Kieu's Role in "The Tale of Kieu"

Paper Summary:

The writer explains that the poem has been considered an analogy for the centuries of struggle which the Vietnamese nation has endured. The paper summarizes the story of Kieu, a girl from a prosperous family who is endowed with the blessings of beauty, intelligence, and artistic ability. The writer explores whether Kieu is a sinner or a virtuous penitent in the light of Judeo-Christian morality. In conclusion, the writer explains that Kieu was virtuous in her own endeavors to serve her father, repent for her errors, and ultimately affirm her commitment to a life of virtue and morality.

From the Paper:

"However, the argument for the story's alleged immorality certainly could win over a large number of Judeo-Christian readers. For instance, traditional Christian, especially Protestant, teaching suggests that prayer and faith alone can deliver a believer from any trial. The Book of Job portrays a faithful follower of God as never straying from his belief in the mercy of God and is justly rewarded. Kieu, however, follows her own heart and, instead of surrounding herself with earnest prayers, decides to assist her father practically by becoming a prostitute, also condemned in the Bible. The fact that, even after Vuong's release, Kieu continues to work as a prostitute could also be construed as immoral, despite her regrets. One could easily ask the question, "If she is so guilty, why does she still whore herself," similar to the doubts of modern Westerners to the sincerity of murderers who claim that they hated themselves for their acts but continued to commit them. Kieu's decision to end her own life, a clear sin in Christian theology, also appears to be a cowardly, immoral solution to her fallen life. Hence, although Kieu's acts stem from good intentions, the common American proverb, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" might certainly spring to mind when readers discover Kieu's immoral solutions to the dilemmas that life, and her own acts, deliver to her.
"In contrast, I believe that adherents to this accusation of the tale's immorality are only concentrating on the surface of the story and not gleaming the tale's true message, that a pure soul, despite the inevitability of sin, can still repent and be redeemed. Kieu embodies the Judeo-Christian commandment of "Honor thy father and mother," as she demonstrates complete fidelity to her father. She even might be compared to Biblical Isaac, who willingly accompanies Abraham to be slaughtered when God tests Abraham's faith. Furthermore, she readily accepts the consequences of her action, freely relinquishing her relationship with Kim and even trying to atone by arranging for Van to serve as his companion. Although Kieu continues to sin as a prostitute, the tale of her suicide attempt and rescue could be perceived as an analogy for a wayward Christian who reaches 'rock bottom,' the true depth of despair and only then is willing to be redeemed by God, becoming whole again. As Christian morality teaches that only God, through Christ, can rescue sinners and eradicate their sins, Kieu serves as a Vietnamese Mary Magdalene, the fallen woman saved by Christ. Even after her redemption, Kieu continues to demonstrate her strong moral fiber by continuing to repent for her former sinful lifestyle, not consenting to marriage with Kim out of commitment to her honor and virtue."

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