Gender Talk #6: Images of Vietnamese women in Vietnamese and foreign literature: Timeless representation and continuous transformation

May 4, 2021

On October 31, 2019, Hoa Sen University organized a seminar on gender and gender equality – Gender Talk #6 with the topic: Vietnamese Women in Foreign and Local Literature: Timeless Representation, Endless Transformation: Secondary images Vietnamese women in Vietnamese and foreign literature: Timeless representation and continuous transformation by Dr. Christopher Dennis-Delacour, lecturer at Hoa Sen University, presented.

Gender Talk #6 focuses on the topic of gender and the role of women through literary works such as: The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du (1766–1820), Printemps Inachevé by Ly Thu Ho (1962), Métisse Blanche by Kim Lefèvre ( 1989), Red on Gold by Nam Phuong (1991), A Lonely Place by Duong Thu Huong (2002), Love, Crime and Punishment by Nguyen Huy Thiep (1989-1995), Ordinary Days by Duong Phuong Vinh (1994) , When People Are Young by Phan Thi Vang Anh (1993), Endless Fields by Nguyen Ngoc Tu (2006), Short Girls by Bich Minh Nguyen (2009), Love Like Hate by Linh Dinh (2010).

At the beginning, Mr. Christopher emphasized the origins of gender awareness, myths and continuous changes in Vietnamese and foreign literary works. For example, the work The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du. The character Thuy Kieu is described as a talented and beautiful girl, but had to sell herself to save her father. Thuy Kieu and Kim Trong have a beautiful and romantic love, but there is also too much tragedy and suffering. Although Thuy Kieu is talented, hardworking, and sharp, she is not beyond the concept of three obediences and four virtues. This concept believes that women cannot escape their female fate, especially the word “virgin” has tied women in general and Kieu in particular in a state of pain and torment. The concept of virginity is taught and passed down from generation to generation, it slowly permeates, deeply rooted in everyone’s awareness. The word virginity in feudal society is only for women and this concept of inequality leads to decisions full of barriers for women if they intend to move towards true freedom and happiness.

Turning to the topic of women in war or women after war in works such as: Red on Gold by Nam Phuong (1991), Lonely Place by Duong Thu Huong (2002), Love, Crime and Punishment by Nguyen Huy Thiep (1989-1995). In the second half of the 80s of the twentieth century, the phenomenon of Nguyen Huy Thiep appeared in Vietnamese literature. The writer writes about naked, unvarnished, unvarnished real life. From a feminist perspective, the work Love, Crime and Punishment describes people who are rejected by society – criminals, poor people and their children. It is social prejudices that push them into an alienating, pragmatic, and conservative living environment, causing them to become “mentally dark” and unable to awaken or liberate their own thoughts. .

Next is the period of innovation, the work When People Are Young by Phan Thi Vang Anh presents the echoes of war, worries, concerns, and aspirations for love and affection of women in the face of drastic change. strength of society. In the work When We Are Young, the theme of love is a game, an adventure, a risk for women. With love, Vang Anh’s character is ultimately tormented in the “tragedy of self-awareness”. This shows that modern people have the ability to self-improve their personality and self-adjust their moral behavior to have the will to advance in life regardless of barriers related to the concept of inequality or gender prejudice. .

Finally, the presentation addresses the uncertainties of freedom, the future, chaos, and globalization. Nguyen Ngoc Tu’s work Endless Field is a typical example of this. The main relationship covering the entire story includes: Two children and the world of ducks. The characters Nuong and Dien create a strange relationship with the ducks. The work Endless Field contains perspectives on gender roles in work, the role of mother and wife of women in modern society. In addition, Endless Field is also an anxious but hopeless journey to find gender, love and gender harmony in a patriarchal society full of gender prejudice. Regardless of the era, women are always closely tied to the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. This perception is very difficult to “die”, difficult to break through because it is so common that people do not dare to do things differently, do not dare to look differently, do not dare to change and people easily assimilate themselves into stereotypes. gender of society. However, deep inside a woman’s heart is a struggle, a desire for freedom to try to express herself.

In short, literature allows us to convey the complexity of Vietnamese women’s unique souls, gender stereotypes, and the many changes in gender stereotypes (whether they are chosen or not) by communicating through main characters in different contexts. Exploring female characters through literature is an endless exploration. It helps us understand gender perception, representation, and gender roles and enriches knowledge about gender for humanities scientists and individuals interested in women. Literary genres create a subjective choice among writers regarding gender perspectives.

STUDENT & AUDIENCE FEELINGS ABOUT GENDER TALK #6:

Ma Gia Kim – HSU student : Gender Talk is a very useful, practical and interesting academic activity about the image of women. Gender Talk also shares unheard stories and I come to learn from everyone. The talk includes academic knowledge and incorporates real-life stories. Most of the conversations were in English and thanks to this Gender Talk session, I also improved my vocabulary. Once again, I would like to thank everyone in this Gender Talk session.

Vu Thi Hoang Dung – HSU student : I find it more interesting to understand literary works about the image of women through each period. From Nguyen Du’s The Tale of Kieu to the war period in the work Red on gold and then to the Doi Moi period in 1986 until now. In each period, women in society have a different perspective. For example, in The Tale of Kieu, Nguyen Du portrays a girl with perfect beauty but a miserable life whose life has been adrift for 15 years. Women in this period are always associated with the phrase “unfortunate beauty” having to sacrifice their lives to save their family, or in times of war, women are associated with the image of having no choice for themselves. . Mr. Christopher’s voice is both easy to listen to and attractive. The way he answers difficult questions like: “Why don’t you use images that are familiar to Vietnamese people like Ms. Dau, author Ho Xuan Huong, the poem Water Floating Cake or Suong Nguyet Anh? works that seem a bit strange to Vietnamese people? or “Should we change fairy tales because the hero images are mostly male?” and other pre-marital issues according to my personal opinion. Through that, I saw that not only the teacher but also other students have quite diverse views on gender issues in life. I learned how to appreciate women more and pity the fate of women who have been treated unfairly by society because of antiquated thoughts about gender discrimination. At the same time, I feel very lucky to be born in this society, a society where women are equal to men. Thank you very much Organizing Committee!

Nguyen Ha Phuong  shared, “The speaker introduced “Gender-Gender” as a large area discussed in literature. Gender equality is also a very important issue when appearing in movies, literature, or in everyday life. The image of Vietnamese women appears in literature and is constantly changing, building the origins of gender awareness, myth and transition: “The Tale of Kieu” (Nguyen Du), a Vietnamese literary masterpiece writing about the character Kieu. She is a beautiful, talented girl, she has everything going for her but has a miserable life. She had to sacrifice herself to save her family and was pushed into prostitution. Kieu’s lover is Kim Trong and he also loves her. But she refused the promise with Kim Trong to sacrifice for her father. That is also the weakness, sacrifice and destiny of women. Being beautiful and talented is also when difficulties come. That was in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is it still happening today? Perhaps it still appears in Vietnamese culture to this day. The speaker talked about Vietnamese culture being influenced by Confucius’s thought with the teaching of three obediences and four virtues.

Next, the work Printemps inachevé (Ly Thu Ho), the work shows the effects of more than three decades of war on Vietnamese families. When a woman’s sacrifice and desire for freedom becomes a punishment of virtue by traditional prejudice.

The work: “Métisse Blance” is about a mixed-race child, the result of the illegal love of a Tonkin woman and a French soldier who abandoned her. The story touched on facial recognition, racism, identity issues and migration.

For women in war, women after the war, Vietnamese women were separated from their husbands and children because they had to participate in combat. Women had to work alone, they had to take care of children, work in ambulance stations, hospitals, and sometimes as a way to escape from their husbands and children. After that, they left the country but always remembered their homeland. That is the transformation of Vietnamese women, those are new role models, witnesses to war, narrators of community, and memories.

The work: “Terre Des Oublis” tells about Mien, a young Vietnamese woman. The man she married fourteen years ago and who was said to have died a hero has returned. Meanwhile, Mien has remarried a wealthy landowner, whom she loves and with whom she has a child. But Bon, a communist veteran, demands his wife. Under pressure from the community, Mien returned to live with her first husband. The characters are victims of a society steeped in moral and political principles.

A notable timeline is 1986, the time when women no longer had to suffer from war, the time when Vietnam opened its doors to exchange. That also shows Vietnam’s support in protecting women’s rights. They need peace, an authentic life, and gender equality.

Ly Kim Nhung  – HSU student confided: “By participating in this conversation, I not only expanded my knowledge in the fields of history and literature, but I also learned more that Vietnamese women Nam had to experience the ancient society and the values ​​that were once buried in feudal society. Since ancient times, women have suffered many injustices, typically the character Kieu in The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du. Kieu had to sell her body to pay off her father’s debt and the hardships in life. Or like the character Nuong in the movie Endless Fields who was gang-raped but still resiliently gave birth to a child of unknown father. Just from literary and cinematic works, we can also understand some of the pain that resilient Vietnamese women have had to endure.

Currently, the world in general and Vietnam in particular has been increasingly changing, but in society there still exist many cases: wives being abused by their husbands or disagreements between mothers-in-law and children. The bride puts the woman in a difficult situation: moving out of her husband’s house with no money, no job, and sometimes no support. If this world is equal, then why do these injustices still happen to Vietnamese women? Even when there are people who have had to quit their jobs to stay at home to be housewives and take care of their families. Even though women sacrifice like that, sometimes what they receive in return is contempt from their husbands. Is it because we forgot to love ourselves first and accidentally gave others the right to hurt themselves?

After listening to Mr. Christopher discuss with the students, I got the answer that we are the masters of our lives and we have the right to decide it as well as how others treat us. . Writer Tene Edwards once made the observation: “Know your self-worth: You must find the courage to leave the table when respect is no longer served.” Maybe a new beginning will be difficult, but only self-love and hard work can take us to new horizons.

We need to get rid of the idea that if we sacrifice everything we have, we will receive love and respect in return. Each person needs to maintain their own values ​​and strength to steer their own boat of life. Unlike in the past, today everyone has the same opportunity to study and strive to take control of their own lives and not have to rely or depend on anyone. When we have enough intellectual power, we will be brave and confident enough to decide our destiny.

In addition, a topic I am also very interested in about this talk show is the issue of pre-marital relationships among young people. Nowadays, many young people have the wrong idea of ​​equating sex with love. Although sex and love are two indispensable things, sex is ultimately just the spice of love, and we only add spice when love is full. Having sex before or after marriage is not important, but the important thing is that we must be sure about our decisions and know how to protect ourselves from unhealthy relationships. It’s not only about the body, about each person’s own decisions, but also about the future behind.

I am very honored to participate in a meaningful talk show that has expanded every aspect of the value of Vietnamese women. I am looking forward to these upcoming talk shows and discussions between you and the teacher so I can practice my English skills and expand my knowledge.

Dao Nguyen Thanh Vy  – HSU student shared, “The seminar on Gender & Gender Equality Gender Talk is very meaningful because it helps me understand knowledge about gender and understand injustices against women from within.” Ancient societies still more or less exist today.”

Vu Minh Quan  talked about his feelings after attending the Gender Talk session as follows: “The workshop was very meaningful, it helped me better understand gender equality, especially through famous literary works that I have read.” ever learned. In addition, thanks to this seminar, I have more knowledge about gender, changing the way I view women.”

Vo Phuc Huynh Thuy Truc  said that she was lucky to have the opportunity to attend GENDER TALK #6: Vietnamese Women in Foreign and Local Literature: Timeless Representation, Endless Transformation. Through the seminar, I felt more deeply about the image of Vietnamese women in Vietnamese and foreign literature. I was very impressed with a friend’s question: why not talk about the image of Vietnamese women through characters learned in high school programs such as Ms. Dau, Ho Xuan Huong or Suong Nguyet Anh, but instead use works It can be said that it is quite new to some students, including me. She answered an idea that I really like, which is “think outside the box”. We are used to thinking in the same way, and listening to new analyzes and images different from what we already know has helped me understand a lot. Thank you Organizers and Speakers!

Nguyen Thi Thuy Hien  commented that, through attending Gender Talk #6, she felt that the talk helped her realize the value of women, have a more general view and identify women’s prejudices. society about women from past to present. Thank you Organizers and Speakers! 

Nguyen Bao Huy  confided as follows: First, I want to thank Ms. Ngoc and Mr. Christopher for creating this humane and meaningful lecture. Gender Talk #6 tells me what the role and position of women was like in the past and now through poems, stories or books both domestic and foreign. Through Gender Talk, I learned more about the treasures of knowledge of foreign and Vietnamese literature. Next comes the questions you ask. The teachers are very enthusiastic and love their students, answering each question very clearly and thoroughly. And what I appreciate and cherish the most is a touching moment from the teacher about a former student who had just passed away. Once again, thank you teacher and teacher.

Tran Thi My Trinh  said that after attending the Gender Talk session with her and Dr. Christopher Denis-Delacour, I find it very interesting and useful. Thank you for organizing such an interesting talk show so that I and my friends can have a lot of knowledge about Gender and Development. Thank you Organizing Committee and Teacher.

Dinh Thi Diem Phuong  shared, “Through literary works, we see that women in feudal society, despite their beauty and talent, do not have a happy ending in their lives.” me. As for ordinary women, they are also not happy. Many girls have suffered the situation of living as if they were dead in this world. Young, married but living like widows, they are essentially just unpaid servants, nothing more, nothing less. Female characters in works have almost no right to decide any issue. Through the image of a floating cake, Ho Xuan Huong spoke about the life and virtues of women: Like a floating cake, both white and round, it refers to the beauty of Vietnamese women. Although equally attractive, women’s fate depends on the hands of others. They have to resign themselves to their pre-arranged fate and in the end they can only try to keep for themselves one good quality, which is perseverance. clear determination. Ho Xuan Huong spoke up for women’s right to enjoy happiness and live in a warm family home. On the other hand, she also exposed the faces of the so-called writers and amateurs in feudal society. They have a hypocritical face and always appear to be virtuous but are actually the most lewd people. Speaking up for women’s right to life and happiness, at the same time, writers and poets also spoke out against the polygamy regime that has ruined the lives of many young girls. That is a sign of a severe feudal ideological rift that has existed for many generations.

In addition, in literary works, some writers have said that beautiful women will not have a beautiful ending – “Red beauty is doomed”, the most obvious expression is Nang Kieu – Nguyen Du. That beauty, which tilted over the water, then fell into a brothel, and then had her body trampled on by those disgusting men, living the last days of suffering. But a common characteristic of Vietnamese women at that time was the desire for love, the sobbing desire in their hearts that had never subsided, but how many dared to stand up and fight for it? However, writing about women is a great progress for authors of ancient Vietnamese literature. They recognize the pitiful condition of women, and they also have the desire to be happy, loved, and loved. protection, but society at that time had too many reasons to bury their peaceful lives. In return, society assigned them “unwanted tasks”: becoming concubines, entertaining people. of men.

Feudal practices such as male dominance and polygamy also create suffering for women. Faced with that pain, many writers cannot avoid their responsibilities and obligations. Literature of this period contributed to Vietnamese literature a noble humanitarian literary movement with many valuable works. That was also the beginning of all future humanitarian trends. But that literary work shows us a lifetime of pain and humiliation of an entire class of ancient people in society and the deep sympathy for them, of humanitarian writers. These are genuine works of art that need to be preserved and passed down.

Doan Thi Ngoc – Lecturer of the Faculty of Social Sciences