The Top 6 Best Essays on 'Tức nước vỡ bờ' by Ngô Tất Tố

Structure:

The text is divided into 2 parts:

- Part 1 (from the beginning...): Chị Dậu cares for her husband.

- Part 2 (the rest): Chị Dậu's act of resistance.

Summary:

Chị Dậu's family is impoverished and unable to pay the tax. As a result, her husband is brutally beaten. A neighbor gives her some rice, and she cooks porridge for him. Just as she is about to feed him, tax collectors burst in to demand payment. She asks for a delay, but they beat her and try to drag her husband away. In a moment of intense frustration, she fights back, knocking down the henchmen of the local official.

Preparation Questions:

Q1: (page 33, Literature 8, Vol. I):

What is the situation of Chị Dậu when the henchmen burst in?

- Her family is destitute, having to sell their children and even their dog to try to pay the tax. On top of this, she is being forced to pay a tax for her deceased brother-in-law.

- Her husband has just recovered from a beating.

- Chị Dậu is about to feed her husband some porridge.

Q2: (page 32, Literature 8, Vol. I):

The character of Cai Lệ:

- A lowly henchman under the control of the local official.

- He is responsible for collecting taxes, pressuring the people, and arresting and beating them.

- Appearance: Weak and sickly, with a hoarse, menacing voice.

- He storms into Chị Dậu's house to collect the tax just as her husband is recovering from a near-death beating. Chị Dậu pleads for more time:

+ They beat her.

+ They try to tie up her husband.

+ Actions and language: He holds a whip, shouts, curses, and uses derogatory terms like 'sir' and 'you'.

Q3: (page 33, Literature 8, Vol. I):

Depiction of Chị Dậu's psychological changes in the passage:

- Initially:

+ Language: She addresses him as 'sir,' and pleads with him, saying 'please, sir...'

+ Actions: She trembles, rushes to hold the henchman's hand, still begging...

→ She is patient, submissive, and enduring.

- When Cai Lệ hits her and tries to bind her husband:

+ Language: She shifts from 'sir' to 'you' with defiant, resolute words.

+ Actions: She fiercely grabs Cai Lệ by the collar, pushes him out the door, and pulls his hair...

→ She becomes strong, courageous, and determined.

* Chị Dậu’s psychological transformation is realistic and follows the rule of 'the last straw breaking the camel’s back.' She is portrayed as a loving wife who endures hardship but is also incredibly brave, strong, and capable of fighting back.

Q4: (page 33, Literature 8, Vol. I):

- The title 'Tức nước vỡ bờ' symbolizes the rule: Oppression leads to resistance. People will rise up against injustice when pushed too far.

- The title is fitting and matches the story's events and Chị Dậu’s situation.

Q5: (page 33, Literature 8, Vol. I):

'The scene where Chị Dậu fights with Cai Lệ is a masterstroke of writing':

- The plot is tense: Chị Dậu’s husband is in danger of losing his life. Despite her desperate pleas, she is beaten and her husband is about to be bound. In this moment of crisis, she fiercely resists.

- Characterization techniques:

+ Chị Dậu: gentle, loving, patient, but with a latent strength and resilience.

+ Cai Lệ: cruel, oppressive, and aggressive.

- Artistic contrasts:

+ Appearance: Chị Dậu is strong and muscular, while the henchmen are weak and frail.

+ Language and actions: Begging contrasts with resistance, changing according to the situation and the character's mindset.

- The tone here mixes humor and satire, mocking the henchmen.

→ The scene where Chị Dậu fights captures the essence of the Vietnamese woman: kind-hearted, but also strong, resilient, and willing to stand up against the cruelty of feudal henchmen.

Q6: (page 33, Literature 8, Vol. I):

Through 'Tắt đèn' and the excerpt 'Tức nước vỡ bờ,' Ngô Tất Tố has ignited the spark of rebellion: Chị Dậu’s situation and her resistance are a catalyst for the people’s struggle for justice.

- It reflects the rule: Where there is oppression, there will be resistance, and sometimes revolution requires force.

- Ngô Tất Tố recognized the hidden strength of the common people.

Question 1: What was the situation of Mrs. Dậu when the thugs entered her house?

Suggestion:

When the thugs stormed into Mrs. Dậu's house, her situation was quite dire. She had already sold her child, her dog, and even her sweet potato crop to raise money to pay the taxes for her husband. The local officials demanded that she pay the tax for her late brother-in-law who had passed away before she could report his death, but she didn’t have the money. Her husband, Mr. Dậu, was severely ill, and under these circumstances, if the thugs came to collect taxes, they surely wouldn’t let him rest. His life was at great risk. All Mrs. Dậu cared about at this moment was protecting her husband.

Question 2: Analyze the character of the constable. What do you think about his personality and the author's depiction of him?Suggestion:

a) Personality:

The constable was the leader of a group of thugs who served the local officials. The previous day, he had dragged Mr. Dậu to the village court, causing him to collapse. Today, he returned to demand the unpaid tax from Mr. Dậu’s deceased brother.

- His attitude and actions:

+ Holding a whip in one hand and a ruler in the other
+ Striking the victim on the head until he fell to the ground
+ Screaming in a hoarse voice
+ Glowering at Mrs. Dậu
+ Ordering the villagers to tie up Mr. Dậu before personally doing so
+ Punching Mrs. Dậu in the chest
+ Slapping her face

- His way of addressing others:

+ Calling Mr. Dậu “the fool” and himself “Mr.”
+ Calling Mrs. Dậu “you” and referring to himself as “I” or “father”

The constable is a heartless and cruel man, arrogant and oppressive, using his position to bully helpless villagers. His actions are brutal, and his words are rude, haughty, and domineering.

b) The author’s depiction:

The author’s description is vivid and realistic, capturing the essence of the character through sharp and dynamic details. This not only brings the character to life but also conveys the author’s strong disdain for the ruling class and its representatives.

Question 3: Analyze Mrs. Dậu's psychological development in this excerpt. Do you think her changing attitude is depicted realistically and logically? What do you think about her character based on this passage?

Suggestion:

Mr. Dậu was paralyzed by fear in the face of the thugs' violence and could not utter a word. His life now depended entirely on Mrs. Dậu’s actions. Initially, Mrs. Dậu pleaded with the thugs, understanding that, according to the “law of the land,” her husband was considered a criminal and could be punished severely. As a long-time peasant, she was accustomed to submitting to authority, so she pleaded humbly, hoping to appeal to their compassion. However, when the constable ignored her pleas and even struck her, her anger boiled over, and she decided to fight back. At first, she used reason, saying, “My husband is ill; you cannot abuse him!” This was not an appeal to the law, but to basic human decency. When the constable refused to listen and continued his abuse, she couldn’t bear it any longer and, filled with rage, stood up and challenged him: “Tie my husband up, and I’ll show you!” This time, she no longer argued but physically confronted the thugs: “She grabbed his chest and shoved him out the door.” Her psychological evolution is clear through her change in addressing the constable. At first, she called him “sir,” then “I” when debating, and finally, in her moment of outrage, called him “you.” This development is logical, given her nature as a loving wife and mother who endures hardship but is not weak or fearful. She possesses a powerful will and a strong, hidden resistance, which emerges when pushed to her breaking point, showing her indomitable spirit.

Question 4: What do you think of the title 'Tức nước vỡ bờ' given to this excerpt? Do you think this title is appropriate? Why?

Suggestion:

The compiler of the textbook borrowed the popular saying “Tức nước vỡ bờ” (When the water is too full, it overflows) to give the title to the excerpt. This title is appropriate and fitting for the content of the text. It highlights the logic of reality: oppression leads to resistance; it underscores the truth that the oppressed people’s only path to survival is through struggle and self-liberation.

Question 5: Prove the literary critic Vũ Ngọc Phan's statement: “The scene where Mrs. Dậu fights the constable is exceptionally well-crafted.”Suggestion:

- The situation in the excerpt is engaging, providing the perfect opportunity for the characters to reveal their personalities.
- The passage sharply portrays the characters, especially Mrs. Dậu and the constable. Mrs. Dậu is depicted as both consistent and multifaceted. Her character is natural, realistic, and logical.
The constable is vividly depicted with details like his “hoarse voice from smoking tobacco,” his arrogance, sharp words, violent actions, and his “lanky body,” all of which highlight him as a cruel, despicable, and even laughable figure.
- The author’s writing is flexible and lively. The scene where Mrs. Dậu “fights back with all her might” against the thugs is fast-paced, yet each action is clearly described without confusion. Each detail is vivid and impactful.
- The author’s narrative style and the characters’ dialogue are distinctive. Their words are natural, everyday expressions that the author has skillfully captured and infused into the story.

Question 6: The writer Nguyễn Tuân believes that, in his novel Tắt đèn, Ngô Tất Tố “incited the peasants to revolt.” How do you understand this statement? Based on the excerpt ‘Tức nước vỡ bờ,’ clarify Nguyễn Tuân’s point.

Suggestion:

When writing Tắt đèn, Ngô Tất Tố did not yet fully understand the revolutionary truth that the only path for the oppressed masses is through struggle and self-liberation. However, with his keen sense of reality, the author recognized the rising tide of discontent and the immense power of the “overflow” it would create. The excerpt is a foretaste of the massive uprising of the peasant class that would occur in the future.

I. Guide for Reading and Understanding the Text:

Question 1: How was the situation of Mrs. Dậu when the henchmen raided her house?

Mr. Dậu's family was among the poorest, struggling to make ends meet, even selling their children and dogs just to pay one of Mr. Dậu's tax installments. The tax for his deceased brother-in-law had not been paid yet.

The henchmen raided Mrs. Dậu’s house during a dire time:

- Mr. Dậu had just woken up after a near-death experience (the day before, despite being severely ill, he had been brutally beaten and tied by the local headman’s men and dragged to the communal house, only returning home after being nearly lifeless).

- Mrs. Dậu had been kindly given some rice by an elderly neighbor to cook porridge. She quickly fanned it to cool down so Mr. Dậu could eat a bowl to relieve his stomach pain.

- As Mr. Dậu was trembling and about to eat his porridge, the headman and the local henchmen stormed in, carrying whips, rods, and ropes. Mr. Dậu’s life hung by a thread.

= > The scene before the henchmen’s raid on Mrs. Dậu’s house was incredibly tragic and pitiful, evoking deep sympathy from anyone witnessing it.

Question 2: Analyze the character of the headman. What do you think about his personality and the author’s depiction of him?

a. Personality of the character:

The headman is the leader of a group of men who serve the local officials. He had previously come to arrest Mr. Dậu, dragging him to the communal house, leaving him almost unconscious. Now, he had returned to collect the tax from Mr. Dậu's deceased brother-in-law.

- Actions and attitude:

+ Holding a whip in one hand and a rod in the other.

+ Striking the ground with the whip.

+ Shouting in a hoarse voice.

+ Glowering at Mrs. Dậu with glaring eyes.

+ Ordering his men to tie up Mr. Dậu, and later joining in to tie him himself.

+ Punching Mrs. Dậu in the chest.

+ Slapping her face.

- Addressing others:

+ Referring to Mr. Dậu as “the man” while calling himself “sir.”

+ Calling Mrs. Dậu “you” and addressing himself as “sir” or “father.”

= > The headman is a cruel and arrogant character, using his power to oppress the weak, relying on his connection with the authorities to mistreat common people. His brutal actions and arrogant language showcase his ruthless nature.

b. The author’s portrayal:

The author’s description is vivid and realistic, capturing the character’s essence in great detail, making the portrayal of the headman both authentic and dynamic.

- Through this, the author expresses his disdain and contempt for the ruling class and those who represent it.

Question 3: Analyze Mrs. Dậu’s psychological development in this passage. What do you think about her character?

- Mrs. Dậu’s psychological development towards the headman: At the moment when the headman and the local officials burst in, Mrs. Dậu was in a desperate situation, with her husband’s life at risk. She did everything in her power to protect him. Her psychological state and actions shifted according to each situation.

+ Initially: Enduring and submissive, shown by:

Addressing: Calling the headman “sir” and referring to herself as “your humble servant.”

Words: She begged desperately for mercy: “Please have mercy”; “Please reconsider”; “I beg you, please let him go.”

Actions: Trembling, running to hold the headman’s arm… She humbly lowered herself in an attempt to save her husband’s life, but the headman responded with more cruelty: beating and tying up Mr. Dậu.

+ Later: She rises up in defiance. Faced with her husband’s peril, her attitude completely changes. “The last straw broke the camel's back,” and she stood up to confront the enemy.

Addressing: From “sir” to “you and I,” placing herself on equal footing with the headman to warn him, and later calling him “you and me” in a tone filled with anger and contempt.

Words: Her words became firm and challenging: “My husband is ill, you have no right to harm him”; “Tie him up now, and you’ll see.”

Actions: She grabbed the headman’s collar and pushed him out of the door, causing him to fall on the ground. She also pulled one of the henchmen’s hair, throwing him out of the doorway.

= > Mrs. Dậu is portrayed as strong, determined, and capable of immense courage. Her strength is not only physical but also derived from the deep anger and frustration she felt towards the injustice.

- The author’s depiction:

The passage effectively depicts the character’s evolving psychological state and actions. The author’s pen seems to take delight in the triumph of the character, portraying her in a positive, empowering light.

- Character analysis of Mrs. Dậu:

+ Mrs. Dậu is a woman with deep love for her husband, demonstrating her care and attention to him: She cooked porridge, fanned it to cool down, and encouraged him to eat to ease his pain.

+ She is also courageous, strong, and willing to fight back: She stands up to the headman and the henchmen to protect her husband, something not all women would dare to do. Her resistance stems from a simple truth: “I’d rather sit in jail than let them continue to torment me.” This reflects the fundamental truth: Oppression will inevitably lead to resistance.

Question 4: How do you understand the title “The Last Straw”? Do you think it is an appropriate title? Why?

- The last straw: Literal meaning: The water pressure causes the dam to break. Figurative meaning: When the oppressed people are subjected to unbearable pressure, they will inevitably rise up to fight back. The more they are oppressed, the stronger their resistance will be.

- The title is absolutely fitting. It perfectly reflects the core theme of the passage.

Question 5: Prove the critic Vũ Ngọc Phan’s statement: “The scene where Mrs. Dậu fights with the headman is masterfully written.”

- The plot: A tense situation that heightens the conflict in rural areas before the revolution. The story naturally builds towards the dramatic confrontation that the author handles with precision and logic.

- The situation reveals the character’s personality:

+ The headman is rude, deceptive, and cruel, with no human compassion.

+ Mrs. Dậu is both gentle and fierce, shifting her psychological state in a natural and believable manner.

- Unique language: Everyday speech is used in a natural and authentic way, capturing the essence of colloquial language.

- The passage vividly depicts the confrontation between Mrs. Dậu and the henchmen with the author’s flexible writing style, adding a touch of wit and originality.

= > This “masterful” passage reveals how the author creates a strong contrast between characters, bringing to life a powerful image of a determined peasant woman who is willing to stand up against the brutal, unjust forces of the ruling class.

Question 6: The writer Nguyễn Tuân said, “Ngô Tất Tố incited the peasants to revolt.” How do you interpret this remark in the context of the passage?

- Nguyễn Tuân’s comment about the work “Tắt đèn” is completely accurate because, through this passage, we see the extreme injustice of the tax system in feudal society: even the dead are taxed.

- The cruelty of the society toward the poor: Mrs. Dậu’s family was so poor that they had to sell their children and dogs to pay one tax installment. Mr. Dậu, already ill, was still beaten and nearly killed.

- The arrogance and inhumanity of the ruling class: the tax collectors and their associates, acting under the law, treated the people brutally.

= > With these undeniable truths, the peasants had no choice but to rise up and “revolt” in order to reclaim their rights and justice in an unjust society.

Structure:

The text is divided into 2 sections:

- Part 1 (from the beginning to 'does eating well matter'): Depicts how Chị Dậu cares for her husband.

- Part 2 (remaining part): Describes Chị Dậu's act of defiance.

Guidelines for studying the lesson:

Question 1 (page 32 of the Vietnamese Literature 8, Volume 1 textbook):

The situation of Chị Dậu when the henchmen burst in:

+ Chị Dậu’s family is in dire straits: selling her child, her dog, hawking cakes and potatoes, scrambling for money to pay taxes for her husband and deceased brother-in-law.

+ Her husband is gravely ill, on the brink of death, and beaten unconscious due to unpaid taxes.

+ The henchmen barge in, threatening to tie up her husband.

= > A life-or-death situation, with no way out.

Question 2 (page 32 of the Vietnamese Literature 8, Volume 1 textbook):

- The sheriff: Head of the henchmen, a brute who specializes in beating people as part of his ‘profession’.

- The scene of the sheriff entering Chị Dậu’s home:

+ He slams his whip on the ground and shouts in a hoarse voice.

+ A professional thug, his ‘job’ is to tie people up.

+ He uses disrespectful and offensive language, addressing people as 'sir' and 'dog'.

- His cruelty and savagery: glaring with bulging eyes, growling, yanking the rope harshly, slapping Chị Dậu’s chest and face.

- His speech is primal, full of growls, shouts, and curses.

- He’s ruthless, ignoring Chị Dậu’s desperate pleas.

= > The sheriff, though a nameless lackey, is arrogant and brutal, committing inhuman acts in the name of ‘the government’ and ‘law’. This represents the tyrannical nature of the ruling class at the time: cruel, savage, and dehumanizing.

Question 3 (page 33 of the Vietnamese Literature 8, Volume 1 textbook):

- Chị Dậu’s patience and endurance:

+ Initially, she “pleads earnestly,” politely calling him 'sir'.

+ Only when the sheriff “slaps her in the chest... continues to approach to tie up her husband,” she can’t bear it anymore and decides to fight back.

+ She defends herself using reasoning, saying “my husband is sick... you’re torturing him” – switching to a more assertive tone, addressing him as 'you' and 'me', standing firm against the villain.

+ After the sheriff “slaps her face,” she grits her teeth and demands: “You tie him up!” - switching from ‘sir’ to ‘you’, from ‘I’ to ‘me’.

+ She pushes the sheriff down, grabs the head of a local constable and throws him onto the porch.

= > This marks Chị Dậu’s rebellion, driven by anger, frustration, and indignation. Her actions, though spontaneous, demonstrate her courage and resolve. Chị Dậu is a woman who loves her husband, cares for her family, but is strong-willed and determined.

Question 4 (page 33 of the Vietnamese Literature 8, Volume 1 textbook):

The title 'Tức nước vỡ bờ' reflects the law of: oppression will always lead to resistance.

- Considering the whole story, the title ‘Tức nước vỡ bờ’ is fitting, matching the progression of events in the narrative.

- The title carries meaning: when people are oppressed and exploited, they will fight back fiercely. This strength stems from a sense of self-worth and love for family.

Question 5 (page 33 of the Vietnamese Literature 8, Volume 1 textbook):

- The author creates a tense plot: after pleading earnestly, presenting logical arguments, the sheriff still moves to tie up her husband, forcing Chị Dậu to fight back.

- The author’s portrayal of characters’ personalities:

+ Chị Dậu: patient and enduring, but with a latent strength, determined when necessary.

+ The sheriff: cruel, savage, arrogant, and menacing.

- Describing physical appearances through contrast:

+ Chị Dậu: strong, energetic, decisive.

+ The henchmen: weak, clumsy, like addicts, tumbling over themselves.

- The narrative and dialogue effectively expose the personalities of the characters, reflecting their complex emotional changes.

- The passage describing the conflict between Chị Dậu and the henchmen is written with skillful, witty, and unique narrative techniques.

= > This segment exemplifies the author's mastery in creating opposing character dynamics, especially highlighting the image of a strong, resilient rural woman standing up against brutal thugs, demanding her right to life in an oppressive, unjust society.

Question 6 (page 31 of the Vietnamese Literature 8, Volume 1 textbook):

- It accurately reflects the rule: oppression and exploitation inevitably lead to resistance.

- Ngô Tất Tố recognizes the latent strength of the peasants’ struggle.

- The act of resistance is spontaneous, sparking later uprisings.

- Only through violence can oppression be resolved under a semi-feudal colonial regime.

Summary:

Chị Dậu, desperate to raise the money for the tax, sells her child, but still falls short. Her ill husband, Anh Dậu, is dragged out and brutally beaten by the authorities. A kind neighbor offers some rice, and as Chị Dậu prepares a bowl of porridge for her husband, the local tax collector arrives, demanding the tax. Despite her pleas, he insists on taking Anh Dậu and insults her. Unable to bear it any longer, Chị Dậu rises up in defiance.

Structure:

- Part 1 (from the beginning to the question of whether the porridge is tasty): Chị Dậu cares for her husband.

- Part 2 (the rest): Chị Dậu's cleverness and bravery in confronting the tax collectors.

Question 1 (p. 32, Literature 8, Vol. 1):

When the tax collectors burst into the house, Chị Dậu is in a very pitiful situation:

- Anh Dậu has just recovered from a near-death illness.

- A kind elderly neighbor has given her some rice to make porridge. Chị Dậu nervously carries the bowl of porridge, hoping her husband will enjoy it.

- Anh Dậu “trembles as he brings the bowl of porridge to his mouth.”

Question 2 (p. 32, Literature 8, Vol. 1): Character of the tax collector:

- Head of the local enforcers, responsible for collecting taxes and brutalizing citizens.

- Along with the village head, he storms into the house demanding the tax, prepared to seize Anh Dậu. He is a cruel servant of the authorities with the power to bind and punish innocents.

- His behavior: wielding a whip and stick, shouting orders, and using derogatory language.

→ He is cruel, arrogant, disrespectful, using his position to oppress the helpless people.

- His description is vivid and sharp, conveying a sense of hatred and contempt.

Question 3 (p. 33, Literature 8, Vol. 1):

* Chị Dậu's emotional transformation in this excerpt:

- Initially: patient and enduring, speaking in a humble tone:

+ Calling him “sir” and addressing herself as “grandchild,” pleading, “I beg you, sir...”

+ Actions: trembling, running to support the tax collector’s hand...

- When she can no longer endure, she rises up in rebellion:

+ Addressing him as “sir” then switching to “you,” her voice full of challenge.

+ Her actions are firm and forceful, “grabbing the tax collector by the collar, pushing him out the door...”

Chị Dậu’s shift in attitude is realistically and logically portrayed. She emerges as a loving, gentle woman, but also strong, courageous, and capable of fierce resistance.

Question 4 (p. 33, Literature 8, Vol. 1):

The title “The Water's Edge” is fitting as it accurately reflects the content of the passage. Oppression breeds resistance, and when the pressure becomes unbearable, the force of defiance grows stronger.

Question 5 (p. 33, Literature 8, Vol. 1): “The scene where Chị Dậu fights the tax collector is brilliantly executed.” Because:

- It vividly displays the distinct traits of the characters.

- The situation is skillfully constructed. The depiction of appearance, actions, and dialogue is dynamic and engaging.

- The narrative style, dialogue, and character speech reflect the psychological depth of the characters.

Question 6 (p. 33, Literature 8, Vol. 1):

Nguyễn Tuân commented that Ngô Tất Tố had “incited the peasants to revolt.” This is true, as the cruelty and irrationality of the society forces the people to rebel, seeking justice through rebellion.