Top 6 best essay writings of 'My Sister's Painting' by Tạ Duy Anh for 6th grade

General information about the author and the work

- Tạ Duy Anh, born in 1959, hails from Chương Mỹ, Hà Tây (now part of Hanoi). He is a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association and currently works at the Vietnam Writers' Publishing House. He is a young writer during the period of renewal.

- 'My Sister's Painting' is a short story that won second prize in the 'The Future Calls' writing competition by the Teenager Newspaper, and was later published in the short story collection 'The Ghost Cricket' (1999).

+ Main content: It tells the story of the innocent, pure affection and the kind-heartedness of the sister that helps the brother realize his own limitations.

+ Structure: Divided into 4 parts

Part 1 (From the beginning to "...seems very happy"): Introduction to Kiều Phương.
Part 2 (Next until "...developing talent"): The sudden discovery of Kiều Phương's artistic talent.
Part 3 ("Since that day..." to "...receiving the award"): The brother's feelings and attitude towards his sister's success.
Part 4 (The rest): Kiều Phương's success and the brother's regret.

Reading - Understanding the text

Question 1 - Page 34 Textbook

Summarize the story of 'My Sister's Painting'?

Answer:

Version 1: Kiều Phương is a girl who often rummages through things and smears her face with paint. She enjoys painting and secretly mixes colors and draws. When everyone discovers Kiều Phương's talent for painting, her brother feels jealous and starts avoiding her. Kiều Phương wins first prize at an international painting camp with her painting 'My Brother', and only then does the brother realize his sister's kindness and feel guilty about himself.

Version 2: The story is about the brother and his sister, Kiều Phương - also called Mèo, who has a talent for painting. When her talent is discovered, the brother feels sad and disappointed because he has no talent and feels forgotten by the family. From then on, he becomes irritable and distant from his sister, unable to be close to her as before. Upon seeing his sister's winning painting, he is surprised by how she perceives him. The brother realizes his own weaknesses and understands his sister's kind and pure heart.

Version 3: The story is about two siblings, Kiều Phương and her brother. The brother is annoyed by his sister's messy behavior. Kiều Phương secretly learns to paint, and her artistic talent is unexpectedly discovered. The brother feels sad, dismissive, jealous, and becomes irritable with her because he feels inferior. She succeeds in a painting competition, and the family celebrates. The brother reluctantly goes to see her exhibition. Standing before her painting, he feels deep regret.

Question 2 - Page 34 Textbook

Reflect and discuss the following points with your group:

a. Who is the main character in the story? (Kiều Phương, the brother, or both?) Why do you consider that character to be the main one?

b. The story is told from the perspective of which character? How does this narrative choice impact the story?

Answer:

a. The main characters in the story are the two siblings, Kiều Phương and the brother. It can be affirmed that both of them are main characters. However, the brother is the character that the author wants to highlight as he illustrates the theme of attitude and behavior towards the talent and success of others. The brother is the main character because he embodies the theme and idea of the author: the attitude and behavior towards others' success.

b. The story is narrated in the first-person perspective by the brother. This choice creates a psychological closeness with the character of Kiều Phương's brother. On the other hand, it allows the narrator to self-reflect and express his feelings and thoughts, revealing his innermost emotions.

Question 3 - Page 34 Textbook

Carefully read the story, focusing on the brother's emotional journey (the narrator), and answer the following:

a. What is the emotional progression of the brother at various stages: before seeing his sister mixing paints, when her artistic talent is discovered, when secretly viewing her paintings, and when standing before her award-winning painting at the exhibition?

b. Why, after the discovery of his sister's artistic talent, is the brother unable to be as close to her as before?

c. Explain the brother's emotions when he stands before the painting 'My Brother' by his sister: Initially, there is shock, then pride, followed by shame.

Answer:

Emotional progression of the brother:

a. Before seeing his sister mix paints: The brother behaves like an adult, dismissing Mèo's painting as childish.

– When her artistic talent is discovered: The brother feels inferior, insecure, and distances himself from his sister.

– When secretly viewing her paintings and standing before her award-winning painting at the exhibition: The brother recognizes her talent and kindness.

b. After discovering his sister's artistic talent, the brother distances himself because:

– He feels inferior to her.

– He feels left out as everyone focuses on his sister.

– He is jealous of her.

c. The brother's emotions when standing before the painting 'My Brother':

– Initially, he is shocked because he didn’t expect his sister to choose to paint him. He is surprised by how the painting depicts him as dreamy, thoughtful, and innocent.

– He feels proud and delighted to be portrayed beautifully in his sister’s painting.

– He feels ashamed of how he treated his sister and realizes he doesn’t deserve to be in the painting.

Question 4 - Page 34 Textbook

How do you interpret the ending of the story ('I didn’t answer Mom... it’s your sister’s kind heart, my dear')? What are your thoughts on the brother's character?

Answer:

- In the story’s conclusion, the brother is moved, on the verge of tears but unable to express his thoughts. His internal words, 'It’s not me... it’s your sister’s kind heart,' show sincere regret and self-reflection. The brother feels he does not deserve to be depicted beautifully like his sister’s painting. While his actions are wrong, they are understandable as they were temporary flaws.

- The brother is moved because he finally recognizes the innocence and kindness of his sister. His remorse and realization of her talent, and more importantly, her pure heart, indicate that he is capable of change. He acknowledges that his jealousy was a flaw.

=> The brother overcomes his flaws, realizes his character shortcomings, and the kindness of his sister transforms his feelings of love and regret.

Question 5 - Page 34 Textbook

How do you feel about the character of the sister in the story? What traits do you admire most about her (her talent, innocence, generosity, kindness, etc.)?

Answer:

The character of the sister in the story:

+ She is an innocent girl, persistently pursuing her passion for painting.

+ She always loves and wants to be close to her brother.

+ She chooses to paint him because he is 'the most familiar person' and she loves him dearly.

+ She is a kind-hearted, forgiving, and pure-hearted girl.

=> The innocent affection and kind heart of the sister help the brother realize his own emotional limitations.

Exercise

Question 1-Page 35 Textbook

Write a paragraph describing the brother’s emotions when standing before his sister’s award-winning painting.

Answer:

Standing before his sister’s painting of him, the brother is stunned. He doesn’t understand why he feels the need to hold onto his mother tightly. At first, there is shock, followed by pride, then shame. Under his sister's gaze, is he really that perfect? He stares at the inscription on the painting: 'My Brother.' Yet, in his eyes...

- Have you recognized yourself, my dear? - Mom asks eagerly.

The brother doesn’t answer because he is overwhelmed with emotion. If he were to speak, he would say: 'It’s not me... it’s your sister’s kind heart.'

Question 2 - Page 35 Textbook

Imagine a classmate or a family member achieving a remarkable accomplishment. Describe the reactions of the people around them.

Answer:

'Chiến, go! Chiến, go!' The cheerleading chants resound along with the drumming and horns from the 6A class cheering Chiến in the 100-meter race. Chiến crosses the finish line first and wins first place.

Teachers and classmates rush to surround Chiến. The principal hugs Chiến and presents a commemorative flag for the winning class. Mrs. Giang, the homeroom teacher, presents Chiến with a bouquet of fresh flowers on behalf of the 6A class.

This is perhaps the happiest moment in our school year. The boys lift Chiến high in the air and catch him as the cheering erupts. The girls chant: 'Chiến Tếu, number one! Chiến Tếu, number one!' Everyone laughs, while Chiến’s face turns red with joy. This is undoubtedly the biggest victory of the year, and the entire class feels proud.

Structure

– Part 1 (from the beginning to "developing talent"): The talent of the young girl, Kiều Phương, is discovered.

– Part 2 (continuing to "want both brother and sister to go and receive the award"): The change in the brother's feelings toward his sister Kiều Phương.

– Part 3 (remaining): The brother realizes his own shortcomings and the pure, compassionate love of his sister.

Understanding the Text

Question 1: Summarize the story "The Painting of My Sister" by Tạ Duy Anh.

Answer:

Kiều Phương is a girl with an artistic talent. This talent is noticed when Uncle Tiến Lê, a friend of her father, comes to visit. The whole family is excited and nurturing her talent. Seeing this, her brother feels sad, feeling overlooked and untalented, which makes him become irritable and upset with his sister. However, Kiều Phương remains carefree as usual. Then, Kiều Phương attends an international children's painting contest. Before going, she seems to scrutinize her brother more than before. In the competition, Kiều Phương's painting wins first prize. She wants her brother to come with her to receive the award. Looking at the painting titled "My Brother", the brother feels deeply regretful about his petty behavior compared to the pure and innocent soul of his sister.

Question 2: After reading the story, answer the following questions:

a) Who is the main character in the story? Why do you think they are the main character?

b) The story is told from whose perspective? What is the effect of choosing this narrative perspective?

Answer:

a. The main character in the story is Kiều Phương because all the details and other characters revolve around her, and the artistic intention of the work is encapsulated in this character.

b. The story is told from the perspective of the brother.

→ The effect: It brings an objective value to the story.

Question 3: Please explain the following:

a) The emotional development of the brother through various moments: before seeing his sister mix her own paint, when his sister's artistic talent is discovered, when he secretly looks at his sister's paintings, and when he stands before his sister's first-prize painting in the exhibition room.

b) Why does the brother feel unable to be as close to his sister after her artistic talent is discovered?

c) Explain the brother's feelings when standing in front of his sister's painting "My Brother": Initially surprised, then proud, and finally ashamed.

Answer:

a. Emotional development of the brother:

– Before seeing his sister mix her own paint, the brother is very curious and decides to observe her.

– When his sister's talent is discovered, the brother feels insecure and jealous: he feels untalented and gets upset over the smallest mistakes she makes.

– When standing before his sister's first-prize painting, the brother feels astonished, proud, and then deeply regretful of his previous pettiness.

b. After his sister's talent is discovered, the brother cannot be as close to her because he feels inadequate and pushed aside, compounded by jealousy over her success.

c. The brother's feelings in front of the painting:

– Astonished because of the unexpected revelation.

– Proud because he sees that his sister has captured the essence of both intellect and spirit in the painting.

– Ashamed because he regrets his small-mindedness in comparison to his sister's kindness and purity.

Question 4: What do you think about the ending of the story ("I didn't answer mom... that's the kindness in my daughter"). From this, what are your thoughts about the brother's character?

Answer:

– At the end of the story, the brother does not respond to his mother's simple question but understands her words with hidden meaning, expressing his regret and a complete change in attitude towards his kind sister.

– The brother's character reveals sensitivity and honesty, as he recognizes his flaws and shortcomings.

Question 5: What are your thoughts on the character of the little sister in the story? What do you like most about this character?

Answer:

– The little sister in the story is very innocent, carefree, and pure.

– What I like most about this character is her generosity and kindness, which ultimately transforms her brother.

Practice

Question 1: Write a paragraph about the brother's emotions in the story when he faces his sister's first-prize painting.

Answer:

Sample paragraph:

After my mother's simple question, a complex feeling surged within me. My sister has a beautiful heart and soul. I regretted being selfish and failing to recognize this before. I felt proud to realize that, in her eyes, I am the boy in this painting: compassionate, innocent, and pure. I promised myself to change, so that what is shown in my sister's painting would become my reality.

Question 2: Imagine a classmate or family member achieves an outstanding accomplishment. Try to imagine and describe the reactions of those around them to this achievement.

Answer:

Sample essay:

Last month, our family received exciting news: my older brother was honored as the Outstanding Student of the Capital. When he first told us, our parents thought he was joking. But soon after, his homeroom teacher called to confirm it. Everyone in the family was overjoyed and beamed with pride. Our grandparents were proud of their diligent and studious grandchild. Our parents looked younger and happier as the exhaustion of daily work melted away. My mother patted my head and said, "Try to follow your brother's example, my child." I was happy for my brother. I knew that he would inspire me to work hard. I promised myself that, like him, I would bring even more joy to my parents.

I. About the Author: Tạ Duy Anh
Tạ Duy Anh, born in 1959, is from Chương Mĩ, Hà Tây (now part of Hanoi).

II. About the Work: The Painting of My Sister
1. Origin
"The Painting of My Sister" is a short story that won second prize in the writing competition "The Future Calls" hosted by the Youth Pioneer newspaper.
2. Summary
Kiều Phương is a girl who often rummages through things and gets her face dirty. She has a passion for painting and secretly mixes colors to paint. When everyone discovers her artistic talent, her older brother feels jealous and distances himself from her. Kiều Phương wins first place at an international painting camp with her painting titled "My Brother," which makes her brother realize his mistake and feel guilty.
3. Structure (3 parts)
- Part 1 (from the beginning to "developing talent"): The sister's talent is discovered.
- Part 2 (from then to "the brother goes with her to receive the award"): The older brother's jealousy and inferiority complex.
- Part 3 (the rest): The brother realizes his mistake and the sister's kind-heartedness.
4. Content Value
Through the story of the older brother and his younger sister who is an artist, the story "The Painting of My Sister" demonstrates that the innocent affection and kindness of the sister help the brother recognize his own limitations.
5. Artistic Value
- The first-person narrative is natural and truthful.
- The portrayal of the characters' emotions is delicate and insightful.

Notes:

Understand the story's content and significance. Grasp the storytelling technique and the portrayal of the characters' psychology in the work.

Be able to present orally in a fluent manner some aspects of observation, commentary, imagination, association, and comparison when describing.

Glossary:

Self-made: made by oneself.

Revealed: exposed, no longer kept secret.

Genius: a person with extraordinary talent, often innate.

Unexpected: surprising, not anticipated.

Witnessed: seen with one's own eyes.

Develop talent: make a talent grow.

Untalented: lacking talent.

Innate ability: special ability.

Engraved in one's mind: memorized deeply.

Perfect: flawless, very good in all aspects.

Kind-hearted: compassionate, caring for others.

READ - UNDERSTAND THE ESSAY

Question 1: Summarize the plot:

My sister’s name is Kiều Phương, but I call her Mèo. Mèo secretly made her own paint to create artworks. A painter, Chú Tiến Lê, visited and discovered Mèo’s beautiful paintings. The whole family was thrilled and supported her in developing her talent, except for me, who felt jealous.

Chú Tiến Lê introduced Mèo to an international painting competition. Mèo won first place. I became even more unhappy. She invited me to accompany her to collect the prize. When I saw the painting she had done, which won the prize, I was taken aback: she had painted me, with a perfect and lovable face. I felt ashamed of my petty jealousy. I couldn’t admit that I was the person in the painting because the figure in the painting was not me, but the kindness and purity of my sister.

Question 2: Think and discuss:

a) Who is the main character in the story?

- The main character is the older brother.

- He is the protagonist because the author focuses on describing the emotional development and attitude of this character through various events.

b) The story is told from the perspective of the older brother. This choice of narration is beneficial for revealing his emotions and expressing his attitudes.

Question 3: Read the story carefully and pay attention to the older brother's feelings.

a) Emotional progression of the older brother:

- Before discovering his sister's artistic talent: the older brother disregarded his sister, who often had a dirty face and was always rummaging through things.

- When his sister’s artistic talent was recognized: the older brother felt incompetent and distanced himself, often sitting at his desk and wanting to cry.

- When secretly viewing his sister’s paintings: the older brother let out a deep sigh, then shouted at his sister and saw her as provoking him.

- When standing in front of his sister’s prize-winning painting: the older brother was stunned and had to grip his mother’s hand. Initially, he was surprised, then proud, and finally embarrassed when his mother asked him; he almost cried.

b) When his sister’s artistic talent was discovered, the older brother’s feelings prevented him from being as close to her as before because of his overwhelming jealousy and inferiority.

c) The reason the older brother felt "first shocked, then proud, and finally ashamed" when facing the winning painting is:

He didn’t expect his sister to paint him.

He felt proud because he had become a character in the painting.

He felt ashamed because, despite his bad treatment of her, she painted him with love and affection.

Question 4: The ending of the story is brief but very powerful:

"I did not answer my mother because I wanted to cry so much. If I had spoken, I would have said: "It’s not me. It’s my sister’s soul and kindness."

The older brother couldn’t answer his mother because he felt like crying. He wanted to cry because of his shame over his petty jealousy. He didn’t want to admit he was the person in the painting because he felt unworthy. He realized his sister’s heart: she knew he didn’t like her, yet she still loved him, made him the subject of her painting, and painted him with a thoughtful and endearing face. She even named the painting "My Brother." All these things showed that she was an innocent, kind-hearted, forgiving, and loving sister. That’s why the older brother thought the painting represented his sister’s soul and kindness.

At this point, the older brother no longer just felt touched by his sister’s generosity but also recognized his own jealousy and pettiness. He regretted his behavior. We can be sure that he would overcome this flaw and become a more lovable older brother.

Question 5: About the younger sister in the story:

She is an innocent, generous, kind-hearted girl with real talent. Despite knowing her older brother didn’t like her, she chose him as the subject of her painting and highlighted his best qualities.

All of these traits made us admire Mèo, the little artist.

Summary:

Through the story of the older brother and his artistic sister, "The Painting of My Sister" shows how the innocent affection and kindness of the younger sister help the older brother realize his own shortcomings. The story subtly portrays the characters' psychology through the first-person narrative style.

PRACTICE

A student in class has achieved outstanding results. This achievement has caused different reactions. Tell the story and express your attitude.

Some suggestions:

The teacher returns the results of the first semester Literature test.

The teacher gives Minh a score of 10 and praises him in front of the class. The teacher reads Minh’s essay aloud to the class and analyzes his heartfelt and realistic writing about his mother.

Many classmates agreed with the teacher’s comments. Some compared Minh’s work with their own and realized their own essays were superficial and shallow. Several suggested that the teacher post Minh’s essay on the class bulletin board for everyone to read.

However, some students disagreed with the teacher’s opinion. One rich student commented, "Minh’s mother is just a street vendor, so what’s the big deal?" How annoying! Another student whispered, "My essay is just as good, but the teacher favored Minh and gave him a higher score." A few lazy students sighed, "We only need to pass, why try so hard?"

Hearing the gossip, I could clearly see the jealousy and envy of some students. I also criticized the lazy ones for not striving to improve. As for me, I really liked Minh’s essay. I realized I needed to work harder, not just in math but also in literature, to make my teacher and parents proud.

Structure:

- Section 1 (From the beginning to 'developing the talent'): The talent of the younger sister is discovered.

- Section 2 (From there to 'brother accompanying to receive the award'): The jealousy and inferiority of the older brother.

- Section 3 (The remainder): The older brother realizes his mistake and the heartfelt nature of his younger sister.

Question 1 (Page 34, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

Kiều Phương is a girl who loves to rummage through things and often ends up with paint stains on her face. She has a passion for painting and secretly mixes colors and draws. When everyone discovers that Kiều Phương has artistic talent, her brother becomes envious and distances himself from her. Kiều Phương wins first place at an international painting camp with a painting titled “My Brother.” It is then that her brother recognizes her kindness and feels remorse for his earlier actions.

Question 2 (Page 34, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

a. The main characters in the story are the two siblings, Kiều Phương. The older brother is the central character because he embodies the theme and message of the story: the attitude and behavior towards another person’s success.

b. The story is narrated in the first person by the older brother. This perspective is crucial for conveying the emotional intimacy of the character and allows the narrator to reflect on their own actions and character.

Question 3 (Page 34, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

The emotional development of the older brother:

a. Before discovering his sister’s ability to create paint: the older brother acts superior and sees his sister’s painting as a childish activity.

- When his sister’s artistic talent is revealed: the older brother feels inferior, ashamed, and distances himself from her.

- When secretly viewing the paintings and standing in front of the award-winning painting in the exhibition: the older brother begins to recognize his sister’s talent and her heartfelt nature.

b. When the younger sister’s talent is discovered, the older brother is no longer as close to her because:

- He feels insecure and inferior to her.

- The older brother feels left out as others focus on his sister’s success.

- He becomes envious of her.

c. The older brother’s emotions when standing in front of the painting “My Brother”:

- Initially, he is surprised because he didn’t expect his sister to paint him. He is astonished by the beautiful depiction of him as a thoughtful, dreamy, innocent person.

- He feels proud and honored to be portrayed so beautifully in his sister’s painting.

- He feels embarrassed because he realizes he has treated his sister poorly and does not deserve to be in her painting.

Question 4 (Page 34, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

The story’s conclusion is moving, with the older brother unable to express his thoughts: “It’s not me.”

- In the conclusion, the older brother feels unworthy of the beauty his sister has painted him with.

- The older brother is deeply moved as he finally recognizes his sister’s innocence and kindness.

=> The older brother overcomes his own shortcomings, acknowledges his flaws, and is touched by his sister’s love, which leads him to feel remorse and love for her.

Question 5 (Page 34, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

The character of the younger sister in the story:

+ She is a girl who is innocent, persistent in pursuing her passion for painting.

+ She always loves and wants to be close to her older brother.

+ She chooses to paint him because he is “the closest person,” and she loves him deeply.

+ She is compassionate, forgiving, and has a pure heart.

=> The innocence, pure love, and kindness of the younger sister help the older brother recognize his own emotional limitations and deficiencies.

PRACTICE

Exercise 1 (Page 35, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

After seeing his younger sister’s award-winning painting, the older brother is initially shocked, then feels pride, and finally embarrassment. At first, he is stunned because he had no idea how perfect his younger sister viewed him, despite his earlier neglect and indifference. Then comes the pride in seeing himself portrayed beautifully in the painting, as a thoughtful and dreamy brother, not the petty and jealous brother he once was. This pride quickly turns into embarrassment as he regrets his actions towards his sister and feels unworthy of being depicted in such a special way in her heart. The sister’s kindness and innocence awaken the older brother to his own flaws.

Exercise 2 (Page 35, Literature 6th Grade, Vol. 2):

When your sister wins first place in the “Red Flamboyant Voice” competition in the city:

- Your parents are thrilled and proud, preparing a reward for her.

- You feel proud and overjoyed because of your talented sister.

Author

The writer Ta Duy Anh (also known by other pen names: Lao Ta, Chu Quy, Binh Tam) was born as Ta Viet Dang in 1959; his hometown is Hoang Dieu, Chuong My, Ha Tay; he is a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association and currently works at the Vietnam Writers' Publishing House.

Published works: 'Bước qua lời nguyền' (short stories, 1990), 'Khúc dạo đầu' (novel, 1991), 'Lão Khổ' (novel, 1992), 'Hiệp sĩ áo cỏ' (short story for children, 1993), 'Luân hồi' (short stories, 1994), 'Ánh sáng nàng' (short stories, 1997), 'Quả trứng vàng' (children's short stories, 1998), 'Vó ngựa trở về' (children's short stories, 2000)…

The writer has received: Rural short story awards (Văn nghệ newspaper, Nông nghiệp newspaper, and Voice of Vietnam); Military Literature Magazine short story award; 'Future Calling' short story contest award by Thiếu niên Tiền phong newspaper; Two awards from Kim Dong Publishing House for the books 'Quả trứng vàng' and 'Vó ngựa trở về'.

Answer to Question 1 (Page 34 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

Summarize the story 'Bức tranh của em gái tôi' (My Sister's Painting) by Ta Duy Anh

Detailed solution:

Kiều Phương is a girl who often rummages through things and makes a mess on her face. She has a passion for painting and often secretly mixes colors and paints. When people discover her talent in art, her brother becomes jealous and distant from her. Kiều Phương wins first place in an international painting contest with her painting 'My Brother,' at which point her brother realizes her kind-hearted nature and feels regret for his actions.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 34 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

Read the story carefully and answer the questions:

a) Who is the main character in the story? Why do you consider that character the main one?

b) The story is told from which character's point of view? How does this narrative perspective impact the story?

Detailed solution:

a) The main characters are the two siblings, Kiều Phương and her brother. These two characters are central to the story, with the author focusing primarily on the brother’s emotional development.

b) The story is narrated from the brother's point of view. This narrative choice is ideal for the theme, allowing his feelings of regret to be expressed more genuinely and convincingly.

Answer to Question 3 (Page 34 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

Answer the following:

a) How do the brother's emotions change at different stages: when he first sees his sister creating her own paint, when her artistic talent is discovered, when he secretly looks at her paintings, and when he stands in front of her award-winning painting in the exhibition?

b) Why does the brother become distant from his sister after her artistic talent is recognized?

c) Explain the brother's feelings when standing before his sister's painting 'My Brother': Initially, he is astonished, then proud, and later ashamed.

Detailed solution:

a)

- Initially, when he sees his sister experimenting with colors and creating her own paints, the brother dismisses it as childish play and doesn’t pay much attention to her drawings.

- When her talent is discovered, the brother feels upset and disappointed in himself because he feels he has no special talents and that the family is neglecting him. This causes him to become frustrated and distant from his sister.

- When he secretly looks at his sister’s paintings, he admires her talent.

- When standing in front of her award-winning painting, his feelings shift from astonishment to pride, and then to shame.

b) The brother feels distant from his sister after her talent is recognized because he becomes self-conscious, feeling inferior and insecure that others see her as more talented than he is.

c) The brother's feelings before his sister's painting are initially ones of surprise. The painting, depicting him from his sister’s perspective, shows him in a dreamy pose, his face glowing with an unusual light. His emotions go from astonishment to pride, but then to shame, as he feels unworthy of such a depiction.

Answer to Question 4 (Page 34 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

What do you think about the ending of the story ('I didn’t answer my mother… the kindness of my sister')? What are your feelings about the brother’s character?

Detailed solution:

- The brother’s internal dialogue represents sincere regret, self-reflection, and recognition of his own flaws and his sister’s goodness.

- Although the brother’s actions were blameworthy, they are understandable as a momentary lapse. His genuine remorse and realization of his sister’s kindness show that he is capable of personal growth and is learning to overcome his jealousy.

Answer to Question 5 (Page 34 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

What do you think about the character of the little sister in the story? What do you admire most about her?

Detailed solution:

- Kiều Phương is a lively, innocent girl with a passion for painting and a pure heart.

- What I admire most about Kiều Phương is her sincere and beautiful feelings for her brother.

Practice

Answer to Question 1 (Page 35 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

Write a paragraph describing the brother’s emotions when standing before his sister's award-winning painting of him.

Answer:

Standing before his sister’s painting of him, the brother was struck with surprise. He didn't understand why he felt the need to cling to his mother. At first, he was astonished, then proud, and finally ashamed. How could he appear so perfect in his sister's eyes? He stared at the words on the painting: 'My Brother.' But to him, he thought, 'That’s not me… it’s her kind heart.'

- 'Have you realized this about yourself?' his mother anxiously asked.

The brother remained silent, struggling not to cry. Because if he spoke, he would have to admit, 'That’s not me. That is the soul and kindness of my sister.'

Answer to Question 2 (Page 35 of Vietnamese 6th Grade Textbook, Volume 2):

Imagine that someone in your class or family has achieved an outstanding accomplishment. Try to describe the reactions of those around them.

Answer:

“Tiến! Go on! Tiến! Go on!” The chants echoed along with the loud applause, boosting Tiến’s confidence as he sprinted toward the finish line. He crossed it first, winning the gold medal in the 100-meter race at this year’s Phu Dong Games.

Teachers and classmates rushed to surround him. The Principal hugged Tiến tightly, praising him for adding to the school's athletic legacy with his victory. Ms. Vân, his homeroom teacher, presented him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of Class 6A.

Our class had never been so excited. The boys lifted Tiến in celebration, while the girls cheered, “Tiến Kều number one! Tiến Kều number one!” making everyone burst into laughter. Tiến’s face turned red from both joy and embarrassment. We gave him the nickname 'Tiến Kều' because of his tall, lanky build, which gave him an advantage in the race.

Structure

Structure: 3 paragraphs

- Paragraph 1 (From the beginning… to 'developing his talent'): The brother's emotions before Kiều Phương's talent is discovered.

- Paragraph 2 (Next… to 'accepting the award'): The brother's emotions when Kiều Phương's talent is recognized.

- Paragraph 3 (Remaining part): The brother’s emotions when standing before his sister’s award-winning painting.

Main content:

The pure-hearted and kind nature of the little sister helps the brother realize his own shortcomings.

A. Key Concepts

1. Introduction of the Author

Tạ Duy Anh (born 1959), his full name is Tạ Việt Đãng.
Hometown: Chương Mỹ District, Hà Tây.
Pseudonyms: Lão Tạ, Chu Qúi, Bình Tâm.
He is a young writer who emerged during the period of renewal.

2. Introduction of the Work

The short story “Bức tranh của em gái tôi” won second prize in the writing contest “The Future is Calling” organized by the Youth Pioneers newspaper.

3. Summary of the Work

The story is about the siblings Kiều Phương – commonly known as Mèo. Mèo has a passion for painting, and when her talent is discovered, both her parents are thrilled. However, her older brother becomes upset, feeling talentless and ignored. As a result, he grows distant and irritable towards his younger sister. Later, Mèo wins a prize in a painting competition, and the family celebrates. Her older brother reluctantly attends the exhibition of her paintings. Standing before the painting of Kiều Phương, he realizes his own weaknesses and understands the kind and pure heart of his younger sister.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: Page 34, Textbook of Literature 6, Volume 2

Summarize the short story “Bức tranh của em gái tôi” (Tạ Duy Anh)

Answer:
The story is about the siblings Kiều Phương – commonly known as Mèo. Mèo has a passion for painting, and when her talent is discovered, both her parents are thrilled. However, her older brother becomes upset, feeling talentless and ignored. As a result, he grows distant and irritable towards his younger sister. Later, Mèo wins a prize in a painting competition, and the family celebrates. Her older brother reluctantly attends the exhibition of her paintings. Standing before the painting of Kiều Phương, he realizes his own weaknesses and understands the kind and pure heart of his younger sister.

Question 2: Page 34, Textbook of Literature 6, Volume 2
Read the story carefully and answer the following questions:
a) Who is the main character of the story? Why do you consider this character to be the main one?
b) The story is told from the perspective of which character? How does this choice of narrative perspective impact the storytelling?

Answer:
a) The main characters of the story are Kiều Phương and her older brother. However, the older brother’s character better represents the story’s theme, which is the process of self-awareness and personal growth. Therefore, the older brother is the central character.
b) The story is narrated from the perspective of the older brother. This choice allows the author to naturally and authentically convey the emotional shifts and psychological development of the character.

Question 3: Page 34, Textbook of Literature 6, Volume 2
Explain the following:
a) The emotional journey of the older brother at different points in the story: before he sees his sister creating her own paint, when her painting talent is discovered, when he secretly views her paintings, and when he stands before her award-winning painting in the exhibition.
b) Why does the older brother start distancing himself from his sister when her talent is discovered?
c) Explain the older brother’s feelings when standing before the painting “My Brother” created by his sister: Initially, he feels astonished, then proud, and finally, ashamed.

Answer:
The emotional changes of the older brother shift depending on different events and contexts:
When he sees his sister making paint: At first, the older brother feels uncomfortable as he watches his younger sister enthusiastically rummaging through materials.
Later, he expresses disdain when he discovers that she is making paint: “Oh my, she’s making paint”; “I caught her, turns out…”, his tone conveys a sense of annoyance, as if he believes his sister is just indulging in childish activities.
When his sister’s talent is discovered: The older brother’s emotions shift dramatically, feeling left out and useless – he just wants to cry.
He becomes distant, no longer as playful with her, and becomes needlessly irritable.
Secretly looking at her paintings, he doesn’t know how to react, and lets out a deep sigh.
=> The reason the older brother becomes distant from his sister is due to feelings of jealousy, as he sees her gaining attention and admiration: “She was given a fancy set of paints by Uncle Tiến Lê”; “Her parents eagerly bought art supplies for her”… Meanwhile, he feels neglected. This jealousy leads him to feel bitter, envious, and irritated towards his sister.
When standing before his sister’s portrait of him:
The older brother’s emotions go through a range of stages: First, surprise –> then pride –> and eventually, shame. These emotions are depicted vividly and realistically.
Surprise: He is shocked that his sister painted a portrait of him.
Pride: “I’m depicted in a beautiful and perfect piece of art; not only thoughtful but also very poetic,” but then he feels unworthy: “The portrait she made is like a mirror where I can see the flaws, but not physical flaws – instead, the envy, bitterness, and pettiness within me that makes me suffer.”

Question 4: Page 34, Textbook of Literature 6, Volume 2
What do you understand by the conclusion of the story (I didn’t answer mother… the kind-heartedness of my sister)? What is your impression of the older brother’s character?

Answer:
The conclusion of the story shows the older brother overcoming the “snake of jealousy” that once filled his heart. This is a sincere and profound moment of self-repentance, making the older brother a more likable character, fostering affection from readers.
The ending carries a deep educational meaning: art has the power to profoundly touch the human soul and transform one’s heart.

Question 5: Page 34, Textbook of Literature 6, Volume 2
What are your thoughts on the character of the younger sister in the story? What aspect of her do you admire the most?

Answer:
What I admire most about the younger sister is not her artistic talent, but her kind-heartedness and forgiveness.
Despite her brother’s harsh attitude and disdain, she remains carefree and unaffected.
Secretly painting a portrait of him is a beautiful, unexpected gift. Even though her brother treats her unfairly, the portrait of him is a perfect representation of him.

Practice Section
Question 1: Page 35, Textbook of Literature 6, Volume 2
Write a paragraph describing the older brother’s feelings when standing before the award-winning painting of his sister?

Answer:
Consider the following paragraph:
The older brother stood there, overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions. He was astonished and moved, never imagining that the person in the painting was actually him. From astonishment, he felt a sense of awe because the person in the painting was so perfect, beyond his imagination. Looking at the painting, the older brother felt proud of having a talented and kind-hearted sister. But at that moment, a sense of shame flooded him. He regretted the times he had acted poorly towards her, and felt guilty for having no talent of his own. A mixture of emotions churned within him, making him feel both elated and disoriented. Standing before his sister’s painting, confronting the best parts of himself, the imperfections in his soul seemed to be exposed, leaving him dazed and speechless.