Top 9 Essays Analyzing the Beauty of Thuy Van in 'The Sisters Thuy Kieu' by Nguyen Du

Nguyen Du, the national literary giant, is a name familiar to all of us. When we think of him, we think of his masterpiece "The Tale of Kieu" – a gem of our national literature. In this work, Nguyen Du not only depicts the stunning beauty of Thuy Kieu but also highlights the distinct beauty of her sister, Thuy Van, through four vivid lines of poetry:

“Vân xem trang trọng khác vời
Khuôn trăng đầy đặn, nét ngài nở nang
Hoa cười ngọc thốt đoan trang
Mây thua nước tóc, tuyết nhường màu da”

With just a few delicate strokes, the author captures the essence of a "timeless beauty," a girl of "unearthly grace." In contrast to Thuy Kieu's sharp and alluring beauty, Thuy Van's beauty is marked by dignity and poise – a beauty radiating nobility and refinement that few possess. Her charm is harmonious, from her physical features to her personality, with each detail of her face reflecting this essence.

As Thanh Tam Tai Nhan describes: “Thuy Kieu’s brows are small but elongated, her eyes clear and bright, her face like the autumn moon, her complexion like peach blossoms. Thuy Van, on the other hand, has a composed demeanor, a graceful appearance, and an indescribable elegance.” Nguyen Du also portrays Thuy Van with his own unique touch – a full face, a well-formed nose, and a gentle, dignified smile. It’s a beauty that’s wholesome and blessed.

Her beauty isn’t just in her "face," "features," or "hair and skin" but also in her smile, voice, and bearing. Her smile is as bright and refreshing as blooming flowers, her voice sweet and gentle, pure as the sound of jade. Nguyen Du’s portrayal of these details emphasizes the gentle beauty, inner grace, and modesty of Thuy Van.

This form of beauty, both physical and virtuous, is so perfect that even the "clouds" and "snow" bow to it. In other words, Thuy Van’s beauty surpasses even the splendor of nature, as though nature itself is in awe of her. When imagining such a beautiful girl, one thinks of happiness, a life filled with peace and warmth.

A key technique in classical literature is symbolic representation, and Nguyen Du masterfully uses this device to intricately describe Thuy Van’s beauty. The personification of nature, where it behaves like a human, enhances the reader’s sense that even nature itself is humbly bowing before Thuy Van’s extraordinary beauty.

This true beauty leads us to admire and cherish her even more. The natural clouds, with their dark luster and soft texture, cannot compare with the rich, shiny black of Thuy Van’s hair. Even the snow, naturally pure white, cannot match the smooth, flawless skin of Thuy Van.

Thuy Van’s perfection is compared to the “moon,” “flowers,” “clouds,” “snow,” and “jade” – all symbols of the highest beauty in nature. Nguyen Du, like a skilled artist, paints a portrait of Thuy Van, and behind this portrait lies a deep respect for the beauty of women. The words "dignity" and "modesty" perfectly capture the essence of this timeless beauty.

Her gentle and gracious beauty, reflected in her face, hair, smile, voice, and skin, metaphorically predicts a peaceful and serene life for her, free from the hardships and misfortunes that others may face. This is Nguyen Du’s heartfelt wish, as his compassion for women is evident in his writings. He poignantly expresses his sorrow in the lines:

“Alas, the fate of women
Is often cursed with misfortune, like a common tale.”

By portraying Thuy Van’s virtuous beauty, which makes nature itself step aside, Nguyen Du wishes that her life would be free of sorrow, unlike that of her sister.

The poem ends, but the image of Thuy Van, a woman of "dignity beyond compare," as described by Nguyen Du, lingers in our minds. Even though over two centuries have passed, his verses continue to resonate, and the readers across generations have preserved them in their hearts. These enduring memories answer the great poet’s question from his lifetime:

“Who knows, three hundred years from now,
Will the world still weep for Tố Như?”

After many years, Nguyễn Du's "Truyền Kiều" still leaves a lasting impression on readers, not only due to its clear language and skillful use of literary techniques but also because of its beautiful, memorable verses, showcasing the author's unique approach to describing characters. Here is an excerpt that represents the most exquisite verses in the poem, expressing the author's art of portraiture:

Vân appears in a dignified and graceful way
The rounded moonlike face, with a blossoming, perfect smile
Her laugh, like flowers, speaks with a refined tone
The clouds fade to her hair, the snow surrenders to her skin.
(Excerpt from “Thúy Kiều’s Sisters”)

These 28 characters are like 28 gems that shine brightly in the poetry. As readers admire the refined, delicate figure and the pure heart of the two daughters of the wealthy Vương family, the portrait of the beauty is revealed in vivid details:

Vân appears in a dignified and graceful way

The verse provides enough to help readers feel the noble, aristocratic beauty of Thúy Vân. Then, like a skilled photographer, Nguyễn Du focuses his lens on specific features of the maiden’s face:

The rounded face, a gentle smile.
Her laughter, like jewels, graceful.
Clouds pale compared to her hair, snow gives way to her skin.

Each line is a delicate stroke of the artist’s brush, creating the portrait of a beauty. Every detail seems like a masterpiece of creation—her face is round, bright, and gentle like the moon, her eyebrows are long and delicate, her smile is fresh like a flower, her voice is clear like jade, her hair dark and smooth, softer than clouds, and her skin pure and fair like snow... In describing her, Nguyễn Du uses flowers, leaves, jewels, gold, clouds, and snow—treasures of nature—to capture the full essence of the beauty.

Though using conventional metaphors, Nguyễn Du’s approach to Thúy Vân is more specific compared to his description of Thúy Kiều. Notably, he lists specific features: the face, eyebrows, skin, hair… He uses words like “graceful,” “full,” and “rounded” to highlight her distinct beauty.

Artistic techniques such as comparison, metaphor, and personification all serve to portray the truthful, noble beauty of this young woman. The beauty of Thúy Vân reflects her character and fate. The natural world embraces her, as the “clouds fade” and “snow gives way,” symbolizing a life of peace, prosperity, and a bright future ahead.

This passage ends by capturing in the reader’s mind the image of Thúy Vân, a goddess-like beauty depicted with refined poetic language, vivid imagery, and poetic devices skillfully employed. The hidden meaning behind this portrait is a deep respect and admiration for the woman, especially as expressed by Nguyễn Du, the great national poet of Vietnam. The more one reads and understands this passage, the greater their admiration for Nguyễn Du and the subtleties of the Vietnamese language.

Reading this passage, and reflecting deeply on the verses, I cannot help but imagine replacing a few words from the poem, echoing the thoughts of this great poet:

“Centuries from now
The world will still remember Tố Như”

The beauty of Thúy Vân has been immortalized by Nguyễn Du through the next four lines in the excerpt from "Thúy Kiều’s Sisters." Under Nguyễn Du’s masterful pen, the image of Vân gradually comes to life in front of the reader:

“Vân appears in a dignified and graceful way.”

The words “dignified” evoke a sense of aristocratic beauty, grace, and modesty that defines Thúy Vân’s character. Nguyễn Du portrays her beauty in meticulous detail, using simple strokes to capture the essence of her features. Through the rhetorical device of listing, Vân’s beauty is revealed comprehensively, from her face, her brows, skin, hair, smile, voice, to her demeanor, all crafted as if by the hands of nature. Her beauty is likened to the purity and elegance of the moon, flowers, clouds, jewels, and snow, making her a peerless beauty:

“The rounded moonlike face, the blossoming smile
Her laughter, like jewels, speaks with grace
The clouds pale next to her hair, snow gives way to her skin.”

Vân’s face is round, pure like a full moon. Prominently featured are her thick, dark brows, reminiscent of the delicate beauty of a young maiden. Through the symbolic method of using nature’s beauty to illustrate that of a person, Nguyễn Du conveys Thúy Vân’s image as a young girl in the prime of her youth, with a fresh, vibrant, and gentle beauty. Her smile is as radiant as flowers, and her voice is as pure as jade, emanating from her pearly white teeth.

Her hair flows smoothly and is shinier than the clouds, and her skin is fairer than snow. Vân’s beauty surpasses even nature’s own splendor, yet she harmonizes with it—“clouds pale,” “snow gives way.” The choice of words “pale” and “give way” skillfully indicates that Thúy Vân’s beauty is a divine gift from nature, perfectly aligned with the aesthetic ideals of the feudal society of that time.

Moreover, this portrait of Thúy Vân also carries with it a sense of fate. Could it be that Nguyễn Du is subtly predicting that Vân’s life will be calm and free from turbulence?

Nguyễn Du demonstrates his brilliance in using the symbolic style to define Thúy Vân’s beauty. By making nature the standard of beauty for humans, he portrays Vân’s beauty as so perfect that nature itself has to “pale” and “give way.” And indeed, the soft, graceful beauty of Thúy Vân foreshadows a life of serenity and peace, free from adversity.

“The Sisters Thúy Kiều” is an excerpt from the epic novel *Truyện Kiều*, considered the masterpiece of the great poet Nguyễn Du. This excerpt focuses on the two sisters, Vân and Kiều, highlighting the distinct beauty each of them possesses. While Thúy Kiều’s beauty surpasses that of her sister, Thúy Vân still shines like a flower in bloom. Though their appearances are similar, their lives diverge, with Thúy Kiều facing a tragic fate, while Vân is blessed with a life of peace and tranquility.

Nguyễn Du has written many valuable works, and in this piece, he beautifully portrays the characters of Thúy Vân and Thúy Kiều as two idealized, flawless women. Through these characters, he conveys both physical beauty and the contrasting destinies of these two women. By using idealization and symbolic contrasts, Nguyễn Du depicts the pristine, quintessential beauty of these Eastern ideals:

“The eldest of two stunning sisters,
Thúy Kiều the elder, Thúy Vân the younger.
With refined grace and a spirit pure as snow,
Each with her own charm, both flawless in their glow.”

When analyzing Thúy Vân’s beauty, one can see that she embodies purity and grace. As the firstborn daughter, both sisters are described as paragons of feminine beauty. The phrase “tố nga” refers to a beautiful girl from ancient times, and both Thúy Kiều and Thúy Vân are models of perfection, blending outer beauty with inner goodness. While it’s often thought that beautiful women must face hardship and sorrow, Thúy Vân’s beauty is serene, and she leads a peaceful life.

Nguyễn Du depicts Thúy Vân’s beauty using metaphors like “plum blossoms” and “snow,” creating an image of natural and perfect beauty. Through the technique of idealization, the poet enhances her beauty, comparing her to flowers, snow, and jade. If beauty were to be rated on a scale of ten, Thúy Vân would score a perfect ten.

“Vân appears in dignified grace,
Her face round and full, with brows set in place.
A smile like flowers, voice like jade, so sweet,
Her hair more lustrous than clouds, her skin pure and neat.”

Thúy Vân exudes nobility, elegance, and grace. Her face is round and radiant like a full moon. Her thick brows accentuate her features, drawing attention to her serene expression. Her smile is as radiant as a flower, and her voice is soft, clear, and melodious. Her beauty surpasses even nature’s standards: “clouds pale in comparison to her hair, snow gives way to her skin.” These metaphors suggest that Thúy Vân’s beauty is so divine that even nature itself seems to yield to it. Her future promises a life of harmony and peace.

Through the analysis of Thúy Vân’s beauty, we can see that she is a flawless example of feminine grace. Nguyễn Du uses idealization, anthropomorphism, and metaphor to describe her, placing her beauty above all natural standards. The portrayal of Thúy Vân in *Truyện Kiều* is vivid and authentic, making her a captivating figure in the poem. Her beauty, untainted by the hardships of feudal society, is the epitome of idealized feminine beauty. Unlike her sister, Thúy Vân’s future seems destined to be peaceful, free from the turmoil faced by Thúy Kiều.

In analyzing Thúy Vân’s beauty, we understand that she is a picture of innocence and grace. The excerpt from *The Sisters Thúy Kiều* brings out the stunning beauty of both sisters. Through his masterful use of literary techniques, Nguyễn Du successfully portrays Thúy Vân, celebrating both her external beauty and the innate goodness of her character.

There is an old saying, "A beauty that can make rivers and cities bow." In history, such beauty is rare. Perhaps one could think of figures like Tây Thi or Điêu Thuyền... But for many, the character whose beauty is often immortalized in this way is Thúy Kiều from *Truyện Kiều* by Nguyễn Du. Alongside her remarkable beauty, there is also the beauty of her younger sister, Thúy Vân, who is also skillfully portrayed by Nguyễn Du with deep, subtle meanings.

To understand the portrait of Thúy Vân, we must first explore the opening lines that introduce the fates of the two sisters:

“The firstborn of two stunning sisters,
Thúy Kiều the elder, Thúy Vân the younger.”

The two beauties are the firstborn daughters of Mr. Vương. The elder sister is Thúy Kiều, and the younger one is Thúy Vân. Both are like precious jewels bestowed by heaven to their family. Their beauty is unparalleled in the world. Not only are they physically beautiful, but their hearts are pure and gentle like the delicate snow, soft and graceful like the plum blossom. It is impossible to compare the beauty of these two women, for “Each has her own unique charm, both flawless in their own way.”

Nguyễn Du begins by painting a vivid portrait of Thúy Vân, the younger sister, who is portrayed as carefree and serene. Thúy Vân’s beauty is full, blossoming, and suggests a life of peace:

“Vân appears in dignified grace,
Her face round and full, with brows set in place.
A smile like flowers, voice like jade, so sweet,
Her hair more lustrous than clouds, her skin pure and neat.”

Thúy Vân’s beauty is one of grace, roundness, and dignity. We can imagine her with a face full of warmth and compassion, her natural, beautiful eyebrows highlighting her features. As the saying goes, “A person’s hair and teeth are a reflection of their character,” and Thúy Vân is described as having perfect teeth and a bright smile. Her smile, as radiant as a flower, exudes an innocence and sweetness that draws others to her. Her hair flows gently like the clouds, and her skin is as white and smooth as snow. Through these images, Nguyễn Du paints a portrait of Thúy Vân as a woman whose beauty is both serene and compassionate. The use of words like “surpasses” and “yields” suggests that her life will be peaceful, unmarred by the trials and tribulations that might challenge others.

Through this portrayal, Nguyễn Du demonstrates his artistic mastery. He has crafted a picture that not only makes the reader admire but also predict the tranquil life that awaits Thúy Vân. This is the art of painting with words that Nguyễn Du has brought to life for us.

*Truyện Kiều* is the most famous work in the career of the great poet Nguyễn Du. It tells the tragic story of Thúy Kiều, a beautiful and talented girl whose life is filled with hardship and misfortune. Nguyễn Du’s masterpiece not only critiques the corrupt society of the time but also demonstrates his deep humanitarian spirit and empathy through vivid depictions of beauty, talent, and the moral character of his characters.

The excerpt from *Chị em Thúy Kiều* showcases Nguyễn Du’s exceptional skill, as well as his respectful admiration for the “flawless” beauty of the two sisters, Thúy Kiều and Thúy Vân. While Thúy Kiều remains the central character, the poet also paints a vivid and memorable picture of Thúy Vân’s beauty, which complements that of her sister.

The poet begins by briefly introducing the background, social status, and exceptional beauty of the two sisters, Thúy Kiều and Thúy Vân.

“The firstborn of two stunning sisters,
Thúy Kiều the elder, Thúy Vân the younger.
Her figure like the plum blossom, her spirit like the snow,
Each with her own unique charm, both flawless in their way.”

Thúy Vân is the younger daughter in the Vương family, the sister of Thúy Kiều. The phrase “Ả tố nga” refers to beautiful women. Through the use of symbolic and allegorical imagery, combined with inversion, Nguyễn Du creates a powerful impression of the beauty of both sisters.

Both Thúy Kiều and Thúy Vân possess extraordinary beauty, with gentle, graceful figures like the plum blossom and pure hearts like snow. Both are stunningly beautiful, “flawless in every way,” yet they each possess their own distinct charm.

Nguyễn Du focuses on describing Thúy Vân’s beauty in the following four lines of the excerpt:

“Vân appears in dignified grace,
Her face round and full, with brows set in place.
A smile like flowers, voice like jade, so sweet,
Her hair more lustrous than clouds, her skin pure and neat.”

“Dignified” evokes an image of nobility and refinement. Thúy Vân is portrayed in Nguyễn Du’s verses as a beautiful and gentle maiden, with a serene and graceful demeanor befitting a lady of noble birth. The poet uses traditional, symbolic imagery such as “flowers,” “jade,” “clouds,” and “snow” to create a vivid portrait of Thúy Vân’s beauty.

Thúy Vân is a graceful, gentle beauty with a round, full face like the moon, long, dark eyebrows resembling those of a noble lady. Her smile, bright and fresh like a flower, shines with a rare and modest charm. Her voice, pure and melodious like jade, adds to the overall sense of grace. The poet also emphasizes her hair and skin:

“Her hair outshines the clouds, her skin surpasses snow.”

Thúy Vân’s beauty is depicted as a “masterpiece” of creation. Her physical perfection is so remarkable that even nature’s most beautiful elements, such as clouds and snow, seem to pale in comparison. Her hair flows gently, soft and smooth like the clouds, and her skin is fair and flawless like snow. Here, Nguyễn Du uses nature to highlight the beauty of his subject, drawing a parallel between the pristine qualities of both the natural world and Thúy Vân.

The lines “Her hair outshines the clouds, her skin surpasses snow” not only emphasize Thúy Vân’s beauty but also foreshadow her calm and harmonious life. Her exceptional beauty is perfectly in tune with the ideals of beauty in the ancient world, representing grace, balance, and natural harmony.

The words “outshines” and “surpasses” not only describe her beauty, which is more radiant than the clouds and snow, but also subtly hint at her life’s future—one filled with peace and tranquility, free from the turbulence and suffering that afflict others.

Through these four short lines, Nguyễn Du has successfully painted a stunning portrait of Thúy Vân, a young woman in the prime of life, with a beauty that is elegant, graceful, and perfectly balanced. Thanks to the poet’s skillful pen, readers not only admire Thúy Vân’s flawless beauty but also sense the promise of a peaceful and calm life ahead for her.

In the history of ancient Vietnamese literature, *Truyện Kiều* by Nguyễn Du is considered a literary gem. The work is celebrated not only for its captivating plot, eloquent prose, sharp critique, and noble humanitarian values, but also for the vivid, beautiful portrayal of its characters. Among these characters, those closest to the author's heart—such as Thúy Vân and Thúy Kiều—stand out. Through brief yet profound verses, Thúy Vân, the younger sister, is depicted in a way that deeply resonates with the reader.

From the very beginning of *Truyện Kiều*, Nguyễn Du masterfully sketches the portrait of the two sisters, Thúy Kiều and Thúy Vân:

“The firstborn of two beautiful sisters,
Thúy Kiều the elder, Thúy Vân the younger,
Her figure like the plum blossom, her spirit like the snow,
Each with her own unique charm, both flawless in their way.”

The mention of plum blossoms symbolizes delicacy and elegance, while snow represents purity and cleanliness. Both the plum and the snow are beautiful in their own right. The poet compares the sisters' beauty to these elements, describing them as perfectly graceful, each “flawless in every way.” Then, the author moves on to describe Thúy Vân's beauty:

“Vân appears in dignified grace,
Her face round and full, with brows set in place,
A smile like flowers, voice like jade, so sweet,
Her hair more lustrous than clouds, her skin pure and neat.”

By using classical metaphors and symbolism, Nguyễn Du paints a portrait of Thúy Vân that reflects an extraordinary beauty. Her face is full and round like the full moon, her brows are gracefully curved like the wings of a dragonfly. Her smile shines as brightly as a flower, her voice resonates with the purity of jade. Her skin is so smooth and flawless that it surpasses even the snow. Thúy Vân's beauty exudes grace, gentleness, and an almost divine charm. Nguyễn Du's portrayal of her is simply breathtaking.

Reading this passage stirs deep admiration not only for Thúy Vân’s exceptional beauty but also for Nguyễn Du's literary brilliance. He has seamlessly blended classical poetic techniques with creativity, delivering a powerful and vivid portrayal.

Nguyễn Du’s description of Thúy Vân moves the reader because his skill in character portrayal is so distinct and exemplary. Every character he describes, whether good or bad, whether the protagonist or antagonist, is painted in a way that their inner essence shines through their outward appearance. The art of character development, particularly in the case of Thúy Vân, is something we should all respect and learn from.

The beauty of Thúy Vân is vividly captured by Nguyễn Du in four subsequent lines from the excerpt *Chị em Thúy Kiều*. With his masterful pen, Nguyễn Du brings Thúy Vân to life for the reader: "Vân appears in dignified grace." The phrase "dignified grace" evokes an image of a noble, refined, and modest beauty. Nguyễn Du paints this beauty with delicate, subtle strokes, focusing on the smallest details. Through a technique of enumeration, he illustrates Vân’s beauty in its entirety, encompassing her face, her brows, her skin, her hair, her smile, her voice, and even her demeanor—all crafted by the hand of nature itself. Her beauty is compared to the most precious symbols of purity—moonlight, flowers, clouds, jade, and snow—making Thúy Vân a truly extraordinary woman.

"Her face round like the full moon, her brows elegantly arched
A smile as bright as a blooming flower, her voice soft as jade
Her hair surpasses the clouds, her skin whiter than snow."

Vân has a round, radiant face, as pure as the full moon. Upon this face rests a pair of dark, graceful brows, reminiscent of the delicate wings of a dragonfly, conveying an image of gentleness and femininity. Using symbolic metaphors derived from nature, Nguyễn Du brings forth the image of Thúy Vân as a young girl in her prime, embodying a fresh, vibrant beauty that radiates innocence and grace. Her smile is as bright as the blossoming flowers, and her voice is as clear and pure as jade. Her hair flows more smoothly than the clouds in the sky, and her skin is smoother and whiter than snow. Thúy Vân’s beauty surpasses even the grandeur of nature, yet it harmonizes perfectly with it—"clouds bow to her hair" and "snow yields to her skin." The use of "bow" and "yield" reflects the seamless integration of her beauty with the natural world, making her appearance ideal according to the aesthetic values of the past.

Not only does her beauty embody the ideal of nature, but Thúy Vân’s portrait also carries a deeper, prophetic significance. Could it be that Nguyễn Du, through his poetic vision, foresaw that she would lead a life of tranquility, untouched by the storms of fate?

In *Truyện Kiều*, Nguyễn Du doesn't necessarily describe Thúy Vân's beauty in minute detail, yet her exquisite appearance is still vivid in the reader’s mind.

Thúy Vân is often remembered as the perfect support for Nguyễn Du to elevate the beauty of her sister, Thúy Kiều. However, the beauty built through words like "dignified," "full-figured," "elegantly arched," "modestly poised," "clouds bowing to her hair," and "snow yielding to her skin" is already quite remarkable. Her beauty evokes deep admiration, affection, and a sense of respect from those around her. Through Nguyễn Du's verses, Thúy Vân shines as a beautiful image.

At the very beginning of *Truyện Kiều*, Nguyễn Du masterfully portrays the beauty of the two sisters:

"Firstborn, two beauties fair
Thúy Kiều is the elder, Thúy Vân the younger
Like the elegance of plum blossoms, like the purity of snow
Each possessing unique beauty, flawless and rare."

This is a stunning portrait of the two girls, with their beauty symbolized by the purity of plum blossoms and the snow, reflecting their graceful, noble nature. Nguyễn Du then elaborates on the beauty of Thúy Vân:

"Thúy Vân appears in dignified grace
Her face round and radiant, her brows gracefully arched
Her smile like a blooming flower, her voice like the ring of jade
Her hair more lustrous than the clouds, her skin whiter than snow."

Thúy Vân’s beauty gradually unfolds in Nguyễn Du's skillful portrayal. With the phrase “dignified grace,” the poet emphasizes her noble, refined beauty. Nguyễn Du then focuses on her details, where every feature embodies the highest standard of earthly beauty. Her face shines like the full moon.

Her delicate brows, dark and vivid like the wings of a butterfly, add to her elegance. Her smile is as radiant as a fresh bloom, and her voice, sweet and pure like the ringing of jade. Her hair flows like the softest cloud, and her skin is as pale as snow. Through classical symbolic techniques, Nguyễn Du skillfully paints Thúy Vân’s beauty.

The poet uses nature’s beauty as the standard to describe human beauty, yet Nguyễn Du’s innovation shines through as he weaves in personification, metaphor, and comparisons that make Thúy Vân’s portrait come to life, more vibrant than ever. Her serene beauty is so harmonious that nature itself seems to bow to her, yielding its splendor.

Her beauty arouses a sense of admiration and reverence in others. It is a beauty that captivates the more you gaze at it, a delicate and refined charm typical of young maidens. Thúy Vân’s beauty transcends the ordinary, achieving an almost celestial perfection.

In depicting Thúy Vân’s beauty, Nguyễn Du subtly foreshadows her peaceful and uneventful future, contrasting with the more turbulent life of her sister. As the story progresses, Thúy Vân’s life indeed remains far less troubled and more serene than Thúy Kiều’s.