Book Selection Status: READ
1. Throughout Girl in Translation, the author uses creative spelling to show Kimberly’s mis-hearing and misunderstanding of English words. How does the language of the novel evolve as Kimberly grows and matures? Do you see a change in the respective roles that English and Chinese play in the narrative as it progresses?
Month: January 2012
Genre: Fiction
Book of the Month: Girl In Translation
Author: Jean Kwok
Question source: http://jeankwok.net/discussion.shtml
Discussion Questions:
1. Throughout Girl in Translation, the author uses creative spelling to show Kimberly’s mis-hearing and misunderstanding of English words. How does the language of the novel evolve as Kimberly grows and matures? Do you see a change in the respective roles that English and Chinese play in the narrative as it progresses? 2. The word translation figures prominently in the title of the novel, and learning to translate between her two languages is key to Kimberly’s ability to thrive in her new life. Does she find herself translating back and forth in anything other than language? Clothing? Priorities? Expectations? Personality or behavior? Can you cite instances where this occurs, and why they are significant to the story as a whole?
3. Kimberly has two love interests in the book. How are the relationships that Matt and Curt offer different? Why do you think she ultimately chooses one boy over the other? What does that choice say about her? Can you see a future for her with the other boy? What would change?
4. In many ways Kimberly takes over the position of head of household after her family moves to New York. Was this change in roles inevitable? How do you imagine Ma feels about it? Embarrassed? Grateful? In which ways does Ma still fulfill the role of mother?
5. Kimberly often refers to her father, and imagines how her life might have been different, easier, if he had lived. Do you think she is right?
6. Kimberly’s friend Annette never seems to grasp the depths of Kimberly’s poverty. What does this say about her? What lesson does this experience teach Kimberly? Is Kimberly right to keep the details of her home life a secret?
7. Kimberly believes that devoting herself to school will allow her to free her family from poverty. Does school always live up to her expectations? Where do you think it fails her? How does it help her succeed? Can you imagine the same character without the academic talent? How would her life be different? What would remain the same? Is Kimberly right to believe that all of her potential lies in her talent for school? Must qualities like ambition, drive, hope, and optimism go hand in hand with book smarts?
8. Think about other immigrant stories. How is Kimberly’s story universal? How is it unique? How does Kimberly’s Chinese-American story compare to other immigrant stories? Would it change if she were from a different country or culture?
9. Kimberly lives in extreme poverty. Was anything about her circumstances surprising to you? How has reading Girl in Translation affected your views of immigration? How can you apply these lessons in your community?
10. The story is set in the 1980s. Do you think immigrant experiences are much different today? What has changed? What has remained the same?
2 comments:
1. Language of the novel evolves with respect to Kimberly's exposure to her peers use of the language. The progress of Kimberly's English helps narrate Kimberly's embrace, acceptance, adjustment and comprehension of American culture and the release of her native Chinese culture.
2. Kimberly's first day in school displays the very essence of her struggle with translating language, etiquette and customs. She constantly compares Chinese customs and etiquette to American. Take for instance when Kimberly observes the relaxed and reclined body language of her peers as they listen to their teacher Mr. Bogart. She mentions how in China students were to sit erect and position their hands folded behind their back as a sign of respect to the teacher. Another account is when Kimberly (Best student in Hong Kong) thinks she is excelling in mean, medium, mode math problems on a test and later discovers that her Chinese method of arranging her answer is not how they do it in America. Also consider the game of Cooties which requires one to pass the cooties along by touching another. Chinese custom requires one to ask permission before touching. Kim struggled with this concept. With all this said Kimberly is forced to adjust into a learning curve of customs. Besides the English language, Kimberly is translating American customs and etiquette to that of Chinese. Moreover she quickly discovers the two are vastly different.
6. Kimberly decision of to keep the poverty of her home life a secret from her friend Anette really annoyed me. I understand she felt embarrassed and felt her friend would not understand or be able to make her situation any better. But, Kimberly was aware that her living circumstances were of inhumane conditions. So many occasions I wanted her to go to the principle or the teacher across the hall who seemed to really take interest in her students and say, "May I ask you a question?".
8. All in all, immigrants from other countries enter America and experience a culture shock. It is natural for people of any race to compare what they know with what appears foreign. However, not all immigrants are dealt the same living circumstances or means of survival. Some come to live with/rely on family, others resort to assistance from social services or purchase apartment/homes from their hard earned savings. Kim's case was unique in a way, she and her mother entered America with expectations of living with Kimberly's Aunt Paula. Kimberly's mother was supposed to earn their keep as a nanny. But because of Paula's paranoia of Kimberly's mother's illness she discriminates and finds them a home in the undesirable projects. Things then did not turn out as they planned.
9. Kimberly's circumstances were alarming. No one should be forced to live in a building deprived of heat or infested with roaches and rodents dimply because it was all that that they could afford. As I read this I felt so sorry for Kimberly to have to enter a country of said promises and live in filthy and hazardous conditions. Kimberly's story in Girl In Translation exposed me to an unpleasant reality of immigrants of 1980. Immigrants experience fear, self consciousness, loneliness, discrimination and daily struggle to adjust to American customs, to feel accepted, and to excel. It's not easy, but possible.
10. I'm not certain of what has changed per-Se, but I believe there are more programs established to prevent immigrants from falling into the pits of American poverty. Federal agencies are becoming more thorough at investigating companies for illegal use of immigrants.
1. The novel changes as Kimberly's understanding of English improves and the usage of Chinese begins to decrease and become less important.
2. Kimberly spends years translating as she comes to the US and begins to assimilate to life here - first with school and working at the factory and later with the private school and life of the upper class.
3. The relationships with Matt and Curt differ in their expectations - what they expect from Kimberly. I think Kimberly initially chooses Matt because there is comfort in the familiar. I didn't really see a future for her with either boy. I think she was so driven that the only way for her was making it on her own.
4. I think this is what normally happens - it is easier for younger people to adjust with such large changes. I think Ma still takes care of Kimberly as much as she can but is more resigned with Kimberly being the leader in outside communication.
5. I think that you never know if things will be easier. Kimberly's life was easier but she might not have had the same opportunities had her father lived.
6. I think Annette is like many kids - not aware of much outside her own universe. I think Kimberly does what she feels is necessary to maintain her friendship and keep herself protected.
7. I think life without academic talent would have ended much the same way for Kimberly as it ended for Matt. I don't necessarily agree that qualities like ambition, drive, hope, and optimism have to go hand in hand with book smarts - but I do think that when they go together the world can be a lot more limitless.
8. I think Kimberly's story is representative of many immigrant stories of those who come here without education and language skills. Thinking of those I know who have immigrated here there is a big difference between those two groups and the opportunities they have. I think anyone who immigrates has a lot of adjusting to do.
9. There are many people in my life that are immigrants - including my husband. I don't know that much surprises me anymore. I am still amazed at the story of those who come here and how much they want to be here. It makes me appreciate the freedoms we have.
10. I think that what drives people to immigrate remains the same. I think that the details change.
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