History YMMV / TheTaleOfKieu

** Despite being a character with much tragedy potential, Thúy Vân was never given any lines or notable scenes. What does she think about her family situation? What exactly happened between her and Kim? Did they got engaged? Did they broke up? SexForSolace? What does she think about her sister being a forced prostitute, a rebel lover, attempted suicide and now reenter her life?
** In the same vein, Kiều's brother also disppear from the narrative after his arrest.

** The author's clear indignance at the PoliceBrutality that tore the Vương family apart. The silk merchant who wrongfully accused Mr. Vương of cheating him out of money is a KarmaHoudini, while both (innocent) Vương men were tortured, Kiều was forced to sell herself and undergo a TraumaCongaLine, and Vân forced to marry a man she (at least initially) did not love.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Despite being a character with much tragedy potential, Thúy Vân was never given any lines or notable scenes. What does she think about her family situation? What does she think about marrying a man who would never love her as much as her sister? What does she think about her sister being a forced prostitute, a rebel lover, attempted suicide and now reenter her life? Is she really okay with her sister basically become her husband's new wife in all but name?

* AdaptationDisplacement: ''Kim Vân Kiều truyện'', the original Chinese dime novel, is never brought up in literary discussions ''except'' when it's being mentioned as the source material. The bulk of literary attention is on the Vietnamese adaptation.

* ValuesResonance: Nguyễn Du was remarkably prescient and more open-minded than the majority of the contemporary intelligentsia (who criticized him for allegedly condoning immoral behavior).

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: It's a real risk, what with the constant barrage of trauma Kiều endures. Conversely, the darkness resonated with the Vietnamese readers who either identify with the relentless misfortunes on a personal basis, see Kiều as a metaphor for Vietnam's history (which has a long chain of invasions and thousands of years of domination by foreign forces), or both.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: It's a real risk, what with the constant barrage of trauma Kiều endures. Conversely, the darkness resonated with the Vietnamese readers who either identify with the relentless misfortunes on both a personal basis, see Kiều as a metaphor for Vietnam's history (which has a long chain of invasions and thousands of years of domination by foreign forces), or both.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: It's a real risk, what with the constant barrage of trauma Kiều endures. Conversely, the darkness resonated with the Vietnamese readers who either identify with the relentless misfortunes on both a personal basis -- see Kiều as a metaphor for Vietnam's history (which has a long chain of invasions and thousands of years of domination by foreign forces) -- or both.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: It's a real risk, what with the constant barrage of trauma Kiều endures. Conversely, the darkness resonated with the Vietnamese readers who either identify with the relentless misfortunes on both a personal basis, see Kiều as a metaphor for Vietnam's history (which has a long chain of invasions and thousands of years of domination by foreign forces), or both.

** Kim's passionate speech upon their reunion, convincing Kiều that she is not DefiledForever due to the tragedies in her life. He still respects her decision to enter into a SexlessMarriage.

** Kiều's decisive footsteps out of her house to meet Kim and court him by herself, going against the norms of ArrangedMarriages for socioeconomic benefits, is considered a proto-feminist action. Her family, upon discovery of their relationship, does not shame her for going behind their back, only grieving with her because of tragedy tearing her away from her first love.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: It's a real risk, what with the constant barrage of trauma Kiều endures. Conversely, the darkness resonated with the Vietnamese readers who either identify with the relentless misfortunes on both a personal basis, see Kiều as a metaphor for Vietnam's history (which has a long chain of invasions and thousands of years of domination by foreign forces), or both.

* CriticalDissonance: Upon its publication, the poem was extremely divisive - "utterly worshipped and utterly degraded". MoralGuardians condemned it as a worthless book of sins and a corrupting influence. Neutral opinions deemed it a good work of literature, but should be kept away from girls and women lest it [[FemalesAreMoreInnocent harm their purity]]. In modern times, it has been VindicatedByHistory and venerated as one of the classics of Vietnamese literature. Prior to the work reaching its HypeBacklash status, it was so beloved that one could find illiterate peasants being able to recite long stretches of the poem. Poets imitated the style and came up with a specific name for this homage ("lẩy Kiều"); the book was used to tell fortunes ("bói Kiều"), etc.

* CriticalDissonance: Upon its publication, the poem was extremely divisive - "utterly worshipped and utterly degraded". MoralGuardians condemned it as a worthless book of sins and a corrupting influence. Neutral opinions deemed it a good work of literature, but should be kept away from girls and women lest it [[WomenAreMoreInnocent harm their purity]]. In modern times, it has been VindicatedByHistory and venerated as one of the classics of Vietnamese literature. Prior to the work reaching its HypeBacklash status, it was so beloved that one could find illiterate peasants being able to recite long stretches of the poem. Poets imitated the style and came up with a specific name for this homage ("lẩy Kiều"); the book was used to tell fortunes ("bói Kiều"), etc.