Lessons From My School Years By Ray Wing-Lun

1.There is a stark contrast created in the opening of this story between what the narrator had been doing before entering school and what will be expected at school? What is this contrast and what does it immediately create in the story?

Before the narrator came to school he had been doing nothing exciting but now he is at school he cant wait to play on the playground and have fun. There is a contrast between his old boring life to his new exciting adventurous life. 

2. The author continues this theme of contrast at the start of the story. How does he do this in his description of his experience of Sydney’s North Shore?

The author describes the Sydney's North Shore was not for him as he didn't like leafy green streets or solid brick houses. His world revolved around the stretch of shops along the highway , a back lane where mechanics drove cars backwards and forwards, the railway line behind the back lane and the library and park at the end of the lane. This is how he describes the where he lives in Sydney's North Shore.

3. What was the father’s background in business before he opened the fruit shop? What has helped him become successful?

Before he came to Australia he could not speak English and had no business experience. The attributes he has as a person that helped him become successful are he drew customers in with his wide smile, he was keen to ask what people wanted and was very friendly and chatted to all his customers. 

4. The narrator’s description of his father is complex. What makes the father a complex character?

That he is such a nice person who runs a very successful business. He never used to speak English and had no business experience before owning his fruit shop. This shows the great character he has because obviously did not have a lot but now has come to a different country, started a family and runs a successful business. 

5. (91) How does the author describe his role in doing ‘things that counted’?

He has to listen to what his family has to tell him about school to learn what is right and wrong. This is the only way for him to learn as he doesn't like asking questions. 

6. What experience does the author have at school while keeping to himself? What does he learn from this experience?

His bad experience is him at school as he is the only asian in an Australian school. He doesn't talk to anyone and keeps to himself and he learns to be nice and friendly to people. 

7. How would you characterise the narrator’s tone in regards to the events that are occurring around him?

The narrator uses a mono tone and sees the world in a horrible way. His expectations are very different to real life which makes a very one sided view. 

8. How does the narrator characterise the ways that one could ‘get the strap’ and ways that one could avoid it?

He characterizes it as very easy and hard to avoid. A couple ways to avoid the strap would be to mispel words, get and answer wrong or walk very fast or very slow.

9. What event evokes a racist speech to the class by the teacher?

The boy could not swim and his sister wrote him a note so he didn't have to swim in the carnival. The teacher reads it to the class and adds ''We all know these Chinese people never contribute to anything.''

10. What effect did the author’s experience with ‘Strap Happy Jack’ have on him?

It made him think about the the few Chinese people in the area and think about racist comments which don't mean much but have little affect on the population. 

11. What was the one advantage school provided the author?

That when he went through high school some teachers noticed his talents and one teacher told him his test scores reflect he has a very bright future. 

12. What did the author do at his school? What was his motivation for doing it? What did he feel was lacking at school?

He started a workshop program the motivation was that he did something that he enjoyed and he had to the interest to set boundaries for the program. He thought the school lacked the ability to give him the choice to choose his own future. 

13. What did the parents want their son to do at school? What did the author fear would happen by obeying his parents?

They wanted their song to pick a specific profession. His mum wanted him to be a doctor something that he didn't want to do. He felt like he would have to choose a path based on the teachers decision.

14. At school, what did the author learn about his own type of thinking and how to use it?
He learned his thinking was very different to everyone else and he has to follow this thinking to benefit the most from it.