Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
From Seller to Millionaire
The protagonist is introduced as a traditional watermelon seller with conservative moral ideas. Selling land and becoming involved in building turns him into a millionaire, although he keeps his humble lifestyle.
Key Events
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Opening Comic Recital — The film opens by showcasing the protagonist's sympathy, mannerisms, and comic abilities.
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Conservative Moral Outlook — The central father figure is introduced as conservative and committed to traditional moral ideas.
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Watermelon Seller — The protagonist is presented as an old watermelon seller living according to simple habits.
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Land Sale Decision — He makes the profitable decision to sell land.
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Building Investment — The land sale is followed by building activity that substantially improves his finances.
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Unexpected Millionaire — The protagonist ultimately becomes a millionaire through selling land and subsequent construction.
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Humble Millionaire — Despite his wealth, he continues to live simply and avoids a luxurious lifestyle.
A Divided Household
The family is established through the protagonist's marriage and his two children. The hippie son and the London-educated daughter represent values that differ from their father's traditional outlook.
Key Events
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Humble Millionaire — Despite his wealth, he continues to live simply and avoids a luxurious lifestyle.
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Established Marriage — The synopsis establishes that the protagonist is married to a good woman.
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Family Household — The marriage includes two children whose outlooks differ sharply from their father's.
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Hippie Son — One child is described as a hippie, contrasting with the father's traditional outlook.
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London-Educated Daughter — The daughter is presented as snooty and has been studying in London.
The Children Educate Father
The children try to educate their father according to their own ideas. Their efforts create a clash between generations and lead to fateful consequences.
Key Events
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London-Educated Daughter — The daughter is presented as snooty and has been studying in London.
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Children Challenge Father — The son and daughter attempt to educate their father according to their own ideas.
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Generational Clash — The family's conflicting values create the central comic and dramatic tension.
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Fateful Consequences — The children's attempt to reform their father produces fateful consequences.
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Father Rejects Change — The protagonist's traditional habits and moral convictions remain central to the conflict.
Father Restores Order
The father takes action to put things straight within the family. He ultimately succeeds in educating his beloved children and restoring his preferred moral order.
Key Events
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Father Rejects Change — The protagonist's traditional habits and moral convictions remain central to the conflict.
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Father Takes Control — He responds by doing everything he can to put the family situation straight.
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Parental Correction — The father's efforts shift the story from being educated by his children to correcting their behavior.
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Children Reconsider Values — The children become part of the father's effort to restore proper conduct within the family.
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Family Order Restored — The protagonist finally succeeds in putting things straight and educating his beloved children.
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Comic Moral Resolution — The story concludes as a delightful family comedy centered on traditional values and parental authority.