Top 8 Best Essays Analyzing the Folk Song 'Thân em như tấm lụa đào' (Literature 10)

In ancient Vietnam, under the feudal system and the deeply rooted 'patriarchal' mindset, women’s destinies were filled with suffering and despair. Their status was often depicted in folk songs, which conveyed their hardships and sorrow. One such song speaks of a woman’s helplessness and her lamentation:

My body is like a piece of silk

Floating in the market, not knowing who will possess me

The folk songs of old were an essential part of the collective cultural life, reflecting both the material and spiritual aspects of society, deeply influenced by feudal rituals and customs. These age-old traditions heavily restricted the lives of women, making them miserable and cornered. The opening phrase 'my body' evokes a delicate, fragile image, hinting at the vulnerability of women. The choice of 'I' instead of 'she' or 'her' suggests a humble and submissive tone, highlighting the helplessness of the woman. The comparison of the body to 'a piece of silk' praises the woman's beauty, likening her to a soft, delicate fabric, but one that remains at the mercy of society's rigid structures. The silk, despite its beauty, is only displayed in the bustling market:

Floating in the market, not knowing who will possess me

The marketplace symbolizes a place full of hustle, where items are bought and sold. Here, the silk is treated as an object for display and exchange, subjected to the whims of others. The woman, like the silk, has no control over her fate. She is exposed to the harsh reality of the world, helplessly swayed by forces beyond her control, symbolized by the word 'floating.' The rhetorical question that follows expresses her deep fear and uncertainty about what lies ahead for her:

Will she meet a noble, idealistic man or fall into the hands of a deceitful, cruel one? This uncertainty causes constant anxiety, and she becomes like a passive figure in society, much like the tragic heroine Thúy Kiều from 'The Tale of Kiều.' The question is not just an inquiry but a desperate cry, an expression of resignation and sorrow that resonates through the ages, capturing the plight of women in a patriarchal society. This folk song, rich in its lamentation, immortalizes their suffering, allowing future generations to feel the pain of their enduring fate.

Thus, the song is a profound expression of a woman’s sorrow and the tragic reality of her existence in the past. It highlights her inner beauty and spirit, invoking empathy for her situation, and serves as a tribute to the enduring strength and dignity of Vietnamese women of that time.

Folk songs and proverbs reflect the emotional life, thoughts, and feelings of the working people. These pieces touch on various aspects of life, one of which is the sorrowful lament of women in ancient society. A typical example of such lament is the following folk song:

My body is like soft silk

Floating in the market, who will it belong to?

In the past, the life of women was full of hardships, pain, and misfortune, which is often echoed in many folk songs, such as:

My love, why are you so cruel?

I am like cold rice to warm your empty stomach

Or:

My body is like the fragile leaves

Exposed to the sun by day, drenched in dew by night

Every day two meals under the dim light

What can I use to paint my teeth black, my love?

This folk song also speaks of the unfortunate fate of women, but it stands out from others. It is one of the few folk songs where the woman is deeply aware of her own beauty: 'soft silk'. Silk is soft, smooth, and vibrant in color. More importantly, 'soft silk' symbolizes youth, vitality, and the most beautiful stage of a woman's life. And the lyrical character – the girl – is fully aware of her own beauty.

While the first line expresses a sense of joy and self-affirmation, the second line brings a deep sorrow: 'Floating in the market, who will it belong to?'. 'Soft silk' is not only beautiful but full of value, yet it floats aimlessly in the market – a place bustling with people exchanging goods. In such a place, everything is for sale. Therefore, 'soft silk' becomes just a commodity, subject to the whims of anyone who comes along. The silk cannot choose its fate. The metaphorical image, combined with the rhetorical question 'who will it belong to?' expresses the deep anxiety of women about their dependent, fragile fate. It is the lament of many women:

My body is like a well in the middle of the road

Some use it to wash their face, others use it to wash their feet.

The artistic quality of this folk song is also remarkable. Firstly, it uses the familiar 'my body' motif. This motif is often associated with simple, everyday objects close to people: 'silk', 'betel nut', 'falling rain', 'spiky lotus roots', etc., combined with the comparative technique to highlight both the beauty and the misfortune of women. The language is simple but rich in emotional value, using the everyday speech of the people. The song is short, only two lines, using the six-eight meter rhythm, with gentle, soft beats, accurately expressing the emotional state of the lyrical character. These artistic elements harmonize to create the success of this piece.

With simple yet emotionally rich language, the folk song portrays both the beauty and the plight of women in ancient society. They possess noble qualities but suffer from injustice, unable to decide their own lives or choose their own happiness. This folk song helps us deeply understand the suffering of women in the past and appreciate the equality of life today.

The fate of women under the feudal system was full of hardship and misfortune. Many examples of this suffering exist. One such figure is Thúy Kiều, enduring a painful life and silently weeping for her own fate. Another is Vũ Nương, who unjustly suffered and chose death as her escape. And there are countless others, both known and unknown. The mistreatment of women became a common norm. Women had little ability to resist, or perhaps their power of resistance had gradually faded, until their voices became nothing more than a lament of sorrow:

My body, like a delicate silk

Floats aimlessly, not knowing where it belongs.

This lament, full of tears, is as fragile as smoke, drifting into the air, much like the plight of women. Folk poetry, a popular form of cultural expression, encapsulates many emotions and acts as a voice for their suffering. The folk poets, perhaps understanding this pain, expressed their sympathy through soft and gentle addresses: 'My body' evokes a sense of fragility, meekness. A young woman, when introducing herself, does so hesitantly, humbly, whispering 'my body.' Literature has long acknowledged the condition of women. Hồ Xuân Hương empathized with the seven tides of a woman's life, both fair and round. Nguyễn Du mournfully spoke of the painful fate of women, and Tú Xương, too, expressed sorrow in his writing about his wife. Folk poetry also portrays the life of a girl through metaphor, such as comparing her to a delicate silk. The use of comparison here is subtle, graceful, and emotionally resonant. The silk is beautiful, light, embodying the spirit and virtues of a woman, yet it is a soft material, meant to adorn or decorate others. Could women in the past have been seen the same way, as ornaments, silent shadows in the face of injustice? The image of the silk, soft and elevated, but wrapped in a heavy sorrow, reflects this. The next verse expresses the depth of this grief:

Floats aimlessly, not knowing where it belongs.

The silk floats in the marketplace, amidst the hustle and bustle of buying and selling. Who can truly see its value? The word 'aimlessly' suggests a lack of direction, like a drifting flower, unsure of where it is headed. The fate of the silk, like the fate of many women, is shaped by forces beyond their control, leaving them to wonder who will take them into their hands. Will it be a lecherous man, a jealous husband, or a noble lover? Women in the past were relegated to a passive role, confined to household duties, devoted to their husbands, fathers, and children. The silk floats gently in the breeze, subject to the whims of fate. Does it land in a caring, elegant hand, or a rough one? The question, 'Where will I belong?' is both delicate and profound, evoking a deep sense of sorrow. This question likely lingered in the hearts of many women throughout their lives.

The entire folk verse is a lament, born from the resigned fate of women under the feudal system. The anonymous poets who created this verse could never have been at peace when reflecting on their creation. This folk verse is a product of tears, each word and syllable dripping with sorrow. The tears have already flowed. The verse is the voice of countless women, an echo of their suffering. With its vibrant and relatable metaphors, the verse evokes powerful emotions. It is as if clouds are enveloping human emotions, embracing the feelings of women, and gradually infiltrating every corner of the floating silk in the marketplace. Many folk songs of lament have been created and passed down, all linking the lives of women to delicate and fragile things, like water, raindrops, areca nuts, or gourds.

Thus, this folk verse encapsulates the emotions of almost all women: the young girl, reaching the age of adulthood, already worrying about her uncertain fate. She fears the bleakness of her future. All of this creates a continuous flow of sorrow, passed from one generation to the next, echoing endlessly in the space of a woman's lament. The women of the feudal era endured much hardship, accepting their roles in beautifying the world around them. Their fate, like the silk floating in the wind, is uncertain. This folk verse represents a fragile lament. Was it not true that women of old longed for:

If only my fate were that of a man.

How long could such wishes last before returning to the helpless lamentation of their fate?

The status of women in ancient society was often disregarded and devalued. They endured social injustices, having no control over their own lives. These women expressed their grievances through folk songs and proverbs, allowing others to understand their plight. One such verse is:

"My body is like delicate silk

Fluttering in the market, not knowing whose hands will hold it."

This folk song is written in a traditional six-eight poetic form. The phrase "my body" serves as a common opening, often used in folk songs to express personal hardship. It is a recurring motif in lyrics that tell the stories of women's struggles, like the verses:

"My body is like a falling rainstorm

The drops fall into the well, others into the garden."

Or:

"My body is like a well in the street

The young wash their faces, the commoners wash their feet."

This motif highlights the plight of women in past societies. The phrase "my body" emphasizes the subject of the folk song. It’s like a gentle address, soft and humble, from a woman about to share her feelings. Additionally, the poet uses a comparison, likening "my body" to "delicate silk." This metaphor highlights her beauty, symbolizing not only external beauty but also her inner virtues. The silk represents the woman’s delicate, graceful, and noble qualities, much like the beauty of women in ancient times who were revered for their elegance and selflessness, despite the hardships they endured.

The song's closing line reflects her helplessness and uncertainty, symbolizing the fate of women trapped in a world beyond their control. Just as the silk is valued differently by others, the woman’s worth and future lie in the hands of others.

In ancient society, women were often those with limited voices, suffering many disadvantages. They dared not speak up for their rights to live or to fight for equality. The plight of women has long been expressed in folk literature through familiar folk songs:

"My body is like a peach silk

Floating in the market, who will take me?"

Folk songs are a popular form of cultural expression, encapsulating emotions, and also serving as a lament for one's fate. Folk authors likely understood this pain and sympathized with the plight of women. The folk song begins with the familiar phrase 'my body,' akin to a melancholic self-reflection. This phrase appears in many other folk songs, becoming the shared voice of women in the past. The song is an expression of self-awareness about one's place in life, with the woman comparing herself to the delicate 'peach silk,' which suggests grace and femininity. Silk, a precious fabric, symbolizes the woman's beauty and elegance. The woman is aware of her worth, asserting her identity. While the first two lines may seem to praise her beauty, the luxurious, proud silk is placed in the market, becoming the object of trade for various buyers. This imagery evokes the woman's dependent, fragile, and undetermined fate. The plight of women has been referenced in literature, with figures like Hồ Xuân Hương sympathizing with the unstable fate of a woman whose beauty is fleeting. Nguyễn Du expressed sorrow, saying: 'Alas, the fate of a woman is painful,' while Tú Xương lamented about his wife: 'The woman struggles through the dark.'

Especially the rhetorical question 'Who will take me?' conveys the sadness and anxiety of an undetermined fate. The woman’s suffering is not only due to poverty and hardship but also the emotional torment. The feudal society's rigid customs have pushed them into an inescapable misery. The most heartbreaking part is that the woman, in the prime of her life, is burdened with these worries. The contrast between the two lines emphasizes the anxiety and pain of a woman’s fate in life. This question, which also serves as a lament, reflects the state of anxiety, passivity, and helplessness, echoing through the ages. The folk song stands as a timeless cry for the suffering of women, and the tears, captured in this song, remain an enduring legacy of their plight.

By skillfully using comparisons, metaphors, and symbols drawn from familiar everyday objects, the folk song profoundly conveys the sorrow of women in ancient society.

The oppressive feudal system and the deeply ingrained patriarchy gradually forced women into a corner with no escape. They lived under constant pressure, crushed and disrespected, yet had no right to resist. While society glorified men, women were treated as lesser beings. Many women endured immense suffering, swallowing their pain in silence, lamenting their fates. In the past, figures like the ill-fated Kiều or the talented Hồ Xuân Hương, though gifted, still lived lives filled with hardship. These women, often broken by life's cruelty, expressed their grief and sorrow through poignant songs and folk verses, deeply resonating with pain.

“My body like a piece of silk cloth

Wandering in the marketplace, unsure of who will claim me.”

The term “I” refers to women of old, who likened themselves to “silk cloth,” carrying two significant meanings. First, it symbolizes the beauty of Vietnamese women, with silk being delicate and “silk cloth” evoking a soft pink hue, reminiscent of youthful blushes. This beauty wasn't just skin-deep but reflected virtues like loyalty, self-sacrifice, and the timeless values of a woman’s role in feudal society—qualities that every woman had. Another meaning highlights fragility; the “silk cloth” is delicate, easily torn, representing the vulnerable and fleeting lives of women. They had no voice, no worth, and were often seen as beautiful objects to be acquired. A woman’s life was thus reduced to a fragile existence, easily discarded.

The line “Wandering in the marketplace, unsure of who will claim me” intensifies the sadness of the woman’s plight. It illustrates how, though beautiful and light as a breeze, she had no control over her destiny. “Wandering in the marketplace” likens a woman to merchandise—picked, bargained for, and discarded without care. The phrase “unsure of who will claim me” further exposes the hopelessness, as women, despite their beauty and charm, had no say in their futures. Even women of strength and intellect like Hồ Xuân Hương could not escape their societal roles. She experienced two unhappy marriages and the humiliation of being a second wife, living in emotional poverty, bitter and estranged. She famously lamented, “Curse the fate of shared husbands,” illustrating the deep resentment she must have felt. Her experience reflected the suffering of countless women of her time. Under the feudal system, daughters had no choice in their marriages; their fates depended solely on luck, whether they married a faithful, kind man or a reckless, unloving one. The life of a woman then was determined by fate, unpredictable and merciless, like a raindrop falling to an uncertain ground.

Though the folk verse may sound lyrical and charming, upon deeper reflection, it becomes clear that it expresses a deeply sorrowful lament. The beauty of women, delicate and valuable like silk, was often unrecognized. This verse represents the quiet, yet powerful, protest of women against the injustice they faced. Being a woman meant enduring hardship, humiliation, and a constant feeling of powerlessness—a fate that could not help but invoke sorrow and bitterness.