Reading the text 'Xuý Vân giả dại', I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the tragic fate of the character Xuý Vân. She had to live in isolation, waiting for her husband. During that time apart, she was swayed by the sweet words of Trần Phương. The internal conflicts and struggles of the character stir deep emotions in the reader or viewer. The repeated line 'Neighbors don't know, yet anger builds with the spring breeze' highlights the frustration of being trapped in a situation imposed by her parents. Xuý Vân’s act of feigning insanity and her confession reveal the despair of a woman unable to control her own happiness. Despite everything, she continues to hope for a better life, imagining a simple life where the husband works the land and the wife brings food. This simple dream, though, seems too far out of reach for Xuý Vân. In my view, this character is both pitiable and blameworthy.
IllustrationThe excerpt 'Xuý Vân giả dại' offers the reader a reflection on the beauty of a woman and the passionate desire for love that burns like an eternal flame in the heart of the young wife. This natural longing for love deepens her beauty, intertwining with the radiant light of her era, making us sympathize with her more than ever. The play gives voice to a protest against forced and fake marriages, supporting the idea of true, natural love. The emotional waves of Xuý Vân's love are like melodious, fluctuating notes, creating an unforgettable and stirring tune in the world of folk literature, one that resonates with the human soul across generations.
IllustrationThrough the performance of Xúy Vân feigning madness, the character of Xúy Vân evokes a deep range of emotions. She is a woman who is both blameworthy yet undeniably pitiable. Lost and isolated in love, she faces a lonely marriage where her husband, Kim Nham, is consumed by his scholarly pursuits. A young woman in the prime of life, yearning for affection and a taste of happiness, she finds hope when she meets Trần Phương, who seems to offer the salvation her heart craves. In a desperate bid, she pretends to be mad, hoping that Kim Nham will abandon her so she can pursue a future with Trần Phương. Tragically, when she sacrifices everything for love, she discovers that Trần Phương is a womanizer, a notorious playboy. Heartbroken, she falls deeper into her madness, and what was once a feigned illness becomes a cruel reality. Fate, in its cruel irony, is incredibly unforgiving.
IllustrationThroughout the play of Xúy Vân feigning madness, we see the profound beauty of humanity and the passionate yearning for love that burns like an eternal flame in the heart of this young woman. Her natural desire for love, combined with the vibrant spirit of her era, resonates deeply and intertwines with her soul. The audience empathizes with Xúy Vân more than ever. The play also raises a collective voice against forced, fraudulent marriages and supports the natural pursuit of true love. Xúy Vân's emotional waves about love are like musical notes, soaring and harmonizing, creating a timeless melody in the folk literature world that continues to stir the hearts of generations.
IllustrationThrough the performance of Xúy Vân pretending to be mad, the character of Xúy Vân evokes a whirlwind of emotions. She is a woman both deserving of reproach and yet truly pitiable. Lost and lonely in love, her marriage to Kim Nham, a man consumed by his scholarly pursuits, leaves her yearning for affection and a happy life. When she meets Trần Phương, he seems to be the lifeline she has longed for. In desperation, she feigns madness to force Kim Nham to abandon her so that she may pursue Trần Phương. Tragically, upon finding love, she discovers that he is a notorious playboy, a heartbreaker. She is devastated. However, one cannot ignore the inner strength of Xúy Vân, who dares to seek love at a time when women were expected to follow societal norms and expectations. From pretending to be mad, she ultimately becomes truly mad. Fate, in its cruel twist, is unforgiving.
IllustrationAs a form of traditional folk theater, Cheo has been formed and developed in Vietnam for a long time. Some of the most famous Cheo plays include "Quan Âm Thị Kính" and "Kim Nham," which not only serve as entertainment but also convey deep insights about human life. Cheo has become an integral part of daily life, and the writer Nguyễn Bính once wrote:
“On that spring day, the rain gently fell,
Flowers of the soapberry tree bloomed, scattering and gathering.
The Cheo festival of Đặng village passed by,
Mother said: ‘Tonight, Thôn Đoài sings…’”
One of the most well-known Cheo excerpts is from the play "Kim Nham," which tells the story of Xúy Vân’s illicit affair with Trần Phương while her husband is away. To be with Trần Phương, Xúy Vân decides to feign madness as an excuse to divorce her husband, Kim Nham.
At the beginning of this scene, Xúy Vân appears with frantic singing and erratic movements, in a state of half-conscious delirium. She sings to her confidante, Mrs. Nguyệt, expressing her despair over her unfulfilled love life. She uses the metaphor of a boat to describe her own feelings, as a woman who has waited endlessly for her husband and is left with an incomplete sense of happiness.
“I am the boat, a small boat drifting alone,
The more I wait, the longer the journey gets.”
Though her singing is from a state of confusion, we can still feel the deep pain and longing of a woman aware that her youth is slipping away. She is like a traveler waiting for a boat that never arrives.
In the following lines, through a modified version of the traditional six-eight verse form, Xúy Vân expresses the feeling of being trapped in a marriage, unable to escape the control of her husband. To cross the river of life again, she must abandon her current relationship:
“If the marriage is not right, then I must leave,
Why stay and be mocked by others?”
Xúy Vân does not deny but admits that her feelings have changed. She yearns for love and is hopeful for a future full of happiness with her new lover.
“Let the winds blow as they may,
We are determined to be together forever.”
Xúy Vân’s pursuit of love was once seen as a rebellion against Confucian values, breaking the traditional roles of women. Her desperate desire for love consumed her to the point that she could not break free.
After sharing her thoughts, Xúy Vân introduces herself to the audience:
“I am Xúy Vân,
Married to Kim Nham, a poor man struggling in life.
My husband is always away, leaving me longing.”
After revealing her identity, Xúy Vân openly admits that she has betrayed Kim Nham’s love and is now deeply infatuated with Trần Phương. Despite knowing this is wrong, her emotions overpower her reasoning:
“I have betrayed Kim Nham, falling for Trần Phương,
And now I am madly in love.”
Yet there are moments when Xúy Vân snaps out of her delirium and recognizes her foolishness:
“Madness can be bought, but who would pay for it?
Who does not long for this kind of foolish love?”
The excerpt of Xúy Vân feigning madness highlights her inner turmoil, as she is torn between guilt and desire. She is unaware that Trần Phương, the man she loves, is nothing more than a deceptive playboy.
IllustrationThe play 'Kim Nham' tells the story of the marriage between Kim Nham and Xúy Vân. One is dedicated to studies, while the other longs for love and affection. Their differing perspectives lead to a tragic love story. In the excerpt 'Xúy Vân Pretends to Be Mad,' Xúy Vân feigns insanity to escape Kim Nham, but hidden beneath this act is the sorrow of a woman yearning for love. Within the play, Xúy Vân’s fate unfolds further tragic details. She is not allowed to choose her marriage; her union with Kim Nham was arranged by her parents, and she must live with someone she does not love. Xúy Vân's affair with Trần Phương, while criticized for breaking the vows of marriage, is also an act of defiance and courage, driven by love. Her unfulfilled dream and the sense of isolation and helplessness in her husband's family push Xúy Vân to make a heartbreaking, yet liberating choice. She is alone and desolate, like someone waiting for a boat to cross the river but finding none. The metaphor of the boat represents Kim Nham, who missed the opportunity to be with her. A line from folk poetry reflects this sentiment: 'A hundred years of broken promises, the old banyan tree, and the boat of another.' Xúy Vân's scream shatters the silence, accusing Kim Nham for his neglect. In the final scene, her disheveled hair and vacant eyes evoke deep sympathy. The contradictions in her life reveal that Xúy Vân's existence is marked by endless sorrow and misfortune. This story also shares similarities with satirical folk poetry, criticizing society while highlighting the legitimate human desire for love and happiness—something that no tragedy can extinguish.
IllustrationThrough the text 'Xúy Vân Pretends to Be Mad' from the play 'Kim Nham,' I feel sympathy for Xúy Vân's plight. She lives in solitude, waiting for her husband’s return. This causes her deep sense of loneliness and sorrow. In the wild rooster song, Xúy Vân expresses her frustration and despair at the lack of understanding and empathy from those around her. Moreover, she harbors an unyielding hope for a happy, united family. She dreams of the traditional life of a husband returning from the fields and a wife serving him food. However, the more she hopes, the deeper her despair grows, eventually losing her sanity. The tragedy of Xúy Vân is a reflection of the struggles faced by many women in ancient society.
Illustration
Buzz
