Top 7 Best Analytical Essays on Vietnamese Folk Humor Stories (Literature 8)

Humorous stories have long been a cherished "mental treat" in ancient societies. After long hours of hard work, people would turn to these stories for relaxation and entertainment. The value of a joke is not only in the laughter it provokes, but also in the moral lessons it carries, often offering sharp critiques of social behavior. One such well-known humorous story is 'The Signboard'.

The story involves a fish seller who hangs a sign reading 'Fresh Fish Sold Here'. The sign does its job perfectly by clearly communicating the location (here), the activity (selling), and the quality (fresh fish). The story would have ended there if not for the unsolicited feedback from passersby. The first person remarks, 'Is this shop known for selling rotten fish, why else would they specify 'fresh'?' So, the seller removes 'fresh'. The second person questions, 'Why would anyone come here to buy fish instead of flowers?' So, the seller removes 'here'. The third passerby comments, 'If you're not selling fish, why would you display them so obviously?' So, the seller removes 'selling'. The last person dismisses the sign entirely, saying, 'It's obvious you're selling fish, why even bother with the sign?' And so, the seller removes 'fish'.

The fish seller seems to take every opinion seriously, which could be a positive trait, reflecting his respect for others. However, what’s problematic is his lack of critical thinking, blindly following others' suggestions without forming his own judgment. This leads to a humorous yet absurd situation. If the seller had been more discerning, he would have realized that the feedback was subjective and not genuinely constructive.

The humor arises from the seller’s naive trust in the opinions of random strangers. His decision to remove the sign, which he had worked hard to put up, shows a lack of personal conviction and judgment.

The story of 'The Signboard' serves as a critique of people who lack firm beliefs or independent judgment. It teaches us the importance of being thoughtful and discerning when receiving feedback, and not acting impulsively without understanding the intent behind others' comments.

Laughter is an essential part of life for everyone, especially for those who work hard. Humorous stories provide a mental escape for our people after long and tiring workdays. One of the stories we cannot overlook in the collection of Vietnamese humor is 'The Signboard'. This story is both funny and a sharp critique of indecisive people who blindly follow others' suggestions without thinking for themselves.

The story is about a fish shop that creates a large sign saying, 'Fresh Fish Sold Here' to attract customers. The sign clearly states the location (here), the activity (selling), the product (fish), and its quality (fresh). One would think that such a complete sign would not be subject to any criticism, but the opposite happens. The first person comments, 'Was this shop known for selling rotten fish, that's why they need to specify 'fresh'?'; the second person says, 'Would people come here to buy fish instead of flowers?'; the third one remarks, 'If you’re not selling fish, why are you displaying them?' The last person quips, 'It’s obvious you’re selling fish, why bother with a sign?' Each time the shop owner listens to the comments, he removes one word from the sign until he ends up taking it down entirely. The laughter comes from the absurdity of the shopkeeper's blind obedience to the opinions of passersby. He doesn't question whether the feedback is valid, just following each suggestion without hesitation. This story humorously critiques those who lack conviction in their decisions and blindly accept others' opinions without critical thought.

The story is straightforward, with only four lines of dialogue from the passersby, yet the humor still rings out loud. The humor comes from the shopkeeper’s indecision and his willingness to follow others' advice without thinking. Additionally, the comedic tension in the story plays a big part in creating the laughter.

'The Signboard' brings joy to people with its humor, while gently criticizing those who lack self-confidence and don’t carefully consider others' feedback.

A smile or laughter is a natural, spontaneous expression of emotion in human life. Aside from rare instances where laughter brings tears or bitterness, most of us laugh when we're happy, or when we see something strange or amusing. The Vietnamese people, known for their optimism and depth, have a unique way of laughing.

In the treasure trove of folk literature, our ancestors have created a vast collection of humorous tales, called 'comic stories.' These tales vary widely, with some providing light-hearted humor to relieve the fatigue of daily work, while others use satire to criticize flaws or mock enemies. The story 'The Signboard' falls into the category of satirical humor, offering a sharp critique in the form of a comic story, showcasing the distinctiveness of Vietnamese folk humor.

The sign in question was an advertisement for a fish shop, stating: 'Fresh Fish Sold Here.' The sign had four components:

- 'Here': Announcing the location of the shop

- 'Selling': Announcing the shop’s activity

- 'Fish': Announcing the product being sold

- 'Fresh': Advertising the quality of the product to attract customers.

All four of these elements are necessary for an effective advertisement, a way of communicating using language. Yet, the shop received feedback from four 'valuable' customers. One by one, they kindly and humorously gave their suggestions on the sign. On first glance, their comments seemed reasonable. Each one came from a personal perspective based on their own observations. One person looked, another sniffed, and others focused solely on the product without understanding the full meaning of the sign. Essentially, the four guests only emphasized one part of the message, ignoring the whole picture and the relationship between the components. In a way, their comments were like the fabled blind men describing an elephant, each touching a different part and misunderstanding the whole.

The shopkeeper could have reflected for a moment and realized that each guest had a narrow view. But instead, the shopkeeper mindlessly followed the advice, removing part of the sign each time, until the sign was completely taken down. Each time the shopkeeper 'removed' something, the story built toward greater humor. As the sign shrank, the laughter grew louder and more profound, especially when the sign was reduced to just the word 'fish'.

At this point, one might think the shop was saved, but another guest came along with a final suggestion, even more absurd than the previous ones. The shopkeeper, still following the advice, made the situation even more ridiculous. The audience laughs because each suggestion seemed logical at first, but when followed without thought, it led to an absurd conclusion. The highest point of laughter is reached when the shopkeeper completely loses his sense of judgment.

Thus, 'The Signboard' creates humor that also carries a subtle critique of those who lack self-confidence and independent thinking, especially when receiving feedback. The comedic technique here is built on escalating absurdity, reaching its peak in the final laugh. This is a common feature of comic tales. The story not only teaches us about life’s approach but also reminds us of the importance of choosing the right words and being precise in communication. If you read the story 'The Carpenter's Road,' you'll also find a similar mocking laugh in that tale.

Within the rich collection of Vietnamese folk literature, there are numerous works that bring joy and laughter to people. These range from subtle, profound humor to lighthearted wit and even deep, critical satire. One standout piece that evokes laughter in readers is 'The Signboard'.

'The Signboard' elicits a gentle laughter because the story functions as an allegory. It tells of a shopkeeper who hangs a sign saying, 'Fresh Fish Sold Here'. As passersby offer their feedback, the shopkeeper begins to remove parts of the sign until it's ultimately taken down.

The unique twist is that the shopkeeper doesn’t stop to consider whether the feedback is correct or not. Instead, he blindly follows the advice, showing himself to be someone who is easily swayed by outside opinions without understanding the true intent of what is being said. This reflects the shopkeeper’s lack of resolve and ability to make independent decisions. He changes the wording on the sign based on others' suggestions, rather than keeping his original message intact.

Initially, the sign clearly stated its purpose: 'Fresh Fish Sold Here'—a straightforward message. However, just a few remarks from others led the shopkeeper to gradually erase the words on the sign. The first person questioned whether the shop sold spoiled fish, suggesting that the word 'fresh' should be removed. Without thinking, the shopkeeper complied, and now the sign read, 'Fresh Fish Sold Here' minus 'fresh'. The second person remarked that the phrase 'here' was unnecessary, so the shopkeeper promptly removed it. The sign now simply said, 'Fish Sold Here'. Then, a third person questioned why 'selling fish' needed to be stated, and once again, the shopkeeper followed the advice and erased the phrase 'selling'. Finally, the fourth person, who commented that the smell of fish was already evident, prompted the shopkeeper to remove the word 'fish' itself. In the end, all that remained was an empty sign.

The story humorously critiques the shopkeeper’s gullibility, as he never stops to question the feedback. Each remark seems logical at first, but as they accumulate, it becomes clear that following them results in absurdity. The humor comes from the shopkeeper’s failure to critically assess the advice, leading to a laughable situation. The moral of the story is that while we should be open to feedback, we must be discerning and thoughtful when incorporating others' opinions into our decisions.

When it comes to Vietnamese folk literature, one cannot overlook the genre of humorous stories—simple yet profound tales that not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons to generations. Among these, 'The Wedding Pig, New Clothes' is a name that has become widely recognized. While the story may seem straightforward, it delivers a sharp critique of human vanity.

'The Wedding Pig, New Clothes' is a simple tale. A man buys a new coat and waits all day without receiving any compliments. In the afternoon, someone approaches, eager to boast about their own belongings. Instead of inquiring about a missing pig, this person emphasizes, 'The wedding pig,' implying a grand feast is being prepared. Not to be outdone, the man replies, 'Since I’ve worn this new coat, I haven’t seen any pig pass by here.'

The humor in this story lies in the unnecessary details in their conversation. With just two characters and a two-line dialogue, neither person listens to the other’s question. One brags about a pig, the other about his new coat—each seeking admiration and recognition from the other. This not only evokes laughter from the audience but also subtly mocks the human tendency to boast.

With its simple plot, humorous twist, and familiar characters, the story still manages to convey a meaningful lesson about humility. It also critiques the vanity and obsession with showing off, a trait not just present in the past but still widespread today. This is why such stories, with their lighthearted yet poignant approach, continue to resonate over time.

Humorous stories are a product of folk creativity, widely circulated among the people. These tales are not only crafted to provide entertainment after a long day of hard work but also to subtly critique human flaws and offer meaningful lessons. One of the most famous humorous stories is 'The Wedding Pig, New Clothes'.

The story follows a humorous encounter between two boastful men. One, proudly wearing his new coat, stands at the gate all day, hoping to receive compliments from passersby. Yet, despite his patience, no one acknowledges his new outfit. The man’s persistence in waiting for praise, even when no one shows interest, makes his actions seem childish and absurd. He spends the entire day, from morning till evening, hoping for empty flattery. This comical yet foolish pursuit of praise speaks volumes about the vanity of the character.

The plot takes a humorous turn when the man in the new coat meets another person, who also shares the same boastful nature. The story would have been ordinary if the new man had simply asked about a missing pig. However, his urge to brag overrides his purpose, as he asks, 'Have you seen my wedding pig?' The emphasis on 'wedding pig' is meant to flaunt his extravagant celebration, further highlighting his desire for attention.

The dialogue becomes even more comical when the man in the new coat responds, 'Since I’ve worn this new coat, I haven’t seen any pig pass by here.' Although the answer technically addresses the question about the pig, it’s clear that the real intention behind his response is to boast about his new coat. This exchange of boastful remarks creates a humorous situation, as both men are caught up in their own desire for recognition.

Through this amusing interaction between two vain individuals, the story subtly critiques the human tendency to boast and exaggerate. It reflects a flaw that was prevalent in the past and continues to exist in society today. With its natural storytelling style and concise humor, 'The Wedding Pig, New Clothes' not only brings laughter but also delivers a meaningful lesson about the dangers of vanity and the importance of humility.

The story "The Wedding Pig and the New Clothes" is one of the most memorable folk tales in Vietnam, satirizing the tendency of people who constantly brag about their possessions. This habit turns the proud show-off into the laughing stock of others.

The story, short as a skit, recounts a quirky competition between two men, both eager to boast, but with nothing of real value to show off. One brags about his lost pig, which he needs for a wedding feast, and the other proudly displays his new shirt. The scene is set during a particularly chaotic moment in the wedding preparations, where the man should have been too preoccupied to care about showing off his pig or clothes, but still chooses to do so.

When searching for his pig, the man could have simply asked, "Have you seen my pig running by here?" or provided a description. Instead, he unnecessarily adds the word 'wedding' to emphasize that the pig is for a special occasion. This extra detail serves no real purpose other than to allow him to show off his pig in front of others. His question, while seeking the pig, is more about showing off than actually solving the problem.

Similarly, the man with the new shirt is also eager to flaunt his purchase. Rather than wait for a holiday or special event, he wears it immediately, eager for compliments. His childish enthusiasm to show off his new shirt is akin to a child wanting attention for a new toy. His behavior is less about the shirt and more about the need to boast.

His method of showing off is almost comical: he stands by the door all day, waiting for someone to pass by and comment on his new shirt. He waits for hours, and when no one acknowledges him, he is frustrated. But just when he's about to give up, the pig-searching man walks by. Seizing the opportunity, the shirt man exclaims, "Since I’ve been wearing THIS NEW SHIRT, I haven't seen any pig pass by!" His answer is completely unnecessary, but he uses it as an excuse to flaunt his new purchase. This adds an extra layer of absurdity to the situation.

The over-the-top boastfulness of both characters reaches its peak, creating a laughable scene. The pig and the shirt are of little importance, but the characters' desperate need to boast makes the whole situation ridiculous. The story cleverly uses this exaggerated display of boastfulness to mock these behaviors, turning a simple moment into a comedic exchange that also offers a critique of vanity.

The author has skillfully created a fierce competition between two boastful men. One man emphasizes that he has a wedding pig, and the other insists on showing off his new shirt. This exaggerated boastfulness creates humor, as neither man cares about the actual need at hand, but instead seeks validation through trivial things. The story ends with an unexpected twist that adds to its charm.

Boasting is a behavior driven by the desire to show off wealth and status, a common flaw in those who have recently come into money. It manifests in outward displays of wealth, such as clothing, speech, and even the decoration of homes in a gaudy manner.

In this story, boasting is taken to an absurd level. The characters do not boast about their accomplishments, intellect, or social status but about insignificant things like a pig or a shirt—items that aren't even worth boasting about. When boasting becomes a compulsive habit, it becomes an unpleasant trait that annoys those around you. The story of "The Wedding Pig and the New Clothes" serves as a lighthearted but valuable lesson for us all.