Readings: Taylor, The Birth of Vietnam, 1-44
Duiker, Vietnam: Revolution in Transition, 15-29
Nguyen Du, The Tale of Kieu

 

1) Taylor analyzes the story of Au Co and Lac Long Quan as follows: "This theme of the local culture hero neutralizing a northern threat by appropriating its source of legitimacy foreshadowed the historical relationship between the Vietnamese and the Chinese" (1). Looking at the history related by Taylor and Duiker, as well as the circumstances surrounding the composition of the Tale of Kieu, what specific episodes support Taylor's claim? What impact has this strategy had on Vietnamese identity?

2) What gender roles and expectations are expressed in the The Tale of Kieu? What about the story of the Trung Sisters? How do these compare to the way gender roles are described by Neil Jamieson in the reading for last week?

3) How does The Tale of Kieu treat the topics of fate, talent, and Heaven's will? Why do you think this treatment is so meaningful to so many Vietnamese?

4) In his introduction, Huynh Sanh Thong suggests that Kieu can also be read as an allegory about political loyalty and political power. What do you see as the poem's political messages?

 

For more information, contact:  aleshkow@holycross.edu