Top 10 Essays Analyzing Thuy Kieu's Emotional Journey in the Excerpt 'Trao duyên' by Nguyen Du

The love between Thuy Kieu and Kim Trong was blossoming, passionate, when Kim Trong had to return to Lieu Duong to perform his uncle's funeral rites. At the same time, disaster struck Thuy Kieu's family. Her wealth was seized by corrupt officials, and her father and brother were captured and beaten. The officials demanded a bribe, saying, 'Only with three hundred taels can we resolve this.' In the face of this heartbreaking tragedy, a compassionate and self-sacrificing person like Thuy Kieu had no choice but to sell herself to save her father and brother. But what about her love for Kim Trong? Thuy Kieu was in deep anguish. Eventually, she decided to ask her sister to take her place and marry Kim Trong. The excerpt 'Trao duyên' in 'Truyen Kieu' is incredibly moving. It may be the most heart-wrenching scene in world literature.

Based on the story by Thanh Tam Tai Nhan, Nguyen Du recreated the poignant scene of 'Trao duyên' with vivid detail. When 'Thuy Van suddenly woke from her spring dreams,' she found her sister crying in the middle of the night. Thuy Van kindly approached and asked her what was wrong. Thuy Kieu struggled to explain but said, 'Who can I turn to for help?' With love for her father, she sold herself, and with love for her lover, she turned to her sister:

'Please, sister, do you accept my request?'

'Sit down, I will bow to you and explain.'

'The bond of love has been broken.'

'The ties of fate are in your hands, please do as you wish.'

In these words, Nguyen Du chose the word 'cậy' (rely) to convey the trust that cannot be refused. Another sacred gesture is the bow. It is unheard of for an older sister to bow to her younger sister in this way, but it is done to pass on her love. How profound and sacred is her love for Kim Trong! Through tears, in the dead of night, Thuy Kieu told her sister about everything:

'Since the day I met Kim'

'On the day of the vow, on the night of the promise'

'What hardships we have faced'

'But filial love must always come first.'

Thuy Kieu quickly recounted the events that Thuy Van had witnessed: meeting Kim Trong on the spring day, exchanging vows with him, and the family's tragic events. But there is one detail that Thuy Van could never understand: filial love cannot coexist with romantic love.

Through Thuy Kieu's words, Nguyen Du criticized a society that forces people to choose between two values that should never be in conflict. A society that makes such a choice cruelly oppresses its people. Thuy Kieu painfully chose 'filial piety,' as there are only three things that endure: 'Faith, hope, and love, and love is the greatest.' Hearing such a line from the Bible, we can feel the depth of Thuy Kieu's suffering. Thus, sacrificing her love, Thuy Kieu considers it as though it no longer exists in this world. Each of her words is not tears but blood slowly dripping from her heart:

'Spring is still long, sister'

'The pain of blood is more than words can express.'

'Even if my body decays and my bones are worn away'

'I will smile in the afterlife and my love will still linger.'

Both sisters were of marriageable age, yet Thuy Kieu says, 'Spring is still long, sister,' which is so heartbreaking! Her sacred words are for Kim Trong, hoping he will find happiness in the midst of heartbreak. In her deep despair, she still cares for the happiness of others, truly a girl of great self-sacrifice. Knowing that her sister is willing, she gives her the mementos between her and Kim Trong:

'The ring and the token of love.'

'Keep them, they are shared.'

Though love is still abstract, the tokens of love become tangible. Thuy Kieu gives her 'the ring and the token of love' to her sister, but it causes her immense pain. Each word is heavy like lead. She is giving away her love, and through it, she condemns society. A society that forces people to give up what is irreplaceable is one that deserves to be condemned. This is Nguyen Du's scathing critique of the social system that tramples upon the happiness of individuals. When Thuy Kieu gives away her love, it is as though she has already disappeared. She instructs her sister to keep the mementos and care for her soul in the miserable world:

'In the future, no matter when.'

'When the incense burns and the strings are played.'

'Look at the grass and trees.'

'If the wind blows, know that I am returning.'

'My soul still carries the promise.'

'Though my body may decay, my soul will be with Kim.'

Thuy Kieu imagines herself as a ghost. Her words are ethereal. Her ghost will appear in the incense and music. Her soul still carries the promise made to Kim Trong, so even if her 'body decays and bones wear away,' her spirit remains with the 'grass and trees' and the 'gentle wind.' The love of a broken-hearted person still resonates with the universe. In her utter despair over the destruction of love, she forgets that her sister is right in front of her, crying out to Kim Trong:

'Oh Kim Lang! Oh Kim Lang!'

'I have failed you from now on.'

The excerpt 'Trao duyên' in 'Truyen Kieu' is a tragic chapter in the work 'Doan Truong Tan Thanh'. With his sharp insight, Nguyen Du found a deeply moving moment in Thanh Tam Tai Nhan's story and recreated it with extraordinary artistic mastery. He skillfully contrasts the two personalities of the sisters: the ordinary and the extraordinary. In the chaotic events, Thuy Van is innocent and carefree (though we should not hastily judge her), while Thuy Kieu suffers even more. Nguyen Du masterfully portrays the characters' psychology and inner turmoil, achieving a dialectical understanding of the soul. Through 'Trao duyên,' we see that Thuy Kieu is a girl rich in emotion and self-sacrifice, deeply aware of love and life.

A character like this, who just began to step into life like a blooming flower, is cruelly crushed by life's storms. As Mộng Liên Đường Chủ nhân said, this tragic moment carries the blood of Nguyen Du's pen, as though the poet's tears soaked the paper. Over two hundred years later, the tears of humanity still have not dried up.

Nguyễn Du shines brightly in Vietnamese poetry, not only as a poet but as a master of portraying the inner lives of his characters. His work, Truyện Kiều, is filled with his deep passion, and he inhabits each character, making their inner turmoil palpable. This makes the excerpt "Trao duyên" one of the clearest examples of Thúy Kiều's emotional journey.

This passage is a heart-wrenching portrayal of Thúy Kiều's sorrow as she must part with her own happiness. She entrusts her love to her sister, asking her to fulfill Kim Trọng’s promise on her behalf. Nguyễn Du masterfully conveys the emotional conflict brewing within Kiều, giving us a glimpse into her complex feelings. The opening lines show her soft and tender request to Thúy Vân:

"Please, will you bear my words,

Bow to me and I will explain."

Kiều's request is not only one of dependence but of pleading, reflecting her desperate hope and desire. While outwardly asking for a favor, she also reveals her inner uncertainty and longing. The addition of a bow further elevates the gravity of her request, showing the emotional weight she carries. This subtle psychological complexity demonstrates Kiều's profound internal struggle.

"The burden of longing is severed halfway,

Connections are broken, yet I entrust them to you."

With this line, we sense the depth of Kiều's tragic fate. Her love with Kim Trọng, once beautiful and pure, is now on the verge of destruction. The pain of their inevitable separation brings a rush of bittersweet memories, signaling her sorrowful reflection on their fleeting happiness.

"Since the day I met him,

When we swore with fan and wine,

Now the storms have arrived,

How can filial love and love for a partner coexist?"

The memories of their love and promises are impossible for Kiều to forget. The moments of joy and happiness were brief, and she feels the fleeting nature of it all. Now, she must choose between familial duty and her love for Kim Trọng. Ultimately, she chooses to honor her parents’ sacrifice, revealing her deep sense of filial piety.

"As the breeze stirs, I know my sister will return,

My soul still carries the weight of our vow,

Even if my body decays, my love will live on,

In the distant future, I ask you to remember me."

Even in death, Kiều cannot forget her promise to Kim Trọng. Her unwavering loyalty to him is palpable. Through this short passage, Nguyễn Du presents three time periods—past, present, and future—mirroring the complexity of human emotions. Kiều mourns her lost past, fears her present fate, and is uncertain of what her future holds. The artifacts and memories of the past seem distant now, a painful reminder of what has been lost and a source of regret and sorrow.

In love, it is often the couple who exchange vows of affection, yet in Nguyễn Du's Truyện Kiều, Thúy Kiều finds herself giving away her love to her younger sister. This act of giving away one’s love is very different from the usual exchange between lovers. In the "Trao duyên" excerpt, we witness Thúy Kiều reluctantly entrusting her bond with Kim Trọng to her sister, Thúy Vân. The act of asking Thúy Vân for this favor is filled with humility, as Kiều pleads before her sister:

"Please, will you accept my plea?

Bow to me, and I will explain."

"The thread of love is severed halfway,

Connections are broken, but I leave it to you."

Words like “cậy,” “lạy,” and “thưa” indicate Thúy Kiều’s deep submission as she begs her sister to carry out her promise to Kim Trọng. Her actions and words show the desperation in her heart. It is not common for an elder sister to bow down to her younger sibling, and such a gesture makes the reader feel a deep sympathy for Kiều. Her outward act of submission hides an emotional plea for Vân to fulfill her obligations with Kim Trọng. Beyond the humble image of Kiều kneeling, we also see her worn and sorrowful appearance:

"Since meeting him,

We swore with fans and pledged with wine,

But now the storm has arrived,

How can love and filial duty both coexist?"

"Spring has arrived for you, but my sorrow lingers,

Even if my body decays, my soul will still remain loyal."

Kiều, in her melancholy state, reflects on the love she shared with Kim Trọng. They had pledged eternal loyalty to each other, and she thought their love would last forever. But the cruel fate that befell her family forced her to choose between love and duty. Unable to watch her father suffer in prison, she chose to sacrifice her own happiness. Now, she asks Vân to continue her love story, even if it means leaving Kim Trọng’s love behind.

Through these poignant verses, the reader feels Thúy Kiều’s sorrow as she gives her beloved’s tokens of affection to her sister. She seems to hesitate, but ultimately, she must part with these symbols of love:

"This ring and letter are yours now,

May these tokens of love remind you of us."

Even if time passes, and you become his bride,

Let this incense and this letter remain as a testament to our bond."

Kiều urges Vân to accept these tokens of love, hoping that she will not only honor her promise to Kim Trọng but also preserve the memories of their shared love. As she contemplates her death, Kiều expresses a sorrowful hope that even in the future, her spirit will remain loyal to the vows she made to Kim Trọng. Finally, she calls out to him with her last words of love and regret:

"A thousand heartfelt pleas to my love,

The thread of our bond was so brief,

Fate has been cruel to us both,

But oh, Kim Trọng, I am sorry!"

Thúy Kiều’s image is one of deep tragedy, as a beautiful, talented woman who once experienced pure love. Now, she is forced to betray her feelings, yet her sorrow is profound, far beyond what one might expect from someone who feels they have wronged their lover. Nguyễn Du expertly captures the emotional depth of Kiều’s predicament in this excerpt, depicting her internal struggles and ultimate sacrifice for the sake of duty and family.

Kiều is a beautiful, charming, and sharp-witted girl, yet it is the oppressive, dark feudal society that forces her to lead a troubled and turbulent life. It can be said that the poet Nguyễn Du deeply sympathizes with her fate, which is why he can so vividly recount the life of this talented and beautiful young woman. Before Kiều became a pawn in the hands of those who trade in human lives, she thought of her lover, Kim Trọng, and asked her sister, Thúy Vân, to repay the love he had for her. The excerpt ‘Trao duyên’ (Giving the Betrothal) expresses Kiều's emotional turmoil as she decides to entrust her love to her sister. Destiny is said to be something predestined, something decided by heaven itself. Lovers are supposed to be bound by fate, but Kiều, here, defies that and takes fate into her own hands by giving her betrothal to her sister. But can this truly be called a destiny when Thúy Vân and Kim Trọng are not in love with each other? Deep in Kiều's heart, giving away her love is not an easy decision; it involves surrendering someone she holds dear. Yet, despite this inner pain, Kiều decides to act against the will of the celestial matchmaker, forcing herself to abandon her own feelings to fulfill her duty. The first fourteen lines describe Kiều's decision to entrust her love to her sister Thúy Vân. First, Kiều talks to her sister about her own misfortune, a misfortune that only Thúy Vân can help alleviate. It is only Vân who can ensure Kim Trọng's love is returned: “Rely on you, will you accept my words? Sit down, let me bow and explain,” The author’s choice of words is meaningful here, as Kiều, the elder sister, humbles herself in a way that seems inappropriate for a sibling relationship. The words “rely,” “sit down,” “bow,” and “explain” usually signify the subservience of a younger person to an elder, yet Kiều uses them with her sister, emphasizing her plea for help. Through this, the author highlights Kiều's desperation as she asks Vân to continue her love for Kim Trọng. To further persuade her sister, Kiều confides in her about the sorrow weighing on her heart. Only Thúy Vân, she believes, can ease her suffering: “Along the way, the love was cut short, The broken ties, a thread of love for you,” Kiều laments that she has already pledged her love to Kim Trọng, but fate cruelly broke this bond. Vân would understand why this separation occurred. It is because of this deep, unspoken sorrow that Kiều asks her sister to accept her request and take over the task of marrying Kim Trọng. The sorrow expressed in these lines shows just how difficult it is for Kiều to give up something so dear. Even though they are sisters, asking for something so intimate is like losing something precious. Vân, innocent and pure, doesn't fully comprehend the depth of Kiều's pain. Next, Kiều emphasizes the difference in their circumstances to increase the weight of her plea, making it even harder for Vân to refuse: “Springtime is still long for you, But for me, a broken heart can only trust in you.” Having made her plea, Kiều returns to a solitary state of mind, which leads her to reflect on the past. Her emotions become clearer, and she wishes to be with her beloved once more: “The ring and the silk handkerchief, Hold onto this love, though it belongs to both of us,” The ring and the handkerchief represent the tokens of love Kiều shared with Kim Trọng. They had pledged to live and die together, but now, the cruel societal forces demand that Kiều forsake her love in favor of filial duty. Even though she must let go of these material symbols, Kiều wishes for Kim and Vân to remember her once they are married. The ring and the silk handkerchief are the remnants of her love for him. Yet Nguyễn Du separates these mementos into two different lines, perhaps to emphasize the pain Kiều feels when parting with them. It is as though she is reluctant to give them up but is forced to do so in order to repay Kim Trọng. The poet skillfully conveys Kiều’s deep sorrow in these moments, as she clings to the memories of her love yet must let them go to fulfill her promise. Although Kiều hopes for some relief after giving her betrothal away, the moment is one of intense suffering. In her heart, she knows that once she has given her love away, it is no longer hers. She feels as if she is dying inside: “Later, if ever the incense burns, The ring and the silk handkerchief will never fade.” Kiều contemplates her own death and reflects on how, even after she is gone, she will never forget the promises she made. Her grief, exacerbated by the societal injustice she faces, lingers, keeping her tied to the earthly realm, unable to find peace. When Vân and Kim Trọng marry, Kiều hopes they will remember her, even sensing her presence in the breeze. She imagines her spirit will return to visit them. In her final words, Kiều suggests that even if she dies, her devotion to Kim cannot be fully repaid. She asks that a final gesture of respect be made by Kim and Vân in her memory. Kiều reflects on how people only think of death when the pain is unbearable, and she knows she faces a future of intense suffering. Through this poem, we see Kiều’s inner torment as she sacrifices her love for duty. The oppressive feudal society has placed her in a position where she must choose between duty and love, but neither can ever truly balance the scales. In the end, she suffers, even contemplating death, as the price she pays for this painful choice.

It can be said that Nguyễn Du is a master in the art of portraying the psychological development of characters. His skill is vividly demonstrated throughout his work "The Tale of Kiều", most notably in the excerpt "Trao duyên". This passage captures the complex emotions and inner turmoil of Thúy Kiều as she asks her sister Thúy Vân to continue her love story with Kim Trọng.

Thúy Kiều and Kim Trọng's love was at its peak, but they were forced to part due to Kiều selling herself to save her father and brother. Despite their sacred and romantic vows, Kiều chose to uphold filial piety, a decision that led her to sacrifice her love for Kim, whom she had vowed to be with forever. In an agonizing decision, she entrusts her love to her sister Thúy Vân, asking her to carry out her unfinished bond with Kim:

"I trust you, will you agree?"

"Sit down, I will bow to you, and then speak."

"The bond of love ends midway."

"You, my sister, take the remaining thread and complete it for me."

These lines demonstrate how much Thúy Kiều treasures her love for Kim. She does not use words like "please", "ask", or "hope", but instead uses the respectful phrase "I trust you" along with actions such as bowing to show her sincere request. Thúy Vân has the right to accept or refuse, but with such earnest pleading, she cannot help but agree.

Though Thúy Kiều is the elder, she speaks as one indebted, for Thúy Vân is the one who is doing her a favor. Thúy Vân is the only one who can help Kiều fulfill her vow to Kim, and Kiều leaves the decision to her sister, hoping she will agree. Kiều understands the hardship Thúy Vân faces in taking on this task and expresses her feelings of loss and sacrifice in passing on her love:

"Since the day I met Kim"

"When we promised our vows and swore eternal love"

Thúy Kiều is deeply emotional as she recalls their cherished memories and shares them with her sister. The love between Kim and Kiều is passionate and romantic. They made sacred vows and exchanged meaningful tokens of their affection. If it weren’t for the misfortune caused by the silk merchant’s false accusations, Kiều and Kim would have been a perfect match, happily together.

Kiều entrusts her love to Thúy Vân with a heavy heart, as she is passing on something intangible and irreplaceable. It is easier to give away material possessions, but who can truly give away love? Kiều hopes that her sister will understand and accept her request. After all, the bond between them is strong, and Thúy Vân will honor their sisterly connection. If she agrees, Kiều will be at peace even if she suffers physically. She gives Thúy Vân the keepsakes of their love—her bracelet and the paper with their vow—as a token of her deep feelings for Kim:

"This bracelet and this vow"

"These tokens belong to all three of us"

From this moment on, these mementos belong to Kiều, Kim, and Thúy Vân together. Passing on her love and her cherished memories is incredibly painful for Kiều, but she does it out of necessity. Though she remains devoted to Kim, she understands her own tragic fate and feels deeply conflicted about her actions.

Kiều expresses her joy that Kim and Thúy Vân will eventually be together, but it is accompanied by her immense sorrow because she will not be the one at his side. She is tormented by the feeling that she has been forsaken and even imagines herself as a dead person:

"When I look at the grass and trees,"

"I sense the breeze, and know that my sister will return."

"My spirit still carries the weight of our vow."

"Though my body fades, my soul remains, and I will forever keep our promise."

"My spirit asks for a drop of water from Thúy Vân for my unjust death."

Even if Kiều's body deteriorates, she wishes that Kim and Thúy Vân will remember her. She leaves a sign for her sister to recognize her spirit when she returns: "When you feel the breeze, know I am near." A person as devoted as Kiều cannot easily forget her sacred vow with Kim. Even in the afterlife, she carries the weight of her promise to him. This vow is something she will remember forever, regardless of her fate.

In the afterlife, the worlds of the living and the dead are separated, so Kiều asks Thúy Vân to offer a drop of water for her spirit. While still alive, Kiều is consumed with thoughts of her tragic death—an unjust death caused by her fate. She and Kim shared so much love, and now, with their love shattered, Kiều feels deep sorrow. She laments her fate, unable to fulfill the love she once had with Kim:

"Why is my fate so cruel?"

"Like water flowing and flowers drifting away, unfulfilled."

The love between them was short-lived, and Kiều hopes Kim will understand her circumstances. She laments the loss of the beautiful love they once shared and feels guilty for not being able to return Kim's affection. Kiều addresses Kim as her "beloved" in a tender and familiar tone, expressing her deep emotions. She believes she has failed him, and these words reflect her inner torment.

The excerpt from "Trao duyên" reveals the inner conflict and agony of Thúy Kiều. The pain of giving up her love makes her feel as if her soul is being torn apart. Nguyễn Du's brilliant portrayal of Kiều’s emotions is why "The Tale of Kiều" is so memorable, both in Vietnam and around the world.

Love in classical Vietnamese literature is rarely discussed. Among the notable romantic relationships of the era, the love between Thúy Kiều and Kim Trọng stands out. It is a love story that is both beautiful and tragic, representing one of the greatest and most sorrowful tales in classical Vietnamese literature. Kiều's life is a sequence of tragedies, with the most painful and impactful being the heartbreak of her love for Kim Trọng.

When Kiều decides to sell herself to rescue her father, she shows immense strength. However, when faced with her own love, she feels profound pain and helplessness. Agreeing to marry Mã Giám Sinh, her future looks bleak, but these events don’t trouble her as much as the thought of Kim Trọng. In that moment, Kiều unexpectedly makes a decision regarding her love—she entrusts it to her sister, Thúy Vân. Kiều's torn emotions at that time are powerfully portrayed in the excerpt “Trao duyên”.

Before analyzing the emotional evolution of Thúy Kiều in the excerpt, it's important to understand its position in the work. Nguyễn Du's *Truyện Kiều* is structured around the traditional framework of Reunion – Separation – Reunion. The excerpt “Trao duyên” serves as a pivotal turning point – marking the end of Kiều's days of happiness and the beginning of her tragic fate.

After Kiều and Kim Trọng swear an oath of love, he has to return to Liêu Dương for the funeral of his uncle. Kiều’s family is wronged by the scheming Tơ seller. Kiều decides to sell herself to save her father, fulfilling the filial duty, but the love remains unfulfilled. The night before she marries Mã Giám Sinh, Kiều still carries the burden of her debt to Kim Trọng. Thúy Vân wakes up and approaches her sister, asking gently. It is then that Kiều decides to entrust her love to Vân, asking her to fulfill her love for Kim Trọng. This is a painful and tragic dilemma in Kiều's life.

The progression of Thúy Kiều’s emotions in the “Trao duyên” excerpt is clearly illustrated through the opening lines, where Kiều pleads with Vân. Her emotional state is difficult to define, for giving away her love is excruciating, and it’s even more heart-wrenching knowing that this will profoundly affect Vân’s future.

“I entrust you, will you accept my plea?

Sit down and I will bow, then speak my request”

In these lines, the author creates a special atmosphere. Kiều’s words and actions become unusually formal. Nguyễn Du chooses the word “entrust” instead of “ask,” and “accept” instead of “receive,” conveying Kiều’s absolute trust in Vân. Additionally, “entrust” carries a heavy tone, reflecting Kiều’s inner turmoil. She asks Vân with full trust and uses “accept” instead of “receive” to imply that Vân has no choice but to comply. “Sit down and I will bow, then speak”

The three verbs – sit, bow, speak – provoke many thoughts. Why must Kiều bow to Vân? Why must she bow before speaking? “Bow” and “speak” are words used to express deep respect and reverence, typically toward someone superior or someone she owes a debt. The relationship between Kiều and Vân shifts, no longer just sisterly, but one of gratitude and obligation. Kiều realizes that what she is about to say will change Vân’s life, and therefore, she bows to honor Vân’s sacrifice. Kiều humbles herself in a solemn, serious manner.

The love between Kiều and Kim Trọng is briefly summed up in the phrase “breaking the bond halfway.” The pairing of “breaking the bond” and “longing” makes an abstract concept more concrete, adding to Kiều’s emotional agony. Though Kiều leaves it to Vân’s discretion, it is clear that Vân is the only one who can decide. This stanza, though not a formal passing of love, subtly binds the two sisters in a deeper connection.

“Since the day I met Kim

When the fan was pledged, and the cups sworn

What storm or wave could come?

Filial love, no way to balance both”

Kiều recalls the significant moments in her life—when she met Kim Trọng and the hardships that followed. These two events, which greatly impacted Kiều, were also witnessed by Vân. The brief mention of her time with Kim Trọng reveals the deep bond between them. The emotional progression in this part of the excerpt is deeply moving.

The repetition of “when” emphasizes the beautiful moments that have now passed. But happiness didn’t last long, as misfortune soon arrived. Kiều’s inner conflict is not between filial duty and love, for she has already chosen her duty. While the earlier stanzas inform, the subsequent lines make Kiều’s plea to Vân more direct, urging her to accept the request.

“In your springtime, you still have much time

Feel the sorrow of family ties, and stand for the land

Though my body withers, my soul remains strong

Smiling in the afterlife, my spirit still lingers”

In analyzing Kiều’s emotional evolution in the excerpt, we see that the “springtime” here signifies not just youth, but also a time of happiness and peace. Kiều hopes that Vân’s youth will bring happiness when she takes over the bond with Kim Trọng. Youth is the first reason Kiều uses to persuade Vân. The sacred duty of family ties is the most important reason for Kiều’s request.

Additionally, Kiều refers to her impending death, not to burden Vân but to express her gratitude and to show that her acceptance would bring her peace. Kiều’s plea is primarily emotional, as she places herself in a position of indebtedness. This shows the depth of Kiều’s feelings and her anguish, as she tries to convince Vân, ignoring her own suffering. This marks a turning point in the excerpt, where Kiều’s torment is laid bare.

As Kiều finds the rationale to convince Vân, she doesn’t let Vân speak. Instead, she acts immediately, handing over a token of love to Vân. These tokens are filled with sweet memories of a love that never fully blossomed.

“The ring and the silk scroll

This love is shared, these tokens are yours to hold”

The love between Kiều and Kim Trọng is a bond Kiều asks Vân to keep, not to take fully. Giving the token represents the act of passing on the love. When Kiều says, “shared,” it evokes the pain of this love being divided. This shared love is no longer just between Kim and Kiều, but also includes Vân. When Vân accepts, Kiều’s inner turmoil surges, and the sorrow of the love she has lost begins to overwhelm her. The contrast of keeping and losing, together and apart, reflects Kiều’s deep emotional pain.

“Even if you marry, I’ll still care

For I am of ill fate, I can never forget”

Having lost her love, Kiều feels her life is no longer meaningful. Worse still, she is the one who ended the love that had just begun. The recurring phrase “ill fate” is now inseparable from Kiều’s life, and the pain she endures as a result is deeper than the tragedies of her future.

“Though I lost love, there’s still a trust left

The piano keys and the scent of the past”

The phrase “shared” becomes “trust,” indicating that the memories and emotions can never be fully transferred. The love between Kiều and Kim remains hers and only hers. The memories are alive only in the past, evoking a sense of loss and hopelessness about the future.

“In the future, if you ever come by

Burn the incense, and play the strings

Look at the grass and leaves swaying

If the wind is light, know that I am near

My spirit still carries the vows

Even in death, I’ll always be by your side”

Kiều envisions a future full of sorrow and despair. Though she addresses Vân, it seems as though she is speaking to herself, lost in thoughts of a fate beyond death. The language blurs the line between life and death, highlighting Kiều’s inner agony. As she speaks of the future, she reflects on the intense pain of her present moment. The tragic beauty of her love for Kim Trọng is now fully realized.

The emotional progression of Thúy Kiều in the “Trao duyên” excerpt is a profound portrayal of love, sacrifice, and heartbreak. Nguyễn Du masterfully conveys the depth of Kiều’s emotions, allowing readers to deeply empathize with her pain and the complex decisions she makes.

When faced with a choice between duty and love, humans often find it difficult to choose. However, the duty to one’s parents is always more significant. Thus, a dutiful child, who truly loves their parents, would choose the path of honoring them, even if love is beautiful. This is the choice that Kiều makes in Nguyễn Du's *Truyện Kiều*. Kiều chooses the greater duty of ‘nghĩa’ (duty), but she still wishes to nurture the love she feels. Therefore, she decides to entrust her love to her younger sister, Thúy Vân. The passage where Kiều gives her love to Vân reflects Kiều’s deep inner turmoil. Destiny, or ‘duyên’, is a force that brings people together, and if it is their fate, they will be together forever. However, Kiều takes the fate into her own hands and decides to pass on the love she has for Kim Trọng to her sister. She has the ‘duyên’ with him, but not the fate, so she hopes to bridge the bond between them through her sister. This is her way of repaying Kim’s love. Yet, even as she entrusts her love to her sister, Kiều feels deep sorrow, as this is the love she cannot fulfill. Does a first love always end in heartbreak? In the first two lines, Kiều’s actions are quite extraordinary. She lowers herself, almost begging her sister, asking her to take her place and help her fulfill this duty: “Cậy em em có chịu lời. Ngồi lên cho chị lạy rồi sẽ thưa” As an older sister, she should never have to beg or kneel to her younger sister. But here, Kiều’s words express the overwhelming sense of needing Vân’s help in fulfilling her promise to Kim Trọng. Words like ‘cậy’, ‘ngồi lên’, ‘lạy’, and ‘thưa’ show her humble plea. These words indicate Kiều’s reliance on her sister to fulfill the promise she made. Her plea reflects a deep sincerity, as she expresses her heart’s feelings and the pain of unfulfilled love. She speaks of the uncompleted love and destiny that binds her: “Giữa đường đứt gánh tương tư Keo loan chắp mối tơ thừa mặc em Kể từ khi gặp chàng Kim Khi ngày quạt ước khi đêm chén thề Sự đâu sóng gió bất kì, Hiếu tình khôn lẽ hai bề vẹn hai.” Her sorrow is clear as she laments her lost love, her duty towards her family, and her inability to fulfill the promises made to Kim Trọng. Even though she wishes for Vân to take over her duty, the pain of her unfulfilled love and devotion is evident. Thúy Kiều’s plea also conveys the emotional complexity of her situation. She knows that love and duty cannot coexist in balance. As she expresses this emotional turmoil, her plea becomes more intense, asking her sister to take over for her: “Ngày xuân em hãy còn dài Xót tình máu mủ thay lời nước non Chị dù thịt nát xương mòn Ngậm cười chín suối hãy còn thơm lây!” Both sisters are young, with the fullness of life ahead. Yet Kiều, burdened by duty, is already resigned to the fact that her path will be filled with hardship and sorrow. She hopes Vân will take her place to fulfill the promise to Kim, even if that means living with the knowledge that her own love story has been lost. As Kiều entrusts her sister with tokens of her love, she holds onto them with deep reluctance. These tokens, a ring and a piece of paper, are symbols of the love she can no longer have. She wishes to keep them as a shared memory, hoping that Kim Trọng and Vân will remember her after they are united: “Chiếc vành với bức tờ mây Duyên này thì giữ vật này của chung Dù em nên vợ nên chồng Xót người mệnh bạc ắt lòng chẳng quên Mất người còn chút của tin Phím đàn với mảnh hương nguyền ngày xưa” Despite giving away these mementos to Vân, Kiều hopes that they remain a shared symbol of her love with Kim Trọng. These items, though now given to Vân, will forever hold the memory of their love. Through the repetition of these mementos in separate verses, Nguyễn Du emphasizes Kiều’s pain in letting go, even as she knows it is the only way to repay her obligations. As Kiều bids farewell to her love, she contemplates her inevitable fate. She feels a deep sense of loss, as if her own death is the only way to put an end to this tragic story. Yet, she still hopes that one day, if Kim Trọng and Vân ever remember her, they might offer a tribute to her spirit: “Mai sau dù có bao giờ Đốt lò hương ấy so tơ phím này Trông ra ngọn cỏ lá cây Thấy hiu hiu gió thì hay chị về Hồn còn mang nặng lời thề Nát thân bồ liễu đền nghì trúc mai Dạ đài cách mặt khuất lời Rảy xin chén nước cho người thác oan.” Kiều’s words reflect the injustice of her life and her desire to transcend this world of sorrow. Her spirit longs for peace, even if it must remain trapped in the mortal world. She asks for a memorial from Kim and Vân, even as she faces the bitter reality of her life. In the end, Kiều’s sorrow is not just about love lost, but about the conflict between duty and desire. Her first love, though beautiful, is doomed by fate. She accepts this with a heavy heart, hoping that her sister, Thúy Vân, can help Kim find happiness, even though it means sacrificing her own happiness. The emotion of her sacrifice resonates through every line, revealing the pain of choosing duty over love.

The "Giving of the Betrothal" is one of the most significant excerpts in Nguyen Du's *The Tale of Kieu*, illustrating the intense tragedy in Thuy Kieu's life. Faced with the choice of filial piety over love, she has to abandon her personal happiness and let go of her love for Kim Trong. Using a masterful technique of portraying inner conflict, Nguyen Du conveys the deep emotional turmoil within Thuy Kieu.

"Please, sister, do you accept my plea?
Sit up so I can bow and speak my words."

In the quiet of a late night, Thuy Kieu desperately calls upon her younger sister, Thuy Van, to ask for her help. Knowing how difficult her request is, she uses the word "please" to show her vulnerability. She then raises Thuy Van to a position of authority, telling her to sit so she can bow before explaining her reasons. These opening lines demonstrate Thuy Kieu's wisdom in understanding the difficulty of asking for such a request and how she subtly places her sister in a position where refusal becomes impossible. As she recounts her painful story, Thuy Kieu explains why she has no choice but to seek her sister's help:

"The love was lost halfway through.
Fate’s threads torn, the rest is left to you.
Since I met Kim, our love bloomed bright,
With vows exchanged both day and night.
Yet fate’s cruel winds tore us apart.
Duty to family, love lost in the heart."

"Springtime is still young for you, my sister.
The bonds of blood should guide you to fulfill this mission.
Even if my body is torn and decayed,
I will smile in my grave, knowing you did the right thing!"

She recalls her passionate love with Kim Trong, now doomed because of family obligations. There is no greater sorrow than sacrificing love for the sake of filial piety. Thuy Kieu hopes her sister will understand her pain and agree to carry on the bond with Kim Trong. She assures Thuy Van that, if she agrees, even death will not diminish her gratitude. "I will smile in my grave, knowing you did this for me," she says, offering her death as the ultimate plea.

After Thuy Van agrees to help, Thuy Kieu begins to give her the tokens of her love. In this moment of giving, Thuy Kieu's anguish is vividly expressed by Nguyen Du:

"The pin and the letter's silk thread.
This bond is shared, though we part ahead.
Even if you marry Kim some day,
Remember me, sister, in your heart, I pray.
Though I am gone, my love won’t stray,
The strings of fate will forever stay."

As she gives her sister these mementos, the memories of her love for Kim Trong resurface vividly in her mind. It feels as if their love was just yesterday, when they exchanged vows and promises. Though she is passing on the betrothal, the tokens are shared among them. Later, when Thuy Van and Kim become husband and wife, Thuy Kieu hopes they will remember her. The more she speaks, the more sorrowful she becomes, grieving over her lost chance at love, lost not by her own choice but by fate and family duty. She imagines Thuy Van and Kim living together, while she remains a ghost, her spirit wandering in the breeze, clinging to memories of lost love, as symbolized by the mementos of the past.

"In the future, whenever the day comes,
If the incense burns, or the strings are strummed,
If you see the grass sway in the breeze,
Know that I have returned, with memories that never cease."

If in the previous verses Thuy Kieu reassured her sister that even from the afterlife, she would be content, now her sorrow deepens. She feels immense sorrow for an unfulfilled love. The imagined grief of seeing Thuy Van and Kim together, while she is left behind, fills her with despair. She begs her sister that, if they must be separated by life and death, at least give her a drink as an offering for the wronged soul.

"My soul still bears the vow we made.
My fragile body withers in the wind.
My words may be far, but they still call,
Pour a drink for the soul wronged by fate's fall."

To Thuy Kieu, even in death, her love for Kim Trong cannot be forgotten. Even if she dies, her soul will be forever bound to him. Thus, she speaks the final words: "Oh Kim Lang, I have forsaken you forever." This farewell represents her ultimate sacrifice for the sake of family duty.

The excerpt ends with Thuy Kieu's profound sorrow. Nguyen Du masterfully depicts her emotional state, portraying both the strength of a dutiful person and the vulnerability of a woman torn from her first, unforgettable love. This inner conflict is expressed in a way that few other authors could achieve.

The poem "Trao Duyên" represents a moment of emotional turmoil, a stormy inner crisis experienced by the tragic figure Thúy Kiều. Thúy Kiều’s ten years of suffering are a continuous tragedy filled with pain and sorrow. Her pure and beautiful first love with Kim Trọng was shattered by life's storms. After sacrificing herself to save her father, Kiều silently mourned the broken vow with Kim. She relied on her sister, Thúy Vân, to replace her in Kim’s life. "Trao Duyên" is the profound pain of Kiều, a talented and beautiful girl, who faces the hardship of love and duty.

The full title of the Tale of Kiều is "Đoạn Trường Tân Thanh," which translates to "The Cry of the Heart." It actually encompasses countless cries of sorrow. "Trao duyên" (The Gift of Love) may be the first such cry that marks the beginning of a long series of tragic events that pile up on the life of a talented and beautiful young woman. Thúy Kiều's heart breaks as she gives her love away. And Nguyễn Du, through his poignant poetry, captures this painful scene of love and sacrifice.

The unjust fate that suddenly strikes her family brings disaster upon everyone, without exception. But it seems that Kiều wants to bear it all alone. She willingly sacrifices herself to save her father. The night before, she endured an inner battle between her deep love for Kim Trọng and her duty as a daughter to repay the gift of life. Ultimately, she resolved her inner turmoil after making a difficult choice. Little did she know, this was just the beginning. Yesterday, it was about the conflicting emotions of "Love" and "Filial Piety," which seemed almost empty. Today, it’s about the true agony of a struggle between "Love" and "Destiny," which is far more tragic and everlasting.

The gut-wrenching pain Kiều experiences today is the continuation of the inner conflict from the previous night. Having chosen filial duty, she must now entrust her love to someone else. Yesterday was a choice of awareness, today is a loss of affection. Had Kiều been less sincere, less devoted, perhaps she wouldn’t have been trapped in this tragedy, and the pain wouldn’t have been so unbearable. But once love is given away, the weight only grows heavier.

In fact, at the moment of losing Kim Trọng, she feels more attached to him than ever before. Each word she speaks and every action she takes in this moment of "Trao duyên" feels like a dagger to the heart. It’s hard to imagine how Nguyễn Du was able to delve so deeply into the character’s emotions to capture this profound sorrow. The poet understood that Love and Filial Piety are just surface concerns, while the deepest, most excruciating pain lies in the tension between Love and Fate. The scene of "Trao duyên" is a confrontation with this tragic reality. When reading the excerpt from "Trao duyên," we can clearly see it broken into three parts.

The first part consists of 12 lines, where Thúy Kiều persuades Thúy Vân to take her place and continue her love story with Kim Trọng. The next part, with 14 lines, depicts Kiều giving Vân her keepsakes. The final part, with 8 lines, shows Kiều bidding farewell to Kim Trọng, who, though absent, always remains in Kiều’s heart and pain. At the beginning, Kiều appears composed, but as the scene progresses, her emotions grow more intense, and the farewell becomes a painful parting that seems to foreshadow death itself. The moment of "Trao duyên" begins with two lines of poetry that highlight the beauty of language.

The Tale of Kiều is a work that few people can talk about without mentioning. Its simplicity mirrors ordinary speech, yet it is as profound as any subtle verse. The weight of the words lies in the four characters "cậy," "chịu," "lạy," and "thưa"; these words cannot be replaced with any others. These words carry the heavy burden of Kiều’s tragic fate. Through these four words, the relationship between the two sisters changes, becoming that of a benefactor and a dependent. Kiều, in a sense, becomes the one seeking favor, and Vân becomes the one who grants it. To repay Kim Trọng’s love, Kiều humbles herself, lowering her dignity in a way that emphasizes her pure heart and noble character.

Kiều’s speech conveys her wisdom, but it also reveals her underlying anxiety. She feels the need to persuade her sister as much as possible, so Vân cannot refuse her. She even invokes the image of death to emphasize how heavy her request is:

"In spring, you still have time. Feel the sorrow of family, as the land is left behind. Even if my body breaks, my soul will smile as I reach the river of death."

But upon reflection, Kiều doesn’t use death as a rhetorical device to persuade her; throughout this section and earlier, she sees death as an inevitable, grim conclusion. In this dire situation, what else is there to hold on to but resignation? The more she loves, the more she wants to let go of life. The scene of "Trao duyên" should have been a conversation, but it unfolds like a monologue. Thúy Vân remains silent, accepting her sister’s plea without speaking. And so Kiều must complete her final, painful task: handing over the keepsakes. Yesterday, as Kiều contemplated sacrificing her love, she thought she had already lost Kim Trọng. But now, as she persuades her sister, that feeling of loss becomes more tangible. The moment she hands over the keepsakes, she experiences the final, overwhelming sense of loss. From this moment on, Kim Trọng belongs to another. The line "The bracelet and the letter made of cloud paper—this love must now be shared" expresses this painful realization. The phrase "shared" holds an immense sorrow. Keepsakes are sacred only when they are symbols of a love that belongs solely to two people. But now, they are "shared"—a painful truth that Kiều must accept.

The words, full of sorrow, are hidden in the rhythm of the poem. "Shared" has become the breaking point in Kiều’s heart, though she tries to suppress her feelings. The act of giving away the keepsakes feels like a wrenching struggle. The keepsakes, once in her hands, now seem to resist leaving her. The moment they slip away, Kiều’s heart sinks, realizing that Kim Trọng is now lost to her forever. The poet has captured the complex human emotions that transcend time, reminding us that love’s pain is eternal.

As she hands over the keepsakes and instructs her sister, it is as if Kiều is speaking to Kim Trọng through Vân. Her sorrowful words and the image of "the broken comb and the fallen vase" convey her deep despair, a despair that lingers as she imagines Kim Trọng’s love being passed on to someone else.

Even as she gives up everything, Kiều still holds on to the memory of her deep love for Kim Trọng, a love she imagines will never truly die. She envisions herself as a spirit, returning to the world, hoping to find solace in a simple, refreshing cup of water—a small token of remembrance from the living. Through this image, she asks only for a sign that her love will be remembered, even if only in a fleeting moment.

In the end, Kiều accepts her fate, but not without a final plea for understanding, for compassion, for her love to be remembered even after her passing. Her soul lingers, and she hopes that, in time, the memory of her love will endure. But she knows, deep down, that she will never escape the pain of loss.