TTLV: The urban man and the crisis of norms and morality in contemporary Vietnamese novels (through some representative works of writer Do Phan)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:DOVERLAN ANH2.Sex: Female

3. Date of birth:21/09/2001

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision to recognize student number: 5626/ Decision-XHNV, December 29, 2023, from the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process: Extension of study period according to Decision No. 9028/QD-XHNV dated December 23, 2025, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

7. Thesis title:The bourgeois man and the crisis of norms and morality in contemporary Vietnamese novels (through some representative works of writer Do Phan)

8. Major:Vietnamese LiteratureCode: 8229030

9. Scientific supervisor:Associate Professor.PhD.Pham Xuan Thach.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

- The thesis has established the image of the urban man as a central subject in Do Phan's novels; at the same time, it shows that the crisis of norms and morality is not only a social phenomenon but also an aesthetic structure organized and expressed through the artistic form of the work.

- This thesis focuses on analyzing and comparing three representative works.(Absence, Empty Eyes, Wandering in the Realm of Memories)This clarifies the image of contemporary urban dwellers with their many contradictions and conflicts; it demonstrates that the urban class in Do Phan's works does not exist as a homogeneous entity but as a multifaceted character archetype, constantly influenced by the changes in urban life and the decline of spiritual values.

- Applying the theoretical foundations of modern poetics, this thesis affirms that Do Phan has successfully created an artistic world imbued with contemporary urban sensibility; in which formal aspects such as space, time, structure, character development, and narrative art directly participate in expressing the mindset, choices, and crises of norms and morality of urban dwellers.

- The research findings contribute to affirming Do Phan's unique artistic style in contemporary Vietnamese literature.

11. Practical applications:

- This research topic contributes to providing a systematic perspective on the image of the urban man and the crisis in norms and morality in contemporary Vietnamese novels, placed within the context of the transformation of urban society.

- The research findings can be used as a reference for teaching, learning, and researching modern Vietnamese literature, especially in topics related to contemporary novels, urban literature, and narrative poetics.

Beyond the academic sphere, this topic also has significant reference value in identifying changes in contemporary urban life, particularly deviations in behavior, values, and civic ethics. This prompts reflection on the urban cultural environment and the importance of preserving humanistic values ​​in modern society.

12. Future research directions:

ButContinuing the examination of the image of the urban man in Do Phan's entire body of work (including essays, short stories, novels, etc.).

ButContinue surveying other urban authors.Regarding issues of urban human beings, urban trauma, normative crisis, and moral decay.

- Continue research on urban people and culture from an ecocritical perspective or through interdisciplinary studies of cultural studies, sociology, psychology, etc.

13. Published works related to the thesis:Are not.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name:SPREADLAN ANH                                    2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth:21/09/2001.4. Place of birth: HaNoi

5. Admission decision number: 5626/QD-XHNV    Dated: 29/12/2023

6. Changes in academic process: Extension of study period under Decision No. 9028/QD-XHNV dated December 23, 2025, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

7. Official thesis title: Urban residents and the crisis of standards and ethics in contemporary Vietnamese novels (in some typical works of the writer Do Phan).

8. Major: Vietnamese Literature                                 9. Code: 8229030

10. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof.Pham Xuan Thach.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

- The thesis establishes the urban citizen as a central figure in Do Phan's novels, while also showing that the crisis of norms and morality is not merely a social phenomenon but also an aesthetic structure organized and articulated through the artistic form of the works.

ButFocusing on the comparative analysis of three representative works(Absent, Empty Eyes, and Wandering in Memory),the thesis clarifies the contemporary urban subject as a figure marked by multiple contradictions and conflicts. It thereby demonstrates that the urban class in Do Phan's fiction does not exist as a unified entity, but as a multifaceted character system continually shaped by the turbulence of urban life and the erosion of spiritual values.

ButDrawing on the theoretical framework of modern poetics, the thesis affirms that Do Phan has successfully constructed an artistic world deeply imbued with contemporary urban consciousness. In this world, formal elements such as space, time, structure, character construction, and narrative technique participate directly in expressing the urban subject's mentality, choices, and crisis of norms and morality.

ButThe findings help affirm Do Phan's distinctive artistic style within contemporary Vietnamese literature.

12. Practical applicability:

- This research contributes a systematic perspective on the urban subject and the crisis of norms and morality in contemporary Vietnamese novels, set against the backdrop of urban social transformation.

ButThe findings may serve as a reference source for teaching, learning, and researching modern Vietnamese literature, especially in topics related to contemporary fiction, urban literature, and narrative poetics.

ButBeyond the academic sphere, the thesis is also relevant for identifying transformations in contemporary urban life, particularly deviations in behavior, life values, and urban morality. It encourages reflection on the urban cultural environment and on the preservation of humanistic values ​​in modern society.

13. Further research directions:

- Further research may continue to examine the urban subject in Do Phan's entire body of work, including essays, short stories, and novellas.

ButFuture studies may also survey other urban writers in relation to issues of urban identity, urban trauma, crises of norms, and moral decline.

ButAdditional research may approach the urban subject and urban culture from the perspectives of ecocriticism or interdisciplinary studies, including cultural studies, sociology, and psychology.

14. Thesis-related publications:None