Tiểu thuyết lịch sử nam bộ từ Đầu thế kỉ xx Đến năm 1945 tom tat la ta

The Evolution of Southern Vietnamese Historical Novels in the Early 20th Century from the Perspective of Genetic Structuralism in Literary History Research.. Reason for Choosing the Topi

HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

-

LÊ THỊ KIM ÚT

HISTORICAL NOVELS OF SOUTHERN VIETNAM

Major : Vietnamese Literature

Code : 62 22 01 21

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS ON VIETNAMESE

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Ho Chi Minh City - 2024

This work was completed at Ho Chi Minh city University of

Education

Scientific Supervisor: Assoc Prof Dr Doan Le Giang

Reviewer 1: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep

Reviewer 2: Assoc Prof Dr Phan Manh Hung

Reviewer 3: Assoc Prof Dr Ton Thi Thao Mien

The dissertation will be defended before the University

Dissertation Council at: Ho Chi Minh City University of

Education

At hours , on the day of , 2024

The dissertation can be accessed at:

- National Library of Vietnam

- Library of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education

- General Sciences Library of Ho Chi Minh City

1 Le Thi Kim Ut (2016) The Method of Mythologization in Some Historical Novels by Tân Dân Tử Proceedings of the

Scientific Conference “Issues of Southern Vietnamese Literature and Language” Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam National University ISBN: 978-604-73-4665-3

2 Le Thi Kim Ut (2017) Historical Novels by Tân Dân Tử and Phạm Minh Kiên from the Perspective of Narrative Theory

Journal of Science - Social Sciences & Humanities Ho Chi Minh City University of Education Issue 14 (4b) ISSN: 1859-

3100

3 Le Thi Kim Ut (2017) Historical Novels and the Early 20th Century Southern Vietnamese Writers’ Views on Historical Novels Journal of Science, Can Tho University Issue 51 (c)

ISSN: 1859-3100

4 Le Thi Kim Ut (2017) Poetry in Historical Novels: The Case

of Tân Dân Tử’s Works Journal of Science, Saigon University

Issue 34 (59) ISSN: 1859-3208

5 Le Thi Kim Ut (2019) Genre Interaction in Historical Novels

by Tân Dân Tử from Bakhtin’s Poetic Theory Perspective

Journal of Science, Thu Dau Mot University Issue 4 (43) ISSN: 1859-4433

6 Le Thi Kim Ut (2019) The Evolution of Southern Vietnamese Historical Novels in the Early 20th Century from the Perspective of Genetic Structuralism in Literary History Research Proceedings of Scientific Research for Graduate

Students & PhD Candidates, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education - Academic Year 2019 - 2020 ISBN: 978-604-9873-03-4

INTRODUCTION

1 Reason for Choosing the Topic

In the early 20th century, our country witnessed a literary modernization movement, where the new literature – National Language Literature – emerged earliest in Southern Vietnam, with the novel as its main genre As an important subgenre of Southern Vietnamese National Language Novels, historical novels have contributed to the unique values

of the region’s literature Despite many ups and downs, historical novels

in Southern Vietnamese National Language Literature have continuously evolved and developed, serving as a bridge bringing readers closer to history while offering unique historical interpretations

However, Southern Vietnamese historical novels have not received the attention they deserve for a long time Sometimes they seemed forgotten, occasionally mentioned but often with biased evaluations There have been theses and research projects on historical novels before

1945 that only mention Nguyễn Tử Siêu, Nguyễn Triệu Luật, Nguyễn Huy Tưởng, and overlook Trương Duy Toản, Phạm Minh Kiên, Tân Dân

Tử, and others

Due to both internal and external factors, Southern Vietnamese historical novels from the early 20th century to 1945 saw significant development in terms of creative forces, number of works, ideological content, and artistic form These novels incorporated Western writing styles alongside traditional Chinese literary styles

The achievements of Southern Vietnamese historical novels from the early 20th century to 1945 need in-depth research to reconstruct their appearance and highlight their values and characteristics From a desire

to contribute to a systematic study of Southern Vietnamese historical

novels and out of personal interest, we chose Historical Novels of Southern Vietnam from the Early 20th Century to 1945 as the topic of

our doctoral dissertation

2 Objectives, Subjects, and Scope of the Research

2.1 Research Objectives: In undertaking the topic Historical Novels

of Southern Vietnam from the Early 20th Century to 1945, we aim for the

following objectives:

- Collect and inventory the historical novels of Southern Vietnam from the early 20th century to 1945 to achieve the most comprehensive and complete view of this body of novels

- Place historical novels in the context of social history and the literary modernization process to explore the emergence of creative forces, the publication and distribution situation, and the readership of Southern Vietnamese historical novels, thereby providing an overview of this subgenre

- Explore the value and thematic characteristics of Southern Vietnamese historical novels from the early 20th century to 1945

- Using typological and narrative research approaches, investigate the artistic values, narrative methods, and characteristics of the works to understand the creativity of the writers in inheriting and innovating Southern Vietnamese historical novels in the early 20th century

Intending to research the aforementioned aspects, the dissertation seeks to contribute to establishing the role and position as well as clarifying the characteristics of Southern Vietnamese historical novels in the modernization of modern Vietnamese literature

2.2 Research Subjects and Scope

2.2.1 Subjects: The research subjects of the dissertation are the

historical novels by Southern Vietnamese writers published from the early 20th century to 1945 Southern Vietnamese historical novels are understood as novels written about the history of Vietnam by writers working within the Southern Vietnamese cultural space

2.2.2 Scope: The scope of the research includes historical novels by

Southern Vietnamese writers such as Trương Duy Toản, Nguyễn Liên Phong, Huyền Mặc Đạo Nhân, Nguyễn Chánh Sắt, Nguyễn Bá Thời, Tân Dân Tử, Phạm Minh Kiên, Hồ Biểu Chánh, and Phú Đức The historical novels of these authors mainly draw inspiration from, and are set against, the backdrop of Vietnamese historical events, plots, and characters Thus, translated works or those inspired by Chinese historical materials by these authors are not the focus of this dissertation

3 Scientific and Practical Significance of the Topic

3.1 Scientific Significance: Once completed, the dissertation hopes

to further clarify the genre of historical novels during the early stages of the modernization of Vietnamese literature, and to affirm the contributions of Southern Vietnamese National Language Literature to the literary modernization process

3.2 Practical Significance: The research results of the dissertation

can be used as reference materials for the study and teaching of Southern Vietnamese literature from the early 20th century to 1945 in university

and college Vietnamese literature programs, as well as in Vietnamese literature and local education programs in schools

5 New Contributions of the Dissertation

In conducting this dissertation, we aim to:

- Present a comprehensive picture of Southern Vietnamese historical novels from the early 20th century to 1945, including existing materials, creative forces, publication and distribution situations, and the readership

of Southern Vietnamese historical novels

- Analyze the value and initially identify the key thematic characteristics of Southern Vietnamese historical novels from the early 20th century to 1945

- Analyze the value of the artistic characteristics, narrative methods, and innovations in Southern Vietnamese historical novels from the early 20th century

6 Structure of the Dissertation

In addition to the Introduction, Conclusion, References, and Appendices, the dissertation consists of 04 chapters:

Chapter 1 THEORETICAL BASIS AND OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH SITUATION OF SOUTHERN VIETNAMESE HISTORICAL NOVELS BEFORE 1945 AND THE APPROACH OF THE TOPIC 1.1 Concepts of Novel, Historical Novel, Southern Vietnamese Historical Novel

1.1.1 Novel

Perspective on Eastern Novels

Perspective on Western Novels

1.1.2 Historical Novel

Defining the genre concept etymologically

Defining the concept from the perspective of historical truth/fiction in historical novels

The concept of historical novels tied to the “meaning of history”

1.1.3 Southern Vietnamese Historical Novel

A work is considered a Southern Vietnamese historical novel primarily if it tells stories created by authors living and working in Southern Vietnam, or if the work was published in Southern Vietnam Through the lens of the writer, readers recognize issues related to the country’s history, including events, characters, contexts, and creative inspiration These stories do not necessarily ensure absolute accuracy; they are flexible compared to historical truth through the writer’s creative artistry

1.2 Main Approaches of the Dissertation

1.2.1 Genre Studies

1.2.2 Autoethnography

We have chosen genre studies as one of the primary approaches of the dissertation because it allows us to grasp phenomena and objects in their comprehensive relationships, helping us understand their developmental laws In the context of Southern Vietnamese historical novels, genre studies will enable us to categorize and analyze these works based on their thematic and stylistic characteristics, providing insights into their unique contributions to Vietnamese literature

Additionally, autoethnography serves as another primary approach This method will illuminate the relationships between character traits, narrative structures, storytelling techniques, and the historical contexts depicted in the novels By focusing on the authors’ narratives and reflections embedded within their works, we aim to uncover the creative processes and motivations behind the authors’ engagements with historical themes and events

Aside from these primary approaches, we will also employ several other suitable methods to explore the dynamic aspects of Southern

Vietnamese historical novels and extract their scientific values

1.3 Overview of Research on Southern Vietnamese Historical Novels before 1945

1.3.1 Research on Southern Vietnamese Historical Novels before

1975

At the beginning of the 20th century, various literary journals such as Nông cổ mín đàm, Lục Tỉnh tân văn, Đông Pháp thời báo, Tự do diễn đàn, and Phổ Thông occasionally mentioned works by Southern Vietnamese writers Scholars like Thiếu Sơn, Vũ Ngọc Phan, Nghiêm Toản, Phạm Thế Ngũ, Nguyễn Đình Chú, and Phan Cự Đệ referenced some Southern Vietnamese writers in their research However, historical

novels from Southern Vietnam were generally overlooked in the research efforts of Northern Vietnamese scholars during this period

1.3.2 Research on Southern Vietnamese Historical Novels from

1975 to Present

Since 1975, collective efforts by authors such as Nguyễn Đình Chú, Nguyễn Đăng Mạnh, Hoàng Tiến Tựu, Vân Thanh, Nguyễn Trí, Đào Ngọc, Hoài Anh, Thành Nguyên, and Hồ Sỹ Hiệp have brought attention

to writers like Hồ Biểu Chánh, Phú Đức, Bửu Đình, Tân Dân Tử, among others Doctoral dissertations by scholars such as Bùi Văn Lợi, Cao Thị Xuân Mỹ, and others have delved into aspects related to Southern Vietnamese historical novels, although deeper analyses of specific works are still limited

Significant contributions have been made by researchers like Nguyễn Kim Anh, Nguyễn Đăng Mạnh (in their books), and Đỗ Đức Hiểu (in his dictionary), who have published valuable studies on the genre, themes, and artistic styles of these works Since the 2000s, Southern Vietnamese prose literature has garnered more attention These research efforts can

be categorized into three main types: collections of studies by university researchers, exemplified by the works edited by Đoàn Lê Giang, which have provided valuable data for understanding and evaluating Southern Vietnamese literary figures; doctoral dissertations such as those by Lê Ngọc Thúy, Võ Văn Nhơn, Phan Mạnh Hùng, which have deeply explored Southern Vietnamese literature; and scholarly articles in scientific journals, notably contributions from Nguyễn Văn Hà, Phan Mạnh Hùng, Nguyễn Công Lý, Đoàn Lê Giang, and Lê Tú Anh

Conclusion

During the French colonization of Cochinchina, societal, historical, and cultural changes were profound While Vietnamese literature was previously influenced by Chinese literature, the late 19th to early 20th centuries witnessed a breakthrough that expanded beyond traditional frameworks Recently, scholars have shown increased interest in Southern Vietnamese historical novels Previous ambiguous evaluations

of the contributions of Southern Vietnamese historical novels over an extended period are the result of historical circumstances This literary category is not merely an “external contribution” but has truly become a significant literary genre It enriches the reflection of content and innovation in art while expressing the patriotic spirit and affirming the heroic vitality of the Vietnamese people

Chapter 2 WRITERS, THE PUBLIC, AND THE MOVEMENT OF HISTORICAL FICTION IN SOUTHERN VIETNAM FROM THE

EARLY 20TH CENTURY TO 1945 2.1 The generation of writers creating historical fiction in Southern Vietnam

2.1.1 Writers rooted in Confucianism

A prominent feature of the historical fiction writers during this period

in Southern Vietnam is that they represent the first generation of modernization, deeply influenced by Confucianism Some writers not only authored works but also translated Chinese stories The most noticeable aspect of their works is the enduring presence of a nuanced literary style, with stories often concluding happily, characters imbued with epic qualities, and issues predominantly resolved through Confucian principles

2.1.2 Writers rooted in Western education

Living and writing during a culturally rich period with a strong development of journalism, these writers benefitted from actively participating in contemporary journalistic life Their works influenced by Western education exhibit less of the nuanced literary style, with not all stories having happy endings Some works employed techniques reflecting Western literary narrative structures The language used in these stories is not overly formal or embellished Authors wrote stories meant for broad audiences to listen to and enjoy, focusing on ensuring understanding among readers and viewers Whether adhering to traditional Eastern or modern Western literary trends, the content of their works reflects the traditional values of the Vietnamese people

2.2 Writers from Southern Vietnam’s perspective on historical fiction

2.2.1 Purpose of writing

Writers of historical fiction aimed to educate the Vietnamese people about their history and counteract the influx of Chinese-translated fiction prevalent in Southern Vietnam Through these works, historical figures who contributed to the nation preserved it, displayed bravery, and upheld integrity were introduced to the public and remembered In addition to praising male historical figures, authors also paid attention to female characters These women exemplified complete adherence to Confucian

virtues but were not only sentimental figures; they also possessed the capability to undertake significant national actions, prioritizing national interests above personal ones

2.2.2 Method of expression

By reenacting historical figures and events, writers elucidated the changes in the era and society Historical fiction in Southern Vietnam during this period focused on reviving the heroic period of national history This characteristic highlights the epic nature of historical fiction The heroic epic nature of Southern Vietnamese historical fiction aimed to praise and honor Vietnamese national heroes With only a few “fragile anchors” from history, writers could imagine and creatively construct a separate artistic world Writers brought history back to life while giving

it a new vitality to coexist with the present Historical figures who walked the pages of Southern Vietnamese writers embodied the full characteristics of heroes yet remained very human The attention to the human aspects of historical figures reflects an advanced aesthetic perspective of Southern Vietnamese writers This approach makes the expression method of historical fiction by Southern Vietnamese writers somewhat different from the previous historical fiction era

2.3 The public’s reception and publishing situation

2.3.1 Public reception

Alongside the tastes of the common people, traders, and others, a new type of public reception emerged during this literary period: entertainment-oriented readers The readers’ literacy levels somewhat influenced writers’ creations, yet writers also elevated their audience Southern literature always catered to the masses, particularly the common people and lower-level officials who prioritized narrative events, and intriguing plots, often neglecting language and literary artistry Readers in Southern Vietnam, predominantly from modest backgrounds, may have had limited formal education but were curious and eager to explore Due to natural inclinations and circumstances, they developed a habit: of not only silently reading but also reading aloud for others to listen and enjoy, fostering a widespread “reading culture”, especially in oral delivery and performance Poetry recitation even became a popular movement in Southern Vietnam during this period

2.3.2 Publishing and distribution situation

The publishing and distribution scene from the early 20th century to

1945 in Southern Vietnam closely resembled 19th-century France In Southern Vietnam, novels were often serialized in newspapers before

being printed as books As literacy rates and the ability to read Vietnamese script increased, so did the demand for reading material This made books and newspapers essential commodities in people’s intellectual lives Literary sections, including both original and translated works, were common in newspapers

The establishment of printing houses and advancements in printing technology raised publishing standards and contributed to cultural changes The strong development of literature was not merely a result of education and talent but also transformed into marketable goods, meeting the rising demands of consumers – readers Importantly, the active involvement of writers in journalism significantly facilitated the publishing and dissemination of their works

2.4 Two phases of the historical fiction movement in Southern Vietnam from the early 20th century to 1945

2.4.1 The 1910s and 1920s

In Southern Vietnam, the first historical fiction published was Đại Nam thiệt lục diễn nghĩa (1910); the same year saw Phan Yên ngoại sử, tiết phụ gian truân published Subsequent novels included Từ Dũ Hoàng Thái hậu (1913), Nam cực tinh huy (1924), Giọt máu chung tình (1926), Việt Nam anh kiệt (1926), Tiểu anh hùng Võ Kiết (1929), Việt Nam Lê Thái Tổ (1929), and Việt Nam Lý Trung Hưng (Việt Nam Lý Thường Kiệt) (1929)

In terms of themes, during the 1910s and 1920s, writers were focused

on national and ethnic issues The portrayal of heroic figures and

sacrifices for the nation were deeply emphasized In terms of structure,

most works during this period were influenced by traditional Chinese episodic novels

2.4.2 The 1930s and 1940s

Representative novels from this period include Trung tiết anh hùng (Lịch sử ông Võ Tánh) (1930), Nặng gánh cang thường (1930), Gia Long tẩu quốc (1930), Oán lớn bằng trời (Liệt nữ phục thù) (1931), Lê triều Lý thị (1931), Hoàng tử Cảnh như Tây (1931), Gia Long phục quốc (1932), Tiền Lê vận mạt (1932), and Trần Hưng Đạo (1933)

In terms of themes, the authors began to focus on reflecting internal issues In terms of writing style during this historical fiction period, in

addition to adhering to historical events, they introduced many new every day and fictional characters imbued with romantic and legendary

qualities In terms of content, there was a shift towards reflecting national

and ethnic issues In the second phase of their creative process, themes of

foreign invasion gave way to other internal and social issues In the

historical novels of Southern Vietnam in the early 20th century, readers

could easily encounter heroic figures reminiscent of epic literature

Simultaneously, these novels didn’t lack the “insignificant details” of

everyday life This diversity created a large number of characters,

representing almost all aspects – joy, sorrow, good, bad, courage, and

cowardice – through stories of the struggle against foreign invasion and

the defense of the homeland by previous generations

Conclusion

The development process – from the authorship team to the public

reception and publishing situation – of historical fiction in Southern

Vietnam from the early 20th century to 1945 has outlined the landscape

of this literary genre The authors’ purpose was clear: to inspire

patriotism among the people through historical traditions, making the

slogan “enlighten the people’s intellect, invigorate the people’s spirit” a

reality Their works largely targeted the general public, influencing their

writing styles, language choices, and artistic expressions Besides the

authors’ creative consciousness, advancements in printing technology

and the establishment of numerous publishing houses facilitated easier

distribution of their works Literature at that time became a commodity

ready to serve the entertainment needs of the masses In the context of

contemporary conditions, these contributions are noteworthy in the

modernization process of national literature

Chapter 3 HISTORICAL NOVELS OF SOUTHERN VIETNAM FROM THE

EARLY 20TH CENTURY TO 1945:

A VIEW FROM CONTENT 3.1 Praise of the nation’s glorious history

3.1.1 History of establishing independent dynasties

The history of establishing independent dynasties in the historical

novels of Southern Vietnam, though not fully comprehensive, has

reconstructed moments of national glory Nam cực tinh huy by Hồ Biểu

Chánh is considered a historical novel inspired by the first independent

dynasty in the nation’s history, honoring Ngô Quyền, who defeated the

Southern Han army, ascended the throne, and proclaimed himself king

without submitting to the authority of the Northern regime

After Ngô Quyền’s passing and the downfall of the Ngô dynasty, the country plunged into power struggles among various factions Đinh Bộ Lĩnh gathered many talented generals, including the ten famous marshals led by Lê Hoàn, to suppress twelve local warlords and unite the country Đinh Tiên Hoàng, after quelling the twelve warlords, proclaimed himself Vạn Thắng king and named the country Đại Cồ Việt However, Đỗ Thích’s act of assassinating King Đinh Tiên Hoàng plunged the country into turmoil, with opposing factions continuing their conspiracies The Northern Song dynasty’s armies invaded Đại Cồ Việt With military strategy, Lê Hoàn led the righteous army to defeat the Song invaders, consolidating Đại Cồ Việt’s independence The career of suppressing the Song, and pacifying Chiêm Marshal Lê Hoàn was a prominent achievement in the history of resistance against foreign aggression, maintaining the nation’s independence and autonomy Lê Hoàn ascended the throne, opening the Tiền Lê dynasty

The work Lê triều Lý thị describes King Lê Đại Hành during his

stable reign, not the difficult days during battles against Northern invaders or the Chiêm Thành army in the South After the death of King

Lê Đại Hành, Long Đĩnh killed his brother and took the throne After the collapse of the Lê Ngoạ dynasty, the courtiers raised Lý Công Uẩn to the throne The Lý dynasty ruled the country for over 200 years until Lý Huệ Tông’s reign faced national decline and turmoil, and without a male heir,

he passed the throne to his daughter Lý Chiêu Hoàng ruled for two years before abdicating to her husband, Trần Cảnh, ending the Lý dynasty The Trần dynasty ruled for 173 years but was overthrown by Hồ Quý Ly’s usurpation During internal turmoil and external threats from Chiêm Thành invaders and Ming dynasty forces aiming to conquer the country This historical context was reconstructed by Nguyễn Chánh Sắt in the

novel Việt Nam Lê Thái Tổ to praise Lê Thái Tổ – who proclaimed

himself king of the Hậu Lê dynasty

Another work by Phạm Minh Kiên, Tiền Lê vận mạt, also discusses

the Lê dynasty but during the later period of Lê Trung Hưng, when Lê Long Đĩnh held power However, it was a forgettable period for such a puppet king as Lê Ngoạ Triều

3.1.2 History of defending the country - resisting foreign invaders

The history of defending the country and resisting foreign invaders

has been reconstructed in numerous historical novels Lê triều Lý thị tells

the story of the reign of King Lê Đại Hành after defeating the Song dynasty, yet foreign invaders continued to threaten our country Lý Công