Top 8 Essays reflecting on Thúy Kiều's fate in the excerpt "Mã Giám Sinh mua Kiều" from grade 9

In a feudal society marked by oppression and injustice, women are the most miserable victims. The great poet Nguyễn Du wrote about them with poignant verses: "Painful is the fate of women, the saying of a tragic fate is universally true." In the poet's time, it seemed that misfortune had become a common fate for women. Thúy Kiều's life, a woman with both beauty and talent, proves this rule. The excerpt from "Mã Giám Sinh mua Kiều" is the sad melody that begins her tragic life.

This excerpt appears in the second section (Family Tragedy and Wandering) of *Truyện Kiều*. After being falsely accused by a silk trader, Thúy Kiều's family falls into devastation and sorrow. Their wealth is stolen, and her father and younger brother are taken away by cruel officials for interrogation. The price they demand is horrifying: Three hundred taels would settle the matter. Kiều, unable to do anything else, wipes away her tears and sacrifices her first love for Kim Trọng to sell herself in order to free her father and brother from prison.

Nguyễn Du’s masterful use of realistic description paints a vivid portrait of Mã Giám Sinh, a criminal who sells women, and at the same time reflects the pain and despair of Thúy Kiều—an incredibly talented and beautiful woman treated as nothing more than a commodity, bought and sold without any compassion. This excerpt exposes the brutal crimes of a decaying feudal society and serves as a heartfelt plea: Save humanity, as hidden in every image and word of this passage.

The news that Kiều wanted to sell herself caused a stir throughout the region because everyone knew her—she was famous for her beauty and talent. Mã Giám Sinh, seeking her as a secondary wife, asked a matchmaker to arrange a meeting. A notable feature in Nguyễn Du’s writing is how he uses conventional symbolism when describing characters like Thúy Kiều, Kim Trọng, and Từ Hải, whom he admires. In contrast, for negative characters like Tú Bà, Mã Giám Sinh, and Hồ Tôn Hiến, he applies realistic techniques. Mã Giám Sinh is no exception.

Nguyễn Du’s genius lies in his ability to avoid lengthy descriptions, focusing instead on telling details that capture the essence of a character. Mã Giám Sinh’s background is mysterious—he is merely described as a traveler from afar. When asked his name, he simply says, "Mã Giám Sinh". When asked where he’s from, he replies, "Lâm Thanh district, nearby." These vague answers reveal very little: we only know his surname is Mã, and that Lâm Thanh is a large area. His terse speech exposes his lack of refinement, showing that he does not fit the idealized image of a scholarly student (giám sinh) in a Confucian society.

Mã’s physical appearance is full of contradictions. His age is described as "over forty," but the words used—"over," "around," and "over forty"—along with the slow rhythm of the poem, create a sense of uncertainty about his exact age. This vague description makes him seem anywhere from forty-one to forty-six years old, and men of that age were considered close to old age. However, Mã tries to present himself as young, with a smooth face and stylish clothes. The choice of words like "smooth" and "elegant" serves as a mocking criticism of his superficial appearance, suggesting he hides his true nature behind a facade.

With just one line—"Before the master, behind the servant, there’s a noisy stir"—Nguyễn Du sharply critiques Mã Giám Sinh’s absurd method of courting a wife. His servants are no different from street thugs, and Mã himself is arrogant, flaunting his wealth and ignoring proper manners. The line about sitting rudely on the chair reserved for guests further highlights his boorish behavior. Through these actions, Mã’s low-class character is revealed.

When the matchmaker presents Kiều to him, Mã inspects her with the eyes of a seasoned merchant: "He measures her beauty and talent, testing her on the guqin and poetry to evaluate her worth." Kiều’s beauty and talent satisfy him, and he feels confident he will buy this precious "item" at a good price. Yet, he isn’t in a hurry, and even tries to haggle, reducing the price to four hundred taels. Nguyễn Du’s use of marketplace language, like "haggling" and "bargaining", adds a layer of irony to the scene.

With these words, Nguyễn Du strips away the pretensions of Mã Giám Sinh’s scholar persona and exposes his true nature as a lecherous human trafficker. In front of the reader, Mã Giám Sinh reveals himself for what he truly is—an immoral man who exploits women for profit. The more we despise him, the more we sympathize with Thúy Kiều, a woman of extraordinary talent and beauty who has fallen into the clutches of these ruthless men. Nguyễn Du vividly portrays Kiều’s inner torment as she sells herself, with every stroke of the pen dripping with anguish, as if the tears and blood of her sacrifice are written into the lines:

The pain of my soul, the pain of my home,

The flowerbed steps, tears fall in rows

Reluctantly, the wind and mist make me shiver,

The flower's reflection in the mirror hides my face full of shame.

My heart is full of sorrow, my hands trembling,

My sadness is like a fading chrysanthemum, or the waning plum blossom.

Using his signature poetic symbols, Nguyễn Du beautifully expresses Kiều’s beauty even in the depths of her suffering, where even flowers weep at her pain. Her sorrow makes her even more beautiful, and the use of artistic symmetry in his poetry intensifies the emotional impact, breaking the conventional mold of classical writing to touch the reader’s heart. We feel the poet’s deep sympathy for Kiều and our hatred for the decaying feudal society that destroyed her family, pushing her into a pit of despair.

The excerpt from *Mã Giám Sinh mua Kiều* demonstrates Nguyễn Du’s incredible skill in depicting psychology and creating vivid characters. *Truyện Kiều* is a cry of despair for the fate of women, as well as a silent but powerful condemnation of a decaying feudal society that gave rise to immoral individuals like Mã Giám Sinh. For personal gain, they were willing to trample on the dignity of others. The message Nguyễn Du sends is clear: Stop the hands of crime! Save humanity!

Nguyễn Du is revered not only for his talent but also for his compassionate heart towards the lives of those doomed to suffering. The poet's small heart beats in rhythm with the pulse of the oppressed, so that every day, every scene he encounters makes him feel "the pain deep in his soul." Regardless of the era or circumstances, the most sorrowful of all is always the woman. The benevolent heart of this literary genius helped him deeply understand the eternal misfortune of women under the decaying feudal system, allowing him to express his grief and lamentation in his poetry:

How painful it is to be a woman

The saying of a tragic fate is the common tale.

Thúy Kiều is one such character with a fate of misfortune. In his epic "Truyện Kiều", she embodies the typical tragic life of "a beautiful woman with a doomed fate" under the feudal system. This is vividly portrayed in the excerpt from "Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều".

Born into a decent, modest family, living in a peaceful home, Thúy Kiều and her sister Thúy Vân were both stunningly beautiful and innocent. One spring afternoon, while visiting her parents' grave, she had two fateful encounters. The first was the tragic fate of Đạm Tiên, which seemed to foreshadow Kiều’s future, and the second was her passionate and joyful meeting with Kim Trọng, the most talented man she had ever met. Had it not been for an unexpected "calamity", the life of this "peerless beauty" would have never been part of Nguyễn Du's poetry. Faced with her family's misfortune, she endures and sacrifices by selling herself to save her father. Although it causes her immense pain, Kiều must leave her family, abandon her pure love with Kim Trọng, and become a commodity bought and sold by the vile merchant Mã Giám Sinh.

When the matchmaker introduces Mã Giám Sinh to Kiều to ask for her hand in marriage, the initial meeting unfolds in a sense of deep sorrow and despair. Mã Giám Sinh appears like a heartless and despicable man, and that very evening, Kiều accurately judges him to her mother:

Different from the color of a demon, he appears human

Don’t tell me I’ve fallen into the hands of a vile old trickster.

It's hard to imagine a more heartbreaking and painful meeting than this! Kiều's emotions are a tangled mess — the sorrow of a broken first love, the frustration over her father and brother's unjust plight, the shame and embarrassment of having a strange man come to see her as if she were for sale... Her image as she steps out of her private room is full of sympathy and sorrow:

Her mind is full of grief, her family in pain

Each step is heavier with more tears.

Her tears soak the pages, each step adding to her heartache. These tears of despair and suffering tug at the reader's heart, making everyone feel deep sympathy for Kiều’s fate. As she enters the parlor, her hesitant and embarrassed demeanor reflects the modesty of a young girl in an unfortunate predicament:

Shy, trembling in the cold breeze

Her reflection in the mirror shows a face full of shame.

Kiều’s fulness symbolizes the shame of a young woman caught in a tragic situation, and it is also a reminder of the humiliation she feels due to her unfortunate fate. As Kiều suffers, Mã Giám Sinh shows no empathy, treating her as a mere commodity to be purchased:

Her hair is pulled, his hand shaking her grasp

Her expression is as sad as the drooping flower.

Not satisfied with just examining her appearance, he proceeds to test her talents as if evaluating a piece of merchandise, determining its worth: "He forced her to play the zither, then recite poetry as if he were bargaining at the market." The beautiful young woman, whose "beauty was unmatched and whose talent was exquisite", is appraised by this vile merchant, who haggles over her like an item for sale, finally settling on a price of four hundred taels. How painful it must have been for Kiều to think that the most despicable of men could become her husband! Her heart was already shattered, with the image of her true love, Kim Trọng, firmly etched in her mind — "his elegance inside and out". From this point forward, her life would never be peaceful or sweet again.

Through his masterful pen, Nguyễn Du reveals the tragic and sorrowful fate of Kiều in the excerpt from "Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều". This woman, whose beauty and talent were unparalleled, deserved to enjoy the greatest happiness, yet the corrupt feudal society trampled her down, forcing her to endure pain and misfortune for the next fifteen years of her life. Nguyễn Du’s compassionate heart and deep love for women led him to portray Kiều’s fight for the right to live and be happy, while also condemning the deeply flawed society of the time.

When one talks about Truyện Kiều, it is a reference to the human rights being violated unjustly. Perhaps the most striking instance of such violation is the excerpt where Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều, where Kiều is treated like an object. The passage showcases Nguyễn Du's sharp observation skills, vivid portrayal, and, above all, his deep compassion for the world.

After deciding to sell herself to free her father, Kiều asked the matchmaker to bring the buyer. This is the moment when Mã Giám Sinh introduces himself and makes the purchase. The first notable feature of this purchase is the portrayal of the buyer, a person filled with contempt for the human traffickers. Nguyễn Du captures this perfectly by sketching the character of Mã Giám Sinh: He appears to the reader through curt exchanges, typical of someone completely uneducated.

When asked his name, he responds: Mã Giám Sinh

When asked where he’s from, he answers: Huyện Lâm Thanh, which is nearby.

Normally, an educated person, when asked for their name in a formal setting, would humbly refer to themselves with terms like "tiểu sinh" or "vãn sinh". Instead, Mã Giám Sinh responds abruptly, avoiding giving his real name. When asked about his origin, he lies, claiming to be from Lâm Thanh instead of Lâm Tri to deceive others. As for his appearance, the poet emphasizes how unworthy Mã is of being a gentleman. Though in his forties, an age past courting, he still dresses up like a young man, appearing in a wedding-like outfit that does not match his age at all.

His mannerisms reveal his low-class status, as he and his servants behave disrespectfully and without order: “Before master, after servant, they chatter loudly, no one shows respect.” This lack of decorum is also reflected in his attitude, as he arrogantly claims the privilege of sitting on a high seat, a bold gesture only explainable by his wealth!

Every gesture, every word, every detail of his appearance shows that Mã Giám Sinh is a ruthless, heartless person. But his true cruelty, his inhumanity, is most evident during the purchase. When the matchmaker urges Kiều to step forward for the customer to assess her, Mã inspects her as one would examine an object for sale:

Mối pulls her hair, shakes her hand
Noble as a chrysanthemum, frail as a willow.

Pulling her hair, shaking her hand: Mã inspects Kiều like merchandise. Not content with this, he further evaluates her talents by forcing her to play the zither and recite poetry to prove her worth.

“Deliberating her beauty and talent,
Testing her playing of the zither and composing poetry.”

Only when satisfied with Kiều does Mã proceed to haggle over the price.

The haggling goes on for a while:

“Haggling and bargaining, one, two
Long negotiations until the price is over four hundred taels.”

Two things stand out: the meticulous haggling and the prolonged negotiations before a deal is reached at more than 400 taels. Mã shows no emotional connection to Kiều's beauty or talent; his only concern is to make a profitable deal. Nowhere in Vietnamese literature is there a more brutal, calculating depiction of the buying of a person than this.

But what of the fate and feelings of the one being sold? The poet deeply sympathizes with the sorrow of the young girl who must sell herself to save her father. The shame she feels when forced to present herself to the customer is palpable. She must do whatever is required of her, but her heart is heavy with grief, as if she is burying her own youth. The poet doesn't elaborate much; just three lines:

“Her sadness grows with her family’s grief,
On the flower’s steps, tears flow.
Shy, trembling from the wind, afraid of the dew,
Her face pale, embarrassed before the mirror.”

“Noble as a chrysanthemum, frail as a willow” speaks volumes of Kiều’s suffering, her shame, and her humiliation. This is a portrait of the triumph of money over human dignity. The closing line is a harsh truth, wrapped in sarcasm: “With money, what can’t be done?”

In conclusion, this passage profoundly depicts the tragic fate of a human being, while showing Nguyễn Du’s heartfelt empathy and delicate artistry. He immortalizes a humiliating moment for posterity, denouncing the cruel forces of oppression and advocating for the dignity of humanity.

The Tale of Kiều is a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature, and it has become the soul of Vietnamese literary tradition, embodying the "national spirit, national essence" of the people. The life and fate of Thúy Kiều in the work is so tragic; a young, talented, and beautiful girl must endure numerous misfortunes and storms in a life full of corruption. The excerpt "Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều" is the opening passage of part 2, depicting her family’s downfall and exile. From a noble young lady living a peaceful life behind the curtains, Kiều is swept into the harshest twists of fate. Through this excerpt, Nguyễn Du subtly and deeply expresses Kiều's sorrow and inner turmoil.

While the family life was peaceful, they were struck by an unexpected disaster. Kiều's father and younger brother were falsely accused, imprisoned, and needed a large sum of money to bribe the officials and release them. As the eldest daughter, how could Kiều remain indifferent? Fulfilling her duty as a daughter, with no other way out, she had to sell herself to save her father. This passage describes how the human trafficker Mã Giám Sinh comes to buy Kiều, bringing his entourage in a combination of ridiculous and arrogant manner.

"Gần miền có một mụ nào

Đưa người viễn khách tìm vào vấn dành

Hỏi tên, rằng: "Mã Giám Sinh"

Hỏi quê, rằng: "Huyện Lâm Thanh cũng gần".

The foreign visitor is unclear about his identity, where he comes from, his eating habits are rough, and he lacks basic courtesy in communication, such as greeting others. His vague responses about his hometown and family raise suspicions about him. Claiming to be a scholar from the National Academy, his language, however, doesn't match his claim. Is this just a disguise for a man of low character hiding behind a "learned" facade to engage in dishonest activities?

"Quá niên trạc ngoại tứ tuần,

Mày râu nhẵn nhụi áo quần bảnh bao"

Although he is over forty years old, the age of a man who has gone through much in life, his appearance, meticulously groomed and dressed in flashy clothes, seems laughable. His face is shaved clean, his clothes pressed and stylish to the point of being absurd. This attire, so refined for someone over forty, makes Mã Giám Sinh appear ridiculous and out of place. His odd behavior is also expressed through rude, impolite actions, lacking any subtlety:

" Trước thầy sau tớ lao xao....

Ghế trên ngồi tót sỗ sàng"

What is even more revolting are the flowery words he uses when trying to buy Kiều:

"Rằng: "Mua ngọc đến Lam Kiều"

Sính nghi xin dạy bao nhiêu cho tường?"

Despite his formal tone, his true nature, cunning and deceitful, is revealed. He bargains over a few coins for the price of a human life. To him, Kiều is simply a commodity to be bought and sold. His sharp bargaining skills reflect his experience as a trader, trying to acquire Kiều at the lowest price possible. As an outsider, reading this passage brings a deep sense of sorrow for Kiều and anger at the cruelty of this ruthless, vile man.

For someone as gifted and intelligent as Kiều, surely she must feel the full sting of this humiliation. She has already endured so much pain in her love, losing her family, and now, as life throws her into the storm, she silently submits to fate because, as a "commodity," she has no choice. She says nothing but walks quietly, tears streaming down her face, heartbroken:

" Ngại ngùng giợn gió e sương

Thềm hoa một bước lệ hoa mấy hàng"

Each step she takes is burdened with overwhelming pain. The girl, once carefree and uninterested in the world’s judgments, is now subjected to a degrading fate, treated as nothing more than a piece of property by others. How can she not feel shame and sorrow?

"Ngại ngùng dợn gió, e sương

Ngừng hoa bóng thẹn trông gương mặt dày.

Mối càng vén tóc bắt tay,

Nét buồn như cúc điệu gầy như mai"

They force her to play the zither and dance, then bargain and haggle over her beauty. The involuntary sadness on Kiều’s face pulls at our heartstrings. Kiều has endured so much humiliation, sorrow, and bitterness. Her sorrow shows clearly in her expression, making her already fragile form even more heartbreaking.

Reading "Mã Giám Sinh Buys Kiều" fills us with sorrow as human dignity is trampled, and the value of life is reduced to money and materialism. The deeper our sorrow, the more we resent a society driven by wealth, where no moral boundary is too far for money. These verses cry out in agony for the suffering of the human spirit, pleading for help in the face of evil and wickedness.

Living in the bliss of her first, pure love with Kim Trọng, Kiều's happiness is abruptly shattered when her family is falsely accused and struck by misfortune. Unable to bear the destruction of her family, Thúy Kiều painfully entrusts her fate to Thúy Vân, willingly sacrificing herself to raise money to save her father and younger brother. Exploiting Kiều's tragic situation, Mã Giám Sinh, a man notorious for his promiscuous nature, expresses his desire to marry her, but in truth, he plans to buy Kiều and take her to his brothel run with Tú Bà in Lâm Tri. The excerpt "Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều" depicts this transaction, exposing Mã Giám Sinh's true nature and highlighting the deep pain that marks the beginning of Kiều's bitter fifteen-year exile.

Through sharp imagery and the poet's hatred, Nguyễn Du vividly exposes the filthy, cruel, and despicable face of the "human traffickers". In this scene, Mã Giám Sinh plays the role of a student from the Quốc Tử Giám, pretending to come for a formal proposal to see Kiều and ask for her hand in marriage. This deceptive student, a dubious figure, is shrouded in mystery about his identity, his background, and his true purpose. Nguyễn Du’s masterful pen skillfully reveals more of Mã Giám Sinh’s grotesque character with each stroke:

"In his forties, his beard and hair neatly trimmed,

His clothes exquisite, his manners refined.

Before the teacher, after the servant, a bustle of excitement,

The banker brings the match, leading her into the house."...

..."Sitting arrogantly in the high seat."

Mã Giám Sinh, in his forties, dressed in fine clothes with a clean-shaven face, presents himself as a dandy. His entourage of servants and students creates a noisy and crude scene at Kiều's home, and his "arrogant sitting in the high seat" exposes the true nature of the supposed student, revealing a rude and illiterate character.

Though Nguyễn Du describes the transaction with seeming objectivity, the true nature of Mã Giám Sinh is thoroughly exposed. Despite all his attempts at concealment with cunning tricks, his appearance, behavior, gestures, and language betray him as a despicable "human trafficker".

To Mã Giám Sinh, Kiều, with all her beauty and talent, is nothing more than a commodity to be exploited for his profit. He evaluates her looks and talent, testing her abilities, lifting her up, examining her, as though she were a mere object in a marketplace. Once satisfied, his merchant nature surfaces in his bargaining attitude, even though he cloaks his actions with sweet words:

"They say, buy the jade from Lam Kiều,

How much is the bride price, what should I offer?"

But in the end, his true nature is revealed in a blatant and vulgar manner:

"Bargaining, one off, two added,

At last, the price was set, over four hundred gold."

With his dirty, petty bargaining, the so-called "engagement ceremony" becomes a glaring display of human trafficking, and Mã Giám Sinh is exposed as the most despicable and repulsive of merchants.

In this passage, Kiều is depicted with all the sorrow, regret, and shame of a girl who, living a peaceful and carefree life surrounded by love, is suddenly thrust into a nightmare where she becomes a commodity to be sold, traded, and bargained for. Her sensitive soul deeply feels the irony and humiliation of her fate, caught between shame and sorrow:

"My own pain, adding to the grief of my family,

The flower petals fall, tears rain down with each step!

Afraid of the wind, cautious of the mist,

Suddenly, I feel shame when I see my face in the mirror."

Kiều laments not only her broken heart ("my own pain") but also her family's suffering ("the grief of my family"). She cannot hold back her tears. When she compares herself to a flower exposed to the wind and dew, she sees herself as vulnerable and unworthy, feeling deep shame when facing her reflection. This is Kiều's silent moral struggle. Meanwhile, the matchmaker treats her as nothing more than a product: "unveil her hair, shake her hand" for the buyer to inspect, make her perform poetry and play music for his amusement. Yet Kiều's melancholic demeanor and delicate movements betray her inner sorrow.

In this "engagement ceremony" scene, directed by the matchmaker and pressured by Mã Giám Sinh, Kiều behaves like a puppet, performing poetry and music mechanically. Her voluntary act of sacrificing herself to save her father and brother is a tragic decision that she silently endures and submits to, despite the overwhelming suffering.

Through Nguyễn Du’s pen, Kiều’s silence speaks volumes, revealing the unspoken pain, sorrow, and shame she endures, as her sense of dignity is trampled in a shameful manner. Kiều's heart breaks over her lost love and the unjust fate of her family, with the overwhelming sorrow expressed in the lines: "the flower petals fall, tears rain down with each step." From the beginning of her tragic journey, Nguyễn Du depicts her fate as one of a flower sold to the ruthless traders of human misery.

By describing Mã Giám Sinh’s appearance, gestures, and dialogue, Nguyễn Du paints a vivid portrait of his vile character, exposing his despicable nature. The poet condemns the brutal forces that trample on the beauty, talent, and dignity of women, while also conveying deep sympathy for Kiều's suffering from the very beginning of her long and painful journey.

The Tale of Kiều is one of the most significant works of the great poet Nguyễn Du, and it represents his heartfelt compassion and sorrow for the fate of women in the old society. Not only does it depict Kiều’s fate, but it also reflects the broader picture of women suffering under the oppressive social structure of the time. Among these, the excerpt "Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều" stands out as a stark portrayal of injustice in that era.

The passage "Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều" appears in the second part titled “Family Tragedy and Wandering.” After the Vương family is falsely accused by a silk trader, their lives descend into chaos and grief. Their wealth is stolen, and both the father and younger brother are brutally captured and tortured. The ransom demanded to end their misery is “three hundred taels to resolve this matter.” In a moment of despair, with no other option, Kiều reluctantly decides to sacrifice her love for Kim Trọng, selling herself to redeem her father and brother.

This excerpt marks the sorrowful beginning of Kiều's fifteen years of hardship and wandering. Upon hearing the news that Thúy Kiều had sold herself to save her family, the entire region was shaken. Everyone knew of Thúy Kiều, a girl of exceptional beauty and talent. Therefore, Mã Giám Sinh, who had heard of her, sent a matchmaker to ask for her hand as a secondary wife.

However, instead of providing a detailed portrait of Mã Giám Sinh, Nguyễn Du subtly focuses on specific details, from his demeanor to his clothing and gestures. The character of Mã Giám Sinh remains mysterious, as he is only described as a “distant guest” arriving. His cryptic responses reveal little about him, thus emphasizing his crude nature:

“Asked for his name, he said: Mã Giám Sinh

Asked where he’s from, he replied: 'Lâm Thanh County, quite close'”

Even with these simple questions, all we know is that his surname is Mã and his given name “Giám Sinh” is a title commonly used for students at the National Academy. His vague responses and lack of specificity in both name and origin illustrate his rudeness and lack of nobility, contrasting with the refined behavior one might expect from a scholar. Further describing his appearance, Nguyễn Du paints a picture of a man who is not as he seems:

“His age was around his late forties,

His face clean-shaven, and his clothes neat and flashy”

The description of his smooth, neat appearance suggests a superficial quality, indicative of his false character. The use of words like “neat” and “flashy” evokes a sense of deceit, showing the contrast between his outward appearance and inner nature. The image of someone who is nearing old age but still tries to appear youthful underscores the deceptive character of this human trafficker. His actions, too, reveal his true nature, such as the chaotic and disrespectful behavior of his entourage:

“A group of noisy, disorderly servants”

This highlights the lack of dignity and refinement, emphasizing the crudeness of Mã Giám Sinh and his associates. His use of a high seat, a place meant for elders, further shows his impudence and disrespect for tradition. As the negotiations progress, Mã Giám Sinh's actions reveal his calculating and experienced nature:

“He said: 'I am buying a pearl, named Kiều,

How much would you charge for her?'”

However, despite his flowery words, his actions continue to show his low character and hint at a future full of sorrow for Kiều. Phrases like “bargaining,” “haggling,” and “setting a price” reveal that he is nothing more than a cold-hearted businessman, pretending to be a scholar, but at his core, he is a cruel and dishonest person.

Kiều, the “item” in this transaction, remains silent throughout. It seems as though the overwhelming pain, shame, and sorrow have consumed her. From being a young woman in a protected and refined environment, she is now reduced to an object under the dirty hands of the brothel owner and Mã Giám Sinh. How can she avoid such suffering?

Nguyễn Du uses a range of metaphorical and symbolic imagery to convey Kiều's emotional state, such as “shivering in the breeze, hesitant in the mist,” and “her sadness like bamboo, her delicate figure like a plum blossom.” These images evoke sympathy for the pain of a talented and unfortunate young woman.

In conclusion, the passage from "Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều" is one of the most heart-wrenching and thought-provoking excerpts in the work. Through realistic descriptions and metaphorical expressions, Nguyễn Du unveils the turbulent and tragic life awaiting Kiều, while also expressing his deep empathy for the fate of women in a cruel and unjust society.

The masterpiece 'Truyện Kiều' is a timeless work deeply associated with the name of the great poet Nguyễn Du. The narrative centers around the turbulent life of Kiều, representing the plight of many women in the feudal era. They were constantly subjected to bitterness and humiliation at the hands of inhumane individuals who trampled on their basic rights with money. In the excerpt 'Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều,' the poet brutally exposes Kiều's fate, serving as a vivid example of the era's oppressive regime.

This passage appears at the beginning of the second part (family turmoil and wandering). After being falsely accused by a silk merchant, Kiều's family falls into chaos and suffering. Their wealth is seized, and her father and younger brother are captured and brutally interrogated by the corrupt officials. The price for their release is steep: 'Three hundred taels, and the matter will be settled.' Kiều, with tears in her eyes, reluctantly sacrifices her first love for Kim Trọng to sell herself to free her father and brother from prison.

This passage narrates the moment when Mã Giám Sinh comes to buy Kiều. It marks the beginning of Kiều's tragic life, which stretches over fifteen years. The news of Kiều’s intent to sell herself spreads quickly, as she was widely known for her beauty and talent. Mã Giám Sinh, having arranged through a matchmaker, comes to take her as a concubine.

Nguyễn Du’s skill lies in his ability to focus on specific, revealing details rather than general descriptions. The identity of Mã Giám Sinh remains vague, only known as a 'visitor from afar.' When asked, he answers curtly, without using full sentences or showing any respect:

“When asked for his name: 'Mã Giám Sinh.'

When asked about his origin: 'Lâm Thanh county, not far.'

These two lines provide little information, only that his surname is Mã. The term 'Giám Sinh' refers to a student from the National Academy, not a personal name. 'Lâm Thanh' is a vast area—who knows where he is from or what his background is? The way he speaks reveals his character. He lacks the refinement expected of a scholar.

Nguyễn Du sharpens the portrait of Mã Giám Sinh further with a detailed description:

“His age about forty,

His face clean-shaven, his clothes sharp and fashionable.”

His smooth-shaven face, though meticulously groomed, appears unnatural. The phrase 'smooth-shaven' conveys a sense of artificiality, a slick, polished appearance. His sharp and fashionable clothes, intended to impress, seem just as forced, typically complimenting a child’s attire rather than an adult's. By dressing with such superficial flair, Nguyễn Du subtly mocks Mã Giám Sinh, exposing his true nature as a human trafficker. His efforts to appear youthful are pitiful, especially for someone nearing middle age.

The portrayal of his actions is equally telling. With just one line—'Before the teacher, after the servant, bustling around'—Nguyễn Du emphasizes Mã Giám Sinh’s rude, disorderly manner in asking for a wife. His entourage behaves no differently than a group of rowdy, disrespectful thugs. The crudeness of Mã Giám Sinh’s behavior shows his lack of education, even though he claims to be a student from the National Academy. This is evident when he sits in a chair meant for a senior or respected figure—a blatant display of disrespect.

In the final transaction for Kiều, Mã Giám Sinh's true nature as a skilled and unscrupulous trafficker is fully revealed. He speaks flowery words:

“I have come to buy the pearl, Kiều,

What is the price? Tell me clearly.”

But his actions are the complete opposite. His haggling over price, with terms like 'bargaining, reducing, negotiating,' reveals that Mã Giám Sinh is nothing but a cunning, seasoned slave trader. Despite his elegant attire and refined speech, his true nature as a deceitful, vile character becomes clear.

By using a blend of narration and description, and highlighting the immoral relationships, superficial appearance, disrespectful speech, and crude behavior, Nguyễn Du sharply defines the character of Mã Giám Sinh as a human trafficker. His exterior and inner personality are fully exposed. Mã Giám Sinh stands as an immortal example of depravity and cruelty.

As for Kiều, throughout this entire transaction, Nguyễn Du allows her to remain silent, unable to speak a single word. Her pain, shame, and despair have reached their peak. Once a young woman from a wealthy, respected family, she has now become a mere commodity in the hands of the matchmaker and Mã Giám Sinh. How could she not feel devastated?

Nguyễn Du uses a series of metaphors, symbols, and nature imagery to express Kiều's feelings, a stark contrast to her earlier portrayal in the 'Kim Vân Kiều truyện.' From start to finish, Kiều remains silent. This silence reflects Nguyễn Du’s creative genius and deep understanding of the character's psychology.

Nguyễn Du refrains from directly commenting, but through his careful choice of images and words describing Kiều's posture and emotions—'She is hesitant, the wind stirs, the mist lingers... her face is pale,' 'her sorrow, like that of the willow'—we sense his sympathy and sorrow for this beautiful, talented girl who has been trampled by the dark forces of feudal society (human traffickers, the power of money) and reduced to a mere object.

Nguyễn Du succeeds in capturing both the protagonist and antagonist with great precision, displaying his profound insight into character psychology. He vividly exposes the vile, corrupt nature of Mã Giám Sinh while condemning the feudal society, harshly criticizing the cruelty of money, and the despicable individuals who trample on the beauty and dignity of women.

The fate of a woman, fragile by nature, becomes even more painful when born in a feudal society, where she suffers immense sorrow and humiliation. Thúy Kiều, a character from Nguyễn Du's *Truyện Kiều*, symbolizes the plight of women during that time. Nguyễn Du uses the most poignant and heart-wrenching words to describe the scene in *Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều*, exposing the painful reality of Kiều being bought and sold like a lifeless commodity.

Thúy Kiều, a beautiful and talented young woman from a well-off family, meets Kim Trọng during the Thanh Minh festival. The two fall in love quickly, make promises to each other, but suddenly, a false accusation from a silk trader ruins their lives. Her family is destroyed, her father and brother are arrested and tortured, and Kiều is forced to sell herself to free her father, only to fall into a tragic fate. This excerpt, where Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều, captures her heartache as she faces both family and love tragedies, symbolized by the phrase 'trâm gãy bình tan'. The excerpt marks the beginning of Kiều's sorrowful journey that lasts for fifteen years. Nguyễn Du skillfully does not generalize, but delves into vivid details that bring the character's essence to life. He paints a close-up of Mã Giám Sinh's face and appearance:

About forty years old,

Shaven and dressed in elegant clothes.

His neat, shaved face and well-groomed eyebrows give off a disingenuous vibe. The phrase 'neatly shaven' suggests a sense of shamelessness, a smooth, polished appearance. The 'elegant clothes' seem more for show, highlighting an artificial quality. The term 'elegant' is typically used to describe children's clothes, not adults. By presenting this polished exterior, Nguyễn Du subtly mocks the human trafficker, Mã Giám Sinh. The insult becomes sharper as he is described as a man nearing his forties who tries to look youthful, presenting himself as a young man.

No one knows Mã Giám Sinh's true background, only that he comes from a distant place ('viễn khách'). When asked, he answers curtly, without any formality:

Asked his name: 'Mã Giám Sinh'

Asked where he’s from: 'Lâm Thanh County, nearby.'

His crude and rude behavior, representing an uneducated man hiding behind the mask of a student from the National Academy, is evident in his impolite actions, such as sitting down disrespectfully in a place of honor. The 'seat of honor' is meant for elders or respected figures, yet he sits arrogantly, without regard for customs. Mã Giám Sinh appears in the scene as the most inhuman and vile character.

Unlike a noble, he is a wicked man.

Perhaps he has already deceived you with his old tricks.

His true nature becomes more evident when he:

Carefully weighs his options, evaluates her beauty,

Then tries to haggle over her worth with a poetic flourish.

The scene where Mã Giám Sinh purchases Kiều serves as a powerful critique of society. In a world where human traffickers thrive, a woman's beauty and talent like Thúy Kiều's are commodified, with her worth being bargained over. Her dignity as a woman is trampled upon.

Negotiating over her price,

Finally settling at over four hundred.

The phrases 'negotiating,' 'adding and subtracting,' and 'settling on a price' show that Mã Giám Sinh is a seasoned human trafficker, adept at exploiting women. He is no longer the student he claimed to be. Despite his well-groomed appearance and eloquent speech, his true character as a vile, deceptive, and lowly individual slowly becomes clear.

The humiliation of being sold is worsened by the fact that she is sold to such a disgusting trafficker. Nguyễn Du ensures that Kiều is unable to utter a word throughout the transaction, heightening the feeling of her immense suffering, shame, and sorrow. Once a girl from a wealthy, respectable family, she is now reduced to a mere object in the hands of the broker and Mã Giám Sinh. How can she not feel anguished? Kiều's emotional turmoil is overwhelming—grief over lost love, anger over the unjust fate of her father and brother, and shame at being subjected to this public humiliation...

Her pain is intensified as she steps out of her private quarters:

The pain of herself and her family

Each step on the flowered path causes more tears to fall.

She feels deep shame as she walks, her tears soaking the pages, each step a fresh sorrow. The tears of anguish tug at the reader's heart, making everyone sympathize with her tragic fate. As she enters the room with a sense of modesty and shame, typical of a young lady from a noble family:

She hesitates in the breeze, shy in the mist,

Her face as pale as a withered flower.

Her sorrow peaks when no one shows any sympathy. The broker pulls her hair back, shaking hands, treating her like a mere object, while Mã Giám Sinh assesses her beauty and talents with cold indifference. At this moment, the once elegant and talented girl feels utter humiliation:

The broker pulls her hair back and shakes her hand,

Her sadness as deep as a wilted chrysanthemum, as frail as a withered plum blossom.

Through his brilliant pen, Nguyễn Du presents a vivid portrayal of Kiều's tragic fate in *Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều*. He paints a stark picture of the brutality of human traffickers in society, evoking deep sympathy for Kiều's suffering: she has sold herself to save her father. The loss of her beauty and talent is heartbreaking. This passage is a mournful cry for human dignity, highlighting the injustice and degradation that Kiều faces, reflecting the poet’s own grief for her suffering. It serves as a stark reminder of how societal oppression destroys the lives of innocent individuals.

This woman, who was once perfect in beauty and talent, deserved to live the happiest life, yet feudal society cruelly trampled on her, forcing her to endure ten years of immense suffering. Nguyễn Du succeeded in creating both a sympathetic protagonist and a vile antagonist, showcasing his profound understanding of human psychology in this masterpiece.

The excerpt of *Mã Giám Sinh buys Kiều* deeply reflects the harsh realities of society at the time, with the cruel face of the ruling class and the tragic fate of those oppressed, particularly the woman. Through this, the author expresses a profound sympathy for human suffering, denouncing the brutal forces in power, and simultaneously honoring the aspirations for freedom, happiness, justice, and righteousness.