Theme 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theme 2 - Essay Example The â€Å"Tale of Kieu† is a typical example that exemplifies the concept of morality within a literary piece. The poem tackles the concept of morality in differing dimensions as displayed by different characters in the play. Depending on one’s school of thought in evaluating the concept of morality, â€Å"The Tale of Kieu† can largely be considered as an immoral piece that exposes the societal immoral acts through relationships and promises in a larger societal set up. My argument to justify this line of thought is largely influenced after examining the characters and behaviors of the main protagonist, Kieu, Kim and Thu and their liberal actions in the entire poem. I therefore strongly argue that â€Å"The Tale of Kieu† points out the conflicting merits imposed on people and the way these merits affected their immoral lives in the years to come. (Du) Morality is one of the key themes in controversy of events surrounding â€Å"The Tale of Kieu†. It is a usual thing that fundamental moral acts largely involve the keeping of promises, being steadfast during times of opposition, and due unselfishness concerning being accommodating to others opinions and suggestions. Emanating from that basic understanding one may be at a crossroads in solving the moral equation of Kieu and other characters as exemplified in this poem. As such, one would commonly ask, is â€Å"The Tale of Kieu† an ideal moral poem? In my personal opinion, the poem just displays how many people in the real world can do â€Å"whatever they can get their hands on† so that they get what they desire even if their actions considerably affect those around them. The fascinating evidence in the story undoubtedly justifies my line of thought, as â€Å"The Tale of Kieu† is not that moral piece as some may argue. For instance, Kim Throng is displayed as a young, brilliant of mind man who desires Kieu. He is riches and sets out to love Kieu. In one instanc e, we are told how the two lovebirds go out to bond their relationship. Kim pours out his heart to Kieu and asserts, â€Å"Let's pledge our troth with something† (line 341) which Kieu responds, â€Å"to your kind bosom†¦ I’ll etch your word, our troth, in stone and bronze.† (Line 352) The above statement sought to re-affirm each other’s promise. Kieu further consolidates this promise by saying that â€Å"while am alive you’ll sometimes get your due† (line 522) suggesting a long trusted mutual relationship between the two lovers, and their intention of keeping the promise and living by the morality principle they swore. However, on their first date, we see Kim making sexual advances towards Kieu, was this action justified, being that both of them were not married? Keeping this purity until marriage was a noble thing to do as they both made vows to each other. In fact, it takes the efforts of Kieu to remind Kim of the noble vow they swore that they would keep the sexual affair issue until marriage. Immediately two issues emerge from the above analysis, Kim considerably displays immoral acts while Kieu is the moral one trying to live by the principles of their vow. The moral principle requires making a promise and keeping that particular promise irrespective the social circumstances and situations one finds him or herself. Kim and Kieu had made a promise to marry each other and