The Tale of Kieu by Ngyuen Du Summary and Analysis (A Vietnamese Classic)

[@aatuylisuvanto9460]

Thank you for these videos of yours! As a Literature Major, you give me rare and previously unknown works of Literature! :) It's also amazing to discover new narrative poems as well as new rhyme schemes! :)

[@Fiction_Beast]

A beautiful comment. Thanks so much!

[@MrMattirving]

A country that I have called home for the past two years, Viet Nam never ceases to confuse, seduce and frustrate me. I bought this book last year and this morning I read it in one sitting. I am over 40 and the last time I did that was as a kid. The story is enchanting and unputdownable. I was moved to finally read this after a conversation with an IELTS class I teach in Ho Chi Minh City. We were talking about Vietnamese folklore and The Song of Kieu came up. Then, one heavily annotated copy after the next appeared in the Zoom gallery. The kids are studying it for mid-term exams and wanted to know my opinion on it. Explaining I need to finish reading it, we agreed on a mini in-class book crit this coming week. The Song of Kieu is central to most, perhaps all, Vietnamese literature classes I learned. But what has really affected me is the way this story reveals a lot of hidden truths about the Vietnamese culture. The 'just get on with life' attitude with little time for wallowing in self-pity is prevalent through all my relationships with Vietnamese people. And it really is a 'mature attitude' as you say. To add to the themes already discussed, I would throw romanticism into the mix. There are expected levels of chivalry today concerning the matters of love which are seen throughout Kieu's story. There's a lot still for me to unpack but I am excited to make an authentic cultural connection over literature with my students. Same same story but painted with different poetic brushes (original vs translation). Your review was sympathetic and insightful. Subscribed and liked.

[@Fiction_Beast]

Thank you, Matt! That is a really wonderful comment and really appreciate you subscribing. I loved the book and I found the translation really beautifully done. Yes, literature does allow a deeper connection with people. I do hope to visit the country one day.

[@southoceann]

Amazing analysis of the book! We learn short paragraphs of this in school but rarely do the students have enough interest to find out the entire story. Only because of your video did I learn the full tale of Kieu. This means a lot to me, thank you!

[@BarbaraMiller-p4r]

Thank you for this history lesson and your humor. Very much enjoyed.

[@pranil_ghadi]

Thanks for the recommendations. I am really glad that I found your Channel.

[@Fiction_Beast]

Really great to hear that! I’m mostly alone so always wonderful to read your comments.

[@Fiction_Beast]

They are all on my list. Thank you for reminding me.

[@vudiem838]

Khi bạn thành thạo tiếng Việt bạn phải biết rằng Nguyễn Du sử dụng từ ngữ rất điêu luyện ,gợi hình,gợi cảm.Rất nhiều người Việt cũng không cảm nhận được cái hay cái đẹp của Truyện Kiều do văn hóa Việt Nam ngày nay có một phần không nhỏ bị ảnh hưởng bởi văn hóa Tây phương .Tiếng Việt là một ngôn ngữ nghe như tiếng hát giống như một số ngôn ngữ khác.Thể thơ lục bát là thể thơ truyền thống của chúng tôi,sắp xếp xen kẽ ,có vần điệu hài hòa."Truyện Kiều" được gọi là quốc hồn của Việt Nam.QUan điểm của các bạn về Truyện Kiều hơi khác biệt với chúng tôi nhưng tôi rất hoan nghênh khi 1 tác phẩm của chúng tôi được bạn bè thế giới quan tâm.Hi vọng các bạn sẽ gắn bó với văn học Việt Nam nhiều hơn nữa

[@aria_ntu]

Vietnam is a country with great potential. It will become a developed country like South Korea in 20 years. As a Chinese, I am optimistic about Vietnam.

[@sharontheodore8216]

I wonder if the chaste heroine, who despite herself finds herself constantly violated, is actually Vietnam itself who has been subjected to so many invasions (especially by China) as well as internal strifes. Had this story been written a century later, it would have been far less lyrical and poetic. Vietnam looks so beautiful.

[@Fiction_Beast]

That's a really interesting parallel between Kieu and the country. I didnt think of that. I agree if it were written it might have had a very different feel to it.

[@Gb-be9bn]

Not really. Because Nguyễn Du didn't write the story, the story is from a Chinese novel (I've read the original Chinese novel and there was virtually no differences between them in term of plot) Translating Chinese story into Vietnamese 6-8 verses was actually pretty common, Nguyễn Du was not the first and neither was he the last one to do it

[@tonkinthehanoian1843]

I think that Chinese history also have this similarity being up and downs that much.

[@QuangThangBui-tl2bw]

@Gb-be9n You're wright. Nguyen Du didn't write the story but recreated that Chinese story in form of the "6-8" verse. But you are wrong, so does the video-maker, when put it down as "translation". From prose to verse or vice verisa is not merely a process of translation in the strict sense of this word. Many others rewrited Chinese stories into Vietnamese but no one except Nguyen Du could turn a mediocre work into a beautifully crafted masterpiece.

[@anhph1992]

Thanks for your humor and the eyes sight of Kieu as literature lovers. She represented for women who has been being suffered for multiple benefits without living for herself, saddly the deepest desire are concerned to these circumcisions all the time especially in the countries of Asia culture.

[@eajayy8969]

I agree that in her moments of sorrow and fate she was resilient, but she was quite the opposite of committed. Often did she seek the easy way out (suicide), and her relationship with Thuc made it all but clear that Kim was no longer on her mind. I also agree that her naiveness and overzealous behavior has given her much more suffering than what would’ve been otherwise.

[@bartonwilliams9815]

Thank you for this great summary and analysis!

[@shannonsnyder7078]

Thank you for this video. It was very informative and artfully done.

[@donaldkelly3983]

As a teacher with Vietnamese students in my class, I have been researching Vietnamese folk lore and literature. Learning about their national epic has been a great help! Thanks!

[@Fiction_Beast]

Thanks for sharing! It always makes me happy people watching my videos.

[@ondrejkrump7576]

This book looks great! I've put it on my reading list! Thank you for the review.

[@Fiction_Beast]

It really is a great story told in beautiful verses. You can't go wrong.

[@manhnguyen5]

I like this video talking about Kieu, very much.

[@donutswithlotsofsugar]

Truyện Kiều or The tale of Kiều is my favorite poem and I'm really happy to know that foreigners are reading and likes to learn about it. P/S: The name "Nguyễn" is pronounced "Nu-Wen" in Vietnamese. I'm not making fun of your Vietnamese accent, I just wanna help you with pronouncing "Nguyễn" next time.

[@Fiction_Beast]

I really appreciate you correcting my pronanciation. I have to be honest, i looked up the pronanciation and still got it wrong. Yeah next time i will make sure. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@raycarns7971]

I haven't read any Vietnamese literature. This book sounds like a good place to start, especially as it is written in "novel verse" or "epic poem" form.

[@Fiction_Beast]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@andreasobieszek270]

Actually I am Apolinary Sobieszek using my wife's mobile for KZbin. It was very interesting for me to learn about this Vietnamese epic and a little about your country history. During my study in Poland, I have had a Vietnamese friend, who was learning Polish and later on made Dr degree in Poland. You realize that it was during the Vietnam War. A year later I continued my study in Leningrad and tried to help his wife in Vietnam and continued to my contact with him during my vacations in Poland. What I would like to emphasize is that there appears to be some similarities between the Polish and Vietnamese history and even the literature. Would you agree? Apolinary

[@Fiction_Beast]

I agree both countries are next door to a big country as their neighbour, so plenty of influence, good and bad of course. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

[@Suite_annamite]

Indeed, both Poland and Vietnam also have intimate connections to both France and Russia, but in totally different ways.

[@destykins]

What is the problem with selling raw silk?

[@riczabethnieto682]

Excelente video!

[@vilniusriga2654]

I hope more will be make about Vietnam! I just wanna know where you learn those things about the spirit of Vietnam and especially about hope.

[@Fiction_Beast]

I did some research online. I read a lot of cultural notes on the country.

[@vilniusriga2654]

@@Fiction_Beast do you still got the names of thoses ?

[@dollystephaniejomento2047]

very informative

[@user-or7ji5hv8y]

Fascinating

[@Fiction_Beast]

Thank you!

[@nemueloliveros8954]

I'm curious with the book. I hope I can win one and read. Thank you!

[@Fiction_Beast]

The winner was announced already. It was only open for a week. I only had one copy unfortunately. I hope you can find a copy to read.

[@nemueloliveros8954]

@@Fiction_Beast It's okay. Thank you so much still! 😍

[@sharadhiurs108]

Hey Matt, great video as usual. Would love to know your thoughts on Indian Literature.

[@Fiction_Beast]

Thank you so much! A while back I reviewed the white tiger, a more recent novel.

[@Fiction_Beast]

Congratulations! Your comment on this video has won you a copy of the Tale of Kieu so please send me a message on instagram DM or twitter telling me your me your address. I will try to send it as soon as possible.

[@mcbmghome]

Thanks for the story. I'm trying to understand my wife's culture.

[@Fiction_Beast]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@mrcoffy1]

keep it up! i love to see literature from other places, sortir un peu d'Europe

[@Fiction_Beast]

If you have any suggestions let me know.

[@mrcoffy1]

@@Fiction_Beast i've always wondered about the kebra nagast of ethiopia

[@Fiction_Beast]

@@mrcoffy1 Wonderful suggestion. Just googled it, it sounds really intriguing text. Thanks!

[@prathameshghadi2236]

Loved your recommendations. Keep it up. Also Thanks for the giveaway. Hope to win.

[@Fiction_Beast]

Thank you!

[@QuangThangBui-tl2bw]

Thank you for your wonderful introduction of TRUYỆN KIỀU. Yet, I beg to disagree with you on some points: 1. Nguyen Du didn't make a "translation" from a Chinese story. He rewrited a prose-style story in form of verse. Prose-to-verse and vice versa is not merely a process of "translation" in the strict sense of that word, it's recreation, adaptation... What's more, Nguyen Du turned a mediocre work into a masterpiece. That's why TRUYỆN KIỀU by Nguyễn Du is listed in many collection of classical literature while the Chinese story went almost unknown except being refered to as the original plot. 2. In the video, you don't mention Thuy Van - the younger sister of Thuy Kieu. Thuy Van, in a self-sacrifice coloured attempt to fulfill her sister's will, became the wife of her sister's lover. In the finale, upon Thuy Kieu's return, Thuy Van wanted to step back, giving the title "the first lady" over to her sister Thuy Kieu (polygamous era) in order to make up for her sister previous miserable part of life, also in return to what her sister's self-sacrifice for the family. So was the will of Kim Trong - the husband, and the whole family. However, Thuy Kieu refused such offer. Thuy Kieu and Kim Trong didn't lead a kind of non-sexual matrimony. Thuy Kieu agreed only to be his "soulmate" to exchange ideas in poetry, music etc... which in feudal ideology was far superior to matrimonial tie. Thus they created a unique beautiful love triangle and that's why the story is sometimes title THE STORY OF KIM - VAN - KIEU.