Top 6 Best Analyses of "Thái Sư Trần Thủ Độ" by Ngô Sĩ Liên for 10th Graders

Question 1 (page 47, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 2)

Discuss the events involving Trần Thủ Độ. What aspect of his character does each event reveal? Based on that, what are your observations about Trần Thủ Độ's personality?

Detailed answer:

- Trần Thủ Độ maintained a strict approach to himself. When someone spoke the truth, he acknowledged it and rewarded the person with money and silk, which encouraged honesty and bravery in pointing out faults, even if the person was of lower rank.

- Regarding the soldier guarding the forbidden threshold, when his wife was stopped, Trần Thủ Độ did not side with her. Instead, he investigated the matter and praised the soldier for maintaining law and order. This demonstrates his impartiality, respect for the law, and rejection of favoritism toward family.

- When his relatives requested government positions, he taught them a lesson—offering them a chance to receive an appointment only if they were willing to sacrifice a toe to distinguish themselves from others. He upheld the principle of fairness in government appointments and discouraged the corruption of relying on family connections.

- Within his own family, Trần Thủ Độ opposed nepotism. When the king proposed giving his brother, Trần An Quốc, a high-ranking position, Trần Thủ Độ refused, stating that appointments should be based on merit, not favoritism. This showed his selflessness and prioritization of public over family interests.

=> These examples highlight the integrity and personality of the First Minister, who was honest, generous, just, and especially impartial—a trait that made him a trustworthy figure for the country and the people.

Question 2 (page 47, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 2)

What are the unique features in the narrative and character portrayal of the historian (focus on dramatic conflicts, surprising twists, and details that emphasize character traits)?

Detailed answer:

- The story builds dramatic situations and selects valuable details.

- Each story includes a conflict that reaches a climax and is resolved unexpectedly.

- The language is concise, focusing on narration without commentary. The narration is objective and loyal to the truth.

- The writing style is very economical with words, not delving into psychological analysis, yet the characters are portrayed clearly.

Summary:

The excerpt narrates the life of the historical figure, Thái Sư Trần Thủ Độ. His admirable character is demonstrated through four events:

- Some accused Trần Thủ Độ of overstepping his authority. In response, he confirmed the accusation was true and rewarded the accuser.

- A soldier stopped the carriage of Linh Từ Quốc Mẫu, Trần Thủ Độ’s wife, at the forbidden gate. Trần Thủ Độ did not punish him but praised his adherence to the law.

- When Trần Thủ Độ’s wife requested a minor position for someone, Trần Thủ Độ agreed but with the condition that the person cut off a toe to distinguish themselves, which discouraged such requests in the future.

- When King Trần Thái Tông intended to appoint his brother, Trần An Quốc, to a high position, Trần Thủ Độ firmly rejected it to prevent nepotism and the rise of unqualified individuals.

Structure

- Section 1 (from the beginning to "more powerful than the king"): An overview of Trần Thủ Độ’s life and death.

- Section 2 (from "Some accused…" to "The king then gave up."): Four key events in the life of Trần Thủ Độ.

- Section 3 (from "Although Thủ Độ was the Prime Minister…" to the end): Emphasizing the moral qualities and historical importance of Trần Thủ Độ.

Main Content

The passage praises Trần Thủ Độ's noble character and patriotic spirit. He upheld the law with impartiality, was straightforward, and encouraged honesty among his subordinates. His magnanimity and rejection of personal gain are highlighted.

I - ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER

1. Trần Thủ Độ was a unique historical figure, once considered a politician with cunning and even ruthlessness. However, when viewed objectively, he was a loyal and wise individual who played a significant role in establishing and supporting the Trần Dynasty.

2. Using an engaging storytelling style with carefully selected details, this excerpt vividly portrays the figure of Trần Thủ Độ, emphasizing his impartiality, integrity, and honesty. His image holds great relevance even in modern times.

II - READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Question 1: Discuss the events related to Trần Thủ Độ that reveal aspects of his character.

In this excerpt, four key events contribute to revealing various facets of Trần Thủ Độ's personality:

- When someone reported Trần Thủ Độ's alleged abuse of power to the king, instead of defending himself, he acknowledged the accusation and rewarded the person for their courage in speaking out. This shows his fairness, generosity, and strong character. For him, actions benefiting the country and people were always the priority.

- Upon hearing his wife, Linh Từ Quốc Mẫu, complain about a soldier blocking her path, Trần Thủ Độ did not hastily defend her. Instead, he investigated the situation and praised the soldier for following the law. This demonstrates his impartiality and respect for the law, without favoritism towards family.

- When someone sought his wife’s help for a minor appointment, Trần Thủ Độ gave a lesson: the applicant would have to sacrifice a toe to distinguish himself, highlighting his commitment to fairness and his opposition to corruption and nepotism.

- When the king suggested promoting his brother to a high position, Trần Thủ Độ refused, arguing that the best candidates should be selected, whether they were his brother or himself, and that favoritism would disrupt the administration. This illustrates his selflessness and dedication to the country over personal or family interests.

- These events showcase Trần Thủ Độ’s courage, fairness, integrity, and his consistent focus on the nation's interests over personal or familial gain. As the highest-ranking official in a young king’s court, he was a model of respect for the law and public service.

Question 2: What are the distinctive features in the historian’s storytelling and character portrayal?

- Historian Ngô Sĩ Liên built dramatic situations that, although brief, each featured a conflict with a climax and resolution.

The story's charm lies not only in its distinctive narration but also in its concise language. The events are told without commentary, allowing readers to form their own opinions about the central character.

- In all three situations, when the conflict reached a climax, the reader was surprised by Trần Thủ Độ’s unconventional and admirable solutions. His unique approach made the excerpt even more engaging and captivating.

A. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Knowledge:

- Understand the admirable qualities of integrity, fairness, and the ability to listen, as well as encouraging subordinates to uphold the law, as exemplified by Tran Thu Do. This leads to a deeper pride in the traditions of our ancestors.

- Recognize the historical writing style that blends chronicle and narrative, as demonstrated by Ngo Si Lien.

2. Skills: Summarize events and assess historical figures accurately.

* Introduction: Tran Thu Do (1194-1264), a close relative of Tran Thai Tong (Tran Canh) and the uncle of Tran Thanh Tong (Tran Hoang), held the position of Grand Chancellor (Prime Minister). He was a key historical figure, with varying opinions about him. He was once seen as a political mastermind, employing schemes to ensure the Tran family seized the throne from the Ly dynasty. Some viewed him as cruel and manipulative, responsible for the death of Ly Hue Tong and the slaughter of many Ly royals. However, when considered objectively, the transition from the Ly to Tran dynasty was an inevitable historical shift, and Tran Thu Do was merely the catalyst who accelerated and skillfully guided the process. For the Tran family, he was a founding figure who wholeheartedly devoted himself to preserving the nation's integrity and fighting external invasions. When the Mongol Yuan forces approached the border, King Tran expressed concern and considered peace negotiations. Tran Thu Do, unwavering, said, "Until my head falls, your Majesty need not worry!" This lesson today will provide further insight into his character.

B. CONTENT TO ACHIEVE

I. General Overview:

1. Read.

2. Structure: Two parts:

- Part 1: Time and key event (Tran Thu Do's death).

- Part 2: Four stories about Tran Thu Do:

+ Judging the person who accused him.

+ Capturing the disrespectful soldier.

+ The cost of the "cue" position.

+ An Quoc or the deity?

II. Detailed Study of the Text:

1. The character of Tran Thu Do:

a. First story: Judging the person who accused him.

=> "Character traits: honesty, directness, fairness, generosity, and strong leadership.

b. Second story: Capturing the disrespectful soldier.

- Reason: Following the provocation of Linh Tu Quoc Mau, Tran Thu Do angrily ordered the capture of a disrespectful soldier.

- Solution: After hearing the soldier's explanation, he praised the soldier and rewarded him with gold and silk. This solution was fair and surprising to readers.

=> "Character traits: fairness, respect for the law.

c. Third story: The cost of the "cue" position.

- Tran Thu Do agreed to appoint a relative to a position but made a note of their name and origin.

- When they met, he said: "You will be..." This was a stern warning to the person, causing them to reconsider seeking favor and privileges through nepotism.

=> "Character traits: fairness, determination to fight corruption, bribery, and the abuse of power.

d. Fourth story: An Quoc or the deity?

- He set a standard for selecting and appointing talented individuals for the king.

- He remarked, "What would happen if brothers were both generals in the court?" This statement reflected his decisiveness and sense of national duty.

=> "Character traits: directness, integrity, placing the nation's interests above personal or family interests.

2. Narrative techniques and character portrayal:

- Dramatic situations.

- Use of significant details.

C. ANSWER GUIDELINES

Question 1 (Page 47, Grade 10 Literature Textbook):

- Events related to Tran Thu Do:

+ He played a key role in the transition from the Ly to the Tran dynasty.

+ He was a talented prime minister, loyal and devoted to helping the Tran kings build a strong kingdom, defend the nation, and resist foreign invasions.

- The character of Tran Thu Do:

+ Toward himself: He was strict and encouraged his subordinates to be courageous and honest, even when accusing a superior.

+ Toward the soldier: He was impartial, respected the law, and did not show favoritism to his relatives.

+ Toward his relatives seeking positions: He maintained fairness and worked against nepotism and corruption.

+ His stance against family-based rule: He prioritized national interests over personal and familial benefits.

These details highlight Tran Thu Do's remarkable leadership qualities, fairness, and unyielding sense of justice, making him a trusted figure for the nation and people.

Question 2 (Page 47, Grade 10 Literature Textbook):

Narrative techniques and character portrayal:

- Creating dramatic situations and selecting significant details.

- Each story involves conflicts that build up to a climax and are resolved in surprising yet admirable ways.

I. Author
- Ngo Si Lien (around the early 15th century - ?) was a historian during the Early Le dynasty, living in the 15th century.
- He was from Chuc Ly village, Chuong Duc district (now Chuc Ly hamlet, Ngoc Hoa commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi).
- He participated in the Lam Son uprising and played a significant role in compiling the "Complete History of Đại Việt", the oldest and most official national history of Vietnam that is still preserved today.

II. Work
1. Summary of the Excerpt
The excerpt tells stories about the life of the historical figure Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do. It describes how he dealt with various events such as accusations of overreaching his authority, or when a soldier blocked the cart of his wife, Queen Linh Tu Quoc Mau. These situations reveal his integrity, uprightness, and admirable qualities.

2. General Understanding
a. Position and Content of the Excerpt:
- The "Complete History of Đại Việt" was completed and edited by Ngo Si Lien, based on earlier works like Le Van Huu's "History of Đại Việt" and Phan Phu Tiên's "Annals of Sử ký tục biên".
- The history consists of two main sections:
+ External Annals: Recording Vietnam's history from the Hong Bang period to the 10th century.
+ National Annals: Continuing the historical account from the Dinh dynasty to the Later Le period.
- The excerpt "Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do" is taken from the fifth volume, part of the national annals.
b. Structure: 3 parts
+ Part 1: From the beginning to "must rely on power, stronger than the king": This part announces the death of Tran Thu Do and offers a brief overview of his character.
+ Part 2: From "The king is weak": The author recounts four significant events during Tran Thu Do's time in power.
+ Part 3: The remaining part: The author affirms Tran Thu Do's role and position in history.
3. Detailed Analysis
a. Tran Thu Do – A National Hero
- A report to the king about Tran Thu Do's abuse of power: He did not defend himself, hold grudges, or punish those who pointed out his wrongdoings, but instead rewarded them.
=> He was a just, generous, and courageous leader.
- His wife cried about a soldier blocking her cart. Tran Thu Do investigated the matter and praised the soldier for abiding by the law.
=> He was a man of integrity, respecting the law.
- When someone asked his wife to influence his appointment to a position, he told the person to cut off a finger to distinguish themselves.
=> He actively upheld fairness, rooting out the practice of buying and selling official posts.
- The king wanted to promote Tran Thu Do's brother, but he disagreed, arguing that the best candidates should be chosen, rather than rewarding both of them, which would confuse the administration.
=> These incidents highlight Tran Thu Do's boldness, generosity, integrity, and prioritization of national interests over personal or family gain.
b. Art of Writing History
- The historian creates dramatic situations, carefully selecting significant details.
- Each story involves conflict, climax, and resolution in an unexpected manner.
- The writing is concise, without psychological analysis, yet the characters are clearly presented.

III. Answering QuestionsQuestion 1 (page 47, 10th grade literature book 2):

Details Related to Tran Thu Do

- A report to the king about Tran Thu Do's abuse of power: He did not defend himself, hold grudges, or punish those who pointed out his wrongdoings, but instead rewarded them.
→ He was just, generous, and courageous.

- His wife cried about a soldier blocking her cart. Tran Thu Do investigated the matter and praised the soldier for following the law.
→ He was a man of integrity, respecting the law.

- When someone asked his wife to influence his appointment to a position, he told the person to cut off a finger to distinguish themselves.
→ He actively upheld fairness, fighting against corruption in the appointment of officials.

- The king wanted to promote Tran Thu Do's brother, but he disagreed, stating that only the most competent candidates should be chosen, to avoid confusion in the administration.
→ These details highlight Tran Thu Do's boldness, generosity, integrity, and his prioritization of national over personal interests.

Question 2 (page 47, 10th grade literature book 2):

- Historian Ngo Si Lien creates dramatic situations, each with conflict, climax, and resolution.
- The language is succinct, with no commentary. The narrative is objective and faithful to the truth.
- The storytelling is captivating, always presenting unexpected resolutions.
- His approach makes the reader admire and appreciate the integrity of the characters.

1. Author

- The exact birth and death years of Ngo Si Lien remain unknown.

- He was from Chuc Ly village, in Chuong Duc district, which is now part of Chuc Son commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi.

- He earned his doctoral degree in 1442 during the reign of Le Thai Tong and was appointed to the Imperial Academy.

- Under Le Thanh Tong, he held the position of Right Minister of the Ministry of Rites and was appointed as a senior official, overseeing the National Academy and National History Bureau.

2. Excerpt

- Source: Extracted from Volume V, the Annals - Chronicles of the Tran Dynasty.

- The passage discusses Tran Thu Do (1194-1264), the Grand Chancellor who contributed significantly to the foundation of the Tran Dynasty, stabilizing the nation's politics and economy under Tran Nhan Tong and Tran Thanh Tong.

- The passage can be divided into three sections:

+ Section 1: From the beginning to... “he pardoned him.”

+ Section 2: From there until... “he rewarded him with gold and silk.”

+ Section 3: The remaining part of the text.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING ABOUT GRAND CHANCELLOR TRAN THU DO

Question 1 - Page 47, Textbook

What key events in Tran Thu Do’s life reveal his character? What can you infer about his personality from these events?

Answer:

- Tran Thu Do was not bound by ordinary norms. He acknowledged the validity of others' correct statements, saying “What he said is true,” and rewarded him with money and silk. This reflects his strict self-discipline and his encouragement for honesty and courage among subordinates, even if it means criticizing superiors.

- When his wife accused a soldier of wrongdoing, he did not blindly support her but chose to investigate the matter thoroughly. This attitude shows his impartiality and respect for the law, as he refrained from showing favoritism towards family members.

- When his relatives attempted to secure official positions through his influence, he taught them a lesson: To earn such positions, they had to cut off a finger to distinguish themselves from others. This demonstrates his commitment to fairness and his stance against nepotism and favoritism in the appointment process.

- With regard to his family, he opposed nepotism. When the king proposed a position for his brother, An Quoc, he clearly expressed his views, stating, “Appointments should be based on the individual’s qualities and abilities, not by favoring both brothers, which would disrupt the court.” This reveals his commitment to placing the public good above personal and family interests.

These examples highlight the boldness, generosity, fairness, and impartiality of Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do, making him a trusted leader, worthy of the people's faith.

Question 2 - Page 47, Textbook

What distinctive features can you identify in the historian’s narrative style and portrayal of characters? Pay attention to the dramatic conflicts, surprising turns, and moments that highlight the characters' traits.

Answer:

- The historian crafts dramatic situations and selects key details with great care.

- Each story contains conflicts that build to a climax, which is then resolved unexpectedly.

- The writing style is concise, with no psychological analysis, yet the characters emerge vividly.

NOTES

This excerpt praises Tran Thu Do’s character, emphasizing his ability to place the law above personal interests, his tactful approach to situations, and his fairness, honesty, generosity, and commitment to the public good. The writing is succinct, avoiding psychological descriptions while effectively portraying the characters' depth. The storytelling is objective and captivating, with surprising twists that engage the reader.

I. SUGGESTIONS FOR WRITING THE ESSAY

Question 1 (Textbook, Literature 10, Volume 2 – Page 47)

The events related to Tran Thu Do reveal various facets of his character:

- In his interactions with others or himself, he refrained from acting according to ordinary conventions, instead acknowledging the truth in others' words, stating “What he said is true,” and rewarding them with money and silk. This shows that Tran Thu Do was strict with himself and encouraged honesty in others.

- In dealing with the soldier guarding the palace threshold, he did not blindly support his wife’s accusations but investigated the matter thoroughly, encouraging the soldier to uphold the law. He was fair, impartial, and respected the law, showing no favoritism even to his own family.

- When his relatives tried to gain power through his influence, he would teach them a life lesson they would never forget.

- In his family, he firmly opposed nepotism, always prioritizing the nation’s interests above personal gain.

These details affirm the strength and character of Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do: straightforward, generous, just, and especially impartial.

Question 2 (Textbook, Literature 10, Volume 2 – Page 47)

- The author constructs many dramatic situations, though brief, they contain twists, conflicts, climaxes, and resolutions.

- The storytelling is engaging, constantly introducing surprising elements.

- The writing is concise, without psychological descriptions, yet the characters are still portrayed profoundly.

II. KEY LEARNING POINTS

Tran Thu Do’s actions in response to four significant events in his political and social career:

- Regarding accusations against him: He was direct and strict with himself, encouraging subordinates to be truthful and courageous, even in pointing out the mistakes of superiors.

- Regarding the soldier on guard duty: He encouraged maintaining the law, not allowing his personal affection for his wife to violate the law.

- Regarding those who sought positions through influence: He reprimanded those unqualified or trying to bypass the system, while also subtly reminding his wife not to misuse his power for personal gain.

- Regarding Tran Thai Tong’s plan to appoint his brother as a general: He was direct, firm, and refused to let personal interests disrupt the law.

These four events highlight Tran Thu Do’s character: He was straightforward, open-minded, generous, and particularly impartial, always putting the nation’s interests above personal or family gain.