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1. Sample Essay 4
There is a poet in Vietnam whose work is known to everyone, and there is a narrative poem that, for over two centuries, many Vietnamese have memorized lines or entire passages. The poet and the poem were even praised by To Huu:
“The voice of poetry shakes heaven and earth,
It echoes through the mountains and rivers, eternal and timeless.”
That poet is none other than Nguyen Du, and his masterpiece, 'The Tale of Kieu.' Every verse, every line is like 'pearls and embroidered silk,' carefully crafted by the poet. Behind the fate of each character, deep humanitarian values are embedded, celebrating human dreams and ideals while denouncing the forces of evil lurking behind the scenes. Furthermore, it also reflects the authentic yearning for freedom and justice, with the excerpt 'Heroic Spirit' epitomizing this sentiment.
After her time with Thuc Sinh, Kieu finds herself once again trapped in the corrupt world of the brothel, returning to live the life of a lowly courtesan. It seemed as though her life would end in darkness, overwhelmed by misfortune. Yet, in the midst of this storm, Tu Hai suddenly 'appears like a strange star lighting up a chapter of her life' (Hoai Thanh). He rescues Kieu, returning her the freedom she truly deserves. They come together as kindred spirits, the 'heroic man' and the 'delicate woman.' But their happiness is short-lived, as Tu Hai's adventurous spirit and his ambition to build a grand empire stir him to action.
Typically, a farewell is filled with tears, reluctant goodbyes from the one left behind. For Tu and Kieu, their farewell is no exception. She does not want to be left alone, with an empty bed and a cold house. She insists on accompanying him, sharing his mission, and her words are filled with longing:
She says: “A woman's fate is to follow her man,
As you go, I too, wish to follow you with all my heart.”
Kieu's desire to follow is in harmony with the traditional Confucian values that dictate a woman must always follow her father, then her husband, and later her son. However, contrary to Kieu’s wishes, Tu Hai responds immediately:
Tu Hai says: “Three blessings make us understand each other,
Why have you not risen above the typical feelings of a woman?”
At first, it seems like a reprimand, but it is, in fact, a message encouraging her to rise above ordinary emotions and join him in his greater ambitions. Later, when describing Kieu's deep longing for Tu Hai, Nguyen Du writes:
“The wings of a phoenix soared magnificently,
Her eyes grew weary gazing at the distant sky.”
She gazes toward the horizon not only to seek the image of the man she once loved but also to wait for the great achievement Tu Hai has dedicated himself to building:
“When the ten thousand soldiers are gathered,
The sound of drums shakes the earth, banners fill the road,
It will reveal his extraordinary face,
Only then will I be welcomed as his true wife.”
The day Tu Hai fulfills his grand ambition will be the day he returns to claim her as his wife, a leader commanding ten thousand soldiers, with the sound of battle drums shaking the earth and banners lining the path. His words are not boastful, but filled with firm determination and confidence, reflecting his belief in the future he is creating. This powerful conviction is passed on to Kieu and resonates with all readers.
The excerpt concludes with two lines that leave a lasting impression with their symbolic imagery:
“With a firm resolve, he takes off his coat to leave,
The wind and clouds are right, the time has come to venture forth.”
In classical literature, the act of 'removing one's coat to leave' is not unfamiliar. It usually symbolizes a reluctant, emotional departure. However, in the context of this excerpt and through the image of Tu Hai, it represents strength and determination. Perhaps this is why Nguyen Du does not hesitate to elevate his character, comparing his departure to that of a great bird soaring into the vast sky, embodying the poet’s romantic vision and his desire to escape his era—a progressive thought compared to those of his contemporaries.
2. Sample Essay 5
After being pushed back into the brothel for the second time, Kieu finds herself in a state of intense despair, expressing: 'Knowing I cannot escape fate – I will risk everything for the chance of a better life.' Tu Hai suddenly appears in the brothel and finds Kieu – a kindred spirit. With his 'keen eyes,' Kieu instantly recognizes him as a hero, even before he has built his legacy. Tu Hai rescues Kieu, takes her as his wife, but love alone cannot keep him tied down. While living a peaceful and happy life with her, Tu Hai abruptly bids farewell to Kieu to pursue his heroic ambitions.
This excerpt showcases Nguyen Du's creative brilliance. It captures the heroic spirit of Tu Hai through his farewell to Thuy Kieu.
The passage focuses on portraying Tu Hai as a hero with noble ideals and an unwavering determination to pursue his grand aspirations.
When Thuy Kieu asks to accompany him, Tu Hai reprimands her for still being bound by 'typical female emotions.' He wants her to rise above ordinary feelings to become the wife of a hero with extraordinary ideals. Therefore, later in her deep longing for him, 'The wings of the phoenix soared magnificently / Her eyes grew weary gazing at the distant sky,' Kieu’s waiting is not just for her lover but also for his success in his mission.
Tu Hai’s words also reveal his immense confidence. Even in the midst of hardship, he sees himself as a hero, his future already in his grasp. He begins his journey with a 'sword and horse,' but confidently declares that within a year, he will return with great success.
Tu Hai is an idealized character, crafted by Nguyen Du using various artistic techniques to emphasize his extraordinary heroism: through language, imagery, and dialogue, all of which highlight Tu Hai's remarkable nature.
This character yearns to soar in the vast sky, unwilling to be confined by a narrow, stagnant life. Nguyen Du compares Tu Hai to a giant bird, soaring like a cloud across the sky, with each flight covering vast distances. This image conveys the author’s free-spirited expression during the parting moment between Tu Hai and Thuy Kieu.
The dialogue also plays a crucial role in emphasizing the hero’s spirit. Knowing that Tu Hai’s journey is a vast one, Kieu still pleads to accompany him: 'She says: A woman’s fate is to follow her man / As you go, I too, wish to follow you with all my heart.' Tu Hai replies firmly, assuring her: 'The whole world is my home, and I will return with ten thousand soldiers – the sound of drums will shake the earth, and banners will fill the road.' His words not only convey the courage of a hero but also express his complete confidence in his strength and abilities to build a grand legacy.
3. Sample Essay 6
Nguyen Du, a celebrated writer and poet of Vietnam, is hailed as one of the greatest literary figures in the nation’s history. Throughout his life, Nguyen Du crafted many significant works, with his masterpiece 'The Tale of Kieu' standing out as a monumental achievement. The excerpt 'The Heroic Spirit' is one of the most iconic passages in which Nguyen Du portrays the heroic character of Tu Hai, emphasizing his noble ambitions and the determination to build a legendary life.
In this passage, Nguyen Du focuses on highlighting the strength of Tu Hai’s will and his admirable qualities. In contrast to the Tu Hai of the 'Kim Van Kieu' novel, Nguyen Du’s version is a completely different character, not merely a bandit as depicted originally, but a true hero with extraordinary courage and ambition. Through symbolic and allegorical writing, Tu Hai is presented as a grand and towering figure, embodying the essence of a legendary hero.
When Thuy Kieu is in despair, lost in suffering and trapped in the brothel, Tu Hai arrives to rescue her from a life of disgrace. Thanks to him, Thuy Kieu is able to repay her debts and live the life of a happy wife, just like any other woman. Yet, despite the happiness of their marriage, Tu Hai’s immense ambition for greatness remains unshaken.
Thuy Kieu and Tu Hai spend six months together in a peaceful and happy life, but driven by his lofty goals, Tu Hai longs to venture further. To Thuy Kieu, Tu Hai is not only her beloved husband but also the one who saved her from misery. When Tu Hai decides to leave, though Thuy Kieu understands she cannot stop him, she expresses her desire to accompany him to assist and support him in his endeavors:
'She said: A woman’s role is to follow her husband If you go, I will loyally follow too.'
Thuy Kieu upholds the Confucian belief of a woman’s duty to support her husband after marriage. She wishes to accompany him, to help and take care of him. Moved by her sincerity, Tu Hai refuses, fearing that she will suffer if she follows him. To reassure her, he promises that when he achieves greatness, he will return and make her his wife in a grand ceremony:
'Tu Hai said: You understand me well But why haven’t you overcome the usual feminine emotions? When I command ten thousand soldiers, The sound of drums will shake the earth, and banners will fill the sky, Then I will return to take you as my wife.'
Tu Hai believes Thuy Kieu has yet to transcend the traditional roles of a woman, and his refusal is not out of lack of love, but to protect her from hardship. As a hero, Tu Hai is determined to carve out a mighty legacy, so that when his ambition is realized, he can return to claim her in glory.
The exchange between Tu Hai and Thuy Kieu before his departure reveals his immense ambitions and vision for the future. Though he suggests that her presence would be a burden, the true reason he doesn’t want her to accompany him is because he fears she won’t be able to handle the challenges of his journey. To put her mind at ease, he assures her that he will return victorious in a year:
'Wait patiently for a little while It won’t be long, just a year.'
Unlike typical farewells, the parting between Tu Hai and Thuy Kieu is not filled with tender words but promises of a triumphant future. This highlights Tu Hai’s character as a man who expresses his love through action, using his strength and determination to shape his destiny.
In the analysis of the final 14 verses of 'The Heroic Spirit,' Nguyen Du successfully creates the image of Tu Hai as not only an emotional person but also a hero with grand ambitions and a fierce, unwavering will.
4. Sample Essay 1
Trapped in the schemes of Tu Ba, Thuy Kieu finds herself in the brothel with the following sentiment:
'Joy is forced, for who would truly understand my sorrow?'
Here, Kieu encounters Thuc Sinh, someone regarded as her true companion. However, due to his weakness, Thuc Sinh fails to keep her, and Kieu falls once more into the hands of Bac Ba and Bac Hanh, returning to the life of a courtesan.
Just when Kieu’s life seems completely hopeless, Tu Hai appears and rescues her from disgrace. The two live happily together in a legendary love, 'A hero’s son and a beautiful girl – such a perfect match, like a phoenix flying high.' But despite the joy, Tu Hai is unsatisfied with a peaceful life and dreams of achieving greatness. After half a year, he bids Kieu farewell to pursue his ambitions. The passage from lines 2213 to 2230, including both the author’s language and the dialogues, reveals the heroic spirit of Tu Hai.
In 'The Tale of Kieu,' while Thuy Kieu is portrayed as a symbol of ideal beauty and purity in real life, Tu Hai in this passage is constructed as a romantic, heroic figure filled with ambition and dream. The symbolic imagery, hyperbole, and precise description, along with the formal use of Sino-Vietnamese terms and the balanced rhythmic lines in the poem, all reinforce Tu Hai’s exceptional character, embodying a person with both a passionate soul and lofty ambitions, seeking to change the world around him. Perhaps in Tu Hai, Nguyen Du conveys a vision of salvation, aiming to redeem Kieu’s life, a person who embodies the highest ideals of human existence.
After describing the mindset and decision of the hero, the text moves to a dialogue between the couple. Kieu expresses her wish to follow the traditional Confucian role of a woman:
'She said: A woman’s duty is to follow her husband,
If you go, I too will follow with loyalty.'
Kieu, loyal to the Confucian doctrine, asks to accompany Tu Hai on his journey, aligning with the traditional belief that a woman must follow her husband in all aspects of life. There is also a popular folk saying:
'Wherever you go, I will follow,
In hunger and hardship, I will endure.'
On a deeper level, Kieu likely wishes to follow Tu Hai because of love and gratitude, having found someone who truly understands her after the suffering in the brothel. However, Tu Hai responds differently:
'Tu said: You know me well,
Why then remain bound by the narrow thoughts of a typical woman?'
Tu Hai’s words are a gentle reproach, filled with affection. He wishes to help Kieu transcend the limited perspective of an ordinary woman. After this soft reproach, he explains further. Tu Hai must gather skilled warriors and accomplish extraordinary feats. From his words, it is clear that he intends to build a nation, to rule the world. Tu Hai continues:
'For now, I have no home in this vast world,
Following me would only add to your burdens, not knowing where we will go.'
These are the realities of a soldier’s life. Tu Hai explains this rationally, but even his reasoning is driven by love for Kieu. He reassures her:
'Wait a little longer,
It’s only a year, don’t worry.'
And with a promise:
'When I achieve greatness,
Then I will return to take you as my wife.'
With this clear explanation and promise, Kieu is left with little to say. Even if she wanted to, Tu Hai would not be swayed:
'Firmly, he bade farewell and left,
The winds and clouds signifying his destined journey.'
With boldness and determination, Tu Hai’s actions mirror his earlier swift and decisive rescue of Kieu from the brothel. Now, he acts not only for his future but for Kieu’s as well. The image of Tu Hai and his troops riding forth, leaving a trail of dust behind them, symbolizes his heroic nature and lofty dreams, echoing the ideal of 'Heaven above, earth below.'
Once again, in this passage, Nguyen Du demonstrates his exceptional ability to depict characters. Through symbolic art, allegory, and dialogue, he masterfully brings Tu Hai to life, leaving readers with a lasting image of a heroic figure with grand aspirations.
5. Sample Essay 2
6. Reference Article 3
