The novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda by Nguyen Xuan Khanh in the literary achievements of the renovation period

is considered a deep storehouse of knowledge about history, religion, culture, and the way of thinking and feeling of the Vietnamese people throughout the history of the country through many different periods. From the resistance war against the French to the land reform and then the resistance war against American imperialism - all have created a multi-dimensional, comprehensive and penetrating view of the history of the country through the eyes of an experienced person, a person with a deep understanding of history and culture in the whole context and through each period.

In relation to the novels of previous generations of writers such as Ngo Tat To, Nguyen Cong Hoan, Nam Cao, Nguyen Hong, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Nguyen Huy Tuong, Nguyen Minh Chau, etc., we can easily see that Carrying Rice to the Pagoda reflects a more comprehensive, complete and profound content throughout the length of history. Therefore, it can be said that in the literature of the renovation period, Carrying Rice to the Pagoda has achieved brilliant achievements.

In writing the thesis: " The novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda by Nguyen Xuan Khanh in the literary achievements of the renovation period ", we hope to affirm the outstanding achievements of Nguyen Xuan Khanh in both aspects of content and form of expression, compared to his other cultural - historical novels, as well as compared to the novels of other authors of the same period.

2. Problem history

2.1. About interviews and exchanges

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In the press and media, a number of interviews and literary conversations of writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh around the work Carrying Rice to the Pagoda , career stories, life stories...etc. have been published. Hoang Lan Anh has an article recording the conversation Writing a Novel at the Age of 79 , published in the newspaper Nguoi Lao Dong , June 26, 2011. Thanh Van has an interview with the title No Experience is Useless , published in Tia Sang magazine , issue 13, July 5, 2011. Notably, in the magazine Van Nghe Quan Doi , issue 729, July.

In 2011, writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh wrote an autobiography, "I wrote a novel."

How is “Carrying Rice to the Temple” ? It reveals and shares many things about the work. On the Saigon Giai Phong newspaper , October 30, 2011, Cao Minh had an interview with the title “ A writer must be a thinker …etc.”

All the opinions and viewpoints that writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh gave in interviews and literary discussions are useful references, helping us to approach the work and carry out the thesis more conveniently.

2.2. About the articles

Immediately after its release, The Rice Team to the Pagoda created a stir among the public and many readers. A number of researchers, writers, and poets wrote notable articles about the work:

In the World Security newspaper , issue 118, June 2011, author Vu Tu Trang wrote an article entitled Nguyen Xuan Khanh: A lone writer, a lone traveler , affirming the writer’s own successful path. The article stated: “Unlike previous historical novel writers, he does not depend on events. Historical events are only a place for him to rely on to weave fates. From the intertwined fates of joy and sadness, he explains all contradictions. His writing has the power to captivate readers, creating his own unique techniques.”

On September 7, 2012, an article in the Electronic Newspaper affirmed as follows: Writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh is a writer with many prose works that have attracted the attention of professionals and readers in recent years, notably three famous novels: Ho Quy Ly (2000), Mau Thuong Ngan (2006) and Doi Gao Len Chua (2011). Of which, the novel Doi Gao Len Chua was awarded the Vietnam Writers Association Award in 2011... Explaining about the writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Van Chinh compared the author to an old apricot tree, hidden for decades, suddenly bursting into full bloom somewhere. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dang Diep affirmed: "His thoughts are the main contribution as a novelist. That thought has created a turning point in the concept of art, returning to the traditional narrative style while many other talented writers have embarked on the path of prose art innovation" . Critic Doan Anh Duong has an article "Interpretation of ethnicity in Carrying rice to the pagoda " in Van Nghe newspaper , issue 27,

July 2, 2011. The author wrote: “With this trilogy of historical and cultural novels, Nguyen Xuan Khanh has put aside his concerns about innovation in writing style to move towards innovation in ideology. Ideology, not the art of the novel, is the main purpose and main contribution of Nguyen Xuan Khanh as a novelist. Making a turning point in artistic conception, returning to the traditional narrative style while many other talented Vietnamese writers have embarked on the path of innovation in narrative art, Nguyen Xuan Khanh has truly succeeded, dedicated not only in the role of a writer, but also in the role of an intellectual who is always concerned with issues of culture, nation, and people”.

There are many other articles that comment and evaluate the novel Carrying Rice to the Temple . The above are just some typical articles that we have had the opportunity to read. However, the specific solution to the good and unique aspects of the reflection and the form of reflection in the novel is still an unfinished problem. However, the content of those articles is an important suggestion for us to base and apply to develop the thesis.

2.3. About scientific conferences

As presented above, right after the work Carrying Rice to the Pagoda was published, it caused a big stir, strongly attracting the attention of researchers and readers.

In June 2011, the Women's Publishing House and the Hanoi Writers Association jointly organized the Scientific Discussion Nguyen Xuan Khanh - Carrying Rice to the Pagoda . Many critics had elaborate and serious presentations, focusing on studying the issue of Buddhism in Vietnamese cultural life. Nguyen Van Tung exploited Buddhist Inspiration ; Critic Nguyen Thi Minh Thai studied the characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism in the issue of Dependent Origination ; Pham Xuan Thach considered the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda an urgent call for goodness . Their analysis and decoding showed a very high appreciation and a very respectful reception for the work.

In October 2012, the Institute of Literature organized a scientific seminar on History and Culture in Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels . The seminar touched on a number of issues.

major issues such as artistic ideology, the issue of historical novel genre, the issue of narrative art, etc. The presentations in the seminar affirmed the efforts to find the ideological and artistic values of Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels, while also pointing out some limitations in the writer's narrative art.

Through the discussion, the articles were compiled into the book History and Culture - Nguyen Xuan Khanh's artistic perspective . This is a thick, elaborate book, offering multi-dimensional approaches to Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels, placed in the process of contemporary Vietnamese novels.

2.4. About theses and scientific research topics

Because Nguyen Xuan Khanh appeared as a contemporary literary phenomenon, there have been a number of master's theses researching Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels in general and the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda in particular. It shows the appeal and literary value of this writer's works.

Le Thi Thuy Hau wrote her thesis: "The world of art in the novels Ho Quy Ly and Mau Thuong Ngan by Nguyen Xuan Khanh " (Vinh University, 2009), Tong Thi Thanh wrote her thesis "The contributions of Nguyen Xuan Khanh to the process of innovation of contemporary Vietnamese novels" (University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 2010), Le Thi Thu wrote her thesis "The historical novel character Nguyen Xuan Khanh" (University of Education).

- Thai Nguyen University, 2010), Nguyen Dieu Linh wrote the thesis "Historical and cultural discourse in Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels" (Hanoi Pedagogical University, 2010), Pham Van Vu wrote the thesis: "Philosophical and Buddhist perspectives in Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novel Carrying rice to the pagoda " (Pedagogical University - Thai Nguyen University, 2010), Hoang Thi Thu Huong with the thesis: "The art of Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels through the novel Carrying rice to the pagoda " (Pedagogical University - Thai Nguyen University), Vo Thi Hong Tham with the thesis: "Nguyen Xuan Khanh's novels from the perspective of genre" (Vinh University)...etc.

The above scientific research works are all very elaborate and scientific, all are directional and suggestive premises for us.

carry out the topic of "The novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda by Nguyen Xuan Khanh in the achievements of innovative literature" .

Thus, it can be said that there are many articles and scientific research works on the novels of writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh in general and the novel Doi Gao Len Chua in particular. Accepting all that has been available from the predecessors, in this thesis, we hope to aim for a comprehensive understanding of the unique content and art of Doi Gao Len Chua in the process of modern Vietnamese novels and in the achievements of innovative literature.

3. Research tasks and purposes

Focus on examining the novel Doi Gao Len Chua in the trilogy of novels by Nguyen Xuan Khanh: Ho Quy Ly , Mau Thuong Ngan and Doi Gao Len Chua to affirm its unique contributions in terms of content and art. Thereby determining the position of Doi Gao Len Chua in particular and author Nguyen Xuan Khanh in general in the achievements of contemporary Vietnamese prose - the opening decade of the 21st century.

4. Research object and scope

In conducting the thesis, while approaching the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda , we focused on studying the successes of the novel on the connection between the two aspects of content and art. In addition to relating to two works in the historical-cultural novel trilogy of writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Ho Quy Ly and Mau Thuong Ngan , we will relate, compare, and contrast with some novels of predecessors to have a reference view for the main issue which is the success of the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda in the achievements of innovative literature.

The thesis mainly examines the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda (2011), besides that, it examines by reference some works: Ho Quy Ly (2000) and Mau Thuong Ngan (2006) by the same author. And some novels of previous writers to have a reference view for the main issue which is the success of the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda in the achievements of innovative literature.

5. Research methods

In conducting the thesis, we synchronously combined the following methods:

- Interdisciplinary method: synchronously combining methods of religious research, historical research, and cultural research.

- Typological method, analyzing works according to genre characteristics.

- Other research methods such as: analysis and synthesis, comparison, statistics...

6. Contribution of the thesis

6.1 Through the topic, the thesis wants to affirm the irreplaceable role of the traditional novel genre in expressing cultural content.

- the history that the novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda conveys.

6.2 The thesis is a general research work on the content and artistic value of the work Carrying Rice to the Pagoda .

7. Structure of the thesis

In addition to the Introduction , Conclusion and References , the content of the thesis consists of three chapters:

Chapter 1 : Nguyen Xuan Khanh and the cultural-historical novel genre in contemporary Vietnamese prose.

Chapter 2 : Carrying rice to the pagoda - a comprehensive, comprehensive view of culture

- 20th century history through a village unit and adventures.

Chapter 3 : Carrying rice to the pagoda - unique features in the art of novels.

Chapter 1

NGUYEN XUAN KHANH AND THE CULTURAL-HISTORICAL NOVEL IN CONTEMPORARY VIETNAMESE PROSE

1.1. Writer Nguyen Xuan Khanh

1.1.1. Nguyen Xuan Khanh - main features of his life and literary career

Nguyen Xuan Khanh was born in 1933, pen name is Dao Nguyen. Originally from Co Nhue village - Tu Liem - Hanoi. He is a writer whose life has gone through many hardships and difficulties. Originally from Hanoi, he used to live in Co Nhue village, then spent some time with his family in Hue street - a bustling commercial street. Currently, he lives in Tran Khat Chan alley. After decades on this land, the appearance of the neighborhood is now different from the poor neighborhood of the past. Dilapidated thatched houses. Pond banks and ditches full of water spinach. Tattered bamboo clumps. Dull workers. Sewers and drains of the city's wastewater. Dead rats, rotten pig and chicken intestines, rotten vegetable stalks floating around... All of these images have left a strong impression in his later writings.

The literary career came to Nguyen Xuan Khanh quite unexpectedly. He once recounted that, while he was a medical student, a prestigious university in Hanoi, in 1952, he dropped his pen and asked to join the army. Many people in his family were surprised and exclaimed, was he crazy? Then the marching routes, the rehearsals and the comradely love urged Nguyen Xuan Khanh to pick up his pen. His first short story, One Night, was published in the Army Literature magazine in 1959, and then the short story collection Deep Forest , published by the Literature Publishing House, in 1962, were the certificates for him to enter the arduous literary path and the price to pay. During the days attending the first Young Writers Training Course, he had the opportunity to meet many famous writers and poets, and to live with his peers, and later, they were the ones who created the face of the country's literature. After completing the Young Writers Training Course, Nguyen Xuan Khanh came to the Army Literature Magazine , where he was a

An energetic writer. Then he had an occupational accident , so he had to switch to Thieu Nien Tien Phong newspaper . In the early years of the war to destroy the North after 1964, he worked as a reporter in Zone IV. In 1983, he retired early. His life took a new turn. He had to do all kinds of hard work to earn money to raise his children: carpenter, porter, flour miller, food warehouse guard. There was a time when he worked as a tailor, he had skillful hands, so he sewed clothes for many musicians and painters. There was even a time when he was so poor that he had to sell his blood. He used to be the Party Secretary of Thanh Nhan sub-region. But then, he was probably born to be attached to words. After hours of hard work to earn money to support his wife and children, words and pages of books still kept wriggling in his mind. Unfortunately, because of his occupational accident, when he picked up a pen to write, his mind was even more torn. During the day he worked hard, but at night he lit the lamp with the words. His French language skills were developed so he translated dozens of books. He soon had the awareness to consolidate his knowledge to prepare for a long career path.

In his life, no matter how difficult the period, Nguyen Xuan Khanh always had goals to pursue. One Night (1959), Deep Forest (1962) were his first short story collections. During the most difficult and arduous years of his life, he published: Wild Land (novel, Da Nang Publishing House, 1990), this was the first work he wrote under the pen name Dao Nguyen. Then Tru Cuong (1981-1982, unpublished) was also written by him during this time. But especially we cannot fail to mention the trilogy of novels: Ho Quy Ly (2002); Mau Thuong Ngan (2005); Doi Gao Len Chua (2010) - works that brought Nguyen Xuan Khanh's name to a new height and created a rare phenomenon in the literary world. Also during the time of the trilogy, he published: Two Children and the Dog Cat in the Mountain Village (Nguyen Dong Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002) and Rain in the Countryside (Nguyen Dong Publishing House, Hanoi, 2003). In addition to works written in Vietnamese, we must mention the translated works of Nguyen Xuan Khanh. He translated dozens of books, but the most typical ones are: The Golden Fruits by Nathalie Sarraute; The Curse for the Absent by Taha

The novel Carrying Rice to the Pagoda by Nguyen Xuan Khanh in the literary achievements of the renovation period - 2

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