Top 10 Summaries of 'The Joy of a Funeral' excerpted from 'Dumb Luck' - Vu Trong Phung's Finest

Cụ cố Hồng, the family patriarch, has passed away. Seemingly a joyous occasion for the family, as with his death, the long-awaited inheritance can now be distributed among his descendants. The family busily prepares for the funeral, eagerly anticipating the moment to flaunt their wealth. Upon receiving the order to commence the funeral rites, they joyfully rush to present their condolences. However, each individual harbors their own secret happiness amidst the facade. Amidst the funeral proceedings, Cụ Hồng leisurely smokes opium, seemingly indifferent to grief. Văn Minh's wife, outwardly hesitant, is, in fact, preoccupied with thoughts of showcasing herself in fashionable attire, while Văn Minh contemplates rewarding Xuân Tóc Đỏ for causing Cụ Hồng's demise. Tú Tân appears outwardly frenzied but is eagerly awaiting the chance to use his new camera. Phán, reveling in newfound wealth, delights in receiving additional money. Despite being the perpetrator of Cụ Hồng's death, Xuân Tóc Đỏ emerges as the central figure, the benefactor of the descendants. As the funeral preparations progress, the facade of pretense is exposed. The ostentatious organization overlooks the deceased, with attendees preoccupied with their own interests. Cụ Hồng's acquaintance proudly displays his medals, while two policemen rejoice in having employment. Young men and women arrive for socializing, their feigned cries ringing hollow. Tú Tân methodically captures each moment with his camera, while Phán continues his seemingly endless tears, a facade that belies true emotions. Upon Xuân Tóc Đỏ's arrival, Phán hastily slips five silver coins into his hand as a token of gratitude. Only with Xuân's involvement does Cụ Hồng's death and the subsequent funeral reach such grandeur.

The joy of a bereaved family revolves around the story of the deceased, Cụ Hồng, from the moment of his ailing to his actual demise. The narrative begins with the passing of the patriarch, and its significance only unfolds from this moment onward. His death affords the descendants the opportunity to showcase to society the absurdities of filial generations, portrayed through a blend of Westernized attire and traditional Vietnamese customs, alongside the antics of the in-laws and those around them. The grand funeral procession of Cụ Hồng is a parade of mobile festivities, orchestrated by the antics of the upper-middle class. Through this excerpt, the author exposes the frivolity, moral bankruptcy, and traditions of those who live under the guise of colonial subjugation, painting a panoramic view of the contemporary society steeped in decay.

After three days of dilly-dallying, the venerable ancestor, over 80 years old, passed away for real. Cụ cố Hồng, along with Văn Minh and his wife, the horned Phán, the lad Tú Tân, Miss Tuyết... all the grandchildren were extremely elated. The deceased, superficially checked by the upper echelons, had been mourned for nearly a day without any progress. Only after the old lady went to arrange Tuyết's marriage did Cụ Hồng agree to the funeral proceedings. The grandchildren joyously went to deliver the obituary notices, blew ceremonial horns, and hired funeral cars.

At seven in the morning the next day, the procession began. Two police officers, Min Đơ and Min Toa, were hired to maintain order. Tuyết wore innocent attire to invite guests. The funeral procession followed a mixed Western, Eastern, and Vietnamese route. There were sedan chairs, roast pigs, couplets, and hundreds of mourners. Incense wafted, drums resounded, and wreaths adorned the scene. As the procession crossed the fourth street, while Tuyết's parents and a few others were gossiping about Xuân's attitude, six cars appeared, each covering two sedan chairs. Two grand wreaths, one from the Gõ Mõ newspaper and one from Xuân, took the lead. Tú Tân hurriedly snapped photos. The old lady rushed up, ecstatic that Mr. Director Xuân not only wasn't angry but also helped respond positively to the condolences, making the funeral the most prestigious of all. The dignitaries laughed and joked, critiqued each other...

During the burial, Tú Tân meticulously captured each person. Phán, the horned one, loudly cried, “Hút! Hút! Hút!” secretly slipping a folded five-dong bill into Xuân's hand... discreetly ensuring no one noticed...

After three days of severe illness, the grandfather passed away, bringing joy to the grandchildren as his death brought them many benefits. The noteworthy story begins here, with some boasting and others seeking personal gain.

There was no typical mourning atmosphere at the funeral, instead, there was a bustling preparation of modern mourning clothes, blending Western and Vietnamese styles to demonstrate respect for the deceased. It was the grandest and most elaborate funeral. Police officers were hired to maintain order, and the middle-class attendees wore sorrowful expressions. The funeral procession featured hundreds of couplets, and a combination of Eastern and Western-style floral arrangements. As the procession marched down the main street, six luxurious cars with sedan chairs and the Bà Đanh temple abbot appeared, making the funeral even more lively and upscale.

Funerals are usually a place for genuine grief, but here, it's different. The grandchildren feigned sadness, and the funeral became a place for showmanship and opportunism, where the middle-class judged and evaluated each other.

The happiness of a mourning family revolves around the story of an over 80-year-old deceased ancestor. The death of the grandfather brought immense joy to the extended family. From Grandfather Hồng, to the couple Văn Minh, to Phán, Tú Tân, Tuyết, and the entire clan of grandchildren, everyone seemed overjoyed. Grandfather Hồng daydreamed about wearing an extravagant outfit, leaning on a cane, and pretending to cry to attract attention: look at how old and feeble I've become. The funeral was conducted in the modern fashion of the upper class society. Actors posed for photos as if at a fair. Those participating in the procession all wore solemn expressions, discussing worldly matters such as family and household affairs. During the graveside scene, Tú Tân meticulously instructed everyone on how to arrange each photo. Grandfather Hồng pretended to sob and faint. While appearing mournful, it was all a facade. Phán pretended to wail loudly with strange sounds, but secretly slipped a five-dollar bill folded into four to Red-Haired Xuân.

The story 'Happiness of a Mourning Family' by author Vũ Trọng Phụng revolves around the death of the family patriarch. Ironically, the death was caused by a member of the family itself.

The passing of the patriarch brought joy to the entire household. Grandfather Hồng informed Phán that he would distribute the family's wealth among them. The entire family busily prepared for the funeral, with every member happily selecting modern mourning attire, hiring cars for the procession, and issuing obituaries. Everything was meticulously arranged to make it the grandest funeral in the region.

Grandfather Hồng even went to the trouble of hiring both Officer Min Đơ and Officer Min Toa to maintain order at the funeral. The attendees from the upper class feigned sorrow and compassion, but in reality, they scrutinized and evaluated the innocent attire of Tuyết and her sisters. The funeral procession was a mix of Eastern and Western styles.

Wherever the procession went, it attracted attention. The appearance of Red-Haired Xuân brought joy to the family, as his presence added to the grandeur and solemnity of the funeral. During the graveside scene, Tú was busy posing for photos, while Pháp only cried loudly to secure a larger share of the inheritance. He didn't forget to slip money into Red-Haired Xuân's hand for causing the patriarch's demise.

The story revolves around the death of the family patriarch, who passed away after a period of illness, much to the jubilation of many family members who had been waiting for his demise.

The funeral seemed to bring benefits to many, from hired caretakers to relatives and guests attending... Everyone at the funeral tried to dress in bright, dazzling outfits, seemingly to demonstrate the grandeur of the occasion and show their filial piety. The funeral was grandly organized with many upper-class guests attending, engaging in relaxed discussions and evaluations.

The funeral procession took place on many busy streets, attracting attention wherever it went. The appearance of Red-Haired Xuân made Grandfather Hồng feel very happy and satisfied. The graveside scene was noteworthy, with Tú Tân busy taking continuous photos, Grandfather Hồng pretending to mourn the deceased, and Phán secretly paying Red-Haired Xuân.

Funerals are usually somber occasions to bid farewell to the deceased, but this one was the strangest funeral where everyone seemed cheerful and happy, eagerly anticipating the division of the deceased's estate.

Finally, after three days of waiting, Grandfather Hồng passed away. His death brought joy to the family, joy in the rare opportunity to flaunt wealth to the common people. Grandfather Hồng dreamily imagined himself wearing flashy clothes, leaning on a cane, as others pointed and said, 'The eldest son is already so old.' The funeral was conducted according to the rituals of the upper class society, with celebrities taking photos as if they were at a festival. While escorting the procession, everyone tried to display a sad face but always discussed household matters, family, love affairs, etc. At the graveside, Tú Tân enthusiastically instructed everyone on how to pose for beautiful photos, Grandfather Hồng cried and fainted, while Phán pretended to cry loudly, secretly handing a silver paper to Red-Haired Xuân. It was all a staged drama, a farce orchestrated by those living in the upper-class world.

'The Happiness of a Bereaved Family' by Vũ Trọng Phụng revolves around the story of the deceased, Grandfather Hồng, starting from the moment he passed away. But the most significant meaning is from the moment Grandfather passed away, leaving his descendants an opportunity to show off to the surrounding world. The generations of descendants, in Grandfather's funeral, wear a mix of Western and Vietnamese-style clothes, playing the game of 'the fox preaches to the geese,' including daughters-in-law and those around them. Grandfather Hồng's funeral procession is a parade using all the tricks of the upper class. Through this excerpt, the author exposes the absurdities, moral depravity, and traditions of those living under the heels of colonial invaders, a panoramic view of the contemporary society full of decay.

The happiness of a bereaved family revolves around the story of the passing of Grandfather Hồng, a mock funeral but real joy. Grandfather Hồng was over eighty years old but kept on 'living forever.' The descendants eagerly anticipated this old man's demise, hoping for it to come soon. This wish came true when Red-haired Xuân - in a fit of jealousy - openly 'accused' in front of everyone that Phán - Grandfather's son-in-law (husband of Mrs. Twilight) was 'a horned husband.' This accusation was actually orchestrated by Phán, paying Xuân ten dong to directly cause the 'real death' of Grandfather. Even 'Grandfather' himself enjoyed his own 'real death': 'It was such a grand funeral that it could make the deceased in the coffin smile with joy, if not nodding their heads...'.

It was a grand and ostentatious funeral, everyone was joyful and extravagant. Văn Minh and his wife were happy because their wealth was no longer theoretical. The European-style tubes and tailor shops had the opportunity to promote the boldest funeral fashions. Tuyết had the opportunity to wear Innocent clothing to prove her virginity. Tú Tân had the chance to use the camera that had long been unused. Phán was delighted because he never expected that the horn on his head would be valuable. And thus there was a strange funeral: where joy was real and sorrow was fake.