The Tale of Kiều

My Great Books Book Club chose “The Tale of Kieu” for our June 2017 selection. We have read a lot of dead white guys, as one does in the Great Books tradition, but we like to mix in titles that are great, if not officially Great.

I shall begin with a synopsis from a friend who grew up and lived in Vietnam and described this as the pearl of Vietnamese literature and a compulsory read/nightmare of middle school:

“This Kieu girl is supposed to be like the most beautiful girl in Vietnam back in the day, but got sold into a brothel like 3 times in a row, meeting several men and then in the end got reunited with the love of her life, who married her sister lol.”

Indeed!

This epic poem (and bodice ripper!) was beautifully written and came with excellent footnotes explaining references to Chinese literature and explaining metaphors, some of which were familiar and some of which weren't. The pacing is fast and full of adventure.

First released as hand-written manuscripts and later published in book form, “The Take of Kieu” has been popular with Vietnamese and should be part of American curriculums.

What's interesting is the lack of children in the story. Was Kieu sterile or had she learned tricks at the houses of mirth? Did her sister ever have children? Despite all the references to flowers and fruit, It seemed odd that not one child shows up anywhere unless it's because the story is an allegory. Vietnam was repeatedly colonized and enslaved, so perhaps the lack of children represents the hopeless feeling of subjugation: What does it matter if the future is bleak and controlled by cruel masters?

It's interesting that Nguyen Du decided to use this story as the basis for an epic poem. As a public servant who had qualms about who he was serving, perhaps he identified with Kieu and her plight. Is he, in fact, the narrator of the novel?

We had some discussion about who the biggest jerk in the story is. In my opinion, it's Thuc; if he'd been honest with his wife, we know from her inner thoughts that she would have been okay with a second wife. But, because Thuc was a chicken, she had to roust out her henchman and drag Kieu through some rough times. He never sticks up for Kieu, which is what she predicted at the outset of their relationship. And that's why you listen to your gut instinct!!

Which leads to another question: was Kieu truly a blade of grass buffeted by wind and water, or was she an opportunist? Was she following Confuscionism, or were her choices limited as a beautiful woman with bound feet?

When she has a strong man behind her, the warlord Tu, she brings those who have done her wrong to justice. However, she never sends money or otherwise checks on her parents during this five-year period, which the group found odd. While we know she avoids her young love, Kim, because of the shame in breaking their promise, surely there would have been no shame in sending her parents anonymous gifts.



Below are the discussion questions that another member put together for today's meeting:

1. How would you classify the genre of Tale of Kieu, and why? Does it remind you of any Western literary work?

2. Discuss Kieu's belief system. What is her religion? Does her motivation seem bewildering? When is the one time she lets herself be corrupted?

3. Are there inconsistencies in the narrative? In Kieu's decision-making? For instance, why doesn't she try to return home during her periods of freedom?

4. What surprised you as you read the Tale? Was it difficult to understand the metaphors and references?

5. Who seems to be narrating the Tale? What is his point of view? Is he a reliable narrator?

6. Why do you think Kieu is childless? Did you notice any children at all in the story? What was your understanding of women's roles in the Tale?

7. How do you think this poem was received by the public in 1813? Why has it continued to be so popular?

8. Which man in the story was the most unlikeable? Which woman?

9. Did the ending seem believeable? Which characters seem universally understandable and which are culture-bound?

10. How is Kieu the personification of Vietnamese culture?