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WorksheetsLatehomecomers guiding questions
Total questions: 17
Worksheet time: 34mins
Lines 9–15: What sense or senses does Yang’s description appeal to? What is the effect of her description?
She keeps the bracelet even after it breaks, and she promises herself that she will have it repaired or recreated.
The description appeals to the sense of sight: colors chipping, sloping porches, a small patch of green. The description emphasizes the family’s economic situation: They have been looking for a house for six months, yet a house in this condition appeals to them.
She is excited about living in a house “that belonged to storybooks.” Yang is probably an avid reader
Lines 16–25: Examine Yang’s comparison of her family’s situation to that of a pioneer family. What does the comparison reveal about her?
Yang says that the entrance “was small, like an elevator.” It suggests a confined feeling, especially in light of the “humongous” homes mentioned in line 43.
They believe their success will reflect well on the entire Hmong community, and make their family’s struggles worthwhile
She is excited about living in a house “that belonged to storybooks.” Yang is probably an avid reader
Lines 66–74: What simile does Yang use to give a first view inside the house? What is the effect of the comparison?
Yang says that the entrance “was small, like an elevator.” It suggests a confined feeling, especially in light of the “humongous” homes mentioned in line 43.
Someday; The repetition creates a hopeful feeling: the family is moving to a rundown house in a poor neighborhood, but they have hope that their lives will improve “someday.”
She is growing and changing, while still trying to maintain the life and relationships she has always known.
Lines 92–93: What simile does Yang use to give readers a final impression of the house? What does this comparison suggest about the house?
They believe their success will reflect well on the entire Hmong community, and make their family’s struggles worthwhile.
Yang says that the house “smells old, like the thrift shops.” The comparison reinforces the idea that the house is rundown, used, and perhaps cheap.
It suggests that literature had a great impact on her as she was growing up.
Lines 101–107: Which word or phrase is repeated in these lines? What idea or feeling does the repetition emphasize?
Someday; The repetition creates a hopeful feeling: the family is moving to a rundown house in a poor neighborhood, but they have hope that their lives will improve “someday.”
She is growing and changing, while still trying to maintain the life and relationships she has always known.
Dawb is a good student who understands how to use what she learns, while Yang has difficulty expressing herself and connecting what she learns in school to real life.
Lines 124–133: What does Yang mean when she says that she “pushed against the skin that contained” her?
“might each have an easier one apart,” “your children see you cry,” “because long ago, when you were younger and you did not see so clearly, you had chosen them.” Her parents stayed together even when their lives became difficult, something Romeo and Juliet “never had the chance” to do.
They believe their success will reflect well on the entire Hmong community, and make their family’s struggles worthwhile
She is growing and changing, while still trying to maintain the life and relationships she has always known.
Lines 154–162: What does Yang’s statement that she and her sister “wanted to make the life journeys of our family worth something” suggest about their views of their roles in the Hmong community?
It suggests that literature had a great impact on her as she was growing up
Dawb is a good student who understands how to use what she learns, while Yang has difficulty expressing herself and connecting what she learns in school to real life.
They believe their success will reflect well on the entire Hmong community, and make their family’s struggles worthwhile
Lines 163–172: What does Yang mean when she says that in comparison to her sister she “was lost”?
Dawb is a good student who understands how to use what she learns, while Yang has difficulty expressing herself and connecting what she learns in school to real life.
It suggests that literature had a great impact on her as she was growing up.
“might each have an easier one apart,” “your children see you cry,” “because long ago, when you were younger and you did not see so clearly, you had chosen them.” Her parents stayed together even when their lives became difficult, something Romeo and Juliet “never had the chance” to do.
Lines 171–193: What does the fact that Yang connects key events in her life to works of literature suggest about her?
“might each have an easier one apart,” “your children see you cry,” “because long ago, when you were younger and you did not see so clearly, you had chosen them.” Her parents stayed together even when their lives became difficult, something Romeo and Juliet “never had the chance” to do.
The metaphor shows the suffering of the living as well as their sorrow for those who died
It suggests that literature had a great impact on her as she was growing up
Lines 199–216: What language in these lines shows Yang’s parents persevering through hardships? Why does Yang believe that her parents are a better example of love than Romeo and Juliet?
The metaphor shows the suffering of the living as well as their sorrow for those who died
“might each have an easier one apart,” “your children see you cry,” “because long ago, when you were younger and you did not see so clearly, you had chosen them.” Her parents stayed together even when their lives became difficult, something Romeo and Juliet “never had the chance” to do.
Yang uses words such as “hovered,” “French accent,” and “thick reading glasses” to describe the sights and sounds of their studying process. The image she creates shows the intensity and urgency of their studying
Lines 275–285: What is the impact of Yang’s metaphor about the lives lost during the Vietnam War?
Yang uses words such as “hovered,” “French accent,” and “thick reading glasses” to describe the sights and sounds of their studying process. The image she creates shows the intensity and urgency of their studying.
Yang’s father expresses his sadness through his poetry and music: “carried love songs about the falling apart of a country” and “made music of the loneliness.” Yang directs her anger at their living conditions: “could not see poetry in the mold that grew wild” and” our house, so cute on the outside, rotted on the inside.” Earlier she saw the house as a sign of their success in America, while now it is just another element of their struggle.
The metaphor shows the suffering of the living as well as their sorrow for those who died
Lines 293–296: What imagery does Yang use to describe her aunt and uncle’s studying? What impression of them does Yang create?
Yang’s father expresses his sadness through his poetry and music: “carried love songs about the falling apart of a country” and “made music of the loneliness.” Yang directs her anger at their living conditions: “could not see poetry in the mold that grew wild” and” our house, so cute on the outside, rotted on the inside.” Earlier she saw the house as a sign of their success in America, while now it is just another element of their struggle.
Yang uses words such as “hovered,” “French accent,” and “thick reading glasses” to describe the sights and sounds of their studying process. The image she creates shows the intensity and urgency of their studying.
” Yang’s words help readers imagine her pain and her desperation.
Lines 338–350: What is the difference in Yang’s father’s response and her own? How is Yang’s reaction also different from her earlier feelings about their house?
Yang’s father expresses his sadness through his poetry and music: “carried love songs about the falling apart of a country” and “made music of the loneliness.” Yang directs her anger at their living conditions: “could not see poetry in the mold that grew wild” and” our house, so cute on the outside, rotted on the inside.” Earlier she saw the house as a sign of their success in America, while now it is just another element of their struggle.
” Yang’s words help readers imagine her pain and her desperation.
It suggests that the origins of the Hmong people are unclear, that like Yang’s illness, it is not known exactly where they began.
Lines 359–384: Which words and phrases help you imagine what Yang is experiencing? What is the impact of similes such as “felt like needles were twisting their way into my chest”?
It suggests that the origins of the Hmong people are unclear, that like Yang’s illness, it is not known exactly where they began.
” Yang’s words help readers imagine her pain and her desperation.
She keeps the bracelet even after it breaks, and she promises herself that she will have it repaired or recreated.
Lines 428–430: What does Yang’s use of the word murky in line 429 suggest about the origins of the Hmong people?
She keeps the bracelet even after it breaks, and she promises herself that she will have it repaired or recreated.
Elephants protect their babies by forming a circle around them. You are sick, and I cannot protect you. . . . the power of the elephants will protect you and make you well again.” Yang notes that the bracelet had to be made smaller to fit her wrist
It suggests that the origins of the Hmong people are unclear, that like Yang’s illness, it is not known exactly where they began.
Lines 437–451: What is Grandma’s explanation of why she chose the elephant bracelet? How does Yang emphasize her own weakness in comparison to the powerful protection of the elephants?
” Yang’s words help readers imagine her pain and her desperation.
It suggests that the origins of the Hmong people are unclear, that like Yang’s illness, it is not known exactly where they began.
Elephants protect their babies by forming a circle around them. You are sick, and I cannot protect you. . . . the power of the elephants will protect you and make you well again.” Yang notes that the bracelet had to be made smaller to fit her wrist
Lines 463–467: How do you know that the bracelet continues to be a symbol to Yang, even after she begins to feel better?
” Yang’s words help readers imagine her pain and her desperation.
She keeps the bracelet even after it breaks, and she promises herself that she will have it repaired or recreated.
It suggests that the origins of the Hmong people are unclear, that like Yang’s illness, it is not known exactly where they began.
