# The Last Laugh explained — Fred Gross Stories

> Chapter companion for Fred Gross Stories by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

Fred Gross writes to his brother Charley about the social life in Allison, the constant parties, and his plan to get back at the snobbish Hamiltons and Carpenters by throwing a party and excluding them. He then devises a scheme to have a deputy sheriff raid the Hamiltons' auction bridge whist club, where the women play for cash prizes, to embarrass them. The plan is executed, but the deputy, Parker, arrives drunk and causes a scene, nearly resulting in a bad mix-up.

## Themes in this chapter

### Neighborly Rivalry and Feuds

Fred's plan to embarrass the Hamiltons and Carpenters reflects the intense social rivalry and desire for revenge among neighbors.

### Social Status and Class Anxiety

Fred's concern about being snubbed by the Hamiltons and Carpenters highlights the anxiety over social standing in the community.

### Consumerism and Materialism

The emphasis on giving a 'swell party' with printed invitations and refreshments underscores the materialistic nature of social climbing.

## Character check-ins

### Fred A. Gross

Narrator and protagonist; plans and executes a prank to get back at the Hamiltons and Carpenters.

### Grace Charley

Fred's wife; suggests giving a party to exclude the Hamiltons and Carpenters, and provides the idea for the raid.

### Brother Charley

Fred's brother; the recipient of the letters.

### Mrs. Hamilton

Neighbor and target of Fred's prank; she confronts the deputy during the raid.

### Bob Barnes

Sheriff's office contact; helps Fred arrange the raid by assigning Deputy Parker.

### Parker

Deputy sheriff who executes the raid but arrives drunk and causes a scene.

## Key lines

> Well Charley when you move out in a subburb they aint no chanct for a man to spend a quite evning at home onct in a wile because theys some thing doing evry minut out here

Life in the suburbs is so busy that you never get a quiet evening at home.

_Fred complains about the constant social activity in Allison._

> I guess you know Im the 1 that can do it when I get the chanct.

I'm capable of getting revenge when the opportunity arises.

_Fred hints at his plan for retaliation._

> When them swell society dames is haveing there little auction bridge whist game 1 of the deputy sherrifs is going to walk in on them & make a pinch see Charley.

A deputy sheriff will raid the ladies' bridge club meeting.

_Fred reveals his scheme to embarrass the Hamiltons and Carpenters._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fred_gross_stories_se/chapters/the-last-laugh
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fred_gross_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fred_gross_stories_se/chapters