Which type of light does Thach Lam focus on the most in 'Two Children'? Why?

In 'Two Children,' which type of light is Thach Lam most concerned about? Why?

Sample essay: In 'Two Children,' which type of light interests Thach Lam the most? Why?

Essay

Amidst the enveloping darkness, light becomes captivating to the characters in the story. Thach Lam is renowned for his subtlety, delving into life's minutiae. Thus, when describing various lights, he showcases his astute and meticulous observation. There is the flickering light of a quaint lamp, the ethereal glow of neon lights in the market, the glimmering cracks, the scattered sparks from a firecracker, the streak of light from fireflies...

- Among these lights, Thach Lam particularly focuses on the halo of a lamp and the radiant light of a train, embedding profound philosophical meanings into these two types of illumination:

+ The halo of a lamp on Mrs. Tí's small, feeble stall, existing daily in the impoverished streets, neither extinguished nor augmented. It resembles the fate of the destitute, trapped in stagnation, devoid of happiness, without a future. The halo of the lamp captivates the attention of Liên and those around her; no matter where they look, their gaze inevitably returns to that lamp, permeating Liên's sleep with an inexplicable remoteness, surrounded by the lives of the townsfolk in the streets.

+ In stark contrast to the faint light of the small lamp is the radiant glow of the night train passing through the town. If the lamp lacks the strength to dispel the darkness, the train's light penetrates the veil of the night, overshadowing all other lights in the town. The light of the train symbolizes a world vastly different from what Liên is experiencing, stirring her soul with memories of her family's days in Hanoi, offering her rays of hope for a new life in the future. The train's light also carries numerous moral values in the narrative, affirming the writer's deep appreciation and empathy for the characters.