxi driver, engaging with people. Another charming aspect of the young man is his openness, straightforwardness, and sincerity with everyone, desiring to meet and converse with different people. His affectionate relationship with the taxi driver, his caring and attentive attitude towards the elderly artist and the newly met girl for the first time speaks volumes about his lovable nature.

In the story, besides the main character, the supporting characters (taxi driver, elderly artist, and the recent graduate engineer) not only contribute to the narrative, making the main character more defined but also enrich and deepen the story's theme. Among them, the most noteworthy is the character of the elderly artist. The author has almost 'immersed' into the perspective and feelings of this character to narrate, including observation, description, reflection, and commentary. Through the eyes of the elderly artist, the portrait of the main character becomes clearer, more beautiful, and evokes reflections on life, humanity, and art.