Outline of Sarcastic Laughter in Happiness of a Bereaved Family

Outline of Sarcastic Laughter in Happiness of a Bereaved Family 

I. Outline of Sarcastic Laughter in Happiness of a Bereaved Family (Standard)

1. Introduction

- General introduction to the author Vu Trong Phung - a master of satirical literature
- Overview of the novel 'Dumb Luck' and the excerpt from Happiness of a Bereaved Family
- Stating the problem: Sarcastic laughter in the excerpt from Happiness of a Bereaved Family.

2. Body

a. Satirical Contradictions from the Title Itself
- The author employs contrasting terms 'bliss' - 'bereaved family' to evoke curiosity, attention, and suspicion from the readers.
- It sets the stage for a story - a tragicomic drama with many absurd and poignant life scenes, eliciting profound, bitter laughter.

b. Profoundly Satirical Characters
- Old man Hồng - the eldest son of Old man Tổ, imagines the scene when his father wears a spiked helmet, staggering with a cane, crying and laughing at the same time, leaving the audience amazed.
- Mr. Phán with horns: Despite being cuckolded by his wife, he not only can't do anything but also feels pleasure, pride because those horns have great value.
- Mr. Văn Minh with a hesitant demeanor, feeling unsure, hesitant, finally happy because that congratulatory letter finally comes true.
- Mrs. Văn Minh, Miss Tuyết flaunt modern, trendy outfits, an opportunity for Miss Tuyết to prove she's still a virgin, an opportunity for Mr. Hồng's friends to show off badges, medals, for Tú Tân to show off his photography skills.

c. Scenes, Satirical Details
- The funeral of Old man Tổ, 'the grandest in Hà Thành', a funeral with all the trappings 'in every style, Vietnamese, Chinese, Western, complete with sedan chairs, roasted pigs, and even 'boisterous crowds, smoke, and garlands, with several hundred people accompanying...'.
- Everyone attending that funeral is insincere, they don't have any sorrow but each person has their own joy, their own reasons.
+ Tuyết in her Innocent outfit to prove her innocence to everyone.
+ Mr. Hồng's friends turn the funeral into a place to show off badges, mustaches.
+ Miss Tuyết's friends, Mrs. Văn Minh turn the funeral into a place of 'gossip, flirting, criticizing, envying, dating, all with the sad faces of the funeral attendees.'

- Closing Scene:
+ Tú Tân like a director arranging, staging for everyone to let him take pictures on the anniversary.
+ Mr. Phán with horns, crying 'hứt...hứt...hứt...' seemingly tearing up but behind it is a deal, a transaction with Red-haired Spring.

3. Conclusion

Summarize the sarcastic laughter in the excerpt and express personal thoughts.
 

II. Sample Essay Sarcastic Laughter in Happiness of a Bereaved Family (Standard)

In the realm of modern Vietnamese literature, there are numerous exemplary authors along with unique works that resonate across generations, and among them, Vu Trong Phung is known as the 'king of Northern journalism.' His works vividly and deeply depict the contemporary reality, and 'Dumb Luck' stands out as one of his most successful novels. Reading 'Dumb Luck' in general, and the excerpt 'Happiness of a Bereaved Family' in particular, readers not only witness the hypocritical, deceitful face of the upper-class society of that time but also deeply perceive the profound and sharp sarcastic laughter of the author.