Immorality as a Multi-Character Behavior as Exemplified in The Tale of Kieu - Essay Example

Immorality as a multi-character behavior as exemplified in “The Tale of Kieu” In the broader understanding within the societal context, morality is often antecedent to ethics. Ideally, morality signifies those concrete actions that define the human conduct in judging what is considered right or wrong within the larger societal context. More often than not, moral principles define one’s personal character and a display of one’s behaviors especially sexual conduct. Nevertheless, the concept of morality is not static but rather a fluid subject from one society to the next, as what might be considered morally justified in one community or society may be the opposite in the next. The “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, “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 “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 “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 “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 “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 “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 instance, we are told how the two lovebirds go out to bond their relationship. Kim pours out his heart to Kieu and asserts, “Let's pledge our troth with something” (line 341) which Kieu responds, “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 “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 therefore Kim was under every obligation to keep this promise. However, at some point, we are shown how Kim goes ahead to marry Kieu’s sister, Thu Van even though he still has a strong feeling for Kieu. At the same time, while others suggest that by marrying Kim, Thu showed respect for her sister, well, I beg to differ. In my opinion, this was driven by pure lust and infatuation for Kim rather than “respect” as others may want us to believe. Additionally, the question of morality or immorality cannot be justifiably dealt without examining the protagonist’s behaviors and actions within the provisions of the morality equation. Several years of waiting for Kieu, Kim only realizes that Kieu can no longer keep to their promise. Kieu tells Kim that she is still committed to their promise, and asserts, “What little chastity I may have saved, am I to fling it under trampling feet?” (Lines 3161-62) This is rather a lame excuse provided by Kieu in her inabilities to keep up with the moral standards required of her as a woman. It becomes very evident that the virginity aspect that she once cherished no longer holds and thus she bears no “chastity”. There are several instances when Kieu sneaks around and engages herself with Kim and several other lovers that clearly support how immoral she is. While doing all this, Kieu is guided more by her selfish thoughts and desires perhaps with an understanding that her fate have already been sealed. In moral principle, this is one clear example of an immoral being guided more by her selfish desires at the expense of her promises. At the beginning of the story, Kieu presents a perfect example worth emulating by other women of decency in the society. One right issue that one may consider when reading this piece is the immoral action that an average woman should avoid in order to maintain the moral principle concerning relationship and marriages. Irrespective of her good life and justifiable education, could she not adhere to her virtue? Moral principle holds that promise is purely meant not to be broken, and the characters so far evaluated on their part demonstrated their desire to break a promise they once made or held. Their characters therefore embody immorality in the face of the promises and views they willingly made. “The Tale of Kieu” is a complex one that engulfs emerging social issues of immorality and chastity. Even though there are recognitions that none is perfect and therefore making mistakes is never falling, there are also limitations allowed to what extent one should commit that mistake. Looking at how Kim, Thu and Kieu behaved in the poem, due recognition is placed that some were indeed moral irrespective of their situation. At the same time, we may argue so strongly that their decisions were purely immoral and guided by their selfishness. Work cited Du, Nguyen. THE TALE OF KIEU, trans. Huynh Sanh Thong. Yale: Yale University Press, 1983.Print Read More