Phoebe:
Within a page of each other (210-211) we see both Mona and Barbara interact with their parents, specifically their mothers. The two treat their daughters very differently: Mona's mother is condescending and minimizes Mona's feelings, Barbara's is supportive and caring. Why does Jen include this juxtaposition and what is she trying to highlight about culture between the Gugelstein's the Chang'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?
Tim:
In this section of the reading, Mona is reacquainted with Sherman. On page 231, Mona tells Sherman that "Jews believe in the here and now; Catholics believe in heaven; the Chinese believe in the next generation." What do Americans believe in? Has Mona been acting like a typical American throughout the course of the book, or has she been completely counter conventional?
Mona also has several conversations with her parents where she accuses them of being racist. Are her parents officially racist because they have fired Alfred and have hired more waiters from China? Or, are they just worried about the future of their daughter and their restaurant? Analyze the stereotypes mentioned in this chapter.
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