In the novel "The Good Soldier Švejk" by Jaroslav Hašek, a comical and absurd situation unfolds when a character is hanged. Surprisingly, the rope breaks after just a few seconds, causing him to fall to the ground. This strange turn of events leads him to regain his composure quickly and proclaim to the general that he cannot be hanged again for the same offense, invoking a sense of dark humor in the narrative.

This incident highlights the absurdity of the circumstances in which the characters find themselves, reflecting the overall satirical tone of the novel. Švejk's nonchalant response to such a dire situation underscores the themes of absurdity and irony, as he adheres to a literal interpretation of the law even in moments of life and death.