The Relative Advantages of Learning My Language By Amy Choi

The Relative Advantages of Learning my Language by Amy Choi

1. The author opens the story with an anecdote. What is the anecdote and what effect does it have on the reader?

The anecdote is that the author ''Was never really kind to her grandfather.'' This is the opening sentence and from this sentence we can tell that the author wasn't very close with her grandfather. It makes the reader sad and feel sorrow for the author and grandfather and makes us want to read on and gather more information about this. 

2. What is the author’s view of the Chinese language in the 2^nd paragraph?

That there was no point in being able to speak Chinese even though the author grew up learning it as a first language. They lived in Australia and the author thought there was no point in being able to speak it as at school they spoke English and when they watched T.V. it was in English. 

3. What is symbolic about the house that the Grandfather mistakes for his own? What does it say about the assimilation of his family into Australian culture? What does it say about his understanding of Australian culture? What is ironic about the inhabitants of this house?

That even though the house belonged to a family (Pakistan) that was a different culture there were some similarities such as the yellow rose bush, the painted timber mailbox and the Ford Falcon parked out of the front of the house. It shows us Australia is a very multicultural place but these people have many similarities such as the plants they like or the cars they have. 

4. What does the death of her grandfather inspire the author to do?

It makes her feel regret and she learns Chinese again. 

5. Why is she motivated to know Chinese? What is it she wants to ensure she is able to, regretting that she couldn’t do it with her grandfather?

As it was part of her grandfathers culture and it was a part of what he loved to do so she wanted to do this for him. She wants to make sure she can learn Chinese so she can speak it with her mother something she didn't do with her grandfather and regrets now that he is dead. She does not want to regret anything when her mother eventually dies and thus learns Chinese. 

Pigs From Home By Hop Dac

Pigs from Home by Hop Dac

1. How does the author start this story which is in direct contrast to the title of the story? What effect does this have on the reader and their expectations of the story?

The author starts the story by talking about pigs which relates back to the title pigs from home. It changes what we think is going to happen in the chapter and are thoughts on the author's story. 

2. What core Vietnamese value is instilled in the author?

That any good Vietnamese family was a self sustaining one.

3. What is humorous about the mother’s ‘flair for natural medicine’ in regards to her personality?

As she is a hypochondriac and is afraid of being unhealthy and has an obsession with her house being filled with healthy and vitamin giving plants. 

4. How does the description of the killing of pigeons continue the style utilised in the introduction of the story?

It relates back to the author's hate of pigs and slaughtering them. 

5. What is the author’s opinion of pigs? Give two quotes to support your conclusion.

The author hates pigs and this is supported by these two quotes ''Pigs are by far the worst smelling'' and ''No pig has ever been a friend of mine.''

6. In the paragraph on pgs 53-54, give two examples of alliteration employed by the author.

''Blowing raspberries on the bellies of babies'' and ''Feeding frenzy.''

7. On pg 54 what simile is used to describe pigs? How does this simile work for the situation it is used?

A big is like the ocean don't turn your back on it. This works for the situation needed as the author is saying not to trust pigs cause you don't know what they will do or in the case of the ocean you don't know whats coming next.

8. What simile does the author use to describe her mother sunning herself? How does this relate to the 

core focus of the story?

''The only reason she would leave the house was to sun herself by standing in the driveway and turning herself slowly like a rotisserie chicken.'' The idea of a roasting chicken links back to the animals and the hate for some of them such as pigs. 

9. What does the author describe as ‘the divide between the old world and the new’? What do you think is meant by this statement?

The part where the authors grandma killed a duck by banging it onto the ground, then de-feathered it and made congee out if it. This would be normal many years ago but now it is considered as animal cruelty and no one kills animals like this in this day and age. Which relates back to the difference between now and back many years ago.

10. What is the author’s reaction to the slaughter of the pig at night? What statement does the author make about the neighbours which displays the way he feels about the whole experience? What is important about including this statement?

The author was very upset in the way the pig was killed and by the blood gushing from its throat. The statement the author makes about the neighbors is ''I thought about our neighbors, the girls that caught the school bus with us and wondered if they had heard the commotion. It is important as these men aren't feeling about the pain they are causing to the pig but the author is thinking that if she felt this bad about the screeching of the pig how would the neighbours feel if they hear this. 

11. Why don’t the parents have pigs anymore? How does this relate to the description of the burial of the last pig they owned?

As they have a friend called Reg who gives them all the pork they need. Tam and the author helped him bury the pig and used their T-shirts to tie around their faces to cover up the smell.

12. How would you characterise the description of the mother’s treatment of the pig’s blood? Is it appetising?

As she adds all of these very tasty ingredients to the pig and stops the blood flowing by putting salt on it. This hardens the blood making it eatable. No it isn't appetising unless you like pigs blood. 

13. What is ironic about the way the author has a popular Vietnamese dish? What is it about the way the author describes the experience of having pigs that makes it ironic?

The author hates pigs and thinks they are smelly and disgusting creatures but enjoy's eating them and their blood. The author describes the way the pig is killed as very gruesome, the author hates the appearance and smell of the pig but loves eating it and thinks it is really tasty. 

14. How does this story relate to the title Pigs from Home?

The whole story is about the Pigs that her family used to slaughter and kill for food for various parties or dinners. This reminds him of the cooking done by his mother back at home.

15. Why do you think this story is in the Battlers section of the book?

As the story relates back to situation's where the pig has to battle for its life or the author has to battle when seeing the pig being slaughtered or the duck being killed and gutted. 

Growing Up Asian in Australia Introduction

Introduction by Alice Pung

1. What were Asian-Australians referred to as when the author was growing up?

Power points

2. How does she interpret this title?

By thinking it mean they were so smart they were dynamic in a Micro-soft-magnate sort of way.

3. What did this title actually refer to? Did the author find this demeaning? Why/why not?

It refers to Asian people's eyes being really small like a power point socket. Yes the author finds it demeaning but tries to deter this by saying making the racist joke seem like a compliment. 

4. ‘All that untapped potential! All that electrifying brain power!’ What techniques are being employed by the author? How does they highlight he misunderstanding?

This highlights a misunderstanding of the joke calling Asian people power points. It is suppose to relate to their eyes being really small but it is being related them being smart.

5. What did the teen author take away from teen fiction? What did she feel that she needed to do? Why? What does this say is essential to fitting in to a culture?

That most of the teen faces were like lead characters. (not real) She felt most of the books made her think she needed plastic surgery because of how she looked. This is not good because everyone is different and this relates to their culture as they fit in there but don't fit in, in other culture's because they look different.

6. Who are the authors that she turns to? Why?

John Marsden and Robert Cormier because they wrote with raw honesty and real feeling about coming of age.

7. In the third paragraph how does the author use repetition. How does it highlight the focus of this book?

The author repeats the word first to reflect experiences when growing up in Australia. 

8. What metaphor does the author use to highlight the writers and the writing style in the third paragraph?

The authors are the tree and they write from their roots. This relates to the detailed writing style of the author. 

9. Why does the author use a quote in the 4^th paragraph? What does it say about her reaction to the stories in the book?

The author uses the quote as it is like a saying and it shows us how she felt when she read many of these stories.

10. On page 2 the author talks about the themes that she loosely choose for the collection. What are they and why is it ironic that they show up in this book?

The battler, the pioneer, the legend to show these heroic characteristics are not confined to those with white faces and First Fleet Heritage. 

11. At the bottom of pg 3 on to page 4 the author says that sociologists have described Asians as the ‘model minority’. What is meant by this? What difficulties arise out of this label for young Asian-Australians?

''Model minority'' is written to describe the Asians working hard, studying hard and conforming to the expectations and ideals of the dominant culture. Before these Asians grow up into the person that they are going to became they are already labelled because of the way they look which reflects back to their culture. 

12. What are the editor’s hopes for the collection of stories?

That the loose themes will help bring to the forefront questions of identity, place and perspective. As the stories deal so insight fully with the challenges of coming to terms with multiple identities, they move beyond crude labels such as ''bananas'' and ''coconuts.'' 

Letters

1) Write a letter from the mother to the father upon leaving to move back to Berlin without him.


Dear Ralph,


I have left Auschwitz to go back to Berlin and have taken them with with. This is not a place where children should be growing up. They have no friends here, no school, have no where to play and there are no other houses near by. On top of this there is a ''Concentration Camp'' not far from our house. I am extremely disappointed in the ''Work'' that is being carried out here. It is not right and these people have done nothing wrong to deserve this inhumanity. The children will be going back to school in Berlin and will be growing up in a safe and secure environment. If you come back home now we may be able to live together again but if you choose to stay in Auschwitz then we will have to go our separate ways. I hope that you choose to come back as the children miss you.


Love always,


Elsa. 


2) Write a letter from Gretel to Bruno after he went missing.


Dear Bruno,


We all miss you so much everyone is extremely upset now that you have gone. I am very sorry for all the mean things that I have said to you, please come back home we don't want anything bad to happen to you. Mother is losing it she can't believe that you have gone and no one knows where or why you have gone. Father has ordered his soldiers to look for you and we have been looking day and night. I hope you get this message and choose to come back home little brother. 


Love, 


Gretel.

Holocaust Art ''It takes but one''

1) What visual techniques are employed in this painting?
The black gives us a sense of darkness and sadness and the red gives us the feeling of blood and a loss of life. All of the dots (heads) represent people who follow Hitler and gives us a sense of the power of one person. The symbol on the bottom left is a Jewish symbol which makes it evident that the hand reaching up is a Jews hand. There is also contrast between the black and red which represents the difference between the Nazi's and Jews.  

2) How do these visual techniques highlight major thematic elements of holocaust art and literature?
They make the picture really dramatic and portrays themes of depression and sadness. This holocaust artwork represents the differences of the Jews (red) and the Nazi's. (black) Also that the Nazi's are painted on top of the Jewish hand portraying they have more power over them this is an order of composition. 

Holocaust Poetry #3 ''Daniel'' by Laura Crist

How is juxtaposition used in this poem to highlight an important them of Holocaust literature?It is used in the poem to highlight the comparison of Daniel's happy life to the children in the gas chamber. Also the juxtaposition of racism and prejudice, pain/suffering and brutality and loss of humanity and power of ambition. All of these techniques are juxtaposed through the Jews and what effect the Nazi's had on them.  


How is descriptive language used to enhance the reader's reaction to the poem?
It is used to put a powerful meaning forward and represents the deep feelings that the women has for the child. It also shows compassion and innocence of the woman and the boy trying to be happy even during sad times. 

Daniel
	Laura Crist

And the child held her hand
A child tiny for almost eight,
Deep blue eyes that dominated his face,
When he explained new events to her,
     that funny doggy,
     that pretty rock,
And the freckles on his cheek,
No one saw a sunrise more perfect,
     to her,
She so vividly smells the fragrance of
     his hair,
     his ears,
     his breath in the morning
She vividly hears that little heartbeat,
     that was hers
     always hers,
     and the laughter,
     that raspy little laugh,
     when he caught her in a conundrum.
All this,
But this is merely the surface,
As she watches her little God sheared,
     and stripped,
For the gas chamber.

Chapter 15 Something He Shouldn't Have Done

1) (163) Why doesn't Bruno like Kotler? What does he observe and not understand about Kotler when his father is away?
Bruno hates him because he always calls Bruno little man which Bruno thinks is demeaning whereas he respects all of Bruno's family but not Bruno. He tries to became the man of the house and is always helping Bruno's mother when his father is gone.

2) (163) What is meant when Kotler uses the cliche 'Don't worry, this one knows which side his bread is buttered on.'?
This means he knows what the person is talking about and they know what needs to be done.

3) (165) How would you describe the interaction between Kotler and Bruno?
There is tension between them and they can both feel it. Kotler makes fun of Bruno who is young and innocent and doesn't know why they do this. They try and get along but Kotler still feels he has more power of him.

4) (166) What surprise does Bruno get?
Bruno is very surprised to see Shmuel in the kitchen cleaning glasses for the party.

5) (167) How is juxtaposition used when Bruno compares his hand to Shmuel's?
Bruno is clean, has nice clothes, lives in a nice house and is healthy whereas Shmuel is dirty, hungry and is sad and depressed.

6) (168-9) Does Bruno understand the pressure that Shmuel is under?
No because he is too young to understand and realise what is happening to him. He also doesn't listen to Shmuel and what he has to say reflecting further ignorance.

7) (171-2) What dramatic situation unfolds and what is Bruno's reaction?
Bruno gives Shmuel something to eat because Shmuel said he was hungry. Kotler walks in and sees Shmuel eating and asks Bruno if he knew Shmuel and if Shmuel had stolen the food. Bruno said he didn't know him and that he didn't give him the food. Next time when Bruno goes to the fence Shmuel doesn't turn up and they don't see each other for a while.

8) (173-4) What does Bruno think of himself because of the way he reacts? How is the major theme 'fear' portrayed in this scene? What does it do to Bruno and Shmuel?
Bruno feels really bad about what he did and fears he has lost Shmuel as a friend. Fear is portrayed as this is what Bruno felt when Kotler was yelling at him. Fear destroys their friendship for a while but luckily they became friends again and talk after a while.

9) (175) What does Bruno say that prompts Shmuel to offer his hand in friendship? How is this symbolic?
Bruno says sorry and that he doesn't know why he said that to Kotler. He says he would never to that to a friend which shows they are now friends again. This is symbolic as it represents two different religions fighting but then coming together and again and being friends. Bruno and Shmuel represent the race of Jews and Nazi's and what they should do which is ironic as they are two little boys coming together and being friends. 

Chapter 14 Bruno Tells A Perfectly Reasonable Lie

1) (150-1) What information do we get that makes the reader start to feel that he is becoming less innocent and more ignorant?
Bruno finds out why the Jews are wearing striped Pj's and wants to wear them himself which ads to is innocence because they are wearing old, dirty pj's but he his wearing clean neat clothes. This makes him ungrateful for what he owns for example him moving from a five story house to a three story house. 

2) (151-3) What is interesting about the weather and how does it relate to the overall emotion of this stage in the book?
It begins to rain which reflects emotions of sadness and gives us an idea of the miserable feeling being portrayed. 

3) (153) What does Bruno accidentally say to Gretel?
He says to Gretel that he should be with Shmuel right now. He isn't suppose to say this because his parents don't want him associating himself with the Jews.

4) (154-5) Is Bruno able to consider Gretel's feelings? How do you know?
He starts to realises Gretel is bored as well and she would rather be back in Berlin playing with her friends as would Bruno. It is evident Gretel is bored as she changes the positioning of her dolls.

5) (155) What is it that motivates Bruno not to tell Gretel the truth? How does this portray Bruno as being selfish?
He doesn't want to tell Gretel because he is scared she will tell their parents and he would no longer be able to see Shmuel. This shows he is being selfish as he just wants to keep Shmuel to himself just for him to be friends with him.

6) (158) What is it that Bruno realises when he starts recounting what Shmuel tells him? Why do you think that this is when he finally starts to realise what Shmuel is experiencing?
Bruno starts to listen to Shmuel and his point of view and starts putting every piece of information together thus he  is starting to lose his innocence and become ignorant. 

7) (159) What is ironic and hypocritical about what Gretel tells Bruno regarding imaginary friends?
Gretel thinks he is immature for having an imaginary friend when Gretel does this with her dolls. She is a hypocrite as she does this but doesn't tell Bruno.

Chapter 13 The Bottle Of Wine

1) (134) How does the initial paragraph frame Bruno's state of mind? It is changed because of his focus on Shmuel his new friend new friend and not of Berlin and sliding down the banisters.


2) (136) What does the question Bruno asks Maria show about his development?

Bruno asks about her family and the relationship she had with his father. This makes him less ignorant and helps him to develop depth in his character. 


3) (137) What is important about Maria's reaction to Bruno's question?
As she gives another perspective of Bruno's family and she opens up to him about something personal in her life.



4) (138) Why does Bruno want to tell Shmuel about Pavel? What does this highlight about Bruno's understanding of what is going on?
Bruno wants to ask Shmuel about Pavel and this shows he is understanding the link between Pavel wearing striped Pj's and Shmuel wearing striped Pj's.



5) (140) What do the boys argue about? Who does Bruno defend? Who is right/wrong? Why?
They are about whether or not the soldiers are good or bad as Bruno try's defend his father who he says his a nice soldier but Shmuel try's to say his father was taken away by soldiers. Shmuel is right because even though he doesn't fully understand what is going on Bruno just thinks his father is good because he is so innocent  he doesn't understand what his dad actually does.



6) (140) Shmuel says 'You don't know what it's like here.' and Bruno reacts by saying 'You don't have any sisters, do you?' He says this to avoid an answer to Shmuel. What does this show about Bruno's understanding of what is happening?
Bruno starts to put together whats happening but he doesn't want to face the truth of this and what his father may be doing to these people.

7) (141) What connection do the boys have regarding Lt. Kotler?
They both think he is mean and demeaning and they don't like him at all. Whether it be at Bruno's house or in the concentration camp he is arrogant and bosses everyone around. 

8) (142) What has changed in the the way Bruno sees Pavel?
Bruno starts to learn about Pavel's past and now thinks of him more as a human being and respects him more. Bruno also realises that he had a life before being a servant. 

9) (143) What important words are used to describe the way the father eats and addresses Bruno? What makes them important? How do they relate to the scene and the father as a character?
Bruno's dad is described when eating his food by the book stating he is ''Attacking a leg of lamb'' this represents how he takes on everyday life in what he does to the Jews. It also represents that he is above everyone else and he doesn't have to follow the rules he makes his children follow. 

10) (145) We learn Lt. Kotler's first name - 'Kurt'. What is it about the sounds in his full name that are important? 'Kurt Kotler'
It ad's to the fact that he is a perfect stereotype of a Nazi as he has blonde hair, blue eyes and now his name has alliteration relating back to perfect order and discipline. 

11) (146-7) What do we learn about Kotler's father? What is Bruno's father's reaction/suggestion regarding Kotler's father leaving Germany for Switzerland?
That his father was a teacher that moved out of Germany to Switzerland. Bruno's father knows that he left because he didn't agree with the belief of the Germans. Kotler tries to cover this up but Bruno's father knows he is doing this.

12) (148) What happens to break the tension at the dinner table? What does Kotler do and what are everyone's reactions? What does Bruno decide regarding disagreeing with anyone anymore after seeing what happens to Kotler? What does this relate to historically in regards to the Nazis?
Pavel spills wine over the table his he is pouring it into Bruno's fathers glass, and onto Kotler. He gets very angry with his and takes him out of the room and bashes him. Bruno doesn't disagree with anyone because he is scared that Kotler will yell at him like he did to Pavel. This relates back to the Nazi's having so much more power over the Jews.

Evaluating Your Partners Performance

Today in class we are going to listen to a discussion for 5-10 min on each chapter (11 + 12).

During the conversation you are to take notes on:

- participation
- what questions/answers they ask
- do they know what they are talking about
- overall what is your impression of their understanding of what is happening in the chapter

Give your partner an HONEST score out of 10 (10 being the best)


I am evaluating Jacob's performance in this group task. Jacob did participate by asking a couple questions. He has a decent understanding of the book and what techniques are shown and presented to us. He needs to participate a bit more in answering questions and express his view of the story. 
6/10