Phka Sropoun
Background
Phka Sropoun (Khmer: ផ្កាស្រពោន) is a famous Khmer novel that was written by Nou Hach in 1949. The story occurred in French Colony. The story portrays the old mindset in Cambodia that the children must marry the person who their parents select (arranged marriage).
Author
Nou Hach (Khmer: នូ ហាច) was born on June 26, 1916 in Kampong Preah Commune, Sangkae District, Battambang, Cambodia. His father's name is Khuon Nov (Khmer: ឃួន នៅ), and his mother name is Or Muoch (Khmer: ឳរ មួច). They were farmers. Hach is the eldest child of the family. He married Mrs. Tan Rem (Khmer: តាន់ រ៉េម) and had eight children.[1][2]
His famous works encompass:
- Phkar Sropoun (ផ្កាស្រពោន)
- Mealea Duong Chet (មាលាដួងចិត្ត)
- Truoy Chivit (ត្រួយជីវិត)
- Neary Chea Ti Sneha (នារីជាទីស្នេហា)
- Tho Bek, French poem (ថូបែក)
- Etc.
Plot Summary
Bun Thoeun (ប៊ុនធឿន) and Vitheavy (វិធាវី) have been arranged to get married since they were young. Unfortunately, Bunthoeun's family becomes poor because a storm sinks the boat that his father uses to transport the rice in Prey Nokor.
Mrs. Nuon (យាយនួន), mother of Vitheavy, is a person who would like money rather than honor and honesty. She disengages Bunthoeun from her daughter. She engages her daughter with Naisot (ណៃស៊ត), who is a rich man. Naisot is bad-tempered, immoral, and naughty. He uses his money to do anything he wants.
Since then, Vitheavy is sick and always thinks of Bunthoeun. However, she dares not argue with her mother over this problem. Her health condition becomes worse and worse. Seeing this, Mrs. Nuon brings her daughter to visit Siem Reap to make her glad, but Vitheavy seems to not be happy with this.
Vitheavy coughs with blood. Believing in superstition, her mother brings her to the fortune teller and uses various superstitious methods to cure her. However, it does not work. Her illness is still serious.
After Bunthoeun discovers Vitheavy will be getting married, he is so sad and cries alone. He goes into the forest for days with Mr. So (តាសូ) to find firewood and fish to reduce stress. When he returns home, Vitheavy dies. This make him upset and sad.[3]