Pg. 206 - 237 Discussion Question(s) (David)

In this section, the reader sees Gish Jen juxtaposes the American and Chinese values regarding family and home. At the end of the section in particular, Mona repeats a story told to her in which a friend says, "In China, there is a compound wall; in America, there is lawn. It makes Americans seem so friendly, so approachable. But where does the world end? Where does the family begin? And how is it that the family allows everything to come out? ... It is as if they are not real family members" (pg. 237). Does this statement corroborate or conflict with Mona's opinion on the topic of family/home up to this point? What do you think it means when she says that "it is as if they are not real family members?" Does this describe Mona and her family?