Thuc Ky Tham
by Gar W.
The Tale of Kieu is a story with many messages. One central theme seems to be human strength and weakness. The character of Thuc Ky Tam is an excellent example of a man who possesses both of these traits. We first meet Thuc on page 67. He was a patron of the brothel in which Kieu is held. His family is described as a well-read breed and it is noted that he was involved in operating a trading shop. From these two facts one may infer that Thuc was both educated and somewhat well to do. Thuc was apparently also a man of passion. When he learned of the beauty of Kieu, he wasted no time in meeting and falling in love with her. Soon Thuc and Kieu were seeing much of each other. The accounts of verse, chess and a general closeness indicated that this was much more than just casual sex. Soon, Thuc was pronouncing his true love for Kieu. Although she was touched by his affections, she sensed that her past (and present occupation) would prohibit any permanent relationship. Kieu also guessed rightly that Thuc was married. She prophesied "But if the lady lords over you, I shall be tossed to her, your lioness" (P.71). Still, Thuc persisted. At last, the two pledged their troth. At this point, Thuc demonstrated that he was a man of cunning by secreting Kieu out of the brothel and paying ransom to the madam, Dame Tu, securing her freedom.
Thuc and Kieu lived the next six months as man and wife. The party was short lived when Thuc's father, who had been away, returned home. The father, Old Thuc, was furious with his son for marrying a prostitute. Thuc's love would not be shaken. Old Thuc delivered an ultimatum: return Kieu to the brothel or face a judge. Again Thuc was steadfast in his devotion to Kieu. The Sheriff was called and the lovers found themselves in a court of law. At first the judge was harsh toward Kieu, but he soon overheard Thuc as he lamented the plight he had cast over his love. Thuc recounted to the judge the harsh twist of fate that had brought he and Kieu to this point. The judge asked for a demonstration of Kieu's talent. With her writing, Kieu impressed the judge. Instead of returning her to the brothel, he decreed that the couple should be wed. For a time, all was well. After a year, Thuc was urged by Kieu to tell his first wife of his new love. Thuc consulted with his father who agreed with Kieu.
Two key points must be brought up at this point. First, the wife of Thuc, Miss Hoan, was a very dominating personality, and second, Thuc owed much of his prestige to the fact that his father in law was a high civic official. This is where we start to see signs of weakness on the part of Thuc. Upon returning home, Thuc rekindled his relationship with his wife, Miss Hoan. Instead of coming out with the truth, Thuc mused, " Why should I squeal when no one's sticking me? (P.83) This proved to be a big mistake as Miss Hoan was aware of her husbands affair. They lived for a year, Miss Hoan dropping subtle hints and Thuc remaining silent about his involvement with Kieu. Miss Hoan bid Thuc to go visit his father. He readily agreed, as he could than return to Kieu. As he left by horseback, Miss Hoan sent thugs by boat to kidnap Kieu. The thugs captured her and set her house on fire. For a final touch, an unclaimed corpse was left to pass as Kieu. Thuc's father was the first to fall for the deception. When Thuc arrived, his father told him of the tragedy that had befallen Kieu. Thuc sought out a shaman to find Kieu in the world of the dead. To his surprise, the shaman told him that Kieu is not dead, but it would be a year before they met again. The shaman also told Thuc that when next he and Kieu meet, they would avoid each others eyes.
Unknown to Thuc, Kieu was being held as a slave by Miss Hoan. Once again,
Kieu found herself living a life of torture. Thuc spent months thinking about his
beloved. finally, He returned home. Thuc was greeted at the gate of his home by his
wife. After talk of health and such, Miss Hoan had Kieu brought before Thuc. Just
as the shaman foretold, the pair were unable to look each other in the eye. Thuc endured
watching the game played by Miss Hoan for some time.
Eventually, Miss Hoan asked Kieu how she fared. Kieu replied, "I sometimes sorrow
my lot in life". Thuc was asked by his wife to grill Kieu. When Miss Hoan read Thuc
s report, she decided to allow Kieu to become a nun in the temple. Thuc was still
drawn to her. One day while he thought Miss Hoan was away, he slipped into the shrine
to see Kieu. Thuc was convinced that further misfortune would befall Kieu if she stayed
the temple. Thuc urged Kieu to run away. We
now see Thuc start to show strength of character once more. While leaving Kieu, Thuc
ran into his wife. She had witnessed the entire scene. That night, Kieu made good
her escape.
The next time Thuc was to meet Kieu, it was under very different circumstances. Kieu had become the consort of a rebel warrior by the name of Tu Hai. After conquering much of southern Vietnam, Kieu told Tu of her struggles and of the people that helped or hurt her. Tu sent his troops out to bring these people to his camp for judgment. Thuc was filled with fear when he was brought before Kieu: "Face soaked with sweat like indigo, frame shaking like a leaf" (P.121).
The judgment passed by Kieu? One hundred bolts of brocade and one thousand pounds of silver.
As I stated in the beginning of this missive, The Tale of Kieu has many messages,
this was just one of them. 
-- Gar W.