Top 10 Essays Analyzing the Character of Mã Giám Sinh in the Excerpt "Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều" by Nguyễn Du

The excerpt from "Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều" in Nguyễn Du's "The Tale of Kiều" marks the beginning of Thúy Kiều's 15 years of suffering and wandering. It brings to life a scene of human trafficking in the medieval period, showcasing Nguyễn Du's exceptional narrative and character description skills. The most striking part is the portrayal of the character Mã Giám Sinh.

The man who comes to buy Kiều is introduced as a "visitor" who is brought in by the matchmaker to "ask for a name" and propose marriage. He introduces himself as a "scholar" from the National Academy, speaking in a noble manner without revealing his name, adding an air of aristocracy.

“Asked his name, he said: Mã Giám Sinh

Asked his hometown, he said: Thanh Lâm district, not far away”

The repetition of the word “said” in his introduction shows his haughty attitude, treating others with disdain. His speech is both arrogant and crude, revealing his true nature as a human trafficker. Nguyễn Du paints a vivid picture of him:

“In his early forties, with a clean-shaven face and neat clothes”

The smoothness of Mã Giám Sinh’s appearance suggests vulgarity and mediocrity, while his stylish attire reveals falseness and deception. Through this, Nguyễn Du highlights the character's hypocrisy. This man also has a servant, always waiting on him with a sense of superiority. However, his relationship with the servant is unusual, noisy, and disordered, lacking proper manners and respect:

“The teacher sits first, then the servant follows...
The seat is too high, sitting arrogantly”

These actions reveal the low character of those in the business of human trafficking, showing a lack of decency and respect. Mã Giám Sinh is a seasoned trafficker, who has long been in the business of selling women. When the matchmaker presents Kiều, he evaluates her looks and talents, testing her skills in music and poetry. To him, even someone as beautiful and talented as Kiều is nothing more than a commodity to be bought and sold.

After assessing her, he proceeds with the transaction, embodying the greed and cruelty of the corrupt society he represents. Through the character of Mã Giám Sinh, Nguyễn Du condemns the human traffickers of the feudal era, exposing their inhumanity. The line “Money in hand, no problem to solve” unveils the immoral wealth built on the exploitation of women. With his remarkable realistic style, Nguyễn Du masterfully captures the essence of Mã Giám Sinh’s character as a deceitful, selfish, and heartless individual.

Mã Giám Sinh’s image in "The Tale of Kiều", particularly in this excerpt, has become a symbol of the “brokers of flesh” in the feudal society, emphasizing the social realism in Nguyễn Du’s work.

"The old lute's sound breaks off mid-string, Two hundred years on, still capturing hearts." ("To Mr. Nguyễn Du" – Tố Hữu)

Born over two hundred years ago, "Truyện Kiều" (The Tale of Kiều) remains a timeless masterpiece, an essential spiritual nourishment for the Vietnamese people, continuing to captivate generations with its profound impact. One of the key factors that has allowed this work to resonate deeply with audiences is its firm stance on defending human dignity, exposing the decayed feudal society rampant with people like "the traffickers of flesh" and, most notably, the overpowering influence of money. The excerpt "Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều" stands as one of the most representative passages.

This excerpt not only evokes sympathy for Kiều’s tragic fate caused by family disaster and lost love but also ignites anger against the character of Mã Giám Sinh, a heartless and shameless figure.

After being wrongly accused by a silk merchant, Kiều’s father and brother are tortured, and the family’s assets are entirely seized by the corrupt officials. In the face of such familial ruin, Kiều resolves to "risk everything to repay three springs of life". This is one of the most successful depictions of character in Nguyễn Du’s work, particularly the portrayal of a villain like Mã Giám Sinh. First, the author introduces him as a "distant guest" coming to make inquiries about marriage:

"Near the town, there’s a matchmaker Leading a distant guest to inquire about a bride"

The introduction seems formal. The next two lines reveal his rude, impolite answers:

"Asked his name: 'Mã Giám Sinh' Asked his hometown: 'Thanh Lâm county, not far away'"

His responses are curt and disrespectful. In truth, Mã Giám Sinh, in collusion with Tú Bà, runs a brothel:

"We share a back-and-forth business, Selling incense and perfume all year round."

He falsely claims to be from "Thanh Lâm" when he actually hails from Lâm Tri. Previously, he introduced himself as a "distant guest", yet now he claims to be "not far away"—his deceitful nature is already apparent. He presents himself as a scholar, a student of the Quốc Tử Giám, yet his true identity as a human trafficker is revealed in the end.

"Over forty years old, clean-shaven, dressed fashionably, In front, a teacher; behind, a servant bustling around, A bank sends a matchmaker to escort him to the brothel, He sits arrogantly on the upper seat, crude and rude."

At over forty, he is still a crude playboy, with "clean-shaven" and "fashionable" as two satirical traits. Though he appears to be a man of stature, always surrounded by servants, his behavior is chaotic and lacking in etiquette, with no respect for hierarchy.

His inconsiderate gesture of sitting "arrogantly" in the "upper seat" reveals his total lack of manners. If he truly were a student at the Quốc Tử Giám, he would display much more humility. The word "arrogantly" here is loaded with contempt. As literary critic Hoài Thanh states, "The word 'arrogant' perfectly encapsulates the character of Mã Giám Sinh, just as 'sly' does for Sở Khanh". The author here chooses colloquial, direct language to expose the character’s true nature—no refined or idealized imagery, just realism infused with sarcasm and disdain.

The description contrasts sharply with the portrayal of virtuous characters like Thúy Vân:

"Her moon-shaped face, her graceful figure,"

or Thúy Kiều:

"Her face like autumn water, her figure like spring mountain, Flowers envy her beauty, willows pale in comparison."

The portrayal of Mã Giám Sinh is harshly realistic, as his true character is revealed through his treatment of Kiều as a mere object to be "weighed and tested":

"Weighing her beauty and talent, Testing her ability to play the lute, compose poetry."

The words "weigh", "test", and "try" are terms used when assessing goods. This is indeed a transaction disguised as a courtship, and his actions reveal him as a crafty, callous trafficker.

His flowery speech cannot disguise his true nature—greedy, self-serving, and hypocritical:

"I came to buy the gem Lam Kiều, How much is her dowry? Please tell me clearly."

Finally, the author uncovers his true face:

"Bargaining for a little more, adding a bit here, After a long time, the price settles outside four hundred."

These two words, "bargaining" and "settling", reveal his identity as a trafficker, and his miserly nature. The author closes the scene of the sale with terms surrounding the marriage arrangement: "dowry", "marriage", "concubine"... but ends with a biting, ironic line: "With money in hand, what can’t be done?"

Money—through violence and corruption—has allowed officials to oppress the common people, it has caused separation and heartache, and it has warped society’s values. Kiều, with her beauty and talent, has been reduced to a commodity by Mã Giám Sinh's greed.

Through Mã Giám Sinh, Nguyễn Du masterfully exposes the true face of a corrupt society. Every detail in his character portrait is sharp and incisive, revealing the villainous, degenerate nature of Mã Giám Sinh. Behind each stroke of the brush is the poet’s contempt for such people, those who embody treachery and greed in a decaying, feudal society.

In conclusion, "Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều" is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking passages in "Truyện Kiều", effectively condemning the inhumanity of human traffickers and the all-powerful influence of money in that time. Through this character, Nguyễn Du creates a masterful portrait of the dark reality of his society, reinforcing the work’s profound value in exposing the truth and advocating for human dignity.

Nguyễn Du's success in *The Tale of Kiều* lies not only in his profound humanitarian spirit and boundless love for humanity but also in his deep contempt for the vile, cowardly, and inhumane individuals of the feudal society of his time. Among them, the character Mã Giám Sinh is the first to appear in the work, embodying all the negative traits of deceit, lowliness, and a lack of culture, representing a typical unscrupulous businessman.

The excerpt *Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều* occurs at the beginning of the second letter, in the section of family misfortune and wandering, marking the start of the tragic life of the Vương family's daughter. After Kiều’s family is wrongfully accused by a silk seller, with her father and younger brother tortured and detained, their wealth plundered by corrupt officials, Kiều decides to sell herself to raise money to save her family. This excerpt describes Mã Giám Sinh's visit to buy Kiều, as arranged by a matchmaker. The author depicts Mã Giám Sinh's character in great detail, using the most contemptuous language:

“In the nearby region, there’s a woman,

Sending a foreign guest to inquire about a name.”

“What’s your name?” “Mã Giám Sinh.”

“Where are you from?” “Lâm Thanh County, nearby.”

The term *viễn khách* (foreign guest) refers to someone from afar. *Mã Giám Sinh* means Mã, a student of the National Academy (Quốc Tử Giám) in the ancient capital. It can also refer to a position bought from the imperial court. From the beginning, the author obscures Mã Giám Sinh's identity, much like his own vile and cowardly nature.

The realistic portrayal technique fully depicts Mã Giám Sinh, both in appearance and character. He speaks in a curt, uncultured manner, clearly from an uneducated background, completely contrasting the identity he claims. When asked, he answers bluntly, without proper subjects or greetings:

“What’s your name?” “Mã Giám Sinh.”

“Where are you from?” “Lâm Thanh County, nearby.”

“In his over-forty years,

His face clean-shaven, dressed impeccably.”

“Teacher and servant, all in disarray,”

“The matchmaker brought him into the bridal room.”

His fake youthfulness is evident even though he is over forty, trying to appear young with a clean-shaven face and flashy clothes, making himself look like a foppish young man. His appearance, with its exaggerated grooming, is nothing more than superficial, fraudulent, and unworthy of a noble, respectful person.

The chaotic relationship between teacher and servant—“teacher and servant, all in disarray”—illustrates that they are all part of the same human trafficking ring, without distinction or proper etiquette. When entering a house, his behavior is crude, with an air of arrogance and disrespect:

“He sits arrogantly on the high seat,”

“While in the inner room, the matchmaker urges the girl to come out quickly.”

The high seat is meant for elders and respected figures, but Mã Giám Sinh, who is essentially a son-in-law, sits there disrespectfully, his actions fast and crude, indicative of someone uneducated and unrefined. The phrase “sits arrogantly” vividly captures this uncouth act, revealing Mã Giám Sinh as both ill-mannered and morally corrupt.

In essence, Mã Giám Sinh represents the fraudulent and merciless nature of a money-driven businessman. He deceives about his origins and presents himself as a learned man purchasing a concubine, but his true identity is unclear. He claims to be from a distant place, calling himself a *foreign guest*, only to later say it is “nearby,” exposing his lies. His appearance and behavior are both fraudulent, as he tries to appear young and cultured while his conduct is noisy and disorganized, lacking respect.

Mã Giám Sinh’s mercenary, inhuman nature is most clearly revealed through his transaction with Kiều. His actions and attitude toward her are cold and indifferent, treating her as nothing more than a commodity, valuing her beauty and talents only in terms of their monetary worth.

“He carefully weighs her beauty and talent,”

“Pressing the lute strings, testing her poetry skills.”

After deliberating on her beauty and talent, he proceeds with a calculated “testing” of her, accepting her only if she meets his “standards.” His cold, emotionless attitude toward her family's plight is evident in his final statement: “With the money ready, what’s the problem?” At first, his words sound polite and considerate: “I’ve come to purchase the gem Lam Kiều – What dowry would you require?” But just one line later, the blatant transaction is revealed:

“He haggles over the price,”

“After a while, they settle on more than four hundred gold.”

For businessmen like him, money is a matter of life and death. At this point, he becomes fixated on bargaining, driving the price down to secure the cheapest deal. His bargaining style, crude and greedy, shows the true nature of the “matchmaking” arrangement—it’s nothing more than a straightforward human trafficking deal, exposing Mã Giám Sinh as a vile, manipulative character. The mask of the *matchmaker* falls away as the true transaction comes to light.

The character of Mã Giám Sinh is depicted through direct language and a realistic writing style. Nguyễn Du combines narrative storytelling with vivid descriptions of physical appearance, gestures, and dialogue to fully reveal the character’s personality, making him a perfect representation of a deceitful, uneducated, and inhuman person in society. This portrayal highlights the true nature of Mã Giám Sinh, a heartless businessman who would trample on human dignity for money.

*Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều* is not only a realistic depiction of society but also reflects Nguyễn Du's humanitarian perspective, condemning the cruel and malicious forces while expressing sympathy for the beauty, talent, and dignity of the woman being victimized. The excerpt showcases Nguyễn Du’s artistic brilliance in portraying a villain through realistic means, contrasting with his idealized depictions of virtuous characters.

The excerpt *Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều* marks the beginning of Thúy Kiều's fifteen-year ordeal of wandering and suffering. Faced with the imminent collapse of her family, Kiều is forced to sell herself to save her father and brother, falling into the hands of human traffickers. This section, consisting of 34 verses, vividly portrays the character of Mã Giám Sinh and the torment and humiliation of Thúy Kiều. Through descriptions of Mã Giám Sinh’s appearance, actions, and speech, his true nature is skillfully revealed.

The opening two lines introduce Mã Giám Sinh as a “foreign guest” arriving to ask for a wife. The introduction sounds formal: "In a nearby region, there’s a woman who leads a foreign guest seeking to inquire about a name." The next two lines clarify the identity of this “foreign guest.” He claims to be a student from the National Academy (Quốc Tử Giám), hailing from Lâm Thanh County. However, his responses are abrupt and blunt. When asked his name, he replies: "Mã Giám Sinh," and when asked about his hometown, he says: "Lâm Thanh is nearby." This curt exchange feels odd. Normally, one asking for a marriage would speak with respect and politeness, but here, the words lack decorum and formality.

A contradiction arises in his speech. At first, he introduces himself as a *foreign guest*, but when asked about his origins, he claims that Lâm Thanh is “nearby.” This inconsistency casts doubt on his honesty. Could he be hiding something? His evasive language suggests that he is not being entirely truthful. The following four lines describe his appearance, gestures, and language, gradually revealing Mã Giám Sinh’s character. At over forty years old, his appearance is characterized by a “smooth, clean-shaven face” and “well-tailored clothes.” His over-the-top grooming and appearance give him the air of a man trying to appear younger and more sophisticated. The use of the words “smooth” and “well-tailored” highlights his excessive attention to his appearance. In the past, scholars were expected to present themselves with dignity, both in their attire and speech. However, Mã Giám Sinh, despite claiming to be a scholar, does not embody the refined qualities of one, especially at his age. His attempts to look youthful are absurd and out of place.

The first eight lines describing his name, background, and appearance raise further doubts about his authenticity. His blunt speech and overly polished appearance only intensify suspicion about his true nature as a supposed student from the National Academy.

"The teacher and servant bustle about,

As the matchmaker escorts him into the bridal chamber."

“Sitting arrogantly in the high seat...”

Here, there is an evident lack of order and respect for the social hierarchy between the “teacher” and “servant.” The terms “arrogantly” and “sitting in the high seat” suggest Mã Giám Sinh’s lack of manners and disrespect for others. Despite revealing his lack of education through his words and actions, Mã Giám Sinh still pretends to be a refined gentleman, speaking as if he is a cultured and respectful individual:

"I come to buy the gem Lam Kiều,

What dowry do you seek, please tell me?"

While Mã Giám Sinh feigns generosity by asking about the dowry, he is actually stingy and miserly, haggling over the price: "One less, two more." Only after much bargaining does he finally agree on a price. Despite claiming to buy a gem, his actions reveal him to be a shrewd businessman, dragging the deal on until he’s satisfied with the terms.

"He haggles over the price,"

"After some time, they settle on more than four hundred gold."

Through these lines, we see his true nature as a cunning human trafficker, exploiting Kiều’s family’s desperate situation to his advantage. Mã Giám Sinh is truly a villain, deceitful and manipulative. In *The Tale of Kiều*, Nguyễn Du’s portrayal of characters is masterful. For the virtuous characters like Thúy Vân, Thúy Kiều, and Kim Trọng, Nguyễn Du uses idealized and symbolic language to highlight their beauty and nobility. However, when exposing the villains, he skillfully uses colloquial and earthy language to reveal their true nature. Words like “smooth,” “well-tailored,” “arrogantly,” “uncouth,” and “haggling” underline Mã Giám Sinh’s villainous nature and show Nguyễn Du’s brilliant use of language.

The excerpt *Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều* stands out as a brilliant display of Nguyễn Du's masterful art of character portrayal. Every word is carefully crafted to depict the grotesque, despicable, and repulsive nature of Mã Giám Sinh, a human trafficker who colludes with Tú Bà to deceive and force Thúy Kiều into prostitution for the first time.

As a character, Mã Giám Sinh is one of Nguyễn Du's greatest successes in *The Tale of Kiều*. His portrayal is primarily defined by his appearance and manners. He speaks in a crude, uncultured manner typical of someone uneducated, using disrespectful phrases like: "What's your name?" "Where are you from?" with abrupt and dismissive responses, devoid of any respect or politeness:

"In a nearby area, there's a woman,

Leading a foreign guest seeking to inquire about a name."

When asked his name, he responds: "Mã Giám Sinh," and when asked about his hometown, he replies: "Lâm Thanh is near."

Mã Giám Sinh’s appearance is exaggerated and contradictory:

"Over forty years old, but still youthful,

Clean-shaven, with fine clothes, looking dashing."

"The teacher and servant are bustling,

As the matchmaker leads him to the bridal chamber."

Although he is past forty, Mã Giám Sinh tries to appear younger in his pursuit of a wife. His outward appearance is deliberately groomed and exaggerated, presenting himself as a youthful bachelor, with polished and overly-done manners that are almost absurd. His choice of clothing and grooming is ostentatious and pretentious, giving him the look of a conceited young man, which is offensive and inappropriate for someone of his age.

The chaotic scene of the teacher and servant "bustling about" only adds to the confusion of his true character. It is unclear whether he is a student at the National Academy (Quốc Tử Giám) or merely someone who has bought a title. What is clear is that his introduction as a "foreign guest" is full of lies, especially when he claims that his hometown is "nearby." His attempts to fabricate his identity, along with his youthful appearance, only expose his deceitful and dishonest nature.

His true character is revealed when he treats Thúy Kiều as a mere commodity:

"Sitting arrogantly in the high seat,

In the inner room, urging her to hurry out..."

His haughty and impatient attitude reflects the harshness of his business dealings:

"Weighing the price and the goods,

He presses for a bargain on the lute and poetry."

His behavior is cold, calculating, and insensitive to Thúy Kiều’s pain, beauty, or talents. To him, she is just another item to be bought and sold, her beauty and talents nothing more than their monetary value. After much bargaining, he agrees to the terms only when he is satisfied with the price:

"He haggles, cutting prices here and there,

After much time, settles on more than four hundred gold."

His haggling is a cruel and demeaning display of exploitation, reducing a woman’s worth to a mere transaction. The price he settles on for Thúy Kiều, a woman of extraordinary beauty, is shockingly low.

This scene, full of crude negotiations and manipulations, is not just a commentary on Mã Giám Sinh’s vile nature but also exposes the broader societal issues of exploitation and the commodification of women. His earlier pretense of seeking a wife disappears, revealing him for the monster he truly is.

Through direct, realistic language, Nguyễn Du exposes the true nature of Mã Giám Sinh, skillfully combining narrative with vivid descriptions of appearance, gestures, and dialogue to reveal his despicable character. This serves as a stark portrayal of a deceitful, uneducated, and inhumane individual who is willing to trample over others for personal gain.

The excerpt also serves as a social commentary, condemning the forces of evil while evoking sympathy for the victimized Thúy Kiều. It showcases Nguyễn Du’s artistic brilliance in depicting characters, especially villains, using a blend of realistic language and symbolism.

In Nguyễn Du's *The Tale of Kiều*, the character Thúy Kiều is depicted as a woman of exceptional beauty and talent, yet her life is one of relentless tragedy, spanning fifteen years of suffering and exile. This unfortunate woman encounters countless deceitful and cruel individuals who drive her into the life of a courtesan not once, but twice.

One of the key figures responsible for Thúy Kiều's downfall is Mã Giám Sinh. In the excerpt *Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều*, Nguyễn Du skillfully uses descriptions of the character’s appearance, gestures, and dialogue to craft a portrait of a deeply corrupt and despicable individual.

After Thúy Kiều’s father and brother are arrested and their family’s assets seized, the only ones left are Thúy Kiều and her mother. The officials, seeing Thúy Kiều as a vulnerable woman, demand money to release her father and brother. With no other option, Thúy Kiều reluctantly agrees to sell herself as a concubine to raise the money, severing her bond with her lover, Kim Trọng, and entrusting her sister Thúy Vân with her promise. The matchmaker introduces a man named Mã Giám Sinh, who has heard of Thúy Kiều’s beauty and talents and wishes to take her as his second wife. The negotiation scene between them is the subject of the excerpt *Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều*.

Nguyễn Du begins his portrayal of Mã Giám Sinh by providing details of his background and identity:

"In a nearby region, there's a woman,

Leading a foreign guest to inquire about her name."

At first, the phrase "foreign guest" seems formal, implying a suitor coming to propose marriage to Thúy Kiều. However, in the following lines, Mã Giám Sinh introduces himself:

"When asked for a name, I say: Mã Giám Sinh,"

"When asked about my hometown, I say: Lâm Thanh is nearby."

By introducing himself as Mã, a student from the National Academy, and claiming his hometown to be Lâm Thanh, he attempts to present a respectable image. The repetition of "nearby" suggests an inconsistency in his story, implying that there may be something suspicious about his true identity and background.

Moreover, his curt responses, with little information about himself, reflect his character. He appears more like a merchant than a well-educated scholar. Nguyễn Du further highlights Mã Giám Sinh's character through his appearance and behavior, revealing his true nature through these lines:

"Over forty years old, yet dressed to impress,

With a clean-shaven face and fashionable clothes,

With his servants bustling around him,

He was led by the matchmaker to the bridal chamber."

Despite being over forty, Mã Giám Sinh goes to great lengths to appear youthful, with his pristine grooming and flashy attire. His appearance, rather than conveying maturity, highlights his superficiality. At his age, one might expect him to have a settled life, but instead, he is fixated on Thúy Kiều's beauty, seeking to purchase her as a concubine. This shows his lustful and disreputable nature.

His behavior also highlights his vulgarity and lack of respect. The line "With his servants bustling around him" shows his impatience and disrespect in the courtship process, as well as his tendency to surround himself with flattery. His actions, such as "sitting arrogantly in the chair," further reveal his impolite and crude demeanor.

At this point, anyone with clear judgment can see that Mã Giám Sinh is unworthy of Thúy Kiều. His behavior and background raise serious doubts about his true character. His rudeness is further evident in his impatient urging for the matchmaker to bring Thúy Kiều out for him to inspect. This disregard for social norms and gender etiquette exposes his view of Thúy Kiều as nothing more than an object to be bargained for, rather than a woman to be respected. His true nature as a merchant seeking to negotiate a price for her is laid bare in the following lines:

"Weighing her beauty and her talent,

He presses her to play the lute, to write poetry."

Everyone understands that art like poetry and music requires inspiration, but Mã Giám Sinh, a crude man, cannot appreciate such subtlety. Instead, he "presses" Thúy Kiều to perform, measuring her like an object for sale. His behavior underscores his lack of respect for her as a person and his intent to treat her as a commodity.

Despite his crude actions, Mã Giám Sinh speaks in flowery language, claiming:

"I came to buy the precious gem that is Kiều,

How much do I need to pay to secure her?"

However, his true nature is immediately revealed when he quickly follows this with a calculation of the cost:

"He haggles, cutting the price,

After a while, the price is agreed, more than four hundred gold."

His attempt to negotiate a price for Thúy Kiều, reducing her to a mere object in a transaction, exposes his greed and lack of genuine regard for her. Mã Giám Sinh, despite his outward appearance of wealth, proves himself to be miserly and opportunistic.

Ultimately, the excerpt *Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều* is a striking illustration of Nguyễn Du's talent for character portrayal. Through dialogue, gestures, and actions, he paints a vivid picture of Mã Giám Sinh as a corrupt, despicable figure. The passage also critiques a corrupt society where individuals, driven by greed, are willing to dehumanize others and sell their dignity for personal gain.

The excerpt 'Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều' spans 34 verses, from lines 619 to 652, masterfully blending lyricism with narrative, with an emphasis on storytelling. Through realistic, satirical, and critical language, Nguyễn Du skillfully sketches various characters, with Mã Giám Sinh’s portrayal standing out as the most remarkable and unique.

This passage from *The Tale of Kiều* occurs in the second part (The Family Crisis and Exile). After her family is unjustly accused, Kiều decides to sell herself to save her father and family from disaster. The segment describes Mã Giám Sinh’s attempt to purchase Kiều. The first four lines serve to introduce the key figure in this transaction: Mã Giám Sinh.

He asked: "What's your name? Mã Giám Sinh?"

He inquired: "Where are you from? Lâm Thanh district? That’s close by."

At the beginning of the passage, Mã Giám Sinh is introduced as a distant guest, a figure arriving with the purpose of formally requesting a marriage. However, his manner of speech is abrupt, crude, and impatient. 'Giám Sinh' isn’t even a proper name, but a title referring to someone educated in the imperial academy. He doesn’t bother to introduce his actual name, only his title, subtly bragging about his education. As for his attire and behavior, they’re disordered, showing a lack of refinement.

He was over forty, yet his appearance—trimmed beard, neat clothing, and boastful airs—seemed deliberately exaggerated, almost comical, especially considering his age. A man of his years would typically have a full beard, a symbol of maturity, but Mã Giám Sinh had none, making him appear ridiculous.

Next, Nguyễn Du uses the term 'lao xao' (fidgeting) to describe Mã’s appearance, likening him to a merchant—out of place in an elite setting. His manner was unpolished and brash, showing no respect for the proper etiquette expected of someone seeking a wife. Upon entering, he awkwardly jumped onto a seat without waiting for a proper invitation, further highlighting his disrespectful, uncouth nature.

Even as the business began, Mã continued to display his true merchant character. He evaluated Kiều’s beauty and talent with calculating precision, before forcing her to play the zither and compose poetry on a fan, as if she were a product to be inspected. Only after scrutinizing her did he finally speak in flowery, refined language:

He said: "I’ll buy this jewel, Lam Kiều. What is your asking price?"

When the matchmaker provided a price, Mã began to haggle, offering less than the originally requested sum, reducing the price from a thousand gold to just four hundred taels.

At this point, Mã’s true nature as a heartless 'trafficker' was fully revealed. The term 'cò kè' (haggling) is key in this excerpt, perfectly capturing his miserly, mean, and sordid personality. He exploited the family’s financial hardship, pressing his advantage to drive the price down.

After agreeing on the price, Mã Giám Sinh returned to his false, flowery speech, taking advantage of the family's desperation. He played the role of a professional and manipulative trafficker to perfection.

With a few well-chosen lines, Nguyễn Du paints a complete portrait of Mã Giám Sinh, from his outward appearance to his words and actions. His genius in language and his ability to expose the corrupt nature of such characters shine through in every line. Nguyễn Du truly excels in his choice of words, masterfully revealing Mã Giám Sinh’s true character as a callous, immoral human trafficker.

The excerpt 'Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều' serves as the opening scene in the tragic 15-year period of Kiều’s life, marking her descent into suffering and exile. This section spans 34 lines, from line 619 to 652 in *The Tale of Kiều*.

The poem vividly resurrects the medieval practice of human trafficking, showcasing Nguyễn Du’s narrative and character depiction techniques. The standout feature of this excerpt is the portrayal of the character Mã Giám Sinh. In the face of her family’s downfall, Kiều, driven by filial duty, decides to sell herself to free her father from prison:

With desperate resolve, she accepts her fate.

Risking everything, she seeks to redeem three years of lost youth.

When the buyer arrives, he is introduced as a 'distant guest' by the matchmaker, ostensibly for formal introductions and marriage proposals. His manner of introduction seems dignified, but is it truly a noble suitor seeking a bride?

A matchmaker near the region,

Brings the distant guest to inquire and propose.

The guest introduces himself as a scholar—a student from the prestigious Quốc Tử Giám—without offering his real name, which feels like an aristocratic affectation. He casually mentions his hometown: 'Lâm Thanh district is nearby.' The repetitive 'rằng' shows his condescending, aloof attitude, as if the world were beneath him. His manner of speech, though polite, is pompous and vulgar:

He asked: "What's your name? Mã Giám Sinh?"

He inquired: "Where are you from? Lâm Thanh? That’s quite close."

As we read *The Tale of Kiều*, the true identity of this 'distant guest' becomes clear. He and the matchmaker Tú Bà are no strangers to this trade. Living in Lâm Tri, 'they’ve spent years selling perfumes and powders,' with Mã Giám Sinh’s mention of his scholarly background being nothing more than a ruse to appear respectable. He is, in fact, a merchant, a human trafficker, who finds his livelihood in exploiting young women:

He was over forty, yet youthful in appearance,

With a smooth-shaven face, and a finely tailored suit.

The character of Mã Giám Sinh begins to take shape. His 'smooth-shaven' face gives him a vulgar, trivial air; his 'finely tailored' clothing represents a deceptive, superficial personality. These two images mock Mã Giám Sinh as a pretentious, shallow man. In contrast, when Kim Trọng first meets Thúy Kiều, he encounters a lady whose beauty is elegant and timeless:

Her robes billowed in the wind, moonlight on her shoulders,

Behind her, a few young attendants followed.

"A few young attendants" are the little pages who add charm to her grace. Mã Giám Sinh, too, has his 'attendants'—a group of subservient followers, yet their presence is noisy and chaotic, devoid of any decorum. This noisy, disorderly behavior reveals his true nature: 'Before the teacher, behind the servant, all in disarray.' After being formally introduced by the matchmaker, his crude and immodest behavior becomes even more apparent:

The matchmaker escorts him to the mansion,

He jumps onto a seat, oblivious to manners.

This crude 'jumping onto a seat' is characteristic of low-class traders, those 'who deal in human flesh.' The 'boorish' gesture reveals a lack of refinement, respect, and dignity. Mã Giám Sinh’s disregard for human worth is evident in his actions, his only focus being to 'earn a living in a sordid trade.'

Mã Giám Sinh is a seasoned human trafficker, 'spending his years selling perfume and powders.' As the matchmaker presents Kiều, he 'weighs her beauty and talents,' testing her abilities, forcing her to play the zither and compose poetry, as if she were a mere commodity:

He pondered, measuring her beauty and talent,

Forcing her to play the zither and compose poetry.

Only after thorough evaluation did Mã Giám Sinh express interest, speaking in grandiose, aristocratic terms:

"I will buy this jewel, Lam Kiều. What is your asking price?"

But when the matchmaker quotes a price, he immediately begins to haggle, reducing the price from an initial sum to just four hundred taels:

He haggles, lowering the price,

After a long negotiation, the final price is set at four hundred taels.

The scene of 'Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều' exposes the greed and callousness of Nguyễn Du’s portrayal. Through this character, the poet condemns and ridicules the 'human traffickers' who exploit women, turning them into mere commodities. The phrase 'Money already in hand, what can’t be done?' stands as a sharp condemnation of those who profit from the suffering of others.

Through the art of realism, Nguyễn Du uses vivid, carefully chosen details—clothing, gestures, language, and negotiations—to reveal the true nature of Mã Giám Sinh. He is a pretentious, deceitful, and miserly man, embodying the worst traits of the human traffickers of his time, as clearly depicted by Tú Bà.

Under the poet’s masterful pen, words become powerful tools that carve out sharp images: smooth-shaven, finely tailored, chaotic, crude, haggling... The character of Mã Giám Sinh in *The Tale of Kiều* has become an archetype of the 'sellers of powder and perfume,' underscoring the harsh reality of the time.

Many have commented on Nguyễn Du’s exceptional talent for character portrayal. In *The Tale of Kiều*, both the protagonists and antagonists are brought to life in vivid detail. With just a few strokes of his pen, Nguyễn Du reveals not only the outward appearance but also the inner depths of his characters. The excerpt 'Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều' offers a perfect example of this skill, gradually uncovering the true nature of the human trafficker.

Mã Giám Sinh is introduced as a 'distant guest.' A 'distant guest' refers to someone from afar. Right from the start, there is something suspicious about this guest:

He asks for her name: 'Mã Giám Sinh.'

He inquires about her hometown: 'Lâm Thanh district is nearby.'

His abrupt, curt answers immediately reveal that this so-called 'distant guest' lacks the politeness one would expect from a well-educated man, as he claims to be—a student of the Quốc Tử Giám. He only mentions his surname and refuses to provide his full name, suggesting an intent to conceal his true identity. Even when asked about his origins, he gives a vague and dismissive response. The true nature of Mã Giám Sinh slowly comes into focus through Nguyễn Du’s descriptions of his physical appearance:

He was in his early forties,

With a smooth-shaven face and fine clothes.

'In his early forties' indicates that he was no longer young, yet he still maintained a 'smooth-shaven' face and 'fine clothes.' The author highlights the contradiction between his age and his excessive grooming and flashy dress. The terms 'smooth-shaven' and 'fine clothes' not only emphasize Mã Giám Sinh’s vulgarity but also subtly convey Nguyễn Du’s mocking tone. His attempt to appear as a well-bred student from Quốc Tử Giám through his over-the-top appearance only serves to mask his true intentions, which eventually surface.

In front of his master, behind his servant, he busily moves around.

The matchmaker leads him into the mansion.

He carelessly sits at the prominent seat.

'In front of his master, behind his servant' appears formal, but why the 'busyness'? 'Busyness' implies a chaotic, disordered environment. Neither the servant nor the master maintains decorum as they enter the house. As soon as Mã Giám Sinh arrives, he arrogantly sits in the 'prominent seat' without hesitation. His actions further demonstrate his lack of education and his haughty demeanor. A true student from Quốc Tử Giám, like Kim Trọng, would carry himself with grace, walking and speaking with elegance:

The distant traveler’s true nature is revealed,

Alighting from his horse, he steps forward calmly.

Mã Giám Sinh is the complete opposite: his speech is terse, his appearance garish, and his behavior chaotic and arrogant. All these signs expose his character. Nguyễn Du does not stop here, however. He continues to unveil the real Mã Giám Sinh. Before Kiều’s delicate beauty and graceful demeanor, he feels no sympathy. Instead, he asks her to play the zither and compose poetry so he can 'carefully assess her beauty and talent.' Then, he proceeds to haggle over her price, viewing Kiều as nothing more than an item for sale. Initially, he pretends to be a man of culture:

He says, 'I have come to purchase this gem, Lam Kiều,

What is your asking price for her?'

But soon, he reveals his true nature as a seasoned human trafficker:

He haggles, reducing the price,

After a long negotiation, the price is set at four hundred taels.

What started as 'worth a thousand gold' quickly becomes a mere 'four hundred.' This means less than half of the original value, illustrating his skillful manipulation in the transaction. Mã Giám Sinh, fully aware of the Vương family’s dire situation, strategically lowers the price to the bare minimum. As the drama concludes, the mask is removed. Mã Giám Sinh no longer pretends to be a student of Quốc Tử Giám. He has completed his role:

He sets the date for the marriage contract,

With money in hand, nothing is impossible!

The fraudulent, deceitful, and vulgar nature of Mã Giám Sinh is vividly captured by Nguyễn Du. This character is primarily revealed through his appearance, speech, and actions. Using carefully chosen words with strong evocative power, Nguyễn Du exposes not only the corrupt nature of this human trafficker but also his disdain for such deceitful, arrogant, and rude people. In this short scene, we can already appreciate the depth of Nguyễn Du’s talent in character portrayal.

In the excerpt 'Mã Giám Sinh Buys Thúy Kiều,' the character of Mã Giám Sinh is depicted as a profiteer, exploiting women’s bodies for personal gain through human trafficking.

The verses vividly capture the atmosphere of the time, showcasing Nguyễn Du’s brilliant narrative style. The author skillfully portrays the character’s external appearance and inner nature. The visitor who comes to purchase Thúy Kiều is introduced as someone from a distant land, formally brought in by the matchmaker to present himself, announcing his intentions to marry Kiều in a grand and respectful manner.

However, is Mã Giám Sinh genuinely seeking a wife, or is he merely a fraud, using deception to mask his true identity as a human trafficker, trading in women for illicit profit?

There is a woman nearby,

Who brings the distant guest to inquire about his intentions.

The guest introduces himself as a man of learning, claiming to be a scholar from the prestigious Quốc Tử Giám, but he only provides his surname and refuses to disclose his full name or origins. His outward appearance portrays him as a nobleman, hailing from the Lâm Thanh district. The repeated use of 'rằng' (meaning 'that') emphasizes his arrogance and haughty demeanor, as if looking down upon others. His language is not only rude but also completely dismissive of social decorum.

When asked his name, he replies: 'Mã Giám Sinh,'

When asked about his origins, he says: 'Lâm Thanh district is nearby.'

In Nguyễn Du’s *Tale of Kiều*, it becomes evident that Mã Giám Sinh, along with Tú Bà, are simply traffickers, involved in the business of selling human lives. His claim to be a scholar from Quốc Tử Giám is a lie—a facade for his true identity as a deceitful and boastful conman.

He is described as 'in his early forties,

With a smooth-shaven face and finely dressed.'

These lines paint a vulgar image of a shallow character, with his 'fine clothes' hiding a deceptive personality. The 'smooth-shaven face' symbolizes the falsehood of his outward appearance, showing him to be someone who is meticulously groomed but utterly untrustworthy, hiding something beneath the surface.

He walks ahead of his master and behind his servant,

The matchmaker leads him into the house,

And he arrogantly sits in the prominent seat.

In this scene, Nguyễn Du uses the act of 'sitting arrogantly' to highlight the hubris and lack of manners of human traffickers, people who exploit women’s bodies as commodities. The term 'sỗ sàng' (coarse) emphasizes their rudeness and lack of respect, illustrating their ignorance and inflated self-importance.

Through these actions, it becomes clear that Mã Giám Sinh is gradually revealing his true nature as a worldly, uneducated man who traffics women, not as a cultured scholar from Quốc Tử Giám, as he claims:

He carefully weighs her beauty and talent,

Making her play the zither and compose poetry to assess her.

He haggles, lowering the price,

After much negotiation, the price is set at four hundred taels.

The scene of Mã Giám Sinh purchasing Thúy Kiều showcases Nguyễn Du’s mastery of storytelling and his deep human empathy. Through this character, Nguyễn Du critiques the old society that allowed brothels, pleasure houses, and corrupt institutions to operate openly, as places for the rich and powerful to enjoy their vices. It reflects the powerless position of women in that society, whose beauty and talents were turned into commodities for profit by those exploiting them.

Nguyễn Du employs realistic artistic techniques, selecting significant details to capture Mã Giám Sinh’s character through his physical appearance, actions, and language, revealing him as a dishonest, exploitative trafficker of women.

The character of Mã Giám Sinh in *The Tale of Kiều* has become a symbol of the human traffickers of the feudal era. Through this excerpt, Nguyễn Du condemns the crimes of feudal society.