Old Man Hạc

Old Man Hạc is the titular deuteragonist of Nam Cao's short story Old Man Hạc as well as the film Once Upon a Time in Vũ Đại Village, a composite adaptation of Nam Cao's stories. He is a farmer who wants to keep his own garden for his son at all cost, even if it means selling his beloved dog, Vàng, to do so. He is also a good friend of Teacher Thứ.

In Once Upon a Time in Vũ Đại Village, he was portrayed by the late famous author Kim Lân.

Personality[]

Old Man Hạc's character is full of tragedies: He has to work hard to get money, misses his son who has left for the rubber plantation, and only has his dog Vàng as a friend. Despite all those tragedies however, Hạc is nevertheless determined, never abandoning his goal of keeping the garden, even if it means selling Vàng, an act that breaks his heart. He also likes to talk with Teacher Thứ while the two smoke tobaccos, drink tea and eat sweet potatoes on a daily basis.

When Hạc asks for Binh Tư (Chí Phèo in the movie) for dog baits, it initially seems that he has finally decided to resort to a low way to continue living. However, Hạc proves that he's actually incorruptible after all, as his true purpose is eating the baits to die after selling Vàng.

Because of Hạc's wiseness and pure heart, he's widely respected by the villagers, as shown when everyone attends his funeral, even Chí Phèo.

Biography[]

Old Man Hạc[]

Old Man Hạc is a widowed husband whose son has left for the rubber plantation to get enough money after being rejected by the girl he loved for being poor. Wanting to keep his own garden for his son once the latter returns, he tries to do it by gaining as much money as possible. In free times, Hạc often talks with Teacher Thứ about the his life while the two smoke tobaccos and eat potatoes together. One day, Hạc decides to sell his beloved dog Vàng due to the lack of money. Although the Teacher consoles him by telling him that Vàng may reincarnate into a better life, Hạc says that Vàng may reincarnate into a poor human one like his own.

Later on, Old Man Hạc asks the village's thief Binh Tư for some dog baits, saying that he wants to kill stray dogs to make money. This makes the Teacher wondering if Hạc has finally resorted to a low way to make a living, much to his sadness. However, it turns out that Hạc actually uses the dog baits to commit suicide, having been unable to live with the guilt of selling Vàng. Saddened by his death, the Teacher vows to keep Hạc's garden until the latter's son returns.

Once Upon a Time in Vũ Đại Village[]

Old Man Hạc's role largely remains the same as in the short story, but here due to the movie also incorporating events from Nam Cao's other short stories, it's added that he's a good friend with Chí Phèo, who is also given Binh Tư's role as the one who gives him the dog baits. It's also added that Bá Kiến constantly tries to convince Hạc to sell his garden, much to the old man's displeasure.

After Hạc commits suicide, the Teacher, Chí Phèo and the rest of the villagers attend his funeral, burying him and paying him respects. Hạc's death has a major impact on Chí, who has just been rejected by Thị Nở. Knowing that he has nothing left to live for, Chí then goes to Bá Kiến's house and kills the latter before committing suicide. However, this results in Cường, Kiến's son, becoming the new canton chief, replacing his deceased father. Sick of all the tragedies that Bá Kiến and Cường have brought onto the Vũ Đại village, the Teacher leaves to an uncertain future.