Top 6 Best Essays on 'The Father of Simon' by Maupassant for 9th Grade

I. A Few Words About the Author
- G. Maupassant (1850-1893), full name Guy de Maupassant
- Hometown: Normandy, Northern France
- Life and Writing Career:
+ In 1871, he moved to Paris and became a small government official in the Ministry of the Navy
+ From 1878 onwards, he worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of Education
+ His literary career began around 1871-1880, starting with poetry
+ Between 1880-1891, he wrote about 300 short stories, many of which are exceptional, such as: The Dead, The Jewel, The Little Box, etc.

II. The Work
1. Background of Creation
- The text is part of the short story 'The Father of Simon', from the 19th Century French Short Story Anthology, translated by Le Hong Sam, published by University and Technical Publishing House, Hanoi, 1986
2. Structure
- 4 Parts:
+ Part 1: Simon's Despair
+ Part 2: Simon Meets Uncle Philip
+ Part 3: Uncle Philip Takes Simon Home
+ Part 4: The Next Day at School
3. Content Value
- Through the emotional journey of the three characters: Simon, Blanche, and Philip, the writer highlights the theme of friendship, love for mankind, and empathy for others' pain or mistakes.
4. Artistic Value
- The author's ability to portray characters' psychological states is profound and delicate, with a clear, simple style that conveys deep, concise meaning.

* Summary of the Text: Simon is a boy without a father, often bullied by other children. One day, in despair, he goes to the riverbank with the intention of ending his life. Uncle Philip, a blacksmith, takes him home. Simon asks Uncle Philip to be his father. At first, Uncle Philip treats it as a joke but agrees. The next day, when other children tease Simon, he does not run away, and his teacher comes to his rescue.

Understanding the Text:

Question 1 - Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2: Divide the passage into four parts based on the development of the story: Simon's despair; Philip meets Simon and says he will give him a father; Philip takes Simon home to his mother and agrees to be his father; Simon goes to school and tells his friends that he has a father, and his father's name is Philip.

Answer:

- Part 1 (from the beginning to 'he just cried all the time'): Simon's despair.

- Part 2 (until 'They will give you... a father'): Uncle Philip meets Simon and comforts him.

- Part 3 (until 'he quickly ran away'): Uncle Philip takes Simon home to his mother and agrees to be his father.

- Part 4 (the rest) Simon goes to school and proudly tells his friends that he has a father named Philip.

Question 2 - Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2: Why is Simon in pain? How does the author depict his pain through his thoughts, emotional expressions, and speech in the story?
Answer:

Simon is in pain because he is ridiculed by his friends for not having a father. All his friends have fathers, but Simon does not. He is so distressed that he plans to end his life by the river. However, the peaceful scene by the river calms him, and he abandons the idea. Despite that, he remains heartbroken. The author portrays his pain through constant crying: he cries when the children tease him (afterward, he longs to sleep there on the grass, under the warm sun). When thinking of his mother, he cries again and says he doesn't feel lost, but wants to jump into the river because he has no father. His anguish is evident in his choked voice, with tears in his eyes, as he answers Uncle Philip in broken, sobbing words.

Question 3 - Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2: Through the image of Blanche's house, her attitude towards guests, and her feelings when hearing her son speak, prove that Blanche's mistakes in life led to Simon's birth, but she is essentially a good person.
Answer:

Blanche is a good woman. Her house is small, painted white, and very clean. She single-handedly raises Simon. When she meets Uncle Philip, her attitude is serious and proper, so much so that when he sees her, 'Uncle Philip immediately stops smiling because he understands he cannot joke with this tall, pale, serious woman standing firmly at the door, as if forbidding any man to cross the threshold.' She loves her son deeply. When she hears him crying about not having a father, she blushes, hugs him tightly, and kisses him, tears streaming down her face.

Question 4 - Page 144, Literature 9, Volume 2: Describe the emotional changes of Uncle Philip through the stages: when he meets Simon; on the way to his house with Simon; when he meets Blanche; and when responding to Simon.
Answer:

When Uncle Philip first meets Simon, he smiles at the boy's lack of a father. He says this just to comfort him, suggesting that Simon will have a father. On the way to his house, Uncle Philip reflects on how Simon's mother might have had a youthful mistake and could have made another. But when he meets Blanche, he suddenly stops smiling and becomes hesitant, speaking awkwardly. He realizes that he cannot joke with this serious, dignified woman. When responding to Simon, he treats the matter lightly, agreeing to be his father. However, Simon's innocence and sincerity win his heart. His gesture of lifting Simon up and kissing his cheeks shows his growing affection. Uncle Philip's emotional journey is complex and unexpected.

A. KEY KNOWLEDGE

1. Author:

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer from a noble family that had fallen on hard times. He participated in the Franco-Prussian War (1870), and after the war, due to financial struggles, he moved to Paris to make a living. It was here that he began to build his life.
2. The work
Content:
This excerpt is from the beginning of a short story about a boy without a father. This difficult situation leads the boy into numerous troubles, even considering suicide. However, thanks to the kindness of a worker, the boy not only gains a father but can also be proud of him. Guy de Maupassant masterfully portrays the emotional journeys of the three main characters: Simon, Blang-sot, and Philip, emphasizing themes of friendship, compassion, and empathy for those with unfortunate fates.
Structure:
Part 1 (from the beginning to "he only cried"), Simon's despair.
Part 2 (until "They will give you... a father"), Philip meets Simon and consoles him.
Part 3 (until "he quickly walks away"), Philip takes Simon to his mother and agrees to be his father.
Part 4 (the remaining part), Simon goes to school and proudly tells his friends that his father is Philip.

B. EXERCISES AND GUIDELINES

Question 1: Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2

Identify the different parts if you divide the above passage into four parts based on the development of the story: Simon's despair; Philip meets Simon and promises to give him a father; Philip takes Simon to his mother and agrees to be his father; Simon goes to school and tells his friends that he has a father, and his name is Philip.

Answer:
Part 1 (from the beginning to "he only cried"), Simon's despair.
Part 2 (until "They will give you... a father"), Philip meets Simon and consoles him.
Part 3 (until "he quickly walks away"), Philip takes Simon to his mother and agrees to be his father.
Part 4 (the remaining part): Simon confidently tells his friends that his father is Philip.

Question 2: Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2
Why is Simon in pain? How does the author portray his pain through his thoughts, emotional expressions, and speech in the story?
Answer:
Simon is in pain because his friends mock and bully him for not having a father.
This pain is expressed through his thoughts and actions:
He considers going to the riverbank to end his life, but the scenery makes him think about home and his mother.
His pain is reflected in his tears. He cries often, feeling deeply sad, "he cried again, his body shaking"...
His pain is even more evident in the way he speaks. His words are broken and repetitive, as he struggles to express himself.

Question 3: Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2
Through the image of Blang-sot's house, her attitude toward guests, and her emotions when hearing her child speak, show that Blang-sot gave birth to Simon due to a mistake, but fundamentally she is a good person.
Answer:
Blang-sot is a good woman. Despite making a mistake that led to Simon growing up without a father, she is virtuous and upright.
Her house is small, painted white, and clean. Though life is tough and impoverished, she lives with dignity and sincerity.
Her true nature is revealed through her attitude toward guests. She gives the impression that no one can joke around with her, standing firmly at the door as if to prevent any man from entering.
This goodness is further revealed when she hears her child being bullied for not having a father. Overcome with sadness, she weeps and embraces Simon, feeling deep pain and love for him.

Question 4: Page 144, Literature 9, Volume 2
Describe the emotional development of Philip during the different stages: when he meets Simon, while taking Simon home, when meeting Blang-sot, and during his conversation with Simon.
Answer:
Philip's emotional development:
At first, when he meets Simon, Philip feels sympathy and tries to comfort him with kind words. His thoughts are somewhat playful.
When taking Simon home, Philip initially thinks he can joke with Blang-sot, but this thought is misguided and adds intrigue to the story.
Upon meeting Blang-sot, he realizes his mistake, feeling awkward and embarrassed.
Finally, in his conversation with Simon, partly out of sympathy and partly because he likes Blang-sot, he half-jokingly agrees to be Simon's father. Philip opens his heart to Simon, bringing him joy, trust, and happiness in life.

I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE WORK

- Guy de Maupassant (1850 - 1893) was a French realist writer. His family was once noble but had fallen into poverty. He enlisted when the Franco-Prussian war (1870) broke out. After the war, due to financial struggles, he moved to Paris and worked in the Navy and Ministry of Education. His famous debut story, "The Cowrie Shell" (1880), marked the beginning of his writing career. From 1881 to 1890, he wrote over 300 short stories, six novels, and other works. Maupassant is well-known for his novels *A Life* (1883) and *The Beautiful Friend* (1885), but he is most famous for his short stories. Apart from *Simon's Father*, other notable works include *The Old Man*, *The Legacy*, and *Madame Ecme*.

He passed away in 1893 from a nervous illness.

- Summary of the Short Story 'Simon's Father'

Blang-Sot was deceived by a man and gave birth to Simon. On Simon's first day at school, his cruel classmates mocked him for not having a father. Ridiculed and beaten, he threw stones at them and ran to the riverbank, contemplating suicide. As he gazed at the fish and played with a frog, the thought of ending his life lingered in his mind. Just as he was crying, Philip, a kind man, found him. He took Simon home and returned him to his mother. Philip, understanding Simon's suffering, promised to be his father. However, when Simon realized that Philip wasn’t his biological father, he went to the blacksmith shop to ask him about it. After some conversations, Philip decided to marry Blang-Sot, Simon's mother. Simon proudly told his friends that his father was now Philip Remy.

II. READING COMPREHENSION SUGGESTIONS

Question 1: Identify the sections

The excerpt can be divided into four parts:

- Part 1: From “The sky is very humid...” to “he only cried.”

- Part 2: From “Suddenly” to “a real father.”

- Part 3: From “They set out...” to “quickly withdrew.”

- Part 4: From “The next day...” to “he went home.”

Question 2: Simon's pain

At just “seven or eight years old,” “slightly pale, very neat,” and “shy, almost awkward,” Simon's appearance reflected the painful reality of his life. He was stigmatized as a fatherless child and was often taunted by his peers.

His pain was expressed through his thoughts and actions. Ridiculed and beaten, he fled to the riverbank with the intent to drown himself. Fortunately, the pleasant weather, the sunshine, and the sight of the frog reminded him of childhood play, of home, and of his mother.

Additionally, his pain was revealed through his tears. He cried multiple times: “A sense of weariness followed after crying,” “feeling deeply sad, he cried again, his body trembling,” “his eyes were full of tears, his voice choked with sobs...”.

Finally, his pain was evident in his speech: most of the time, he could barely express himself, his words were interrupted {they beat me... because... I... have no father... no father...}.

Question 3: Blang-Sot - the image of a naive woman, yet fundamentally good

At first, considering Simon’s lack of a father and Philip’s remark, “a youthful mistake could very well happen again,” the reader might wonder about Blang-Sot's character. However, when Philip sees her standing before her whitewashed, spotless house, he immediately recognizes her seriousness. She stands tall and firm, her eyes serious, giving the impression that no man should dare to step beyond the threshold of her home, where she had been deceived. Further details, like “her cheeks flushed red” and “tears falling incessantly,” reveal Blang-Sot’s inner turmoil. We understand that Blang-Sot is not the type of woman to live recklessly; after being deceived, she reacts with firm rejection of men. Her embarrassment demonstrates that she still holds onto morals and conscience in her heart.

Question 4: Philip's emotional journey

As a compassionate and forgiving person, when Philip saw Simon crying, he approached him and asked what had happened. Learning about Simon’s pain, Philip comforted him, saying, “Someone will give you... a real father.”

Upon bringing Simon home, Philip quickly recognized the boy’s background. He was the son of Blang-Sot, a woman who had once made a mistake. Philip then had an impure thought, joking that “a youthful mistake could happen again.” This meant he considered taking advantage of the situation to get closer to Blang-Sot. However, as soon as he saw her, he immediately realized his mistake. “He knew at once that he couldn’t joke around with the tall, pale woman standing firmly in front of her house.” Realizing he had been caught in a wrong thought, Philip awkwardly removed his hat and admitted to Simon that he would be his father. His initial words had been in jest, but in truth, Philip's kindness and compassion led him to give Simon the confidence he had longed for. Eventually, what started as a joke became a reality, and Philip found a family happiness he hadn’t anticipated.

Although Philip briefly entertained a less-than-ideal thought, at heart, he was a kind, sincere, and selfless person. Along with the other blacksmiths, he was portrayed by the author as a virtuous figure, rescuing Simon from his suffering and bringing him happiness.

Reminder: Maupassant sharply depicted the emotional evolution of Simon, Blang-Sot, and Philip in the excerpt from *Simon's Father*, conveying the message of love and compassion for friends, and ultimately for humanity.

I. Understanding the Short Story "Simon's Father" Literature 9, Volume 2

1. Author

Guy de Maupassant, a French novelist, hailed from a noble family but with a declining fortune. He participated in the Franco-Prussian War.
2. The Story

The text "Simon's Father" is the opening part of a short story about a boy without a father. His unfortunate circumstances lead him into despair, even contemplating death. However, due to the kindness of a factory worker, he eventually gains a father figure and takes great pride in him.

II. Study Guide for "Simon's Father" Literature 9, Volume 2

1. Question 1, Page 143, Textbook Literature 9, Volume 2

Part 1 (from the beginning to "he just kept crying"): Depicts Simon's despair.
Part 2 (continuation... the father figure): The factory worker, Philip, meets Simon and comforts him.
Part 3 (continuation... quickly leaving): Philip takes Simon back to his mother and offers to be his father.
Part 4 (the rest): Simon trusts Philip and proudly tells his friends that he has a father, Philip.

2. Question 2, Page 143, Textbook Literature 9, Volume 2

Simon’s anguish stems from: He is mocked by his peers for not having a father.

This pain is expressed through the significance, emotional depth, and the way Simon communicates in the text:

The boy considers suicide, but thinking of his mother makes him even more miserable.
He is deeply saddened by the taunts of his classmates: "he cries again, trembling".
His speech is fragmented and choked with sobs.

3. Question 3, Page 143, Textbook Literature 9, Volume 2

Evidence proving that Simon's mother, Blang-Sot, made a mistake but is essentially a good person:

Her house, though small, is neat and clean with whitewashed walls. Despite being poor, she lives with integrity and seriousness.
Her attitude toward guests is formal, as if she is unwilling to let men cross her threshold.
When she hears that Simon is being bullied for having no father, she feels ashamed and sorrowful, shedding tears of pain.

4. Question 4, Page 143, Textbook Literature 9, Volume 2

Philip's emotional journey in various stages:

When he meets Simon: Philip feels the boy's sorrow and tries to comfort him.
On the way to Simon's home: Philip wonders if the boy's mother might make another mistake.
When meeting Blang-Sot: Philip is awkward and confused by her serious demeanor, but he later develops a fondness for her.
When speaking with Simon: Philip feels compassion for Simon and decides to become his father (though initially he sees it as a joke). However, Simon's innocent, childlike nature endears him to Philip.

Question 1 (Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2):

Structure

The text is divided into four sections:

- Section 1 (from the start to "he just kept crying"): Simon’s despair

- Section 2 (continuation... a father figure): Philip meets Simon and comforts him

- Section 3 (continuation... quickly leaving): Philip takes Simon home and offers to be his father

- Section 4 (remaining): Simon proudly tells his classmates that his father is Philip

Question 2 (Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2)

- Simon is deeply hurt when mocked for not having a father, and his peers taunt and bully him.

- The pain is expressed:

- Simon feels so miserable that he considers suicide. The riverbank scene brings some temporary peace, but he is still in agony.

+ He cries profusely.

+ Thinking of his mother and missing home intensifies his pain and makes him weep.

+ The pain is conveyed through his hoarse voice, tear-filled eyes, and fragmented speech as he answers Philip, choked with sobs.

Question 3 (Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2)

- Blang-Sot, the woman who made a mistake leading to Simon’s fatherless situation

- Despite this, she remains a virtuous, respectable woman, considered "one of the most beautiful in the region"

- Her character is shown through her clean, whitewashed home and her disciplined, serious lifestyle.

- Blang-Sot raises Simon alone, ensuring he grows up to be a well-behaved child.

- Her true nature is evident in how she treats guests:

+ She stands with dignity at the doorway, almost forbidding any man from crossing the threshold.

- Upon hearing that Simon has been beaten and mocked for not having a father, "her cheeks flush with pain and her body aches to the core… tears fall freely".

+ When Simon asks, "Would you like to be my father?" she stands silent, writhing in pain, leaning against the wall with her hands clutching her chest.

→ Blang-Sot is a dignified woman, full of self-respect and love for her child.

Question 4 (Page 144, Literature 9, Volume 2)

Philip’s emotional journey

- When meeting Simon: he feels the boy’s suffering, sympathizes, and comforts him.

- On the way to Simon’s home: he worries that the boy’s mother might make another mistake.

- When meeting Simon’s mother: he feels awkward and confused by her stern demeanor, yet he admires and understands Blang-Sot’s situation.

- When talking to Simon: he feels sympathy for the boy and decides he wants to be his father, touched by Simon’s innocence.

→ Philip’s emotional journey is complex and surprising.

Significance - Value

- Through this passage, students can analyze and explain the emotional developments of Simon, Philip, and Blang-Sot, particularly Simon’s.

- The passage encourages students to reflect on compassion for others, expanding into a broader empathy for human suffering and mistakes.

Main Idea: The excerpt effectively depicts the character of Robinson Crusoe. Despite the hardships he faces, Robinson never expresses sorrow or complaints when describing his life. On the contrary, through his storytelling, he presents himself as the ruler of his island, portraying a king who governs his domain.

Answer to Question 1 (Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2):

4 parts:

- Part 1: From the start to "he just kept crying": Simon's despair.

- Part 2: From there to "a father figure": Philip meets Simon and promises to be his father.

- Part 3: From there to "left quickly": Philip takes Simon to Blang-Sot and claims him as his son.

- Part 4: The rest: Simon goes to school, confidently telling his friends about his father, Philip.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2):

- Simon suffers deeply from not having a father.

- Expression of this pain:

+ Through his thoughts and actions: he leaves home and heads to the riverbank, considering suicide, but the scene reminds him of home and his mother.

+ He cries multiple times: "he cries again, his body shaking," revealing his profound sadness.

+ He struggles to speak, his words broken by sobs.

Answer to Question 3 (Page 143, Literature 9, Volume 2):

Blang-Sot:

- Once one of the most beautiful and virtuous women in the region, she was deceived.

- Her house is small, whitewashed, and impeccably clean: though poor, she lives honorably and seriously.

- Her attitude toward guests: she gives off a stern presence, as though forbidding men from crossing the threshold of her home.

- When she hears her child was mocked for not having a father, she feels ashamed and sorrowful, tears falling silently.

Question 4:

Philip's emotional journey:

- When he meets Simon crying, Philip immediately approaches to offer comfort.

- On the way to take Simon home: he jokes about the possibility of teasing Blang-Sot.

- When meeting Blang-Sot: he realizes his mistake and feels awkward.

- During his conversation with Simon: he half-jokingly, half-seriously claims him as his son, feeling affection for the boy.

=> Uncle Philip is kind-hearted, sincere, selfless, and generous.

Summary:

Simon, a 7-8-year-old boy, starts school for the first time. He is mocked by his classmates for not having a father. Simon fights back, but the truth of his situation causes him great distress. He goes to the riverbank and contemplates suicide. However, the peaceful view calms him slightly. But thinking of his home and mother, he cries again. Philip, a worker, sees him and comforts him, eventually taking him home. Philip then accepts Simon as his son. The next day, Simon returns to school, and though the other kids continue to mock him, Simon confidently asserts that he has a father—Philip.