The Art of Character Description in The Tale of Kieu

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The success of The Tale of Kieu not only lies in its profound content and ideas, but also in the remarkable talent displayed in crafting its characters by the great poet Nguyen Du. So, what makes the art of character description in The Tale of Kieu noteworthy? The following exemplary piece on the artistic portrayal of characters in The Tale of Kieu will contribute to answering these questions. Let's delve into it!

Prompt: The Art of Character Description in The Tale of Kieu

Essay:

If anyone has ever delved into Nguyen Du's Tale of Kieu, they would likely admire the art of skillful storytelling, the flexible use of scholarly and vernacular language, and especially the unique character depiction that closely mirrors real life. Speaking of character portrayal in Nguyen Du's Tale of Kieu, some believe: 'In the Tale of Kieu, Nguyen Du demonstrated great skill in character depiction. However, the author did not stop at mere appearance; for him, describing the physical features serves to help readers better envision the essence and inner traits of the characters.'

Nguyen Du concentrated on constructing his characters into two main types according to traditional views: antagonistic characters and protagonist characters. In protagonist characters, the author often employs allegorical metaphors, constructing characters in an idealized manner. Meanwhile, in antagonistic characters, the author often uses realistic descriptions for portrayal. Regardless of the aspect of character depiction, his penmanship reaches a masterful level in language, as the characters come to life vividly and authentically.

Regarding protagonist characters, when describing Thuy Van and Thuy Kieu, the author used allegorical metaphors, symbolic imagery, and juxtaposition techniques to evoke the shared beauty of the two. Both have slender and graceful appearances like 'Mai cốt cách' (the core of a plum tree), with pure souls as innocent as 'Tuyết tinh thần' (snow spirit). Their beauty reaches perfection, flawless in every aspect. Yet, each person possesses a unique beauty, distinct from one another, as 'each person has their own charm.' Nguyen Du portrayed Thuy Van as a harmoniously beautiful girl:

'Van exudes a different elegance'

The moon's face full, its features blooming gracefully

Flowers laughing, pearls whispering, purity shines

Clouds conceding, water yielding, snow giving way to skin tone.

The two words 'elegance' speak volumes of her extraordinary beauty, her elegance, and sophistication. Nguyen Du likened her luminous, refined beauty to the most exquisite natural phenomena like the moon, flowers, pearls, clouds, and snow. She possesses a face as full and round as the moon, sharply defined eyebrows, a smile as bright as flowers, a voice as pure as pearls, skin whiter and smoother than snow, hair shinier than clouds. Her radiant, graceful beauty surpasses nature itself, making nature 'yield,' 'concede.' Through this, poet Nguyen Du has painted a portrait of Thuy Van evoking a bright, peaceful, and happy future.

Still employing allegorical, symbolic techniques to portray Thuy Kieu's beauty, the author provides a rather generalized description without delving into details, as with Thuy Van. The poet mainly describes her eyes. Because the eyes are considered the windows to the soul, through her eyes, the beauty of Thuy Kieu's soul and intellect is uniquely expressed.

'Autumn's water-like elegance, spring's mountainous grace

Flowers envious, willows resentful, greenery pale in comparison'

Thuy Kieu is described to have sparkling, clear eyes, as flexible as autumn water, with eyebrows as graceful as spring mountains, making her beauty cause the world to 'tilt rivers and tilt cities.' Her beauty makes heaven jealous, envious. With such description, Nguyen Du has painted a portrait of Kieu as beautiful as a painting, sophisticated, radiant, magnificent, and proud, yet also foreshadowing a life of turmoil and challenges.

When describing Kim Trong, the author once again uses eloquent words to depict the noble lineage, the elegance and grace of the character:

Originally from afar, noble by birth

Of the Kim family, named Trong, a household of noble lineage

A background of wealth, talent, and fame

Literature reflects earthly grace, celestial intelligence

Elegance in demeanor, talent, appearance sublime

Gentle in manner yet majestic in presence

Regarding Tu Hai, the valiant hero of righteousness, the author borrowed imagery like 'Beard of a tiger, jaws of an eagle, his brows/ Shoulders five spans wide, body ten spans tall,' to depict the bold, majestic features of a true hero.

Conversely, for antagonistic characters like Ma Giam Sinh, So Khanh, Tu Ba, the author employs very common language yet effectively portrays the cunning, treacherous nature of the characters. A brief introduction to Ma Giam Sinh:

Asking his name: 'Ma Giam Sinh'

Asking his hometown: 'Lam Thanh District, quite nearby.

Advanced in age, weathered by the years

'His face and beard tidy, his attire neat and tidy'

The author depicts the essence of deceit, a person with uncouth behavior. Despite having 'weathered by the years,' his appearance remains 'tidy and neat,' indicating an excessively groomed, pretentious nature. The essence of a merchant is also evident through the cunning tactics, cunning, and deceitfulness. For the character So Khanh, a notorious 'silver-tongued' individual, the author creates an image of someone who 'imagines carefully grooming his clothes and handkerchief' to seduce the 'willow branches.' When describing the character Tu Ba, the excessive figure 'plump' through the 'greasy' skin reveals the profession of trading and business on a woman's body, making readers feel a sense of disgust even with a brief description. Not only that, but the character is also cruel, venomous, sharp-tongued, when threatening 'Must make it clear to me' and fiercely attacking Kieu, making readers horrified. It can be seen that for antagonistic characters, the author's use of common language has made the characters reveal their true nature.

The art of character construction in The Tale of Kieu is not only depicted by the author through external portrait descriptions, but more importantly, it lies in the portrayal of the rich, subtle inner world of characters, making the characters have their own lives, their own vitality. In the excerpt 'Kieu in Ngung Bich tower,' through the depiction of the lonely, pitiful solitude, the poignant longing for loved ones, the author has deeply portrayed Kieu's loyal, filial, and forgiving heart. Through internal monologue language, the agonizing longing for fate with Kim never fades:

'The horizon, the corner of the lonely sea'

'How long will the lipstick stay unblemished?'

When describing Hoan Thu's personality, the author boldly expresses his attitude:

'He's good at both eating and debating

When it comes to commitments, the hand is already old

Transitioning from poetry to reality, the character system in Nguyen Du's Tale of Kieu is extensive. However, with just a few strokes to outline the protagonist and antagonist characters with eloquent language, Nguyen Du's talent has been acknowledged as that of a 'great poet.' Critic Hoai Thanh was deeply impressed, stating: 'Nguyen Du has recreated contemporary life and created a vivid world. In this world, there are people who are so alive, so real that sometimes one forgets they are characters in a novel.'

The poem Tale of Kieu stands out in the literature curriculum for 9th grade. Not only is there the essay on the Art of Character Description in the Tale of Kieu, but teachers and students can also explore other exemplary essays such as the Origin and Value of the Tale of Kieu, The Beauty of Language in the Tale of Kieu, Analysis of Nature Imagery in the Tale of Kieu, Analyzing the Character Thuy Kieu to Highlight the Humanitarian Values of the Tale of Kieu, as well as composition exercises related to the Tale of Kieu and many other valuable knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of character description in The Tale of Kieu?

The character description in The Tale of Kieu is significant as it reveals the essence and inner traits of the characters. Nguyen Du skillfully employs allegorical metaphors and vivid imagery to craft memorable characters that reflect real-life emotions and experiences.

How does Nguyen Du portray protagonist characters in The Tale of Kieu?

Nguyen Du portrays protagonist characters, like Thuy Van and Thuy Kieu, using idealized descriptions and allegorical metaphors. Their beauty is depicted through symbolic imagery, emphasizing their grace and purity, which contrasts with the more realistic portrayals of antagonistic characters.

What techniques does Nguyen Du use for describing antagonistic characters?

Nguyen Du employs straightforward language and common imagery to describe antagonistic characters. This approach effectively highlights their deceitful and treacherous nature, making their personalities more relatable and realistic, such as in the case of Ma Giam Sinh and So Khanh.

How does the inner world of characters impact The Tale of Kieu?

The inner world of characters in The Tale of Kieu adds depth and vitality to the story. Nguyen Du captures their emotions, desires, and struggles, creating a rich narrative that resonates with readers, as seen in Kieu's poignant longing and filial devotion.

What is the overall contribution of character construction in The Tale of Kieu?

The character construction in The Tale of Kieu contributes significantly to its narrative strength. Nguyen Du's ability to portray complex characters—both protagonists and antagonists—ensures that readers engage deeply with the themes of love, sacrifice, and the human experience.

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