Top 8 Essays Analyzing the Image of Chí Phèo's Tears in Nam Cao's "Chí Phèo"

The theme of the rural farmer has long been an inspiration for many writers. Ngô Tất Tố portrays the plight of the farmers under heavy taxation through the character of Chị Dậu in 'Tắt đèn.' Kim Lân, on the other hand, writes about the poverty-stricken life of farmers during the famine in 'Vợ nhặt.' Similarly, Nam Cao and Tô Hoài also turn to the farmer to express deep sympathy for their tragic fate, most notably through their works 'Chí Phèo' and 'Vợ chồng A Phủ.' In their stories, each writer not only reveals the harsh conditions of the farmer but also highlights their admirable and noble qualities. This is vividly shown through their portrayal of tears shed by the characters in both works. These are the tears of Chí Phèo and A Phủ.

Nam Cao once remarked that "Tears are a piece of glass that transforms the universe." Indeed, the image of tears is a recurring theme in the works of this pre-revolutionary writer. We can observe the tormenting tears of Hộ in "The Wasted Life" or the desperate weeping of old Hạc in the story of the same name. However, the most haunting image of all is the tear of Chí Phèo – the tear of a demon. Though a minor detail, Chí Phèo's tear plays a crucial role in the success of this great author.

Chí Phèo's tear appears twice throughout the story. After years of drunkenness, Chí Phèo finds himself suddenly awakened, touched by the wind of love that stirs his soul. A man who has lived a life of violence, destroying the happiness of others, shedding both blood and tears—he seems destined to endure a lifetime of solitude. Yet, when Thị Nở appears—a strange, unattractive woman who offers him a warmth he has never known—he begins to experience conflicting emotions, feeling as though he might cry. This marks the first appearance of his tear.

When Thị Nở brings him a bowl of hot porridge, it serves as a miraculous catalyst, pushing back the demon within him. It touches a dry, hardened soul. Chí Phèo is astonished by her kindness, and, as he absorbs her care, he feels his face become moist. Perhaps, for the first time, he truly cries—not only because someone has cared for him without violence but also because he feels remorse for his past sins. This tear signals his yearning for redemption, and it marks the second appearance of his tear—deeper and more poignant than before.

Although the description of Chí Phèo's tear is not overly detailed, it remains a crucial moment. Nam Cao undoubtedly believed in the significance of tears, using them to accompany the awakening of his character. Without the ability to cry, Chí Phèo would never have regained his conscience. If he could not cry, the reader would forever be haunted by the corruption of his soul. The tear symbolizes the process of a demon's awakening, signaling the path of redemption. This is further evidenced later in the story when Chí Phèo resolves to live as an honest man, even at the cost of his own life. Thus, the tear becomes a symbol of humanity, of redemption, and is elevated to a philosophical level by the author.

In a dark society where oppression strips people of their humanity, where even the most basic right to live is denied, there remains a flicker of goodness within the human heart. All it takes is a little love for it to blaze brightly. Chí Phèo's tear overflows with life, transforming a demonic figure back into a human being. Through this deeply human image, Nam Cao celebrates the inherent goodness within people and their yearning for redemption.

Chí Phèo's tear in the novel "Chí Phèo" by Nam Cao helps readers believe in the inherent goodness of humanity. This detail also reflects the writer's new and profound humanitarian perspective. Who knows how many tears Nam Cao shed for the darkness of life? When the author passed away, we can only wonder how many tears were shed by those who mourned him.

Chí Phèo is both the title of the story and the name of its central character, created by Nam Cao. Chí Phèo embodies the tragedy of a life unable to achieve redemption. His tears, at times, seem to mock his existence, yet at others, they leave readers feeling a deep sorrow and helplessness.

The first tear shed by Chí Phèo is like that of any other newborn—a tear of hunger, cold, and abandonment, rather than a cry announcing his entry into life. This tear foreshadows the misfortune and hardship that will define his life.

Next, Chí Phèo sheds tears of humiliation after being exploited by Bá Kiến’s wife, Bà Ba. Soon after, Bá Kiến himself frames Chí for a crime, sending the innocent young man to prison. Chí, once a kind and strong man, working as a servant in Bá Kiến's household, is betrayed by the corrupt world around him. Despite being surrounded by a corrupt society where an old man like Bá Kiến can have numerous wives, Bà Ba's advances are rejected by Chí. In revenge, Bá Kiến and Bà Ba conspire to falsely imprison him, and once again, Chí's tears fall—this time, tears of shame and frustration. Society has driven him to this unjust fate, pushing a man with good intentions into a life of suffering.

After years in prison, Chí Phèo returns to his village, transformed into a grotesque figure, his face disfigured and tattoos covering his body. His angry curses, the first words the author presents him with, reflect the bitterness within him. He curses the world and the people of Vũ Đại village, but no one notices him, except for the dogs that bark at him from a distance. His curse is like a cry of anguish, a mixture of fury and despair that cannot be contained.

Chí Phèo’s tears also appear in moments of manipulation, as he becomes an instrument of Bá Kiến’s vengeance. He is hired to collect debts, and resorts to violence, slashing his face as a form of protest and to hurt both his body and soul. However, the most precious and happiest tear in Chí Phèo’s life is the one he sheds when Thị Nở shows him kindness. In his drunken stupor, Chí sleeps with Thị near a banana grove. Thị, like a savior, cares for him, cooking him porridge and treating him like a loved one. Chí is deeply moved by her care, and for a fleeting moment, he envisions a simple, honest life.

Sadly, this tear of happiness is short-lived. Chí soon faces tears of sorrow when Thị Nở’s aunt forbids her from seeing him. Chí, desperate for a normal life, confronts Bá Kiến—the man who has ruined him. He demands the right to live like a decent person, and the tragic end of the story arrives when Chí kills Bá Kiến, ending his painful journey. Chí’s life is a tragic tale of struggle and suffering, but his final act offers a form of release from the burdens of his existence.

The tears of Chí Phèo permeate the entire story, each one representing a different phase of his life. Through these tears, Nam Cao paints a portrait of a man who lives a tragic existence in an unjust world. Each tear left an impression on the reader, making them reflect on the profound sorrow of Chí Phèo’s life.

In Ngô Tất Tố's work 'Tắt Đền', Chị Dậu faces extreme poverty to the point of selling her dog and even her child. Yet, despite her hardship, she has a family, a home, and a sense of humanity. In contrast, Chí Phèo, the protagonist of Nam Cao's short story, lacks even these basic things. He has no parents, no land to call his own, and, tragically, he is not even seen as human by the people around him. The villagers of Vũ Đại view him as a demon, but Chí can only behave like one when he is drunk. When sober, he cannot bring himself to act recklessly. Nam Cao doesn't just show the reader Chí’s insults and violent acts; he also portrays the tears that define his life. First, there are the tears of his birth and those when he was abandoned by the brick kiln. Although Nam Cao never explicitly describes Chí's cries in the text, we can still infer them. Every baby cries upon birth, signaling both the joy of life and the promise of existence. Later, when Chí was abandoned at the kiln, the cries were those of a hungry, cold child, forsaken without the care of a mother. These are the sorrowful tears of an innocent soul. Chí’s story begins with such sorrow but later shows a slight redemption when a kind soul adopts him, raising him into a healthy, good-hearted young man. These tears evolve as Chí grows and faces humiliation when he is exploited by Mrs. Ba, the wife of Bá Kiến. Bá Kiến, an older man with multiple wives, entrusts Chí with tasks around his household. However, Mrs. Ba takes advantage of Chí’s strength, forcing him to massage her against his will. This manipulation enrages Bá Kiến, who subsequently plots to have Chí thrown into prison, casting him deeper into despair. For Chí, these are tears of shame and anger, not just from unjust imprisonment but from the realization that he is being used and discarded without remorse. His unjust incarceration leads to even more tears as he realizes the cruelty of the feudal society that sustains such injustice. After spending years in prison, Chí returns home, but he is no longer the gentle, innocent young man he once was. Instead, he is transformed into the very demon the villagers had once labeled him. His appearance is grotesque—his smile is wide and white, his body covered in tattoos, dressed in flashy yellow clothes and black pants. His vulgar outbursts and curses, especially the opening scene of the story, are symbolic of his torment. Chí’s anger and curses are not mere violence—they are his attempts at communication, his desperate cries for human connection. But the villagers, indifferent to his suffering, only reinforce his isolation, making his curses feel like tears of loneliness. Chí’s tears also represent his moments of exploitation and self-deception. As a servant to Bá Kiến, Chí is manipulated into doing the family’s bidding. His tears are not of sorrow but of forced compliance, as he cries for money to buy alcohol. In this, Chí becomes a mere instrument for Bá Kiến’s personal gain, with no agency over his own life. Then, for a brief moment, Chí experiences a different kind of tear—the tears of happiness. After falling ill, Chí wakes up to find Thị Nở by his side, bringing him a bowl of porridge to cure his hangover. For the first time, Chí feels cared for, and his tears, though subtle, are those of joy and warmth. He realizes that someone, especially Thị Nở, who cares for him despite his appearance and behavior, sees him as a human being. Thị Nở, with her kindness, awakens a forgotten part of Chí’s soul. However, these moments of happiness are short-lived. When Thị Nở’s aunt forbids her from seeing Chí, his happiness turns to sorrow once more. Despite drinking endlessly, Chí cannot escape the overwhelming grief. In his anguish, he goes to Bá Kiến's house and kills him, crying out that he wishes to be good, to live a righteous life. His cries are not just of pain—they represent a deep, existential crisis, a yearning for redemption that comes too late. Chí’s death, though tragic, can be seen as a release from the shackles of his corrupted life. Through this, we see that Chí Phèo is a complex character, defined by his tears that reflect his inner turmoil. The short story continues to resonate with readers, as Chí’s tears provoke deep reflection. Today, we remember and appreciate Chí Phèo’s tears, for they capture the essence of human suffering, regret, and the faint hope for salvation.

The tears of Chí Phèo in the story of the same name by Nam Cao symbolize his cry for the right to be human. Nam Cao's works, particularly his realist fiction, often leave readers haunted by specific details. In the short story *Lão Hạc*, the reader is struck by the protagonist's painful death from poisoning with dog meat. In *Đời Thừa*, readers feel a deep sadness at the cries of Hộ. Similarly, in *Chí Phèo*, readers are haunted not only by the image of Chí shouting as he walks through the village at the beginning of the story, but also by the tragic ending where he cries out for the right to be human, and perhaps most poignantly, by the tears of Chí Phèo.

Details in literature often serve as crucial emotional and ideological symbols. The power of a work often lies in its details, as these nuances reveal the text’s deeper meaning. Chí Phèo's tears represent such a powerful artistic detail. Tears are a tangible product of emotional states, often manifesting in extreme emotional circumstances, marking moments of happiness, sorrow, or frustration. Chí's tears, then, raise the question: Are they tears of pain, of regret, or perhaps even of joy?

Before meeting Thị Nở, Chí was the village's most feared figure. He ate, slept, and cursed in a drunken haze, his face marked with scars from past encounters. Chí was a terrifying figure in the eyes of the villagers, who rejected him entirely, seeing him as less than human. His life seemed to be a cycle of drunkenness and violence.

But from the depths of his troubled life, a woman, whom the villagers dismissed as unattractive, brought warmth to his cold heart through simple, genuine compassion. The extraordinary encounter with Thị Nở and her care awoke the humanity and desire for goodness that had long been dormant in Chí Phèo. For the first time in years, Chí felt cared for, receiving even something as simple as a bowl of porridge. This moment of care brought tears to Chí’s eyes—a sign of his awakening. His tears were not yet fully shed, but they marked the beginning of his self-awareness.

Chí began to hear and understand the sounds of life, a longing for goodness began to stir within him, and he began to hope. He expressed his desire for a simple life with Thị, proposing that they live together. He believed that if Thị could live peacefully with him, others might accept him too. But Thị, guided by her aunt, rejected him.

Thị’s rejection plunged Chí into a deep pain. As was his habit, Chí turned to alcohol, hoping it would numb his heartache. Yet, as he drank, he became more aware of his sorrow, and the taste of the porridge lingered in his mind. He cried bitterly. If Hộ’s tears symbolized the regret of an intellectual, Chí’s tears were the outpouring of a peasant who had been dehumanized, stripped of his rights as a person. Nam Cao encapsulates this pain in the words 'crying quietly.'

Chí’s tears were filled with repressed sorrow, a cry for justice, for a life that should have been his by right. His tears represented his deep awareness of the injustice and degradation he suffered. The tears symbolized both his intense pain and his yearning to reclaim his humanity. Behind these tears lies the writer’s empathy for the exploited, for the poor peasant whose inherent goodness still flickered beneath the surface, waiting for the right circumstances to emerge. In *Chí Phèo*, the tears mark the human desire for a simple, decent life, a life Chí could never fully attain.

For Hộ, the cry represents a return to humanity and ethical conduct; for Chí Phèo, it’s a desire for happiness, for goodness. Therefore, Chí's tears represent his demand for the right to live as a human being, to be recognized as a person. His death, in the end, becomes a death on the threshold of humanity—his death represents the struggle to be treated as a human being. Through Chí’s tears, Nam Cao’s work resonates deeply with readers, leaving a lasting impact.

Nam Cao is a prominent writer in the Vietnamese realistic literary movement, often focusing on the lives of the poor and intellectuals in the old society. This society, before the August Revolution, was one where virtuous individuals suffered under the oppressive traditions, injustices, and the authoritarianism of the ruling class. These people were trapped in a web of feudal customs that led them to become corrupted and degenerate, often turning into outcasts and criminals in society. A prime example of this is the character Chí Phèo in his eponymous story. This work leaves a profound impact on us, making us ponder the fate of an individual. The image of Chí Phèo's tear – a tear from the village demon of Vũ Đại – is one of the most striking and haunting symbols in the story. The story tells the tale of Chí Phèo, a man without parents, once a gentle young man who was falsely accused and sent to prison. After returning from prison, he becomes a criminal, the demon of Vũ Đại, known for slashing faces and getting drunk. Yet in the end, as his conscience begins to awaken, he seeks to return to his original, humane self, hoping for a normal life like everyone else. The segments of the story are deeply unsettling, but perhaps the most haunting for readers is the image of his tears – the tears of a demon in Vũ Đại, which appear only a few times but leave a lasting impression. Tears are often a manifestation of overwhelming emotions. They are the physical result of feelings, whether from joy, sorrow, pain, or anger. A person may cry when they are overwhelmed with emotion. In Vietnamese literature, we encounter tears in various forms: tears of joy, such as in Kim Lân's *Vợ Nhặt*, tears of deception in Vũ Trọng Phụng's satirical work *Số Đỏ*, and painful tears, like those of the elderly farmer Lão Hạc in *Lão Hạc*, who sells his beloved dog, Cậu Vàng. These tears all evoke different emotions, some painful, others with a touch of irony. However, it is Chí Phèo's tears that stand apart, representing the deep sorrow and bitterness of a man who, pushed to his limits, seeks to regain his humanity but is unable to do so. Could Chí Phèo's tear signify happiness, the return of his lost conscience? Or is it simply the tear of a man crying for his tragic fate? Chí Phèo, born into loneliness, grew up abandoned, with no knowledge of his parents. He was raised near a deserted brick kiln, with no one knowing his origins. As he grew older, he worked for Bá Kiến, but his life seemed destined for monotony until Bá Kiến, driven by jealousy, had him thrown into prison. After seven or eight years, he returned, a completely transformed man, no longer the gentle soul but a vicious, unrecognizable criminal. Over time, he became a pariah, ostracized by the villagers, living in a perpetual state of drunkenness, cursing the world and slashing faces. Then, one day, he encountered Thị Nở, a woman who showed him kindness while he was drunk. Her kindness, offering him a bowl of hot porridge, softened his heart and awakened feelings he had long buried. For the first time, he experienced a glimmer of humanity, feeling cared for, and for the first time in his life, he was moved by a woman’s compassion. This was the first time in his life that he shed a tear – not a tear of sorrow, but a tear of happiness, a tear of conscience awakening. As he held the hot porridge, his mind wandered, filled with uncertainty and wonder, and he felt something he had never experienced before – warmth, hope. However, this fleeting moment of happiness would not last long. Chí Phèo’s brief hope was shattered when he faced the harsh realities of society. When he expressed his desire to be with Thị Nở, she rejected him, driven by the oppressive norms and societal prejudices. The cruel rejection broke his heart and crushed the last vestiges of his hope. For the first time, Chí Phèo cried, deeply and sorrowfully. This was no longer the tear of happiness but the tear of ultimate despair, the tear of a man who was denied the right to be human. This tear symbolized the utter anguish of a man who, after finding a shred of humanity, had it cruelly ripped away. Chí Phèo's life was a tragic cycle of being pushed to the brink of despair, longing for acceptance, yet always denied by a society that viewed him as less than human. His tears are a cry for the right to live as a human being, to be treated with dignity and love. Nam Cao's brilliance lies in his deep psychological exploration of his characters. He embodies his characters fully, living their pain and depicting their suffering. The tears in his stories are not just tears; they are powerful symbols of the struggles and tragedies of his characters' lives. Through the tears of Chí Phèo, Nam Cao captures the essence of his message: even in the face of overwhelming oppression and despair, the human soul yearns to return to its true, innocent nature. The story of Chí Phèo is not only a tragic commentary on the evils of society but also a testament to the enduring resilience of human dignity.

The topic of rural life and farmers has been an endless source of inspiration for many writers. The image of the peasant is vividly depicted in literature, from the character of Chị Dậu in Ngô Tất Tố's *Tắt Đèn* to Tràng in Kim Lân's *Vợ Nhặt*. Nam Cao, through his work *Chí Phèo*, also delves into the hardships and fate of the rural working class, revealing profound insights into their lives and inner worlds.

*Chí Phèo* is not just a realistic narrative about the brutal, dehumanizing conditions faced by the peasant class, but it also carries a deep humanitarian message. Nam Cao shows that even in the most deprived individuals, like Chí Phèo, there are dormant moral qualities that can be awakened. This theme is particularly highlighted by the iconic image of Chí Phèo's tears.

Chí Phèo, once a kind-hearted peasant, was reduced to a monstrous figure by the oppressive feudal system, represented by Bá Kiến. Cast out by society, he becomes a villain in the eyes of the villagers, feared and loathed. However, after a tender encounter with Thị Nở, a kind-hearted but shunned woman, Chí's humanity begins to resurface. When he receives a bowl of porridge from her, his reaction is one of surprise and deep emotion: '...he felt his eyes become moist.'

Chí Phèo, an orphan from childhood, had faced abandonment and abuse. His entire life had been marked by injustice, leading him to become a violent and rejected outcast. However, Thị Nở's simple act of kindness was a revelation for him. It was the first time someone had treated him with compassion, and it awakened long-buried feelings of human connection. Her gesture made him realize that he still had a chance for redemption.

The warmth of the porridge caused Chí's eyes to well up with tears—a tear of emotion, of joy, of being seen as human again. It marked the moment when his dormant conscience began to stir. He yearned to be a good person, to make peace with the world, but the harsh reality of the village's judgment would not allow him to reclaim his humanity. His desire for goodness was never realized, and his final tears were those of despair, as he realized he would never escape his fate as a villain.

The tears of Chí Phèo are more than just a symbol of his emotional transformation. They encapsulate Nam Cao's belief in the fundamental goodness within all human beings, even those who have fallen to the depths of despair. Chí's tears reflect the writer's deep empathy for the suffering of the marginalized and the hope that even the most broken individuals can yearn for redemption.

Tears are the tangible manifestation of emotions. They often arise when a person experiences deep joy or sorrow, acting as a reflection of inner feelings. In Vietnamese literature, tears appear in many forms across various characters, whether it's the tears of the elderly woman in *Vợ Nhặt* or the tears shed in a moment of happiness during a funeral. Yet, among these, the tears of Chí Phèo stand out with profound sorrow.

Chí Phèo's tears are not just a symbol of pain but also represent the happiness of a soul that has been touched by love, as if granted by a divine gift. Once seen as the demon of Vũ Đại village, Chí was known for causing harm wherever he went. He had lost his humanity and lived in utter solitude.

But then came Thị Nở. Chí Phèo, who had always yearned for goodness, found in Thị a savior—a beacon of hope that reawakened his lost humanity. No one had ever shown him such care. He had never experienced the kindness of a woman, always living a life filled with threats and violence, and he could only think of his past, including the cruel bà Ba.

From that moment on, the humanity within Chí began to surface. As a human being, he too was capable of tears and of being moved by emotions. 'He was very surprised. After the surprise, he found his eyes moistening.' This was a man who had never known such emotions—he cried, torn between joy, sorrow, and regret. His tears marked the moment of his transformation, a flicker of his innate goodness awakening from within.

However, those tears were also born of despair. After Thị Nở was influenced by her aunt’s words and turned away from him, Chí tried to hold on, but she rejected him. 'He thought for a moment, then seemed to understand, suddenly staring blankly.' 'He buried his face in his hands and cried bitterly.' This cry was the expression of a man in utter despair, realizing that his path to redemption had closed forever.

Nam Cao was a master of portraying the psychology of his characters, delving deep into their inner struggles. The tears of Chí Phèo, a man who was both a thug and yet possessed the innocence of a peasant, reflect the social critique of the feudal system. They also evoke the writer's sympathy for the character, and through him, for the plight of the rural working class of that time.