Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for "The Ivory Comb"

Question 1: Summarize the plot of the excerpt:

Mr. Sau went off to war, and it wasn't until his daughter turned eight that he could finally visit home. However, his daughter, Thu, didn't recognize him due to the scar on his face, which made him appear different from the photograph she had known. She treated him like a stranger. When Thu finally recognized him, the intense bond between father and daughter awakened, but it was also the moment Mr. Sau had to leave. While at the base, Mr. Sau poured all his love and longing for his daughter into crafting an ivory comb as a gift for her. Sadly, he was killed in an attack before he could give it to her. The story beautifully portrays the father-daughter relationship in two pivotal moments: + The moment after eight years of separation, when Thu does not recognize her father, and when she finally does, he has to leave. This is the key emotional situation of the story. + At the base, Mr. Sau channels all his affection and nostalgia for his daughter into making the comb, but he dies before he can give it to her. The first situation showcases the powerful emotions of Thu towards her father, while the second highlights the deep love of a father for his child.

Question 2: Analyze Thu’s psychological development and actions during her final encounter with her father, when Mr. Sau returned on leave:

The psychological development and actions of Thu during their final encounter:

• Before recognizing her father: confused, scared when first meeting him, staring blankly, coldly viewing him as a stranger, running away, calling for her mother. Stubborn and defiant while living with her father.
• When recognizing her father: thoughtful and hesitant upon hearing the explanation of the scar. As she sees her father preparing to leave, Thu’s face reflects deep thought before she runs to embrace him passionately.
• Thu’s character: Strong, deep feelings, decisive and clear-cut. She has a stubborn and rebellious side, but is still an innocent, naive child.
• Art of psychological portrayal: The depiction of psychological changes is successful, from Thu’s initial shock and fear to her coldness, followed by a burst of love that had been suppressed. The author displays a deep understanding of children’s psychology, cherishing and honoring their emotional purity.

Question 3:

- Mr. Sau’s love for his daughter is first shown during his visit on leave, but it is more profoundly expressed later in the story when he is at the base.

- The guilt and regret that haunt Mr. Sau for days after parting with his family stem from the fact that he had hit his daughter in a moment of anger. The last words of his daughter, Ba, asking him to bring her an ivory comb, prompted him to craft the gift.

Question 4: Observations on the narrative art of the story:

- The narrator, as a close friend of Mr. Sau, is not only a neutral observer but also expresses empathy and shares the emotions of the characters. Through the thoughts and feelings of the narrator, the story’s other details, events, and characters become clearer, and the story’s moral lessons become more compelling.

Exercise:

Question 1:

- Thu’s attitude towards her father when he first returns and when he leaves is contrasting but consistent with her character.

- The deep consistency in the character’s personality creates the contrast between the two different moments in time.

- Thu loves her father, is proud of him, and keeps the memory of him in a photo she took with her mother. Her love for him is deep and unwavering. She only recognizes the father in the photograph. When another man claims to be her father, Thu firmly refuses to accept him. Her defiant attitude is rooted in her love for the father in the picture. Later, when her mother explains the scar, Thu’s love intensifies, and in her rush of feelings, there is also regret and guilt. The consistency of her character is reflected here.

Question 2:

When retelling the story of the final meeting between Mr. Sau and his daughter from another character's perspective, consider the following:

- If taking Mr. Sau’s perspective, express the “eagerness” of a father who, after years of separation, is excited to meet his child again, and his anxious anticipation of hearing his child call him “dad,” feeling so emotionally overwhelmed that he cannot cry.

- If taking Thu’s perspective, depict her emotional journey from scrutiny to “restlessness” and ultimately to a final, desperate cry: “Dad…a…a…Dad!” This would be the last time Thu ever saw her father.

Summary:

Mr. Sau left home to fight in the war. It wasn't until his daughter turned eight that he had the chance to visit home and see his child. However, little Thu did not recognize him due to the scar on his face, which made him look different from the photo she had with her mother. She treated him like a stranger. When Thu finally recognized him, it was also the moment Mr. Sau had to leave. While at the base, he channeled all his affection and longing for his daughter into creating an ivory comb for her. During an attack, he was killed. Before he died, he managed to give the comb to a friend to pass on to his daughter.

Structure:

- Part 1 (from the beginning... to when he slowly leaves): The bond between Thu and Mr. Sau during the three days he was on leave.

- Part 2 (the rest): At the base, Mr. Sau crafts the ivory comb for his daughter.

Understanding the Text:

Question 1 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

Situations:

- The situation of Thu refusing to recognize her father.

- The situation where Mr. Sau promises to bring a comb for his daughter. During the days of fighting in the forest, he diligently made an ivory comb for her. The comb was finished but he never got to give it to her before he was killed.

Question 2 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

- Psychological development and actions of Thu during their final meeting:

+ Before recognizing her father: confused, frightened upon meeting him, staring wide-eyed, coldly looking at him as if he were a stranger, running away and calling for her mother. She was stubborn and defiant while at home with him.

+ When recognizing her father: thinking deeply when her mother explains the scar. Upon seeing her father preparing to leave, Thu’s face becomes thoughtful before she rushes to embrace him warmly.

- Thu’s character: Deep, strong emotions, decisive and clear. She has a tough, stubborn personality but is still an innocent, naive child.

- The art of psychological portrayal: The depiction of psychological development is effective, from Thu’s surprise and fear to her coldness, ultimately leading to an outpouring of love due to suppressed emotions. The author deeply understands children’s psychology, cherishing and respecting their pure emotions.

Question 3 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

- Mr. Sau’s profound love for his daughter: Eager to meet his child, longing to hear her call him “Dad,” searching for a gift for her.

- The beauty of the revolutionary officer’s soul: They are not only passionately devoted to their homeland and willing to sacrifice for their country but also deeply love their families and children with a beautiful and noble love.

Question 4 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

- The narrative perspective: First-person narration through the voice of Mr. Sau's close friend.

- Effect: Creates an objective, authentic tone and reflects the close bond between comrades in battle.

Exercise:

Question 1 (Page 203, Literature 9, Volume 1):

Before Thu recognizes her father, she is cold and defiant. Once she recognizes him, her emotions flood out like a rushing wave. This shows her clear-cut, firm feelings and her strong, determined character, even though she is only eight years old.

Question 2 (Page 203, Literature 9, Volume 1):

In Thu’s recollection: My father went off to fight in the war. It wasn’t until I turned eight that he could finally visit home and see me. I didn’t recognize him because the scar on his face made him look different from the father in the photo with my mother. I treated him like a stranger. When I finally recognized him, it was also the moment he had to leave. At the base, my father put all his love and longing into making an ivory comb for me. During an attack, he was killed. Before his death, he managed to pass the comb to a friend to bring to me.

1. Author:

Nguyen Quang Sang was born in 1932 in Cho Moi, An Giang province. During the French resistance, he joined the military and fought in the Southern battlefield. After 1954, he moved to the North and began his writing career. During the American war, he returned to the South to continue his revolutionary activities and literary work.

2. Work:

The short story "The Ivory Comb" was written by Nguyen Quang Sang in 1966, during the intense period of the American war in the Southern battlefield. What is particularly remarkable about this story is that although it was written during a time of brutal warfare, it focuses on the theme of human relationships—specifically the father-daughter bond amidst the cruel circumstances of war and the camaraderie of revolutionary comrades.

The father-daughter relationship is described movingly from both sides: the revolutionary father and his young daughter. This is not just a timeless, universal love, but one that is intensified by the harshness of war and the suffering of the revolutionary fighters.

Thus, this love is even more precious, and it also highlights the pain that war brings to the everyday lives of ordinary people.

3. Reading – Understanding the Text:

1 - Page 202 of the textbook: Summarize the plot of the excerpt. What situation deeply and movingly reveals the father-daughter relationship between Mr. Sau and little Thu?

Answer:

The story revolves around the ivory comb, which is recounted by an elderly revolutionary soldier. During the French resistance, Mr. Sau left for war when his daughter Thu was less than a year old. After the peace was restored, he returned to visit his family, but his daughter did not recognize him due to the scar on his face, which made him look different from the man in the photo she had seen. For three days, Thu avoided him and refused to call him "father." It was only when Mr. Sau was about to leave that Thu finally recognized him and clung to him.

During his time in the faraway base, Mr. Sau missed his daughter terribly and diligently crafted the ivory comb for Thu as a promise he made before leaving. Before he died, he entrusted the comb to a friend as his final message.

For more information, refer to summaries of the short story "The Ivory Comb".

- The situation that reveals the father-daughter bond of Mr. Sau and Thu:

+ The reunion of father and daughter after eight years of separation, during which Thu initially did not recognize her father. When she finally did and expressed her emotions, Mr. Sau had to leave.

+ In the base, Mr. Sau poured all his love for his daughter into making the ivory comb. Yet, he never had the chance to give it to her before his death.

2 - Page 202 of the textbook: Analyze the psychological development and actions of Thu during the final meeting with her father when he came home on leave. What does this reveal about Thu's character, and how does the author depict her psychological state?

Answer:

The psychological development of Thu during the final meeting with her father:

Initially, because she did not recognize her father, she refused to accept him as her dad. She was cold and distant, rejecting his attempts at affection. The more Mr. Sau tried to engage her with joy and excitement, the more Thu became suspicious and distant. This reaction was natural, as she did not recognize him and still held on to the image of her "other" father—the man in the photograph with her mother.

Once she recognized him and accepted that he was her real father, her feelings and behavior changed dramatically. She screamed, “Ba...a...a...ba!” and rushed towards him like a squirrel, hugging him tightly and kissing every part of him, even kissing the long scar on his cheek. In that moment, the pent-up love, longing, and regret she had experienced came rushing out in an intense and heartfelt expression.

Through Thu's actions and emotions towards her father, the author portrays her as strong-willed, even stubborn, but also clear and decisive in her feelings. Yet, beneath that exterior, Thu remains a child with an innocent, pure heart.

3 - Page 202 of the textbook: How are Mr. Sau's deep and noble feelings for his daughter expressed through specific details and events? What do these reveal about the character of the revolutionary soldier?

Answer:

The first time Mr. Sau meets his daughter, his emotions are expressed through his nervousness and anxiety. When Thu refuses to acknowledge him as her father, he is deeply saddened but patiently tries to rekindle their bond, constantly trying to comfort her.

During the farewell, the father-daughter relationship reaches its emotional peak. Mr. Sau looks at his daughter with a mix of love and sorrow. When Thu calls out “ba,” he is so overwhelmed with emotion that he does not want her to see him cry. He hugs her with one arm while using the other to wipe away his tears.

At the base, Mr. Sau's love for his daughter is evident as he carefully and painstakingly makes the ivory comb. Before he dies, he leaves it as a final token of love for his beloved child.

Every detail in the story reflects Mr. Sau's deep affection for his daughter. This story also reminds us of the noble family bonds and the pain and sacrifice of revolutionary soldiers who gave everything for their country.

4 - Page 202 of the textbook: Who narrates the story? What is the effect of choosing this narrative voice on the development of characters and the themes of the story?

Answer:

The story is told through the perspective of Mr. Sau's close friend. This narrative choice adds an objective and detached perspective, which enhances the authenticity of the story and allows the narrator to express his empathy for the characters. It also serves as an effective means of conveying the story’s central themes.

This point of view makes the story feel more credible and relatable. The narrator is able to interject his own thoughts and reflections, guiding the reader's emotional engagement: “In my years of resistance, I have witnessed countless farewells, but never have I been moved as I was by this one... The ivory comb may not have brushed my daughter's hair, but it helped untangle the knots in Mr. Sau's heart.”

Practice Exercises:

1 - Page 203 of the textbook: Despite the contrasting actions and attitudes of Thu towards her father during the days he was home and as he was about to leave, her character remains consistent. Explain why this is so.

Answer:

- Although Thu's actions are opposites, they remain consistent because they both stem from her deep love for her father.

- At first, Thu refuses to accept Mr. Sau as her father and distances herself from him because he does not resemble the image of her father she has cherished in her heart from the photo with her mother. She has missed him and kept that image alive.

- As Mr. Sau prepares to leave, Thu realizes he is her father and feels a deep sadness. She clings to him and asks him to promise to return and buy her a comb, hoping for his safe return and longing for more time together.

2 - Page 203 of the textbook: Rewrite the scene of the final meeting between Mr. Sau and Thu from the perspective of another character (either Mr. Sau or Thu).

Answer:

Last night, after hearing what Grandma had explained, I understood everything. It turns out that the person I had been rejecting all these days was my father. It was just the war that made me stubborn and unable to recognize him. On the last morning that my father was at home, I followed Grandma and felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. Our house was full of relatives, both near and far. My father was busy hosting guests, while I stood in a corner of the room, watching everyone surround him. I wanted to run to him, to call out to him, but I could only stand there, frozen. When it was time for him to leave, after shaking hands with everyone, my father looked towards me in the corner. He quietly said, "It's time for me to go, my child." At that moment, I couldn’t hold back my emotions any longer. I screamed, "Ba...a...a...ba!" and rushed to him, hugging his neck while crying. We kissed each other, and I kissed the long scar on his cheek. My father embraced me with one arm and wiped his tears with the other, then kissed my hair and promised, "I'll return to you, my child." I couldn't accept that we had to part so soon. I regretted wasting the time I had left with him. But knowing that he had to go back to the war, we had no choice but to say goodbye. Just before he left, I tearfully asked, "Ba, will you bring me a comb when you return?" and slowly slipped from his arms. That was the last time I saw my father.

1. Summary:

Mr. Sau left home to fight in the war. It wasn’t until his daughter turned eight that he had the chance to return and visit his family. However, his daughter, Thu, didn’t recognize him due to the scar on his face, which made him appear different from the man in the photograph she had with her mother. She treated him as a stranger. When Thu finally recognized her father, it was also the moment he had to leave again. While at the base, Mr. Sau poured all his love and longing for his daughter into carving an ivory comb for her. He died in a raid before he could give it to her, but just before his death, he entrusted the comb to a friend to deliver to his daughter.

2. Structure:

- Part 1 (from the beginning to 'then slowly pulled away'): The relationship between Thu and Mr. Sau during the three days he was on leave.

- Part 2 (the remainder): Mr. Sau making the ivory comb at the base to give to his daughter.

3. Text Comprehension:

Question 1 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

Situations:

- Thu refuses to acknowledge her father.

- Mr. Sau promises to bring a comb for his daughter. During his time fighting in the jungle, he worked tirelessly to carve an ivory comb for her. He finished the comb but didn’t have the chance to give it to her before he died.

Question 2 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

- Thu’s psychological and emotional development during the final meeting with her father:

• Before recognizing her father: Thu is confused and frightened when she first sees her father. She looks at him coldly, unable to recognize him, and runs away to call for her mother. She behaves stubbornly and resentfully towards him.
• When recognizing her father: Thu becomes thoughtful when her grandmother explains the scar on his face. When she sees her father preparing to leave, her expression becomes distant, and she runs to embrace him tightly.
• Thu’s character: Thu’s emotions are intense and deep, and she is determined and clear in her feelings. Though she is stubborn and rebellious, she is still an innocent and naive child.
• Psychological portrayal technique: The author effectively describes Thu’s emotional development, from her surprise and fear to her coldness, and finally to the overwhelming outpouring of love that was built up over time. The author demonstrates a deep understanding and appreciation of children’s emotions and cherishes the beauty of childhood feelings.

Question 3 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

- Mr. Sau’s deep love for his daughter: He is eager to reunite with her, longing to hear her call “Daddy!” and searching for a gift to give her.

- The noble qualities of a revolutionary officer: They are not only passionate about their country and willing to sacrifice for it, but they also deeply love their families and children, with an incredibly beautiful and noble love.

Question 4 (Page 202, Literature 9, Volume 1):

- Narrative perspective: First person, through the narration of Mr. Sau’s close friend.

- Effect: This perspective adds objectivity and authenticity to the story and highlights the bond between comrades in arms.

Practice:

Question 1 (Page 203, Literature 9, Volume 1):

Before recognizing her father, Thu was cold and rebellious. After recognizing him, her emotions surged like a flood. This shows her clear-cut, decisive nature, reflecting the strength of her character even though she is only eight years old.

Question 2 (Page 203, Literature 9, Volume 1):

According to Thu’s recollection:

My father went off to war. It wasn’t until I turned eight that he returned to visit me. I didn’t recognize him because the scar on his face made him look different from the man in the photograph with my mother. I treated him like a stranger. When I finally recognized him, it was also the moment he had to leave. At the base, my father poured all his love and longing into carving an ivory comb for me. He died in a raid, but before he passed, he gave the comb to a friend to bring to me.

1. Structure:

- Part 1 (from the beginning to "she didn't want to take it back"): Mr. Sau returns home for a three-day leave, but little Thu doesn't recognize him as her father.

- Part 2 (from the next part to "slowly slid down"): Thu realizes Mr. Sau is her father, and the father-daughter farewell follows.

- Part 3 (remaining section): Mr. Sau sacrifices his life in battle, and the story of the ivory comb unfolds.

2. Lesson Preparation:

Question 1:

a. Summarize the excerpt:

Mr. Sau leaves home to fight in the war. It isn't until his daughter turns eight that he has the opportunity to visit. Thu doesn't recognize him because of the scar on his face, which makes him look different from the father in the photograph with her mother. She treats him as a stranger. Once Thu recognizes him, and the strong bond of fatherly love awakens within her, Mr. Sau must depart again. During his time at the base, he puts all his affection and longing for his daughter into making an ivory comb for her. In the middle of a raid, Mr. Sau sacrifices his life. Before his death, he manages to pass the comb to a friend to give to his daughter.

b. Unexpected Situations:

- The first unexpected situation is Thu's refusal to recognize Mr. Sau as her father. Mr. Sau had gone to war when Thu was under one year old. After eight years apart, he returns home, but his daughter doesn't acknowledge him as her father. Thu only calls him father when she realizes who he is, but by then, he has to leave for a new assignment.

- The second unexpected situation: Mr. Sau promises to bring back a comb for his daughter. During his time in the jungle, he carefully crafts an ivory comb for her. The comb is finished but, tragically, Mr. Sau dies before he can give it to her.

Question 2:

a. Psychological development and actions of Thu:

- Before recognizing Mr. Sau as her father:

+ Her attitude towards him as a stranger: When Mr. Sau calls out "Thu, my child", Thu is startled, staring wide-eyed, confused, and running to scream "Mom! ..."

+ Stubborn and playful: She refuses to call him "father" and instead insists on saying things like "the rice is ready", "come eat", or "the rice is overcooked, it’s mushy now".

+ Her reaction shows that she has a strong personality and deeply loves her father. That love, engraved in her innocent heart, makes it hard for her to accept the man with a scar as her father.

- After recognizing Mr. Sau as her father:

+ After hearing her grandmother explain about the scar, she feels remorse and regret, lying still, rolling over, and sighing like an adult.

+ When Mr. Sau says "I have to leave now, my child", Thu's emotions surge, and she calls out "Ba...a...a...ba!" breaking the silence, causing everyone to feel a deep sense of emotional release. The call expresses all the love she had kept inside her heart. She rushes to hug him, kissing the scar. The most touching moment is when she clings to him, afraid that he will leave her.

b. Character of Thu:

- Strong, deep emotions but also very decisive and clear-cut.

- She has a tough personality, almost rebellious, but still remains a pure, innocent child.

c. The author’s skill in describing psychology:

The author effectively portrays Thu’s psychological development: from her initial shock and fear to her coldness, and finally, the overwhelming burst of love that had been bottled up inside her. This illustrates the author's deep understanding and admiration for children’s psychology, as well as the value placed on their pure, heartfelt emotions.

Question 4:

The storyteller takes on the role of a close friend of Mr. Sau, not just a passive observer recounting the events, but someone who shares in the emotions and sympathies of the characters. Through the art of portraying the characters' psychological states and creating natural yet surprising plot twists, the narrator captures the deep father-daughter bond in a challenging wartime situation.

The choice of this narrative style has several benefits:

- It makes the story feel genuine and trustworthy.

- It allows for an objective view of the characters.

- The narrator can flexibly and freely recount the events surrounding the characters.

Exercise:

Question 1 (page 203 in the textbook):

Explanation: Thu’s attitude and actions towards her father are contradictory during the early days of his visit and right before he leaves, but they remain consistent with her character.

+ Despite the contradictions in Thu's actions towards her father, there is one consistent theme: her love for him.

+ In the beginning, Thu is adamant about not accepting Mr. Sau, rejecting him because he doesn't resemble the father she remembers from the photograph with her mother. Thu has kept her father's image close to her heart all this time.

+ When Mr. Sau is about to leave, Thu realizes that he is indeed her father, and knowing she must part from him, she becomes very sad, missing him, not wanting him to go, and asking him to promise to bring her an ivory comb. She hopes for his return, hoping to see him again.

Question 2 (page 203 in the textbook): Recount the final meeting between father and daughter Mr. Sau, as recalled by another character (either Mr. Sau or Thu):

On the last morning my father was home, I went with my grandmother to the house. That morning, there were many relatives from both sides of the family. My father was busy entertaining guests, and I stood quietly in the corner, leaning against the door, watching everyone gather around him. I knew that he was my father; the scar on his face was from the French soldiers. I wanted to run to him and call out, but I could only stand there silently. When it was time to say goodbye, after shaking hands with everyone, my father looked at me in the corner of the room. He quietly said, "I’m going now, my child." I couldn’t hold back anymore, and the sorrow I felt overflowed. I screamed, "Ba...a...a...ba!" I rushed to hug him, crying and begging him not to go. Father and I embraced each other. I kissed the scar on his cheek. He held me tightly, wiped away my tears with a handkerchief, kissed my head, and told me, "I’m going, but I’ll return to you." I couldn’t accept the fact that I had to say goodbye right then. I regretted wasting the time I had spent with him recently. But knowing he had to go to the war, we had to part ways. Before he left, I whimpered, "Father, come back! Bring me a comb!" I slowly slipped out of his arms. That was the last time I saw my father.

Meaning - Value:

- Through this story, students will feel the deep, moving, and noble father-daughter bond under the tragic circumstances of war between Mr. Sau and little Thu.

- Additionally, students will be able to analyze the significance of creating natural, yet surprising situations, as well as the author’s skill in portraying psychology and building character personalities, especially that of Thu.