Top 8 Best Essays Analyzing Character Traits in Literary Works

Thạch Lam is known for writing 'stories without plots,' focusing primarily on the inner world of characters and their subtle, fleeting emotions in everyday life. One of his works is the short story 'The Cold Winds of Early Season.' The central character in the story is Sơn, who serves as a vehicle for the author's deep humanistic messages.

Published in the short story collection 'The Cold Winds of Early Season' (1937), Sơn plays a key role in conveying profound human thoughts. The story opens with Thạch Lam's delicate depiction of the changing weather, setting the tone for Sơn's innocent thoughts and actions as a child. As Sơn wakes up, he notices his mother and sister already up, preparing tea by the fire. The coldness outside is evident as the wind blows dust and dry leaves around. Sơn feels the chill, pulls the blanket over his head, and calls for his sister Lan. After being dressed in warm clothes by his mother, Sơn is introduced as part of a loving and caring family.

Though cared for by his mother and sister, Sơn is not arrogant or distant. He is emotionally rich, showing deep affection for those around him. This is revealed when the family remembers Duyên, his little sister who died at the age of four. Sơn's emotional reaction to the memory of Duyên and the sight of his mother tearfully remembering her speaks to Sơn's sensitivity and compassion. Sơn also shows kindness toward the poor children in the neighborhood, such as Cúc, Xuân, Tí, and Túc, who wear worn and patched clothes. He and his sister treat them as equals, rather than looking down on them.

Most notably, Sơn's empathy shines through when he sees Hiên, a poor girl standing in the cold wearing a torn and ragged coat. Sơn recalls his late sister Duyên's friendship with Hiên and, moved by her plight, decides to give Hiên his deceased sister's old coat. His act of kindness, along with his sister Lan's agreement to help, shows that even though Sơn is young, he is already capable of great love and selflessness. Through this character, Thạch Lam imparts a lesson in compassion, empathy, and the importance of sharing in human relationships.

Nguyễn Quang Thiều, a well-known writer, has produced several remarkable works, one of which is the short story 'The Stilt Birds' Flock.' In this story, the character Mon is portrayed as a compassionate young boy full of love and concern for others.

The story centers around a conversation between two brothers, Mon and Mên. At around two o'clock in the morning, Mon wakes up, disturbed by the heavy rain that has caused the river to rise rapidly. Concerned about the stilt birds' nests on the sandbank, Mon decides to wake his brother and suggests they venture out into the night to rescue the young birds. Upon reaching the sandbank, they witness the tiny, wet birds suddenly taking flight, creating a deeply emotional and moving scene for the two young boys.

Mon is shown as a kind-hearted boy. His deep concern for the stilt birds prevents him from sleeping soundly. At two in the morning, Mon awakens his older brother, Mên, asking repeatedly: 'Do you think the rain is heavy?' 'Has the river water risen a lot?' 'Is the sandbank submerged, and are the birds still there?' These questions reflect Mon's growing anxiety. Finally, Mon admits, 'I'm afraid the baby stilt birds will drown.' His worry is so intense that he wonders why the birds would choose to build their nests in the middle of the river, where they are so vulnerable to the rising water.

Despite trying to go back to sleep, Mon is unable to rest. He hesitantly calls out to his brother and then makes a decisive statement: 'We have to bring them to the shore, brother.' This decision highlights Mon's determination and courage. Even though the idea did not come from his older brother, it is Mon who takes the initiative to save the birds, driven by his deep empathy and resolve.

Through Mon's character, the author conveys a profound message about the love and respect for animals and nature.

'The Little Match Girl' is a standout work by Hans Christian Andersen. Through the poetic and compassionate writing of the author, the story of the little match girl ends tragically with her death.

Despite her death, the girl's cheeks remain pink, and her lips are gently smiling. This beautiful depiction of her death represents her peacefulness and contentment. Perhaps she found serenity, as she alone could experience such wondrous, magical moments. The death of the little match girl highlights the author's deep compassion for the fate of children, symbolizing empathy and respect for the emotional world of humanity. In reality, her death is sorrowful and tragic—she died on New Year's Eve, cold and hungry, lying alone in a corner while the world around her celebrated. Her passing was a painful one, yet it seems her soul found peace. Through this poignant scene, Andersen critiques a society that turns a blind eye to the misfortunes of the poor, particularly the suffering of children. At the same time, the author conveys a message urging readers to be compassionate and share love, rather than turning away from the pain and struggles of others. The death of the little match girl will forever haunt readers, reminding us of the importance of human kindness and love.

Through the character of the little match girl, Andersen gives voice to his love for unfortunate, helpless children and condemns the apathy of those who lack compassion for the suffering of others.

'Going to Collect Honey' is an excerpt from the novel 'Southern Forests' by Đoàn Giỏi. Among the characters, the young boy An stands out and leaves a deep impression.

An is the main character and serves as the narrator of the story. He is depicted through various lenses, showcasing his curiosity and playful nature. On his journey to collect honey with his foster father and Cò, An embarks on numerous engaging adventures. Like many other children, An is mischievous and full of energy, as evidenced by actions such as: 'Squeezing through and carrying a small basket'; 'Looking around to find the bees'; 'Shouting excitedly when spotting beautiful birds'; and 'Looking up at the beehive, which resembled a basket...'. These actions reveal An's energetic and inquisitive character.

Though playful, An is also thoughtful and eager to learn. He recalls the lessons his foster mother taught him about collecting honey, as well as advice from Cò about observing bees and watching for birds. Whenever he doesn’t understand something, he quickly asks questions: 'How do you know this tree has a hive?', 'What’s a hive, foster mother?', 'This doesn’t seem too hard, does it?', 'Why is that, foster mother?'. In addition to his curiosity and mischief, An has a keen and sharp eye for observation. Through his eyes, the U Minh forest comes alive—quiet and rich in nature: 'In the morning, the forest is peaceful,' and 'The light is crystal clear, with a slight shimmer on the tips of the flowers, making everything look as though it’s covered by a layer of glass.' This shows An's sensitivity and ability to recognize the beauty of nature.

The author uses the first-person perspective, with An himself narrating the story. The rustic, Southern dialect further brings An's character to life, making him more authentic and relatable.

Thus, An appears as an innocent, curious boy who is also eager to learn and explore the world around him.

Saint Giong is a legendary hero who symbolizes the Vietnamese people's strength and resilience throughout history.

According to the legend, Saint Giong's birth and growth were incredibly unusual. He only spoke his first words and grew to full strength when given the task of defending the country. This detail emphasizes the monumental purpose of this character’s existence. Notably, Saint Giong’s growth was nurtured by the love and care of the local villagers, who collectively contributed rice and materials to help him grow. Thus, it is clear that Giong is a hero born of the people, representing their unity and collective power.

After receiving his iron horse, iron armor, and iron staff, Saint Giong courageously charged toward the enemy. He single-handedly cut through the ranks of the invaders, defeating them without resistance. When his iron staff broke, he pulled out a bamboo spear to continue fighting. He spared no enemy, ensuring that no invader was left on Vietnamese soil. His valor and unyielding spirit symbolize the fervent patriotism of the Vietnamese people. In the end, after vanquishing the invaders and fulfilling his noble mission, Saint Giong rode his horse and ascended to the heavens.

The character of Saint Giong, with its fantastical elements, embodies the image of a national hero in the hearts of the people. He is a powerful hero who rises when the nation is in danger, and a representative of the Vietnamese people's spirit of solidarity.

'The Adventures of Men Cricket' is a captivating and renowned work by the author To Hoai, written for children. It tells the exciting journey of Men Cricket as he explores various animal habitats. The first chapter, 'The First Lesson of Life', vividly describes Men Cricket’s appearance and character, while also presenting his first lesson.

Right from the beginning, the author gives a detailed introduction to Men Cricket. Men Cricket is a strong and healthy cricket, leading a disciplined lifestyle: 'Because I eat properly and work moderately, I grow quickly,' and 'Soon, I became a young and robust cricket.' With great imagination and attention to detail, To Hoai paints a lively portrait of this youthful cricket: his muscular build, shiny limbs, and sharp, tough claws that can easily cut through grass.

Men Cricket is confident in himself; every step he takes is 'dignified and leisurely,' giving him the demeanor of a 'warrior.' The author goes beyond just describing his physical appearance, delving into his personality, showing that even a small cricket can have a range of characteristics. Men Cricket is proud of himself, full of life, and boasts about his appearance and strength to the neighbors. However, his excessive pride and youthful overconfidence lead him to become arrogant and reckless.

Instead of using his strength to help others, Men Cricket uses it to mock his neighbors. The neighbors, being tolerant, do not confront him, which only fuels his arrogance. He believes that no one dares to challenge him. His delusions grow stronger, and he considers himself a 'great force, on the brink of ruling the world.' This excessive pride leads to a harsh lesson when Men Cricket’s arrogance causes the death of his neighbor, Men Choat.

In stark contrast to Men Cricket, Men Choat is a weak and frail cricket with no strength, and Men Cricket looks down on him. When Men Choat asks for help, Men Cricket dismisses him. Men Cricket’s reckless nature leads him to tease the female cricket, Chick Cốc, and drags Men Choat into his mischief. While Men Cricket hides after the prank, it is Men Choat who gets caught by Chick Cốc and suffers the consequences. It is only when Men Choat is on the verge of death that Men Cricket regrets his actions and learns the valuable lesson: 'If you are hasty and reckless, without thinking, you will bring harm upon yourself.'

Through masterful description and anthropomorphism, To Hoai skillfully portrays the life of a cricket, while also imparting valuable life lessons about humility, helping others, and taking responsibility for one’s mistakes.

'The First Teacher' is a renowned work by Aitmatov, where the character of Teacher Duy-sen is depicted with vivid and heartfelt realism.

The narrator receives a letter from the village inviting them to the inauguration of a new school built by the farm. Among the invitees is also the scientist, Sulaimanova. After returning to Moscow, the narrator receives a letter from Sulaimanova, in which she recounts her difficult childhood and her first teacher. Antunai, orphaned at an early age, had to live with her uncle and aunt, enduring both material and emotional deprivation. Teacher Duy-sen helped her go to school.

In Antunai’s memory, Teacher Duy-sen is a kind-hearted, compassionate figure full of love. He is the one who provided the children with a place to learn, igniting their desire for education: 'Come here, it’s wonderful. You’ll see, this is your school, it’s almost finished...'; He also comforted Antunai when he learned about her situation: 'Antunai, such a beautiful name, you must be a good girl, right?' When students had to wade through icy streams in winter, Teacher Duy-sen would carry or help them across. The children loved him dearly, and Antunai secretly wished she had an older brother like him. Sulaimanova’s story inspired the narrator to paint a picture of 'The First Teacher.'

According to the narrator, Teacher Duy-sen stands out as someone entirely devoted to his students. When the students had to carry heavy sacks, Teacher Duy-sen would encourage and comfort them, his words lifting their spirits amidst the cold winter. In response to the actions of the rich children on the mountain, Teacher Duy-sen did not express anger but instead came up with a funny story to make them laugh and forget everything else. After each lesson, he worked tirelessly to gather wood to build a bridge across the stream at the foot of the hill. When that plan didn’t work, he continued by building small mounds with stones and earth in the stream, ensuring his students didn’t have to walk through the water. Everything Teacher Duy-sen did was with the hope that his students would always be safe on their way to school. These actions, words, and dedication truly reflect his kind-hearted nature.

In conclusion, Teacher Duy-sen exemplifies the admirable qualities of a teacher. His actions inspire love and respect from everyone who encounters him.

Nguyen Ngoc Than is a renowned writer known for his works for children. One of his notable works is 'Eyes Closed, Window Open', in which the character of the father is vividly and realistically portrayed.

From the very first lines, the father is depicted as someone who has a deep love for nature. The family’s house has a large garden, and the father has planted many flowers. In the evening, after working in the fields, the father would take the narrator into the garden to water the plants. His love for the garden mirrors his affection for his child.

In addition, the father is portrayed as thoughtful and patient. After a long day of work, he still takes the time to talk and share with his child. He invented fun games to teach his child to appreciate nature. For example, he would ask his child to close his eyes, and then lead him to touch each flower and guess its name. From this experience, the child learns valuable lessons about love and gratitude. Later, the father created another game where the child had to smell the flowers and identify them. When the child became skilled, the father praised him for having the 'best nose in the world'. It was at that moment the narrator realized that the flowers had guided him through the garden.

Furthermore, the father is kind-hearted and full of love. He saved Tí from death and accepted Tí’s gifts with great respect and care. Even though he rarely ate guavas, he happily enjoyed the ones given by Tí. When the narrator asked him about the significance of gifts, the father explained: 'A gift is always beautiful. When we give or receive a gift, we also become beautiful because of it.'

Clearly, the father in 'Eyes Closed, Window Open' is a wonderful father figure, an exemplary role model to follow.