Buzz
In recent times, from the beginning of the 21st century to the present, when looking at Vietnamese literature covering various life themes, one can notice the presence of the literary genre called 'Tản Văn.' It is also known by several other names such as 'essay collections' or 'literary reflections,' becoming increasingly familiar to contemporary literature enthusiasts.
1. Definition of Tản Văn?
Tản Văn is one of the literary genres that undergo constant transformation across different eras. In the modern age, it encompasses not only literary works such as poetry, songs, plays, and novels but also other forms like essays, personal reflections, and anecdotes.
The genre of 'tản văn' boasts a remarkable diversity and richness in expansive and unrestricted topics, transcending limitations of space and time.
Referred to as 'tản văn' due to its unpolished language and straightforward narrative style, it often recounts events or describes character images. It may borrow elements from the surroundings to convey emotions, thoughts, or express viewpoints.
2. Characteristics of Tản Văn
Sentimentality
Poets delve into crafting tản văn driven by their perceptions and vivid depictions of what they witness, experience, or find inspiring. Whether engaged in daily activities, studies, reading, contemplation, or travel, it's an amalgamation of experiences, revealing the profound inner self.
If novels narrate the events of others, tản văn chronicles the writer's own experiences. Even when portraying others, it essentially reflects the author's persona, capturing the imprints of the writer's identity or some imaginative element created by the author.
Free-spirited Literary Genre
Tản văn encompasses utmost freedom and expansiveness, featuring rich themes, distinct perspectives, flexible structures, artistic techniques—all with minimal regulatory constraints. Hồ Mộng Hoa once introduced the concept of 'tản văn tản mạn,' stating that this type of tản văn involves logic, clear reasoning, and even fierce debate, yet it doesn't fit the categories of literary criticism or logical literary theory. He also likened writing tản văn to reading news or external articles conveying information.
Versatility in Forms and Topics
The topics covered in tản văn are exceptionally vast, ranging from history, future, astronomy, geography, emotions, religion, art, philosophy, and more. With the skillful use of an eloquent pen, tản văn can delve into profound philosophies, evoke poetic sentiments, creating a captivating allure for readers. The expansiveness of tản văn surpasses all other literary genres.
Tản Văn: An Unrestricted Literary Realm
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