Today we are going to discuss the readings looking at all the elements: protagonist/antagonist, plot, character, setting, point of view, symbolism, style.
Life in Translation is a hero's journey. Look at Kim as that hero. Who is the damsel? What demons does she have to slay to reach nirvana? Who's in her posse of knights? How does the author, Jean Kwok juxtapose these very good and very bad characters to create a tale that is both fantastical yet realistic?
How does this tale fit into Feminist and Gender Criticism? Give this a womanist or feminist reading (Gardner 144). Also look at Psychological Theories, specifically archetypes (149).
"An archetype is a universal symbolic pattern. Examples of archetypal characters are the femme fatale, the trickster, the great mother and father, and the dying god. There are archetypal stories as well. Examples are stories of great floods, virgin births, creation, paradise, the underworld, and a final apocalypse. True to their universal nature, archetypal characters and stories appear again and again in myths across many diverse cultures" http://www.pbs.org/mythsandheroes/myths_archetypes.html.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype
In each group write a three paragraph response.
Post here drafts. We will complete the essays tomorrow.
Homework
Post three thesis sentences that look at Kim Chang and the "heroes journey." In one of the thesis sentences incorporate text from the novel.
Revisions
If you received your essay back, revise it if required and get back in by the date requested. Also complete the book, Girl in Translation.
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20 comments:
Rebecca Ramos, Trang Tran, Guorong Li, Neil Roco, and Jeffery To
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
The story of Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwok is a story of a Chinese girl who immigrated to America with her single mother and was instantly thrown into debt. They were accountable for the transportation, visa, medication, and housing that Aunt Paula had provided. In order to pay off the debt Kim had to juggle both school and working nights at a factory. Kim had to adapt to her new culture and new way of life in America, that at times was difficult due to the fact that she was unfamiliar with the language and customs. This novel is in the perspective of Kim and her journey toward success in her new life in America. However, along her journey Kim is faced with demons that inhibit her ability to reach her goals. With her immense wit and sharp mind she is able to find ways to face her demons.
Virgil Gamble, Daniel Lu, Branson Phu, Gerardo Guzman
Professor Sabir
English 1B
28 June2011
In “Girl in Translation” by Jean Kwok, the characters represent different archetypical symbols who all influence Kim. The damsel is this story is Kim’s mother who is burdened by values of honor and indebtedness to others, culturally dominated by an “evil” sister, Aunt Paula. So early on in Kim’s life she is unable to directly challenge her aunt’s power. As the story progresses, Kim’s success in school allows her to better confront her aunt. To help her along her numerous challenges, Kim creates a small group of allies who include Anette and Matt. Annette was recruited for help at school and with life in America, while Matt is recruited to help tolerate factory life. The author Jean Kwok is able to mesh all of these distinct characters, creating a fantastical image of the extreme successes and hardships while maintaining a realistic image of the immigrant struggles.
From a feminist lens, Jean Kwok introduces a powerful female hero that goes beyond the expectations of American society for minority women. Kim is able to excel in mathematics and science, both male dominated fields, despite the language barrier.
Stephanie Chan, Joanna Louie, Daniela Myovich
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Girl in Translation Paragraph
Jean Kwok’s novel, Girl in Translation, portrays the “American Dream” as the classic hero’s journey.
Group Discussion:
-call to adventure: going to America= reaching American Dream
-Threshold: Schooldays and working in the factory
-Challenges and temptations: language barriers and child labor
-Abyss: Prep school
-Transformation: Becoming feminist and developing social life
-Atonement and Return:
Ricardo Chavarria
Professor Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Thesis statements: A Girl in Translation
1. Using her talent for school Kimberly Chang overcomes the challenges of life as an immigrant child laborer and establishes herself as a strong female literary character.
2. Kimberly Chang defies the social expectations of immigrant women using her mind and strong will to become a hero and set an example as a triumphant female character.
3. Despite getting into a private high school Kimberly Chang describes her need to get into a prestigious college with a full scholarship. Through sacrifice and work Kimberly succeeds in a foreign land building character along the way.
Citation:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Daniel Lu
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Three Thesis Statements:
1. In “Girl in Translation”, Jean Kwok fills her New York based universe with numerous characters that fit various archetypes, all of them having a degree of influence on the main character, Kim.
2. In “Girl in Translation”, Jean Kwok casts a shy Chinese immigrant girl as an unlikely hero, the characters of the story fulfilling the roles of a classic fairy tale complete with a villain, a damsel in distress, and a group of noble “knights”, all of which revolve around our hero, Kim.
3. Through a feminist lens, “Girl in Translation”, by Jean Kwok, is a story of strong female characters that, despite unfavorable circumstances, are able to preserve with the strength of a “bamboo knot” (Kwok, 81) and end up successful in life.
B.P
English 1B
Professor Wanda Sabir
28 June, 2011
1. Throughout the book, Kim takes the role as the hero, who must guide her mother through the danger of American language barriers and foreign customs, as well as creating a comfortable life for herself and her mother.
2. Kim's heroic journey for success brings her many challenges, challenges powerful enough to place Kim almost at a point of giving up: “After my talk with Ma about Mr.Bogart, I did what any sensible kid would: I started playing hooky.” (Kwok 37).
3. As a hero, Kim must face many enemies or “demons” on her path towards success, but her posse of friends or “knights” help her through these obstacles by helping her when she falls down.
Work Cited:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Joanna Louie
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Three Thesis Statements
1. Protagonist, Kim Chan, primarily uses the doubt of her teacher, Mr. Bogart, for force to prove the equality between genders. This sets her drive to find happiness, which is represented within her heroine character.
2. Determined to help her Ma giver her “a good life” (Kwok 50), the heroine character, Kim Chan, overcomes barriers between their life and the “American Dream”.
3. Kim’s gift to excel in school is the primary trait that establishes her as a strong feminist character, overcoming many challenges one faces as an immigrant.
Work Cited:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Shipra Pathak
Profession Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Three Topic Sentences
1. In Girl in Translation, Kimberly, a resolute yet naive Chinese girl confronts poverty and cultural shock shattering her American dream and soon realizes that her true strength is her intelligence and excels in school fulfilling her American dream.
2. In Girl in Translation, Kimberly, initially a shy Chinese girl who transforms into a strong and confident woman who always “stood in front of her” mother to protect her from any danger (Kwok 220).
3. In the book Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok, the author portrays the strong relationship that Kimberly and her mother shared throughout her heroic journey.
Work Cited
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Shipra Pathak, Ricardo A. Chavarria, Deborah James Talent, Sharron Dawkins
Professor Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
- In Girl in Translation, Kimberly is the protagonist and she is a powerful female hero.
- Kimberly’s mother is the damsel in the story. She has to overcome her own inability to accept the reality of Aunt Paula’s behavior toward them.
- In the story, Kimberly’s demons included Aunt Paola, English, school, and her pride.
- Their condemn building symbolized Aunt Paola’s heart.
- Roaches and rats are the symbol of survival.
- Aunt Paola was not that bad.
- She excelled in school and was exceptionally good in science and math.
Work Cited
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Alex Lam
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Three Thesis for “Girl In Translation”
In her book “Girl In Translation”, Jean Kwok portrays Kimberly Chang as a hero fighting for her and her mother's freedom against injustice by establishing herself as a strong female character.
Faced by the same challenges of her American counterparts, Kimberly overcomes her foreignness and cultural norm on how not to act ladylike for her peer's approval.
In “Girl In Translation”, Kimberly Chang, a naive “fresh off the boat” Chinese girl (Kwok, 11), learns how to overcome her difficulties acclimating to the American culture and way of life to become a successful surgeon.
Work Cited:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Manuel Francisco Seminario
Profession Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
three thesis statements.
(1)In Girl in Translation ,the protagonist Kimberly or ah-kim goes through a series of serious regorous character building test to prove shes above normal.
(2)In Girl in Translation , like every wind Ma and Kimberlys fate changes bit by by ,no matter their choices.
(3)Like in the childrens story book Cinderella, Ah-Kim faces the clutches of a jealouse aunt whose only purpose was to make them miserable,just to make herself more important than she really is.
Satima Flaherty
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Three thesis statements
1. Jean Kwok’s Girl in translation is about a girl who has to survive in a world she knows nothing about. While on her journey she expresses that she identifies with black people most because they all live below the poverty line.
2. Ah-Kim and her mother are trapped in what seems to be trapped in an endless poverty battle. Living in a condemned building and barely surviving makes the journey a tough one. Ah-Kim young and ambitious wants to save her mother from all her pain and strife. She works extra hard for both her mother and her.
3. Ah-Kim gets sick a lot living in the condemned building with no heat. Her mother uses Chinese homemade remedies to get ah-Kim’s health and strength back because they can’t afford to go the doctor. It’s similar to African Americans many cannot afford to go the doctor so homemade remedies are made.
Citation:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
Jeffrey To
professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
thesis statement
In girls in translation, Jean Kwok shows how immigrant Ah-Kwan strguggles to adapt to the american culture as she become Kimberly chan in seach of the american dream.
Kimberly chan went from rags to riches as she assimilate to the american culture, overcome pverty and struggles from jealous of her aunt.
In girl in translation, kimberly chan uses her motivation to escape her problems as she told her mom, " I'm going to get us out of here, Ma. I promise"(Kwok 48.
Virgil Gamble, Daniel Lu, Branson Phu, Gerardo Guzman
Professor Sabir
English 1B
29 June2011
In “Girl in Translation” by Jean Kwok, the characters fit traditional fairytale rules who all influence Kim. The damsel is this story is Kim’s mother who is burdened by values of honor and indebtedness to others, culturally dominated by an “evil” sister, Aunt Paula. So early on in Kim’s life she is unable to directly challenge her aunt’s power. As the story progresses, Kim’s success in school allows her to better confront her aunt. To help her along her numerous challenges, Kim creates a small group of allies who include Annette and Matt. Annette was recruited for help at school and with life in America, while Matt is recruited to help tolerate factory life. The author Jean Kwok is able to mesh all of these distinct characters, creating a fantastical image of the extreme successes and hardships while maintaining a realistic image of the immigrant struggles.
From a feminist lens, Jean Kwok introduces a powerful female hero that goes beyond the expectations of American society for minority women. Kim is able to excel in mathematics and science, both male dominated fields, despite the language barrier. In addition to Kim’s personal success Kim and her mother are able to provide for themselves without a male head of household. Annette is a primary example of feminist and gender criticism. She becomes a typical woman’s rights advocate, politically active, and discoursing about male dominance when women are seen as the significant other. Even Aunt Paula is a strong female character by taking on a leadership role by running the factory, which was previously run by her husband.
In Jean Kwok’s book, “Girl in Translation,” many other characters also fit archetypical roles. Kim represents the child and hero of the story. As a child, she is innocent and immature and rushes into decision while trying to make sense of the world around her. As a hero, she protects her loved ones, particularly Ma and Matt. Despite attending a rigorous prep school, she feels that it is her duty to work at the factory in order to lighten the load on her mother. At the end of the story Kim pretends to have an abortion to protect Matt from being her shadow the rest of his life. As the mother, Ma is a mentor who constantly reminds Kim of her roots teaching her the traditional values of previous generations. Ma is overly protective of Kim while recognizing Kim’s need to become independent. Aunt Paula is the trickster of the story because she constantly tried to prevent them from improving their situation. Aunt Paula’s forces them to live in a condemned apartment and work in a sweat shop with false compassion.
Stephanie Chan, Satima Flaherty, Alex Lam, Joanna Louie, Daniela Myovich, Raymond Ye
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Girl in Translation Paragraph
Protagonist, Kimberly Chang, comes from an environment where she excels academically, to a place where she struggles to find her overachieving self that she knows she once was. She becomes an outcast to the American norms and to some resembles a boy, “completely flat-chested, with [her] hair cut short” (Kwok 34). Although she continues to compare the simpler life she remembers in Hong Kong, she feels determined to care for her and her mother, through her academic capabilities.
As the story continues, Kim becomes an empowering woman figure. Kim adapts quickly to her academic life, however, she cannot automatically conform to become the average “American girl”. She struggles to become more feminine amongst her peers at school. She would walk down the halls and classmates would taunt her clothing saying sarcastic remarks like, “Nice Skirt” (Kwok 126). Even though she does not have the same privileges as her other classmates, she perseveres through the ridicule, which shows her inner-strength.
Her strong willed personality enables her to overcome many adversities. The most challenging obstacle she faces is the language barrier. She comes to America with little knowledge of the American English language and cannot fully comprehend what English phrases mean. One of her first instances of facing the difficult language barrier was when she tried to buy ice cream:
When he rang up the price, it was three times more than it said on the carton. I saw Ma glance at the price tag, but she averted her gaze quickly. I didn’t know if I should speak or how you complained about prices in English so I kept silent as well. Ma paid without looking at the man to me, and we left (Kwok 15).
This moment is where she faces her reality. She needs to be brave enough to overcome the language barrier in order to better her family’s life. Her mother does not know any English so she takes the responsibility to master English. She does not quit and does not give her the option to give up.
Work Cited:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
REVISED
Virgil Gamble, Daniel Lu, Branson Phu, Gerardo Guzman
Professor Sabir
English 1B
29 June2011
In “Girl in Translation” by Jean Kwok, the characters fit traditional fairytale rules who all influence Kim. The damsel is this story is Kim’s mother who is burdened by values of honor and indebtedness to others, culturally dominated by an “evil” sister, Aunt Paula. Early in the story Ma says, “we owe Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob a great debt. Because they got us out of Hong Kong and brought us here to America, the Golden Mountain” (Kwok 10).So early on in Kim’s life she is unable to directly challenge her aunt’s power. As the story progresses, Kim’s success in school allows her to better confront her aunt. To help her along her numerous challenges, Kim creates a small group of allies who include Annette and Matt. Annette was recruited for help at school and with life in America, while Matt is recruited to help tolerate factory life. The author is able to mesh all of these distinct characters, creating a fantastical image of the extreme successes and hardships while maintaining a realistic image of the immigrant struggles.
From a feminist lens, Jean Kwok introduces a powerful female hero that goes beyond the expectations of American society for minority women. Kim is able to excel in mathematics and science, both male dominated fields, despite the language barrier. In addition to Kim’s personal success Kim and her mother are able to provide for themselves without a male head of household. Annette is a primary example of feminist and gender criticism. She becomes a typical woman’s rights advocate, politically active, and discoursing about, male dominance when women are seen as the significant other. (Kwok 218) Even Aunt Paula is a strong female character by taking on a leadership role by running the factory, which was previously run by her husband.
In Jean Kwok’s book, “Girl in Translation,” many other characters also fit archetypical roles. Kim represents the child and hero of the story. As a child, she is innocent and immature and rushes into decision while trying to make sense of the world around her. As a hero, she protects her loved ones, particularly Ma and Matt. Despite attending a rigorous prep school, she feels that it is her duty to work at the factory in order to lighten the load on her mother. At the end of the story Kim pretends to have an abortion to protect Matt from being her shadow the rest of his life. As the mother, Ma is a mentor who constantly reminds Kim of her roots teaching her the traditional values of previous generations. Ma is overly protective of Kim while recognizing Kim’s need to become independent. Aunt Paula is the trickster of the story because she constantly tried to prevent them from improving their situation. Aunt Paula’s forces them to live in a condemned apartment and work in a sweat shop with false compassion. Kim even says:
It’s illegal for us to be living where we are….it’s illegal for you to pay us by the piece here at the factory….You should be ashamed of yourself for putting us in that apartment all these years. And for making us work here, under these conditions. After we fell down a well, you dropped a boulder on top of us. (Kwok 266)
Citation
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York;Reverhead, 2010.Priint
Rebecca Ramos, Trang Tran, Guorong Li, Neil Roco, and Jeffery To
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
The story of Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwok concentrates on a Chinese girl, Kimberly Chang who immigrates to America with her single mother and determines to change their life style. Along her journey Kim is face with demons that inhibit her ability to reach her goals using her immense wit and sharp mind she is able to find ways to face her demons.
In her journey for a better life, she faces horrible living condition that motivated her to escape from poverty. The apartment that they live in are infested with rats and cockroaches, they had no heat, and a broken kitchen window. The first night sleeping in the apartment was a challenge due to the fact that the pest began to come out. In the book she explains:
I know that that was when the mice and rats came. Our first night I’d been aware of something running over me in my sleep and quickly developed the habit of sleeping burrowed deep in the covers. I wasn’t as afraid of rodents as I was of roaches, because mice are at least warm-blooded (pg. 18).
Her living conditions affected her ability to reach what she wanted. How a person lives affects how they are in the world. People who live in areas that are poor neighborhoods motivate them to work harder then others. Her motivation was to get out of the apartment and provide for her family a better home with no rats! The motivation she has makes her an everyday hero to herself and to the readers.
As a new immigrant to America, she faces being social outcast at her new school, until she met Annette her only true friend. Kimberly and Annette build a strong relationship base on trust
Sharron Dawkins, Shipra Pathak, Ricardo Antonio Chauarria, Michelle Kith, Deborah James
Professor Sabir
English 1B
29 June 2011
A Hero’s Journey:
In the novel Girl in Translation the author Jean Kwok depicts the transformation of a shy immigrant girl into a strong confident woman who overcomes many obstacles to obtain a better life in America. From Kim’s language barrier to her malevolent aunt, Kim is forced to mature at an early age for her mother and herself. Kimberly, a resolute yet naïve Chinese girl confronts poverty, cultural shock, and family betrayal shattering her dreams of America. She soon realizes that her true strength is her intelligence and excels in school fulfilling her American Dream.
Soon after their arrival in America, Kim and her mother are hit with the reality of life in America However it is apparent Kim’s aunt intentions weren’t what they seemed.
Stephanie Chan
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Thesis statements:
1) The novel portrays the empowerment of woman through Kim’s heroic journey to fulfill the “American Dream”.
2) Kim’s heroic journey portrays an empowering feminist role with the “American Dream” psyche.
3) As Kim travels through the hero’s journey, the novel portrays empowering woman such as herself to accomplish the “American Dream”.
Daniela Myovich
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 June 2011
1. Although, Kimberly Chang doesn’t have superhuman strength, x-ray vision or the ability to fly, she is a modern day super hero for she conquers many challenges of an immigrant child, defeats the demons and rescues a damsels in distress.
2. Forced to leave her native country, Kim struggles to takes advantage of what is offered to her, eventually rising above the hardships to secure a better way of life.
3. Using her knack for school, Kim overcomes the many challenges she is faced with in order to get her mom out of the sweatshop and give her a better life.
Work Cited:
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. New York: Riverhead, 2010. Print.
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