What are the guidelines for preparing the brief lesson "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia" for 12th-grade students in Vietnam? What are the mandatory literary works in the Literature curricula in Vietnam?

What are the guidelines for preparing the brief lesson "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia" for 12th-grade students in Vietnam?

Below are guidelines for preparing the brief lesson "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia":

1 Summary of "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia"

The excerpt "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia" is from the novel "Số đỏ", reflecting the scene of the family organizing a funeral after the patriarch's death. However, instead of grieving, the family members are joyful because his death brings benefits to them.

Patriarch Hong is smug because he has the chance to wear mourning clothes and appear as a "senior" figure.

Mr. Phan "with horns" (as his wife had an affair) is happy because he is about to inherit property.

Miss Tuyet is pleased because she has the opportunity to show off her body in a revealing mourning outfit "innocently unaware of love."

Minh Van and his wife take advantage of this occasion to promote the movement of Westernization and modern fashion.

High society sees the funeral as an opportunity to show off, displaying false pretenses and hypocrisy.

The funeral becomes an extravagant performance where people only care about appearances, reputation, and money instead of filial piety. Additionally, the appearance of Xuan Toc Do, the one responsible for the patriarch's death, is celebrated and even viewed as a "hero."

2. Reading comprehension

Question 1. What are the thoughts of the people in the bereaved family?

Instead of grieving over the patriarch's passing, family members are joyful because his death brings them many benefits:

- Patriarch Hong is joyful because he has the chance to boast about his role as a senior.

- Mr. Phan "with horns" is delighted because he's about to receive his inheritance.

- Miss Tuyet is happy because she has the chance to flaunt her "innocent and love-unaware" beauty in a revealing mourning outfit.

- The Minh Van couple is excited to promote the Westernization movement.

- The high society sees this as an opportunity to showcase their luxury and flaunt their reputation.

Question 2. How are the members of the bereaved family “confused”?

The "confusion" here is sarcastic, as no one truly grieves but is busy concerning themselves with their own benefits:

- Patriarch Hong worries about showing off his bereaved appearance.

- Minh Van and his wife worry about fashionable outfits.

- Miss Tuyet worries about looking the most seductive.

- Xuan Toc Do is confused but praised like someone with merits to the family.

3. Answer the questions

Question 1. What is the relation between the title "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia" and the story's situation?

The title is paradoxical and satirical, juxtaposing two opposing concepts: "happiness" and "bereaved family." A funeral should be a place for expressing sorrow and mourning, but in the story, it becomes a moment for people to celebrate, show off, and calculate personal gains. This reveals the moral decline, falsehood, and absurdity of the upper-class society at that time.

Question 2. What are the moods and actions of the bereaved family members like? According to you, what has the author reflected on family relationships and social ethics of that period?

Moods of the bereaved family members: No one is genuinely sad. Instead, they are cheerful and happy as the funeral brings personal benefits.

Their actions: Everyone is busy worrying, not for the patriarch, but for their appearance, assets, and reputation.

Reflected meaning: The author criticizes the moral decay of the family, where descendants no longer have affection for relatives. At the same time, he condemns the ostentatious, false lifestyle of the upper-class society, where money and fame govern everything.

Question 3. How did the author observe and describe the funeral procession? Identify realistic style expressions through such observations and descriptions.

Descriptive method: The author vividly portrays each character with exaggerated looks, gestures, and costumes, crafting a ridiculous image of a funeral.

Realistic style expressions:

- Detailed observation, reflecting the true nature of society.

- Use of satirical tone, exposing falsehood.

- Building typical images, reflecting a degenerate bourgeoisie class.

Question 4. Analyze some unique satirical artistic features of author Vu Trong Phung in the excerpt "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia".

- Title staging: The contradiction between "happiness" and "bereaved family" creates profound satire.

- Creating contradictory situations: The funeral, meant to convey sorrow, becomes a show-off and benefit occasion.

- Use of satirical language and comparisons: The exaggerated descriptions like “death that made many people happy” or “Miss Tuyet decently revealing” reflect sharp irony.

- Tone: Humorous satire but with a strong criticism.

Question 5. What message did Vu Trong Phung convey through this excerpt? In your opinion, what significance does the message hold in today’s society?

The author's message:

- Criticism of moral decline in upper-class families.

- Condemnation of fake, practical lifestyle, placing personal interests over kinship.

- Exposing the absurdity of the bourgeois society’s face.

Significance in today’s context:

- There are still many who prioritize material over emotions, valuing form over content.

- Some live falsely, losing morality for fame and profit.

- The work reminds us to uphold ethical values, humanity, and cherish family bonds.

Question 6. What artistic detail in the text "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia" do you like best? Why?

- A distinctive artistic detail is how Xuan Toc Do is hailed as someone with great contributions at the funeral, even though he is the real cause of the patriarch’s death.

- Reason for preference:

+ Clearly shows the irony and satire on moral decline.

+ Highlights the stupidity of the upper-class society, where a fraud like Xuan is praised.

+ Vu Trong Phung's sharp writing highlights the satirical art.

Note: The content is for reference only.

What are the guidelines for preparing the brief lesson "Hạnh phúc của một tang gia" for 12th-grade students in Vietnam? What are the mandatory literary works in the Literature curricula in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are the mandatory literary works in the Literature curricula in Vietnam?

Under the General Education Program for Literature issued together with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the mandatory literary works in the Literature curricula in Vietnam include:

- Vietnamese folk literature

+ Select at least 4 representative works of 4 types from the treasure trove of Vietnamese folk tales: legends, fairy tales, fables, and humorous stories.

+ Select at least 3 folk songs on themes: homeland, love, family feelings; people, and society (lyrical or satirical).

+ Select at least 1 Vietnamese epic.

+ Select at least 1 narrative poem from Vietnam's ethnic minorities.

+ Select at least 1 script from Cheo or Tuong Theater.

- Vietnamese written literature, select at least 1 work from each of the following authors:

+ Nom poetry, expository writing by Nguyen Trai.

+ Chinese poetry by Nguyen Du.

+ Nom poetry by Ho Xuan Huong.

+ Nom poetry by Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

+ Nom poetry by Nguyen Khuyen.

+ Stories and poetry by Nguyen Ai Quoc - Ho Chi Minh.

+ Short stories, novels by Nam Cao.

+ Novels, reportage by Vu Trong Phung.

+ Poetry by Xuan Dieu before the August Revolution.

+ Poetry by To Huu before and after the August Revolution.

+ Short stories, essays by Nguyen Tuan.

+ Plays by Nguyen Huy Tuong.

+ Plays by Luu Quang Vu.

- For Foreign literature, select at least 1 work from each of the following literary traditions: English, French, American, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian.

What is the minimum teaching equipment required for 12th-grade Literature in Vietnam?

Under the General Education Program for Literature issued together with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the minimum teaching equipment required for 12th-grade Literature in Vietnam is as follows:

The minimum teaching equipment for the Literature subject is a reference library, having all major types of literature, expository, and informative texts; including both book forms: stories, and comic books.

In each major type of text, all subtypes should be included: literary texts including stories, poems, plays, and essays; expository texts including literary and social expositions; informative texts including explanatory texts and practical texts.

In addition, it requires some illustrations such as portraits of major writers included in the program; artwork illustrating content and artistry of significant works like "Nam quốc sơn hà", "Hịch tướng sĩ", "Bình Ngô đại cáo", "Truyện Kiều", "Văn tế nghĩa sĩ Cần Giuộc", "Tuyên ngôn Độc lập", etc.