Top 10 Essays Analyzing the Humanitarian Values in the Work "Chí Phèo" by Nam Cao

The short story Chí Phèo is considered one of the masterpieces of realistic literature, depicting the life of rural peasants before the August Revolution. In this work, the writer Nam Cao not only exposes the suffering of people—suffering from poverty and the degradation of their character—but also conveys empathy and deep respect for the human values hidden within these tragic characters, the unfortunate victims of such a society. The profound humanitarian spirit is one of the prominent features that give Chí Phèo its lasting impact on readers.

Humanitarian values, in the simplest sense, refer to empathy and compassion for human suffering, as well as cherishing the beauty within the souls of the small and humble. These values also manifest in the defense of people and condemnation of the brutal forces that trample on their freedom and life.

Nam Cao expresses his humanitarian ideals through the story of Chí Phèo. In the tale, the writer reveals the tortured life—both physical and mental—of the honest working class. Chí Phèo, a well-intentioned farmhand, is pushed down the path of criminality by the unjust society, ultimately transforming into a villain in the village of Vũ Đại. However, Nam Cao does not condemn Chí as a mere beast, like the other villagers. Instead, he directs his writing to explore the inner soul of this villainous character.

Behind the reckless and daring exterior of a person who only knows how to "scar his face and complain" lies the essence of an honest peasant with simple desires: "husband working the fields, wife weaving fabric." When Chí becomes aware of the tragic fate that awaits him, realizing he cannot return to the path of righteousness, he chooses death rather than continue as the village demon. This reveals that even within those who have been degraded in both body and soul, like Chí Phèo, there remains a spark of goodness—an innate decency that society’s darkness cannot eradicate, only paralyze.

Thị Nở is a woman despised by society, cursed with an unattractive appearance and a peculiar mind, coming from a family with a cursed history. Yet beneath her rough exterior, she possesses a warm heart and kind spirit. Through Thị Nở’s genuine love and care, she manages to awaken the remaining humanity in Chí Phèo. After meeting her, Chí Phèo recalls his simple dreams from his youth, his longing for goodness, and his desire to reconcile with others.

Through Chí Phèo’s moral degradation, Nam Cao raises a desperate and enraged cry against the societal darkness and injustice that oppresses and dehumanizes individuals. The author presents a critical issue: how can we save humanity from such a brutal society, and restore a just life where people can live with dignity? The only solution is to eradicate the inhumane, unjust society that suffocates human existence.

Nam Cao not only exposes the tragedy of the righteous man subjected to physical and moral corruption, but he also harshly criticizes the violent feudal society that has caused such suffering. The embodiment of the ruling class in the story is Bá Kiến, the sly and cruel landlord of Vũ Đại, who has driven countless individuals down the path of degradation and shattered many livelihoods. By the end of the story, Nam Cao allows Chí Phèo to rise up and kill Bá Kiến, symbolizing his vehement rejection of the tyranny and moral decay that Bá Kiến represents.

However, even though Bá Kiến is dead, there remains Lí Cường, and even if Chí Phèo dies, countless other righteous people can still be pushed to the brink of moral destruction. The only way to protect the lives of good people is to dismantle the brutal feudal system and the exploitation that perpetuates such corruption.

Nam Cao’s humanitarian philosophy also shines through in his empathy and respect for the inherent worth of the individual. This is reflected in the decency within Chí Phèo, as well as the love and compassion found in Thị Nở. Nam Cao displays a deep reverence for those at the lowest depths of society, highlighting the light of humanity that still resides within them.

It can be said that Chí Phèo is a short story that carries profound humanitarian values, focused on understanding and appreciating the inner worth of the unfortunate, the victims of an unjust society.

Nam Cao is renowned as a writer with a great humanitarian heart. He brought to Vietnamese literature a clearer understanding of humanity, with his short story Chí Phèo standing as a powerful example, highlighting his deep love and empathy for people.

Humanitarian value is considered one of the core elements of authentic literary works, cultivated by the writer's deep sympathy for the people and their lives. He consistently elevates and cherishes their intrinsic worth, defending them with righteousness while condemning all evil. In 'Chí Phèo', Nam Cao delivers a profound humanitarian message, deeply intertwined with the tragic fate of the characters, urging for a new perspective on human dignity and appreciation for their inner value.

Before becoming a degenerate, Chí was once an honest and warm-hearted peasant. He had simple aspirations: “to marry and work the fields,” a man of high self-respect who scorned what he didn't like, and knew the distinction between noble love and lowly desires. Despite being forced by the landlord's wife to massage her feet, Chí felt nothing but humiliation, not love.

But soon, Chí transformed into something else. Bá Kiến, a loyal servant of the colonial feudal regime, turned Chí into a ruthless man, a true thug. Chí was no longer the humble peasant; he had become the 'vile demon of Vũ Đại village'. Nam Cao strongly denounces the feudal society of that era, emphasizing the dire situation of humanity.

Later, Chí encounters Thị, a breath of fresh air that revives the old man’s forgotten dream. For the first time, he feels a warm human connection through a bowl of porridge. Having lived by theft and threats, he now faces fear—fear of aging, sickness, and especially loneliness. He longs to return to a virtuous life, desperately wishing to be a decent human being. 'If Thị Nở can live peacefully with him, why can't others?' Nam Cao affirms the deep humanitarian aspiration in Chí's heart, showing his yearning for a just life.

Ultimately, Chí dies, his death symbolizing a hopeless, unbroken cycle. He stands at the threshold of humanity, yet never fully crosses into it. Chí’s death is a wake-up call, a critique of the colonial regime’s oppression and degradation of humanity. Nam Cao never intended to degrade the peasantry; on the contrary, he affirmed their human dignity. This demonstrates his acute insight into life and humanity.

Nam Cao is truly a writer with deep humanitarian roots. His works are imbued with a profound love for humanity. 'Chí Phèo' remains a masterpiece, a work of enduring humanitarian value, and even as time passes, it continues to stand as a testament to true and noble literature.

Within the literary movement of critical realism between 1930-1945, Nam Cao came later, following writers like Ngô Tất Tố and Nguyễn Công Hoan. However, with "Chí Phèo," Nam Cao created a lasting impression with his vivid portrayal of the dark, stifling, and hopeless picture of rural Vietnam before the August Revolution, while also awakening the finest human conscience, evoking disgust for the cruel society that trampled human dignity, and stirring sympathy for the suffering, degraded lives under the old regime.

Nam Cao, in his work "Chí Phèo," explores the colonial and feudal society with a deep disdain, offering a strong critique of the ruling forces, all while maintaining a fundamental sympathy and love for humankind, especially those trampled by society. Despite the common themes of the 1930-1945 period of critical realism, Nam Cao presents these ideas with a unique perspective. Rather than focusing on the widespread poverty and starvation, he delves deeper into a more profound human reality: the loss of humanity, the transformation of a person into a "demonic figure" through the malicious schemes and oppression of a brutal ruling class. Nam Cao’s sharp, humane perspective and meticulous understanding of reality, enriched by his vast life experience and deep compassion, enabled him to create a masterpiece with unique social and humanitarian values that stood apart from his contemporaries.

In any authentic work of art, the realist value is always intertwined with the humanitarian value. The more exceptional the work, the more seamlessly these values combine, inseparable from one another. "Chí Phèo" follows this principle. The opening scene portrays Chí Phèo drunkenly cursing along the road, a display of bitter, venomous rage toward life and his very existence. The story culminates in Chí Phèo writhing in agony amidst fresh blood. The entire work envelops the reader in a suffocating, dead-end atmosphere, full of irreconcilable contradictions in a rural Vietnamese village before the Revolution, rife with robbery, threats, murder, and petty conflicts. Chí Phèo himself emerges as the quintessential symbol of this reality. As Nam Cao describes, "Now, he has become an ageless being. Thirty-eight or thirty-nine? Forty or more? His face is neither young nor old; it's not a human face, it's like the face of an unknown beast; can beasts even have an age?"

After his release from prison, Chí Phèo became a terrifying monster to the villagers, though he was unaware of his transformation. His life was one of perpetual drunkenness—he drank, fought, and raged in his inebriated state, with no awareness of the havoc he wreaked. He didn’t realize the countless lives he had ruined, the peace he had shattered, the happiness he had destroyed, and the suffering he had inflicted on good people. The entire village feared him and avoided him. This passage conveys the profound anguish of a life that has lost its humanity, where the basic faculties of recognition are nearly destroyed, leaving only the capacity for violence and destruction.

But what caused Chí Phèo’s transformation into such a beast? Nam Cao doesn’t merely narrate the process of Chí’s degradation in detail. Instead, he focuses on understanding and analyzing the deeper root causes of his tragic downfall, subtly illustrating the villainous figures such as Bá Kiến, the colonial prison, Thị Nở, and the social pressures around them. In the connections between these figures, we easily recognize the root of Chí Phèo’s descent from a simple, harmless youth to a demonic figure: from birth, Chí lacked the nurturing love that should have surrounded him, and as he grew, he faced only disdain, cruelty, and violence. The primary antagonist is Bá Kiến, who is depicted as a cunning old fox, using manipulative and deceitful tactics to control others for his own gain. Bá Kiến masterminded Chí’s imprisonment, turning him into a loyal servant for his own dark schemes. Without Bá Kiến, there would have been no Chí Phèo. Chí Phèo was not just a product of the oppression, but a tool for that oppression: "Without the heads of cattle, who would control them?" Bá Kiến, despite his evil, appears outwardly polite and affable, fooling many into seeing him as a respectable man.

Thus, he deceived countless good-hearted, naive villagers. Chí Phèo became his instrument of power without even realizing it. Bá Kiến is portrayed as a typical figure of the ruling class, alongside others like Lí Cường, Chánh Tổng, Đội Tảo, Bát Tùng, who created the stifling, suffocating atmosphere in rural Vietnam, aided indirectly by the brutal, filthy colonial prison system. Chí Phèo’s time in prison is not directly depicted, but we know he entered as a kind-hearted person. Upon his release, he returned as a hardened, rebellious figure, molded by the cruelty of the system. With this, Nam Cao uses his unique writing style to create a story that, while seemingly objective and detached, is infused with deep compassion for the human condition, conveying a powerful reflection on society’s flaws.

The choice of a character like Chí Phèo—the lowest, most miserable outcast of society—as the focus of the narrative shows the author’s deep empathy and understanding. Nam Cao’s work brings forth profound humanitarian values, especially in his portrayal of Chí’s final degradation and possible redemption. Nam Cao discovers in Chí Phèo the innate goodness that, with just a bit of kindness, could have revived the human spirit within him. Thị Nở’s role in this redemption is crucial. Despite her appearance as a pitiful, repulsive figure, she is the only source of light in Chí Phèo’s dark life, rekindling his humanity. After meeting Thị Nở, Chí begins to perceive the sounds of life around him—the chirping birds, the fishermen's calls, the bustling market—sounds he had never noticed before. For the first time, he feels the stirring of hope, but it is short-lived. Unfortunately, Chí’s dream of becoming a good person and rejoining society is not realized. Even Thị Nở cannot remain with him. Chí knows he will never return to a life of dignity within a good, virtuous community. The society has taken his humanity from him, and he can never regain it. His death is not just the end of a life, but a condemnation of a ruthless, inhumane society. It also serves as a cry for the restoration of human rights and dignity, urging compassion and love for humankind. This is the profound humanitarian message that Nam Cao conveys through his poignant, heart-wrenching work.

When one mentions Nam Cao, they recall the brilliant critical realist pen of Vietnamese literature from the years before and after the August Revolution. Reading Nam Cao's works, one might shiver at the cold sharpness of his language, descriptions, and perspectives. Yet, hidden behind that is always a profound humanitarian spirit, a deep sympathy for the human condition and the suffering of individuals, while aspiring for a better life. He was often compared to a hot water bottle – cold on the outside, but always warm with human compassion on the inside. "Chí Phèo," a piece that marked a turning point in his literary career, immerses us in the lives and destinies of the characters, offering a deep sense of his noble humanitarian spirit.

Humanitarianism is the ethical principle that involves compassion, respect, and the protection of human beings. The value of humanitarianism in a literary work is often reflected in how the work engages with human issues: What does it praise? What does it criticize? How does it express love and respect for human beings and reflect their dreams and aspirations? In short, a humanitarian work is one that upholds, elevates, and protects human values, aiming to create a better world. While the essence of humanitarianism remains constant across different eras, its expressions may vary.

In folk literature, humanitarianism emphasizes recognizing the beauty of humanity, glorifying and celebrating the common people's dreams and aspirations. During wartime literature, humanitarianism expresses itself in denunciation and resistance against the enemy. In peacetime, humanitarianism focuses on the daily lives of people, avoiding romanticism, instead offering a more authentic and sympathetic portrayal of individuals, their struggles, and the tragedies brought by the era. "Chí Phèo," written before the August Revolution, during a time when our people were still submerged in a "long night of slavery," portrays the harsh, oppressive lives of the peasants. It poignantly reveals the tragedy of a farmer who is both socially and personally dehumanized, condemning and critiquing society at large.

The work first presents a realistic picture of the lives and tragic fates of its characters. All the peasants in the story are unfortunate. The character Thị Nở suffers because of being an unmarried, childless woman who is constrained by societal prejudices. She suffers further because of her physical appearance, which is considered abnormal and even substandard, and because she is deemed a 'strange' woman. Among all the characters, Chí Phèo stands out as a prime example of the shared suffering of the peasants in such a society. His misfortune begins from birth, when he was found naked, blue in the face, in an abandoned brick kiln. Chí is then passed from one person to another until, at the age of twenty, he becomes a farmhand for Bá Kiến.

After escaping his wandering life, Chí falls into the hands of a cunning fox. Out of jealousy, Bá Kiến manipulates Chí Phèo into prison, marking the start of his descent into a life of crime. This transformation turns the once gentle young man into a fiend. Through his deep compassion and humanitarian spirit, Nam Cao uncovers the tragic fate of Chí Phèo. The first tragedy is that of someone forced into poverty and degradation. Chí Phèo, once a poor peasant like others in the village, was forced to work for the wealthy just to survive.

But whereas other characters like Chị Dậu are driven to the extreme of selling their children and pets because of poverty, yet still have a roof over their heads, Chí Phèo’s tragedy is even more heartbreaking. He is so destitute that he resorts to threats, theft, and vandalism just to survive. This first tragedy is already painful, but the second tragedy is even more devastating: it is the dehumanization of a man, turning him into a monstrous figure.

Once an honest man, Chí Phèo is corrupted by the colonial prison system. Bá Kiến, with his cunning, completes the process, turning him into a demonic figure. He becomes a person cast aside by society, alone and isolated, communicating only through curses, met with indifference from others. He becomes a being that people avoid as if he were a dangerous animal. However, this tragedy is even more sorrowful when we realize that Chí Phèo commits his deeds while intoxicated.

Chí Phèo is drunk from one binge to the next. “When he’s drunk, he does whatever others ask of him,” and “he’s destroyed so many livelihoods, shattered so many happy lives, causing bloodshed and tears for countless decent people.” He becomes a demon in the eyes of the people. Chí Phèo is a victim of the devious schemes of others and the very society that has cast him aside. His crimes are driven by his drunkenness, and in his drunken state, he commits these acts unconsciously. He becomes a tool in the hands of others, and the more frightening he becomes, the more tragic he is. Nam Cao’s cold, unflinching writing style portrays these events with brutal realism, yet it is clear that the author’s own soul is wracked with pain over the tragic fates of his characters.

The writer once said: “The eyes of the artist are not the cold, indifferent eyes of selfish people, but the eyes of compassion, the eyes of humanitarianism.” With these eyes, he discovered and sympathized with the tragic fate of his characters. Beneath the drunken, seemingly mindless Chí Phèo, Nam Cao uncovers a glimmer of humanity, of goodness. To recognize this within a soul that appears to have turned to stone requires profound love and belief in humanity. Nam Cao shows us that Chí Phèo, once a timid, innocent peasant, had dreams of a simple, virtuous life: “The husband works in the fields, the wife weaves fabric...” No one could have believed that this demon could ever return to his former self. But Nam Cao believed in it. He allowed for a miraculous moment, brief as it was, where Chí Phèo’s humanity was rekindled by the love and compassion of Thị Nở, symbolized by a bowl of porridge. Her love and care sparked in him the desire to return to a life of dignity. In the end, Chí Phèo, despite his monstrous appearance, longs for reconciliation with society, and dreams of a life of goodness and harmony.

Chí Phèo is not entirely as terrifying as he appears. He is so because he has been manipulated and transformed into what he is. His inherent goodness still exists, and with the warmth of human compassion, it can be reignited into a burning desire to return to humanity. Nam Cao’s profound humanitarian spirit leads us to understand that: “Oh, how easily we can dismiss others as foolish, petty, or vile if we do not try to understand them. But when goodness and humanity are restored, the tragedy reaches its peak, and the only resolution is death.”

At this point, when goodness and awareness of life have returned, Chí cannot continue as a demon, yet he cannot fully return to being human. In the end, he kills Bá Kiến and takes his own life. Through his artistic pen and boundless compassion, Nam Cao deeply explores the psychological journey of Chí Phèo from hope to painful disillusionment, anger, and ultimately, despair. Chí Phèo writhes in his own blood, symbolizing the agony of his own tragic fate. Readers feel more sympathy for Chí Phèo’s fate than hatred or anger.

Nam Cao’s love for humanity and his ability to uncover and cherish their dreams and desires, while expressing belief in the “innate goodness” of the human soul, also powerfully condemns the cruel society that tramples on people’s rights to life, to being human, to happiness. The colonial prison system and Bá Kiến’s manipulations transformed Chí Phèo into a monster. The feudal and colonial systems, which together ruled and oppressed the people, drove them into a position where they could not escape. The story of Chí Phèo illustrates the vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation. The deaths of Chí Phèo and Bá Kiến are the inevitable outcome of the social contradictions that have reached their breaking point. It represents the writer’s broad humanitarian view. Chí Phèo’s death is a release, while Bá Kiến’s death is a punishment. Although everything is spontaneous and the future remains uncertain, it embodies Nam Cao’s fervent hope for a society that strives for justice and humanity.

Throughout the work, there is no commentary or judgment about the fate of the characters or the social tragedies they face. Nam Cao’s writing is stark and cold, yet beneath it, we feel the deep, unwavering love for humanity that defines the true value of the work: “It transcends boundaries and limits,” “it is a work meant for all humankind. It must contain something grand, powerful, painful, and uplifting. It praises love, charity, justice... It brings people closer together...”

Nam Cao is a renowned writer of our nation, well known for his stories about the impoverished peasants of the old society. They were not just poor, but often driven to the brink of destruction, losing both their humanity and their appearance. A prime example of this is the work Chí Phèo. Through the tragic twists in Chí's life, from a kind-hearted, hardworking young man to a monstrous figure in the village of Vũ Đại, Nam Cao not only reveals the bitter truth about the fate of the unfortunate, powerless peasants under the harsh rule of colonial feudalism, but also expresses a deeply humanitarian value. He feels pity and sorrow for those who live such miserable lives.

The central figure in the work is Chí Phèo, a representative of the peasants who have been so marginalized that they lose themselves, falling into a life of crime and darkness. Although Chí was orphaned, he was initially a good person, working hard and living humbly. However, life, full of hardship, led to Chí being wrongfully imprisoned by Bá Kiến’s family. Years of imprisonment and hatred transformed Chí into a completely different person, both in appearance and personality. His body became covered with strange tattoos, his head shaved bald, his teeth filed sharp and white—he looked horrific. The Chí of the past, once a good man, was now a terrible, deplorable figure.

The degradation of Chí corresponds directly with the cruelty and inhumanity of the feudal system. Many others in society were like Chí. Chí is just one example among many. They did not become this way because they were inherently weak or lacked willpower, but because the system was so cruel. As poor, powerless peasants, with no education, no wealth, and no status, how could they possibly fight against a class so full of power and cruelty? Nam Cao shows deep compassion and sympathy for Chí and the many others who share his fate.

In the long, painful days full of bitterness, like scars etched deeply across one’s face, the author introduces Thị Nở into Chí’s life. This encounter awakens Chí, helping him rediscover himself. After meeting Thị, Chí becomes aware of everything around him. Life, though simple, can be filled with happiness. The sound of oars dipping in the water, the birds singing, the bustle of the market, and the sight of a woman by his side—everything makes Chí determined to return to being a good man. Beneath the harsh words, behind the endless drunkenness, we find a Chí Phèo full of compassion and love. Thị may have been foolish and unaware of what she was doing, living with an orphaned man who had become a criminal, but Chí was fully aware.

In front of him is a woman—unattractive, foolish, and lonely—but what does that matter when Chí feels the genuine and pure affection she offers? Thị harbors no judgment or prejudice against a man who had been in prison like Chí. Thị may be simple, but her heart is pure. The bowl of porridge she made was seasoned with empathy and sincere love. This porridge awakened the human side of Chí. Chí longed to fulfill his dream of a simple life: a small family where he could work the land while his wife wove cloth. This dream was not only Chí’s but that of many others. Chí never looked down on Thị for being foolish or unattractive. Perhaps it was blind love, but Chí’s dream was both true and earnest. After all the upheaval, after the scars on his face, Chí returned to being a kind and good-natured man. His love for Thị was a gift from Nam Cao, allowing Chí to experience happiness, however fleeting. But soon, Thị was persuaded by her aunt to reject him.

Once again, Chí fell into a drunken stupor. But this time, it was different. The intoxication mixed with the lingering scent of porridge. Despair and hatred surged within Chí, leading him straight to Bá Kiến’s house, though he initially planned to kill Thị Nở’s elderly father. But they were not at fault. Chí’s misery was caused by Bá Kiến. Chí killed him and then took his own life. He no longer wished to live in the endless suffering. Even a simple dream had been denied to him. Born as a human, Chí had lived like a monster, with no one daring to approach him. When Thị finally came, she turned away from him, leaving Chí feeling isolated and lost in a sea of people. Chí feared his old age would be filled with loneliness and sorrow... With his death, Chí would no longer have to drown in alcohol or appear before others in his grotesque state.

Although Chí dies, a child—Chí Phèo’s son—remains in Thị Nở’s womb. Thị looks down, thinking of the distant brick kiln. Bá Kiến may have died, but his son Lý Cường, equally cruel and deceitful, continues his father’s legacy. Chí’s death ends the story, but the injustice and the tragic fates of characters like Chí Phèo continue to exist in society. How many women like Thị Nở are there to bring even the smallest happiness to such lives? Through this, Nam Cao expresses his deep sympathy and compassion for the suffering peasants. He also praises the remaining goodness and innocence in their hearts despite the hardship and struggle of life.

Through his masterful portrayal of the character Chí Phèo, Nam Cao has created a deeply humanitarian narrative.

Nam Cao is renowned in Vietnamese literature history as an outstanding realist writer. He left behind numerous literary works of great value, focusing on two key themes: the intellectual bourgeois and the poor peasant. However, his name is most closely associated with the masterpiece 'Chí Phèo'—a work that carries profound humanitarian values while also criticizing the decayed society of that time.

Creating the character of the corrupted peasant in the colonial society before the August Revolution was a groundbreaking innovation in Vietnamese literature, especially in the works of Nam Cao. The author perceives the simple, honest beauty hidden behind the rough and unkempt exterior of these people, exemplified by the character Chí Phèo—a tragic representation of a peasant driven to the point of corruption. Born into an unfortunate family, without parents or property, Chí had a pitiful existence. However, he grew up healthy, kind-hearted, and had simple dreams, like many peasants: a small family, a husband working the land, and a wife weaving cloth. Initially, Chí had the nature of a true human being, able to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, as shown in his act of massaging Mrs. Ba's feet—"He felt more humiliated than pleased."

In a normal society, someone like Chí could lead a simple and honest life. But life's tranquility was never a given... Through his cold but empathetic pen, Nam Cao reveals the immense suffering of Chí Phèo. This suffering wasn't merely the lack of parents, home, or family, but rather the societal forces that stripped him of his humanity, forcing him to live a dark life akin to a strange animal. This is the sorrow of a being born as a human but denied the chance to live as one, rejected and cast aside by society. The author depicts this tragic fate at the beginning, presenting a captivating character whose misery is gradually uncovered.

Even in a drunken stupor, Chí Phèo seems to fully grasp the "misery" of his own condition. He curses the heavens, curses life, curses all of Vũ Đại village, and eventually curses the parents who gave birth to him. No one curses back because, simply, no one sees him as a human. Nam Cao delves deeply into the character's psyche, discovering and affirming the inherent goodness of these impoverished souls. Chí Phèo’s encounter with Thị Nở occurs on a drunken night. In a miraculous turn, Thị Nở awakens not just his base instincts but also a sincere, tender love. Her unrefined, awkward, and kind care brings Chí Phèo to his senses.

In the seemingly hardened and even ruined soul of Chí Phèo, the little goodness that once existed still flickers like a faint glimmer of conscience, waiting for the right moment to shine. For the first time after awakening, he hears the songs of birds, the sound of paddles driving fish, the laughter of people at the market, and the longing for a simple family life stirs within him after a long period of drunkenness. Nam Cao discovers that small flickering light, offering just enough to allow it to blaze. But Chí's path to redemption is blocked. Thị Nở’s aunt—a character representing the villagers’ mindset—adamantly refuses to let her niece marry a man whose only skill is carving scars to beg for pity. The door to a life of virtue slams shut before Chí.

In anguish, Chí shouts, "I want to be a good person..." and asks, "Who will let me be good?" Having recognized his true nature, there’s no reason he should revert to a life of violence and crime, continue to carve scars, kill, or burn houses. Chí ends up killing Bá Kiến and takes his own life, marking the most tragic end, which also serves as his final escape from a cruel existence—a life where he longed to live as a human but could never achieve it. It is the decayed society of the time that produced characters like Chí Phèo—representing the image of a hardworking, decent peasant driven into a life of crime, physically and mentally corrupted. Bá Kiến, representing the ruling class, is portrayed with distinctive details: from his "refined voice" to his sweet-talking ways and even his laughter that echoes like that of Tào Tháo...

His petty jealousy pushed Chí down a path of imprisonment. The colonial prison system, in collusion with the cunning landlord, aided in killing the last remnants of humanity within Chí Phèo, transforming him into Phèo, turning an honest peasant into a demon. This corruption wasn’t only caused by Bá Kiến or the colonial prison; it was also perpetuated by the villagers of Vũ Đại, especially Thị Nở’s aunt, who built an invisible wall that prevented Chí from living a decent life. The story ends with an ironic twist, perhaps hinting that a "child of Chí Phèo" may one day emerge from the old brick kiln to "continue his father’s legacy." The phenomenon of Chí Phèo persists as long as the brutal society denies people the chance to live honestly and decently, still pushing innocent people toward a life of crime. The strength of the work lies in exposing this brutal, tragic law in the dark rural society of Vietnam at that time.

The work 'Chí Phèo' is deeply humanitarian, showcasing Nam Cao’s compassion for the suffering. 'Chí Phèo' also serves as a desperate cry for help from the unfortunate. We must protect and fight for the right of good people to live as humans.

In the period of critical realism literature from 1930 to 1945, "Chí Phèo" stands out as perhaps the most impactful work, leaving a strong and unforgettable impression on readers. It vividly portrays the stifling and hopeless situation of rural Vietnam before the August Revolution while simultaneously awakening the noblest part of human conscience, stirring hatred for the cruel society that trampled human dignity, and evoking sympathy for the downtrodden, tortured souls of the old regime.

The hatred towards the decayed colonial feudal society, along with the sharp critique of the ruling powers, is based on empathy, love, and respect for human beings, especially those oppressed and mistreated. This shared sentiment is evident in the writers of the critical realism movement during the 1930s-1945 period. However, in "Chí Phèo", Nam Cao explored this reality through his unique perspective. Rather than directly depicting the poverty and hunger, which were common themes of the time, the author delved deeper into a more human reality: a person who no longer remains true to themselves, who even loses their humanity and transforms into a "monster", due to the devious schemes and oppression of a brutal governing system. Through a sharp, humanistic lens, Nam Cao used his profound analytical skills, life experience, and compassionate heart to craft a work with exceptional realism and humanitarian values, unlike any other writer of his time.

In any true work of art, the value of realism is always intertwined with humanitarian value. The more exceptional the work, the more seamlessly these values blend together, making it impossible to separate them. Nam Cao's "Chí Phèo" is no exception. The reflection and reception of its content—whether it is love, respect, hatred, or disdain—must not be detached from one another, as doing so would break the organic unity of the artistic whole.

After reading "Chí Phèo", what do we observe? The story begins with Chí Phèo stumbling through the streets, cursing everything and everyone, with venomous, bitter, and sorrowful curses. The story ends with Chí Phèo writhing in a pool of blood. The entire atmosphere of the work is one of suffocation and hopelessness, full of irreconcilable contradictions of a rural village in Vietnam before the Revolution, with scenes of theft, threats, killings, extortion, and quarrels. Chí Phèo emerges as a grotesque caricature. The author describes him: "Now he has become ageless. Thirty-eight or thirty-nine? Forty or more? His face is neither young nor old; it is no longer the face of a human, but of some strange animal. Could anyone tell the age of an animal by looking at its face?"

After returning from prison, Chí Phèo had become the devil of the village of Vũ Đại without even realizing it. His life was devoid of time, marked only by endless drunkenness. He drank while intoxicated, woke up still drunk, struck his head, slashed his face, cursed, and threatened all while in a stupor. He never experienced sobriety, and perhaps he never would, never to recall whether he ever truly existed. He might have known that he was the monster of the village, terrorizing the locals, but he had no awareness of how much he had destroyed—how many lives he had shattered, how many peaceful homes he had broken, how many tears of the innocent he had caused to flow... The villagers feared him and avoided him whenever he passed by.

This passage encapsulates the immense suffering of a person who has lost their humanity. His natural human abilities—his emotions, his perception—had been almost entirely destroyed, leaving only the capacity for violence and destruction. Why had Chí Phèo been reduced to such a state? The author did not spend much time describing the lengthy process of his corruption. Instead, he focused more on explaining the deep, hidden causes behind it, offering only brief sketches of Bá Kiến, the prison, Thị Nở, and the social circumstances in general. From these connections, readers can easily see that Chí Phèo, and not just Chí Phèo but also characters like Năm Thọ and Binh Chức, are transformed from innocent youth to monsters because, from birth, Chí Phèo had been deprived of the love and care he needed, and as he grew older, he was met with only contempt, brutality, and cruelty.

The direct culprit, Bá Kiến, is portrayed by the author as a cunning old fox, "wise in the ways of the world", "throwing stones while hiding his hand", and adept at "softening hard people", who secretly pushes others into traps but then pulls them out to claim their gratitude. He is the one who masterminds Chí Phèo's wrongful imprisonment and uses him as a tool to serve his own dark interests. Without Bá Kiến, there would be no Chí Phèo, but Chí Phèo is not merely the product of oppression; he is an ideal instrument of control: "Without the headstrong ones, who would govern the headstrong?" Bá Kiến is a cruel, ruthless criminal who, on the surface, appears to be a well-mannered, amiable, and considerate person, fooling the common folk into viewing him with great respect.

This is how he deceives many simple, honest villagers. Chí Phèo becomes Bá Kiến's trusted henchman, unknowingly becoming a tool of the very enemy who had ruined his life. Bá Kiến, along with figures like Lý Cường, the village chief, and the local police force, create the suffocating atmosphere that pervades rural Vietnam, turning it into a vicious cycle where predators only prey on one another.

They are the true culprits of Chí Phèo's tragedy... The fates of Năm Thọ, Binh Chức, though only briefly mentioned, also contribute to illustrating the systemic and widespread nature of how these ruling powers corrupt the common people. Behind Bá Kiến, Lý Cường, Chánh Tổng, and others lies the brutal prison system—a harsh, filthy environment that supports and perpetuates the cycle of corruption. The time Chí Phèo spent in prison is not described in detail; it is only known that, when he entered prison, he was an innocent, good-hearted person. When he came out, he was transformed into a hardened criminal, adopting the violent ways he had learned there. The author only mentions this, but for a discerning reader, this is enough.

With his unique, flexible, and ingenious writing style, Nam Cao weaves together a psychological narrative, with an outwardly objective, cold, and detached tone. Yet within, there is a deep empathy, a powerful recognition of the tragic fate of human lives. The story's humanistic value is evident in the way the author chooses to depict the most miserable, downtrodden figure in society, showing great compassion and thoughtfulness. The very selection of such a character to explore the suffering of society carries a deeply humane message.

However, the most concentrated expression of the work's humanitarian value comes through the author's perception of the deeply corrupted character. Nam Cao still uncovers the innate goodness of the character, which could be reignited with just a bit of love. The appearance of Thị Nở in the story is significant, as this seemingly dreadful person is the only light in Chí Phèo's dark soul, awakening his humanity and reigniting his heart, which had long been extinguished by neglect and cruelty. After a brief encounter with Thị Nở, Chí Phèo begins to perceive the world outside—vibrant, full of life. He hears birds chirping, fishermen rowing their boats, and the hustle and bustle of the market... These sounds had always existed, but only now does Chí Phèo truly hear them. In this fleeting moment of clarity, Chí Phèo sees his future—old age, hunger, sickness, and solitude—more terrifying than hunger and sickness alone. Fortunately, Thị Nở brings him a bowl of porridge, and in that moment, Chí Phèo feels like a child again. He yearns for kindness, longing for reconciliation with those around him.

From a monster, thanks to Thị Nở and her love, Chí Phèo is truly returned to his humanity, reawakening the abilities he once had. This simple, unassuming love, even from a flawed and broken person like Thị Nở, is powerful enough to revive Chí Phèo's inherent goodness. This illustrates the miraculous power of love and its ability to transform lives.

Through this detail, Nam Cao shines a beautiful light on the humanitarian essence of the story—he seems to merge with the character to share in the fleeting happiness of Chí Phèo... But tragically, even Thị Nở cannot remain with him. The small, fleeting happiness never reaches Chí Phèo. The moment his humanity returns is also the moment he realizes he can never fully reclaim it. Society has stripped him of his humanity, and it will never be returned. The scars on his face, the result of countless drunken rages and violent outbursts, sever the connection between him and life. As Đỗ Kim Hồi once said, "Once a person tastes even a little bit of the essence of humanity, that feeling will never fade... This is the ultimate tragedy, and the only solution is death." (Literary Journal No. 3-1990)

Chí Phèo's tragic death serves as a powerful condemnation of an inhuman society, a cry for the right to be human, and a desperate call: "Save humanity! Love humanity!" These are the profound humanitarian and realistic themes that readers can take away from the pages of Nam Cao's timeless masterpiece, which continues to ignite the intellect and evoke deep, beautiful emotions in readers of all generations.