A Critical Review Of The History Of Phan Boi Chau (Term Paper Sample)

Phan Boi Chau
Name;
Institutional Affiliation:
Professor:
Course:
Date
Introduction
The material, Overturned Chariot” gives an autobiography of Phan Boi Chau who according to the material turned out to be the leader of a movement known as Vietnamese Independence. Phan Boi Chau is depicted in the material as the initiator of the movement that took place in the first quarter of the 20th century and is also determined as the link between those who prompted the struggle against the French regime in Vietnam, the older generation, and the younger generation who continued with the struggle. In his autobiography, Phan composes an account his life while under a house arrest by the French dictators. His account was rather developed in Chinese but is translated by Viny & Nicholas who give Phans story a different perspective. This paper therefore seeks to carry out an analysis of this source with the aim of developing an understanding of the different interpretive elements of historical research and experiences.[. Dutton, George. "Threatening Histories." Critical Asian Studies 45, no. 3 (September 2013): 365-392]
Identity of the Document
It is essential to determine that Phans work or literature is an autobiography in which he writes is account to share on his experiences under the French authorities. It is therefore essential to determine that this literature originated from the Chinese excerpt and was latter translated into English with the sole author of this piece ascribed as Phan Boi Chau himself. According to this source, it is significant to also determine that this literature was authored by Chan in 1907 after a period of three years in which he led an anti-colonial movement in Vietnam.[. Ibid. 1]
According to the nature of this document, it is essential to note that the material was developed for the Vietnamese who were ready to stand up to fight for their country. This clearly gives the impression that this document was authored with the sole aim of increasing the awareness and support of the Vietnamese to seek for their independence from the French regime. The author of this material therefore directed this literature to the Vietnamese people irrespective of their age, genders, or ethnicity.[. Freeman, Nick. 2001. "Overturned Chariot: The Autobiography of Phan Boi Chau (Book Review)." SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues In Southeast Asia 16, no. 2: 348-350]
Examining the Document;
Phan Boi Chau in his literature voices out his concern by calling the people of Vietnam to unite for their efforts with the primary aim of becoming free and independent from the French dictators. In this entire account of the literature, Phan emphasizes the manner in which life would have been better for both the country and its citizens when they achieved their goal of modernization. Phan therefore provides details of the elements that the people of Vietnam need to consider seizing their power and developing principles that would in turn make Vietnam a powerful nation.[. Ibid. 2]
Phan Boi in his article also gives details not only about the journey to a modernized Vietnam but also outlines the approaches the country needs to take in the future that would enable the Vietnamese to become independent and successful. Phans message was developed in this manner considering the fact that the French regime was so rigid and had all the control on the Vietnamese, a factor that made it impossible for this nation to modernize under the French government. Phan explains that there were reasons as to why Vietnam needed to be independent. He alleges that education was one of the rights that these people were denied.The French government did not allow the Vietnamese to attend school. This therefore prompted Phan to send out people back to Vietnam with the aim of carrying out militant duties.[. Kelley, Liam C. 2010. "Phan Châu Trinh and His Political Writings. Studies on Southeast Asia, No. 49." Pacific Affairs 83, no. 3: 637-639] [. Ibid. 3]
Additionally, it is essential to note that in this account, Phan attempts to give an impression of how life was difficult and even getting basic amenities a problem. Getting aid from any government became another challenge especially when they needed support in developing the Vietnam Restoration League that would fight for the independence of this country. Other nations however believed that what was important for Vietnam was education since people without education would not succeed at insurrection. These were the elements that prompted Phan to make a difference in Vietnam. In determining the date of this material, it is essential to consider the fact that this was authored before Vietnam achieved its independence around 1907 after a period of three years in which he led an anti-colonial movement in Vietnam.[. Lockhart, Bruce, Haydon Cherry, and Keith Taylor. 2014. "A History of the Vietnamese." SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia 29, no. 3: 738-753.]
Evaluation
In my view, considering the fact that this document was first authored in Chinese but is translated by Viny & Nicholas, there would be elements of biasness in the development of the document. The reliability of this document may therefore be probable since its intent and message may have been watered down. In any case this was a research paper; it would have been easy to match the views of the translations and th...