Part 1: Saigon

When celebrating Tet, Ha’s mother says. “How we act today foretells the whole year.” What does this tell you about their belief system?

• They have a strong belief in science
• They believe in free will
• They are superstitious

“Last night I pouted when mother insisted one of my brothers rise first this morning to bless our house because only male feet can bring luck.” What can you infer about the Vietnamese culture from this quote?

• Children are well-respected
• Males are seen as superior
• Children are given little respect

What does the Tet holiday celebrate?

• The first day of winter
• Vietnamese New Year
• Vietnamese Christmas

How does Ha defy her mother on the morning of Tet? She…

• refuses to eat the sweet potato pancakes
• touches her toe to the floor before dawn
• won’t wear her new clothes; says they are ugly

Which quote shows that the signs of war are coming close to home for Ha?

• “maybe the whistles that tell mother to push us under the bed will stop screeching”
• “An old, angry knot expanded in my throat”
• “Everyone must smile no matter how we feel”

What inference can you make as to why TiTi and her family are leaving?

• to move closer to family
• to escape the coming war
• for better job opportunities

From the portrait, Ha describes her father’s eyes as being?

• scared
• hopeful
• forever young

What happened to Ha’s father? He..

• left the family in search of work
• went to America
• is missing in action

How do you know Ha and her family as well as people in her village are struggling financially?

• People are in the streets begging
• People are not buying the baby clothes Ha’s mother designs
• They are eating lots of chicken and rice

“Mother says if the price of eggs were not the price of rice and the price of rice were not price of gasoline and the price of gasoline not the price of gold, then Brother Khoi could continue to hatch eggs.” You can infer…

• rice costs more than gold
• the price of everyday items is decreasing
• the price of everyday items is rising