Critical Analysis of the Use of Fate Imagery in The Tale of Kieu Essay

Critical Analysis of the Use of Fate Imagery in The Tale of Kieu - Essay ExampleIn most cases, abstract imagery bears imposed characteristic. Fate imagery is one of the abstract imageries that have been traditionally use in literature all over the world from the genuinely beginning of human civilization. In Nguyen Dus The Tale of Kieu fate imagery plays a very crucial role in the development of the theme of the poem. I say this because in the Tale of Kieu fate has been portrayed as a villain that inflicts pains, sufferings and miseries upon the protagonist, Kieu. indeed it is fate that takes a test of Kieus virtues and psychological strength. To a great extent, fate appears as a scapegoat which, in a number of ways, serves as the replacement of the oppressive patriarchy. Very often Kieu tends to blame her fate for the pains and sufferings in her life. In a male dominated society she is conventionally prone to accept the male hegemony as it is. Though her sufferings are mainly indu ced by her male counterparts, she fails to acknowledge them as the root cause of her sufferings. She accuses fate of causation sufferings to women, while ignoring the inferior position women subjugated by men Since ages out of mind, / harsh fate has deuced all women, sparing none. / As I opine her lie there, it hurts to think / what will become of me in subsequent days. (Line 106-110) Kieu believes that women are cursed by fate for ages. She is fully aware of the legacy of the social damage that women have had to face. She knows that she is also destined to face the same fate As I see her lie there, it hurts to think / what will become of me in later days (Line 109110). Indeed Kieus view of cursed womanhood is the reflection of what Confucian patriarchy teaches them to think of themselves. In Confucian women are viewed as some existence that is both physically and mentally fragile and frail. They are beautiful but weak. Therefore they should be under tutelage of their male gua rdians such father, familiar or husband. They should go against the decision of their male guardians. A girl needs the guardianship more than a boy does, because she is fated to be such. For Kieu, fate is pretty that equals to God to a great extent. In some cases fate seems to be Gods decision. She believes that either fate or God is responsible for cursed womanhood. When Dam Tiens lover mourns at her deathbed saying, Harsh is the fate that has kept us apart / Since in this life we are not implyt to meet, / let me fuddle you my troth for our next life (Line 74-76), he essentially refers to heavenly decision. Indeed fates association with Gods decision is evident in the following lines in which she directly accuses God of being cruel How sorrowful is womens lot -she cried / We all partake of woe, our common fate. / Creator, why are you so mean and cruel / blighting green days and fading rose-fresh cheeks? (Line 82-5) In these lines, Creator or God is directly held responsible for womens sorrowful lot. Kieu considers Gods decision as womens common fate. She believes that god is responsible for fading rose-fresh cheeks. Indeed the frequent of fate imagery in the Tale of Kieu, contributes a lot to the portrayal of the faith of Confucian society