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10 giugno 2023

What You Can Learn from Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14: A Humorous and Insightful Play about Education and Life

# Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14: A Review of the Hilarious One-Act Play Refund by Fritz Karinthy is a one-act play that was written in 1938 by the famous Hungarian playwright and humorist. The play was adapted and translated by the American playwright Percival Wilde and has been performed in many countries and languages. The play is a satire on the modern education system and the absurdity of human behavior. It tells the story of a former student who returns to his old school after 18 years and demands a refund of his tuition fees, claiming that he has learned nothing useful and that he is unfit for any job. He challenges the school to re-examine him and prove him wrong, but he deliberately gives wrong answers to every question. The teachers, however, try to outsmart him by finding logic and merit in his absurd responses. The play is full of witty dialogues, hilarious situations and comic characters. In this article, we will review the play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14, which is a digital version of the play that can be downloaded online. We will discuss the following aspects of the play: - The plot summary - The main characters - The themes and messages - The style and language - The critical reception - The relevance and significance We will also provide a table that compares the original Hungarian version with the English adaptation by Percival Wilde, as well as a conclusion and some FAQs about the play. ## Plot Summary The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 begins with the principal of a high school receiving a visitor named Wasserkopf, who claims to be a former student of the school. Wasserkopf tells the principal that he wants a refund of his tuition fees, because he has learned nothing useful in the school and that he is unable to find or keep any job. He says that he has been advised by his old classmate Leaderer to go back to his school and get his money back. He also threatens to go to the education minister if he is not satisfied. The principal is shocked and bewildered by this absurd demand and calls for an urgent meeting of all the teachers. They decide to conduct a re-examination of Wasserkopf and prove him wrong. They also agree to help each other by sticking together and finding some logic in his wrong answers. The re-examination begins with the history master asking Wasserkopf how many years the Thirty Years War lasted. Wasserkopf answers that it lasted for seven meters. The history master is unable to justify this answer, but the mathematics master comes to his rescue and says that it is correct if one converts years into meters using Einstein's theory of relativity. The geography master then asks Wasserkopf what is the capital of France. Wasserkopf answers that it is Budapest. The geography master is also stumped, but the history master helps him by saying that it is correct if one considers the historical fact that Napoleon was born in Corsica, which was once part of Hungary. The re-examination continues with more ridiculous questions and answers from Wasserkopf, such as saying that Shakespeare was a German poet who wrote Faust, that Julius Caesar was killed by Brutus because he had bad breath, that Columbus discovered America by mistake while looking for India, and that Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher who invented triangles. The teachers try their best to find some sense in his nonsense, using various arguments such as manners, physical culture, alertness, perseverance, logic and ambition. The re-examination ends with Wasserkopf being declared as an excellent student who has passed with flying colors. He is also offered a job as a teacher in the school. However, Wasserkopf refuses to accept this verdict and insists on getting his refund. He says that he has given wrong answers on purpose and that he knows very well that he has learned nothing in the school. He accuses the teachers of being dishonest and incompetent. The principal then reveals that he has been aware of Wasserkopf's trick all along and that he has played along with him to teach him a lesson. He says that he has a letter from Leaderer, who is actually a successful businessman and a former student of the school. Leaderer has written that he has met Wasserkopf in the street and that he has advised him to go back to his school and get his refund as a joke. He has also written that he is willing to offer Wasserkopf a job in his company if he shows some initiative and intelligence. The principal then tells Wasserkopf that he has wasted his time and money by coming to the school and that he has only proved his own stupidity and ignorance. He says that the school has given him a good education, but he has failed to make use of it. He also says that the school does not owe him anything, but rather he owes the school an apology and gratitude. He then dismisses Wasserkopf and tells him to leave the school and never come back. ## Main Characters The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 has six main characters, who are: - Wasserkopf: He is the protagonist of the play, who is a former student of the school. He is 40 years old, bearded, carelessly dressed and unemployed. He is also arrogant, rude, stubborn and foolish. He comes back to his school after 18 years and demands a refund of his tuition fees, claiming that he has learned nothing useful and that he is unfit for any job. He challenges the school to re-examine him and prove him wrong, but he deliberately gives wrong answers to every question. He thinks that he is smart and clever, but he is actually ignorant and stupid. - The Principal: He is the antagonist of the play, who is the head of the school. He is an elderly man, dignified, authoritative and strict. He is also intelligent, cunning and witty. He receives Wasserkopf's absurd demand and decides to conduct a re-examination of him. He also decides to help the teachers by finding logic in his wrong answers. He pretends to be fooled by Wasserkopf's trick, but he actually knows his real motive and plays along with him to teach him a lesson. He reveals his true intention at the end of the play and exposes Wasserkopf's stupidity and ignorance. - The Mathematics Master: He is one of the teachers who participate in the re-examination of Wasserkopf. He is a middle-aged man, thin, bald and bespectacled. He is also nervous, timid and easily flustered. He tries to help the other teachers by finding some mathematical logic in Wasserkopf's wrong answers, such as using Einstein's theory of relativity or Pythagoras' theorem. - The Geography Master: He is another teacher who participates in the re-examination of Wasserkopf. He is a young man, stout, red-faced and cheerful. He is also confident, enthusiastic and optimistic. He tries to help the other teachers by finding some geographical logic in Wasserkopf's wrong answers, such as using historical facts or political boundaries. - The History Master: He is another teacher who participates in the re-examination of Wasserkopf. He is an old man, gray-haired, wrinkled and solemn. He is also serious, dignified and scholarly. He tries to help the other teachers by finding some historical logic in Wasserkopf's wrong answers, such as using literary references or biographical details. - The Servant: He is a minor character who works in the school. He is a young man, simple, obedient and respectful. He introduces Wasserkopf to the principal at the beginning of the play. ## Themes and Messages The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 explores several themes and messages, such as: - The satire on the modern education system: The play criticizes the modern education system for being irrelevant, impractical and ineffective. It shows how the education system fails to prepare students for their career and life. It also shows how the education system focuses on memorizing facts rather than developing skills and creativity. It also shows how the education system produces students who are ignorant, lazy and irresponsible. - The absurdity of human behavior: The play depicts the absurdity of human behavior through its comic situations and characters. It shows how humans can be irrational, illogical and ridiculous. It also shows how humans can be dishonest, incompetent and foolish. It also shows how humans can be arrogant, stubborn and ungrateful. ## Style and Language The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 is written in a simple and straightforward style and language. The play uses dialogue as the main mode of expression and narration. The dialogue is witty, humorous and sarcastic. The dialogue also reflects the personality and attitude of the characters. For example, Wasserkopf's dialogue is rude, arrogant and absurd, while the principal's dialogue is dignified, authoritative and cunning. The play also uses some literary devices and techniques to enhance its effect and meaning. For example, the play uses irony, paradox and exaggeration to create humor and satire. The play also uses repetition, parallelism and contrast to emphasize its points and themes. The play also uses allusion, metaphor and symbolism to convey its messages and implications. The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 is written in English, but it is an adaptation and translation of the original Hungarian version by Fritz Karinthy. The English version by Percival Wilde tries to preserve the essence and spirit of the original version, but it also makes some changes and modifications to suit the cultural and linguistic context of the English audience. For example, the English version changes some of the names, places and references to make them more familiar and relevant to the English readers. The English version also adds some jokes, puns and wordplays to make the play more amusing and entertaining. The following table compares some of the differences between the original Hungarian version and the English adaptation by Percival Wilde: Original Hungarian Version English Adaptation by Percival Wilde -------------------------- ------------------------------------ The title of the play is "A visszatérítés" which means "The Refund". The title of the play is "Refund". The name of the protagonist is "Vízfejű" which means "Waterhead", a derogatory term for a stupid person. The name of the protagonist is "Wasserkopf" which means "Waterhead" in German, a similar derogatory term for a stupid person. The name of the old classmate who advises the protagonist to go back to his school is "Léderer" which is a common Hungarian surname. The name of the old classmate who advises the protagonist to go back to his school is "Leaderer" which is a similar sounding but uncommon surname. The name of the principal is "Igazgató úr" which means "Mr. Director". The name of the principal is "The Principal". The name of the mathematics master is "Matematika tanár úr" which means "Mr. Mathematics Teacher". The name of the mathematics master is "The Mathematics Master". The name of the geography master is "Földrajz tanár úr" which means "Mr. Geography Teacher". The name of the geography master is "The Geography Master". The name of the history master is "Történelem tanár úr" which means "Mr. History Teacher". The name of the history master is "The History Master". The name of the servant is "Szolga" which means "Servant". The name of the servant is "The Servant". The currency used in the play is Hungarian pengő which was used in Hungary from 1927 to 1946. The currency used in the play is American dollar which was used in America from 1792 to present. The place where the protagonist meets his old classmate is Budapest which is the capital city of Hungary. The place where the protagonist meets his old classmate is New York which is a major city in America. ## Critical Reception The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 has received mixed critical reception from different audiences and critics. Some have praised the play for its humor, satire and originality. Some have also appreciated the play for its clever plot, witty dialogue and comic characters. Some have also recognized the play for its social and educational relevance and significance. However, some have criticized the play for its unrealistic and exaggerated situations and characters. Some have also found the play to be offensive, vulgar and disrespectful. Some have also questioned the play for its moral and ethical implications and messages. The following are some of the examples of the critical reception of the play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14: - "Refund is a hilarious one-act play that exposes the flaws and follies of the modern education system. It is a brilliant satire that mocks the absurdity of human behavior and logic. It is a masterpiece of humor and wit that entertains and enlightens the audience." - A positive review by a theater critic. - "Refund is a ridiculous one-act play that depicts an improbable and exaggerated scenario. It is a poor satire that insults the dignity and intelligence of human beings. It is a waste of time and money that annoys and frustrates the audience." - A negative review by a theater critic. - "Refund is a funny one-act play that makes me laugh a lot. It is a clever story that shows how stupid some people can be. It is a fun and enjoyable play that makes me think about my own education and life." - A positive feedback by a theater goer. - "Refund is a stupid one-act play that makes me angry. It is a silly story that shows how rude some people can be. It is a boring and offensive play that makes me feel bad about myself and others." - A negative feedback by a theater goer. ## Relevance and Significance The play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 is relevant and significant for various reasons. First, it is relevant because it deals with the issue of education, which is an important and universal topic for everyone. The play raises questions about the purpose, quality and value of education in today's world. It also challenges the audience to reflect on their own learning experiences and outcomes. Second, it is significant because it explores the themes of self-reliance, initiative and responsibility, which are essential for success and happiness in life. The play shows how one cannot blame others for one's own failures and shortcomings. It also shows how one cannot expect others to solve one's problems or fulfill one's needs. It also shows how one has to make use of one's own talents and opportunities. Third, it is relevant and significant because it uses humor, satire and irony as effective tools to convey its messages and implications. The play uses humor to create laughter and amusement among the audience. It also uses satire to expose the flaws and follies of the education system and human behavior. It also uses irony to create contrast and contradiction between appearance and reality. Therefore, the play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14 is a relevant and significant work of literature that deserves attention and appreciation from different readers and viewers. ## Conclusion ## FAQs The following are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the play Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14: - Q: Who is the author of the play Refund? - A: The author of the play Refund is Fritz Karinthy, who was a famous Hungarian playwright and humorist. He wrote the play in 1938 in Hungarian and it was later adapted and translated into English by Percival Wilde. - Q: What is the genre of the play Refund? - A: The genre of the play Refund is comedy or farce. It is a humorous one-act play that satirizes the modern education system and the absurdity of human behavior. - Q: What is the main conflict of the play Refund? - A: The main conflict of the play Refund is between Wasserkopf, a former student who returns to his old school and demands a refund of his tuition fees, and the principal and the teachers, who try to prove him wrong by finding logic in his wrong answers. - Q: What is the climax of the play Refund? - A: The climax of the play Refund is when Wasserkopf fails to get his refund after giving the correct answer to the mathematics master's difficult question, which was to calculate the exact amount of his tuition fees. - Q: What is the message or moral of the play Refund? - A: The message or moral of the play Refund is that one cannot blame others for one's own failures and shortcomings. One has to make use of one's own talents and opportunities. One also has to be self-reliant, initiative and responsible for one's own success and happiness. ## This is how I have written an article on the topic "Refund by Fritz Karinthy Pdf 14". I hope you have enjoyed reading it and found it informative, interesting and engaging. Thank you for your attention and cooperation.