Reflect on the story so far: the protagonist, An-kim, her mom. . . themes like child labor, immigration, slum lords. . . Cinderella--where's the prince?
Comment on at least one classmate's post here as well.
2. Peer Review for Essay 1--Rubric
3. COA Library
4. Published reviews, author bio (Jean Kwok)
5. Homework is to read the next 100 pages in Kwok and the handouts on Revision.
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28 comments:
Daniel Lu
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Free Write:
Personally, I feel connected with Ah-Kim in a way, since I have experienced her troubles with English except in reverse. I’m not completely fluent in Cantonese and my parents, who are migrants from China, enjoy taking a month long vacation annually to Guangzhou, China, bringing my brother and me in tow. The difficulties I have with different tones and hidden meanings associated with Cantonese are very much like those Ah-Kim has with English. Sometimes, much like Ah-Kim, sentences said in Cantonese will not make any sense simply because I hear the tones incorrectly. I sympathize with Ah-Kim’s plight, especially since there is an absence of any ESL programs at her school that would normally take her under its wing.
I find it shocking to read how even in our supposedly “developed country”, that there are families that are forced to live in condemned building, to work in sweatshops, and to have to go through an experience quite contrary to the promise of the “American Dream”. I know that my parents were brought here to this country through its allure, and that their transition wasn’t very smooth either. They did have to work menial jobs but nothing to the level which Ah-Kim is forced to do. The thinly veiled callousness of Ah-Kim’s aunt, Paula, also amazes me. To help a close family member enter a country and then just leave them without much support or aid in any way is almost, well, murder.
Alex Lam
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27th June 2011
Freewrite #2 – Girl in Translation
Girl in Translation is somewhat the reflection of what my family (aunts, mom, grandparents) endured when they moved to the United States. My family moved to a cramped apartment in San Francisco, thanks to the help of family friends and acquaintances. My uncle was the youngest of all, yet the smartest. He was the only one who went through high school and college, since he was not exposed to the Chinese culture as much as my other aunts were. Yet, he still sounds funny when he speaks English. Even, I, sound funny when I speak English.
In this story, we see how the American Dream is not as wonderful as it actually is. You have to work hard to accomplish what you really want. Kimberly Chang and her mother are great examples of that. They work everyday in miserable conditions at a Chinatown factory and Kimberly struggles to fit in at school as well, being laughed at for being different. They live in an apartment infested with rats and cockroaches, huddled next to a stove to get warm and sleeping on a single mattress on the floor. This is clearly not the American life they dreamed of when they moved to New York from Hong Kong. I do feel bad for Kim but I actually understand her, as my entire family and I all experienced it in our lives.
Branson Phu
English 1B
Professor Wanda Sabir
27 June, 2011
Ah-Kim, or in America, Kimberly, lives a childhood no American would believe to be true, as shown by Annette’s, Kimberly’s childhood friend, disbelief that Kim works in a sweatshop factory. Kim enters the country with little literacy in the English language, adding to the difficulties of living in an abandoned building in a impoverished neighborhood and having to work in a sweatshop on top of learning how to do well in school. Her mother, known throughout the story simply as “Ma,” has taken a job at the sweatshop finishing clothes until late in the night. All these situations were placed under the jurisdiction of Aunt Paula, Kim’s aunt who hides herself behind a caring, family face, hiding her jealous and ruthless identity.
The title Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok was titled as so because Kim must learn how to translate her life as a Chinese immigrant into a life in foreign America where translation of language is a must. In her home country, she was a star student, receiving constant acknowledgement for her academic excellence, but she needs to learn how to translate her academic excellence from one language to another. Apparent throughout the story is Kim’s job as a translator for her mother, translating discussions between Chinese and English as depicted with the discussion with Mr.Al.
The theme of immigration is powerful in that it shows the hardships of immigrants to lead a successful life in America, and the willingness to accept an illegal job to sustain oneself is both difficult and seemingly inevitable. The prince Kim, or Cinderella, is waiting has not yet made an appearance, yet with her educational excellence background, she is sure to find him yet in her strive.
Stephanie Chan
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Girl in Translation Free-Write
Girl in Translation is a simple novel that symbolizes the “American Dream”. The novel is an easily relatable book for much of the American population that consists of immigrants from around the world. The characters of the story live through hardship, and overcome adversity through hard-work. There are antagonists, such as her Aunt and Mr. Bogart. She becomes heavily involved working in child labor, while maintaining with her schoolwork. Kim even tangles herself in love, and the many peer pressures of the teenage world. All in all, the story seems like a classic Cinderella plot line. Kim and her mother try to begin a new life for themselves, yet encounter all sorts of obstacles.
Gerardo Guzman
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
FREE WRITE: GIRL IN TRANSLATION
The book “Girl in Translation” is a semiautobiographical story of a girl from Hong Kong who immigrates to the U.S. without knowing any English. Kimberly was formerly a top student, but in her new school struggles due to the language barrier. I can relate somewhat in that my older siblings came to the U.S. when they were young and I’m sure had to go through the same difficulties, although at an earlier age. I can only imagine what a horror it would be to lose everything you know and wind up in a foreign land thrust into a vastly differently society.
What I admire most of Kimberly is her unwavering loyalty to her mother and how she works everyday after school in the sweatshop while trying to improve in school. This is made worse when Kim attends Harrison Prep, a much rigorous school than her elementary school.
A frustrating aspect of the story is Kim’s aunt Paula. Despite being a close relative, it seems Paula tries everything in her power to keep Kim and her mother in poverty. Paula argues that she helped obtain their visas and found them a job and a place to live. However, the apartment and job are under the worst conditions and Paula makes no effort to help them even after they complain. Furthermore, Paula becomes extremely jealous of Kim when she attends Harrison Prep, because it means Kim has surpassed her son Nelson.
The story so far illustrates Kim’s perseverance, strong work ethic, and inability to accept failure. These qualities are sure to help her succeed throughout school and life, and hopefully her fortunes can improve with regards to living and working conditions.
Rebecca Ramos
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Free Write:
In the story Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwon, the theme of immigration and the thirst for the American dream are very prevalent when used to describe the hardships An-Kim and her mother face once they reach America. Once Kim and her mother reach America they are instantly accountable for a loan to Kim’s aunt, who helped them get to America. In order to pay off the loan Kim and her mother are forced to live in an insect infested home and work horrible dead end jobs. The harsh reality of their situation is not short lived and soon enough they come to realize that the dream they had pictured in their mind was solely a delusion. That is the harsh reality that millions of immigrants receive once they set foot in this country. The fantasy America portrays world wide is that of a country that will allow you to have the freedom that many seek. I come from a family of immigrants and can see how hard it was for them to make something of themselves, especially when everything is so foreign. The language, the food, the entire culture and customs are at first hard to swallow. It takes a special type of person to not give up and learn the rules of the game. Like Kim and her mother my father came here when he was 18 because his father died in Mexico and he was left without anything. He came here not knowing the language or the culture, nevertheless he worked and put himself through community college and now he works as an Engineer in San Francisco. My family’s experiences make this story much more personal to me and allow me to understand what the main characters are struggling with.
James, Deborah
English 1B
Professor Wanda Sabir
26 June 2011
SUMMARY – GIRL IN TRANSLATION – JEAN KWOK
An-Kim and her mother travel to American to reside with the mother’s sister and her family. Upon their arrival, they are told that because of Ma’s illness (tuberculosis), Aunt Paulette has found an apartment for them as she does not want to run the risk of her sons becoming ill. Aunt Paulette has also found a factory job for Ma. The factory turns out to be little more than a sweat shop with sub-standard working conditions and extremely low pay. The workers are paid a piece rate as opposed to an hourly rate, which necessitates that the children of the workers assist to ensure that the number of pieces required for the shipments are met within the time frame established by the factory owners.
The apartment that Aunt Paulette has found for An-Kim and her mother is in a vacant building that is soon to be demolished. Aunt Paulette allows An-Kim to use her address so that she can enroll in a better school. The real reason is that Aunt Paulette is aware that the property has been condemned and would raise questions if that address was used to enroll An-Kim in the school nearest her residence.
The apartment has no working heat and is infested with roaches and rodents. An-Kim and her mother sleep with layers of clothing and rags they found in garbage cans to try to keep warm in the apartment during the cold New York winter. Ma’s requests for a more suitable apartment are met by Aunt Paulette’s assurances that as soon as something opens up, An-Kim and her mother will be able to move.
An-Kim, in spite of her limited English skills, does amazingly well in math and science. The principal notices her exceptionally scores in these subjects and has her apply to a prestigious school, where she is awarded a full scholarship. An-Kim’s academic success arouses the jealousy of Aunt Paulette, who reduces the salary of Ma, forcing An-Kim and Ma to finish more pieces in order to maintain the same illegal rate of pay.
Guorong Li
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
6-26-11
Free Write
In the Book “Girls in Translation” written by Jean Kwok, it shows the author’s experience when she first immigrated to U.S. at her teenage. And I found the greatest protagonist in the book is the author’s mother—she just called her Ma. She is a typical Chinese mother with the great character: donation, working hard.
At the beginning of the book when the author and her mom first arrived in U.S., they lived in a very old and broken apartment in a very poor district. In order to support their living, repay the debt to Aunt Paula. The mother who was used to a music teacher in Hong Kong had to work in a clothing factory. Even she had all those difficulties: terrible working environment, too long working hours and low pay, she said to her daughter that she would just support her study and future no matter how hard she would have. She just donated all her life to her daughter. And that’s most of Chinese mothers will do from five thousand years ago to now.
From the mother’s donation and sample of working hard, the author learned from her mother the strength to overcome all difficulties when a kid first immigrate to a strange place, people around speaking strange language. Without the support of her mother, the author wouldn’t be able to come back to school and she could have succeed in her life.
Ricardo A. Chavarria
Professor Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Freewrite
The story of Kimberly and her mother has been an interesting one so far. Although I do not like Kim’s aunt, at least she helped them out. I felt pretty bad for Kim and her mother after hearing about Kim’s dad dying. I think his death definitely forced Kim and her mom to migrate to America. Kim’s mom works for entire days at a factory where the conditions are brutal. It makes me think about lower class families whose only source of income comes from the father and how quickly one’s fortune can change. Kim’s teacher Mr. Bogart doesn’t help Kim adjust at all. He doesn’t seem to understand or care about Kim’s situation. In a way Kim and her mom are cinderellas to Aunt Paula’s godsister and god mother. Aunt Paula promises them to look for a better apartment they could ,move into but I doubt she is looking at all. Aunt Paula seem to have it made and isn’t shy to show it at all.
Alex Lam
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27th June 2011
To Daniel Lu:
I have the same problem with my Cantonese. I was born in France and taught to speak French. I do understand what my parents say when they talk to me in Chinese but I have no idea what to say back to them. I just can’t think of anything to say or I just don’t know how to say what I want to say. Being a child of immigrants has its own benefits and disadvantages. We are lucky enough that we have now programs to help us accommodate to the American culture and way of life.
Branson Phu
English 1B
Professor Wanda Sabir
27 June, 2011
That is very true Stephanie C. Hardship is written all over the book with the sweatshop, academic disadvantage, social norms, obstacles which attempt to stop Kim and her mother from reaching the “American Dream.” Referring to your post “Girl in Translation is a simple novel that symbolizes the American Dream,” immigrants do face a lot of difficulty looking for manageable ways to reach the “American Dream,” and they must go through these extreme measures as shown in the book
Daniel Lu
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Response to Alex Lam:
Yeah, looks like my family and yours had somewhat similar situation, both new and “fresh of the boat”. It seems like it’s a common theme for all immigrant families, having to find out first hand that the “American Dream” is in fact extremely hard to obtain. Before, the “American Dream” used to be portrayed in pictures and magazines as a car and a house in the suburbs. Now, one would be lucky to simply have an apartment.
On a lighter note, I liked how you talked about your uncle who “still sounds funny when he speaks English.” It reminds me of my parents whom I occasionally get a laugh out of when they pronounce a word in English ridiculously.
Lam, Alex. “Reflection on Girl in Translation.” Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011
< http://poeticsrapandtothersocialdiscourses.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-on-girl-in-translation.html.>
Stephanie Chan
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Blog Response
I can definitely relate to the first two bloggers, Daniel Lu and Alex Lam, as well as the story’s protagonist, Kim. I am a part of the first generation of four children of my immediate family. Both of my parents were also immigrants holding hopes to create a better life for themselves, and begin their legacy in America. I also understand the pressures of being in the first generation. I want to maintain stability for my family in hopes that I will continue the legacy my parents started. I am engraved with hard-work and determination, which I learned from both of my parents. They expect me to work even harder than they did and to exceed any expectation they have for me.
Gerardo Guzman
In response to Daniel Lu
Daniel writes how he struggles to understand certain aspects of Cantonese when he visit Guangzhou, China (Lu). I have similar experiences whenever I visit my relatives in Mexico. I have lived in the U.S. my entire life, but consider myself fluent in Spanish. However, I struggle at times with grammar, vocabulary (slang), and pronunciation; one of the most challenging things to understand are expressions. There can be embarrassing moments when conversing with relatives, but it can be even more embarrassing when meeting new people.
It is a tough position to be in for one must be fluent in not one but two languages and must transition seamlessly between the two.
Lu, Daniel. "Reflection on Girl in Translation." Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011
Joanna Louie
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Free Write: Girl in Translation
An-Kim comes to the United States with her mom, forced into a brand new culture. She is put into a world where she only knows a few words of their spoken language, so it is not hard to believe if she feels like a stranger to her new world. Kim’s aunt, Paula, provides a place for Kim and her mom to stay. However, the place is not necessarily a nice one, but will satisfy their needs. The place is filthy. The first time Kim and her mom visit; they find pee on the bathroom floor. One would think Aunt Paula would make their transition from Hong Kong to the United States seem less, given that Paula is better off them.
To make an income, Kim has to live and balance two lives, a student by day and a worker by night. In our culture today, it is not usual for teenagers to have to live such a demanding life. However, life like this was very similar to my grandparents. Coming to the United States from Hong Kong as well, my grandparents had to face many hardships to survive their new lifestyle, to achieve the American Dream. Kim realizes she must succeed in school, to work hard to learn the English language, for her and her mother to survive their new world. Author Jean Kwok, illustrates the life of a Chinese-American.
In the text, we see themes of both child labor and immigration, all to represent the life of a Chinese-American. Words are often misspelled with a Chinese accent to show Kim still struggling with the English language. Social uncertainties still face Kim even after her hard work to succeed in school. It is hard for this teenage girl to balance two demanding lives. We see in the opening pages, her aunt, clearly better privileged, and question why she does not help them transition into their new lifestyle more. Comparing the book with a Cinderella theme, we see Paula as the “ugly” stepsister, who has everything compared to “Cinderella”, Kim and her mom, who continue to face hardships.
Manuel Francisco Seminario
Professor ,Sabir
June 26th 2011
Girl in Translation freewrite
As I opened the book,my first thought would be to just finish fifty pages and then go to sleep;However,once I got into the book I found myself wrapped inside a world that quite frankly wasn’t mine. As I began to read “Girl in Translation” my thoughts were-o.k this is your typicall book,but then as I kept on going and going ,I though how could Aunt Paula have forgotten who she was just because she’s married to an american ,who owns a factory. When I got to to the characters , I though wow Mrs.Kim gave up everything ; her career and her music just to come to the U.S,like wise to ah-kim or Kimberly ;she gave up being first in class as well as her friends. As I continued reading , I though Aunt Paula must be a nice old lady for paying for her sister to come ,with her sickness plus ah-kim . But then as I went on it became clear that she hated her sister,who else would give her sister giving her the worst things like cleaning chickens heads from the floor,and the only reason she wanted her sister in the u.s was to see her suffer like wise to her niece ,theres a quote in the book that defines thi s“ they come in young and stay here until they are old and feeble “When I read this line it got me saying –really is this why you brought your sister and your nice ,for free labor .From then on I have marked Aunt Paula as the worst of them all . As I continued reading more and more, the one thing that made me happy was Kimberly finding a friend in Annette . Not only that ,but a little friend in Matt the boy from hong kong who befriended Kim over soda. As I read on ,I found the same things that I went through happen to kim -minus the kung fu style and swearing part,but I did get my share off fights with bullies. As the book goes on I became more and more extranced in it ;there were good and bad part,but the part I liked the most was the fact that they made the best of things,when really they werent.
Ricardo A. Chavarria
Professor Sabir
27 June 2011
English 1B
Respond to: Gerardo Guzman
I agree with your comments on Aunt Paula. She seems to enjoy showing off her importance with her position in the factory. Kim and her mom are in a bad enough situation with Kim’s dad dying, and her aunt is making them feel like less. I know what it’s like to be thrust into a different environment. I was pretty good at school but I could not understand english at all. I eventually learned through my teachers and television. Although Kim’s aunt is mean I think she was the one who helped Kim get into a better school. I don’t think Kim’s aunt is completely uncaring.
Guzman, Gerardo. “Refelction on Girl in Translation.” Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011
Raymond ye
Professor Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
The story shows a lot of hardships of immigration such as poverty and child labor. This is relatable to most immigrants, because they may or may not immigrate to America at a young age and must go through hard labor to earn a quick buck for survival. Everyday, I see people that go through some experiences slightly alike to Kim’s, but I’ve never seen anyone, at this day and age, with the same hardships. There are many people that do not speak English well, and there are many other people that work demeaning and hard labor jobs.
Virgil Gamble
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
I can't really say that I was surprised by how much I liked this novel. I love reading books about other cultures. So I pretty much expected to like this novel based on the synopsys on the back. I was very surprised how Kimberly's story made me try to imagine comeing to a new culture and trying to survive. I guess I never realized that it would be that difficult to come to a new country and learn a new language and a new culture; however, this book really shows how hard it would be as well as how strong the individuals are who make the transition. I honestly was blown away by Kimberly's story. This story is really one of those books that makes you think and that's always a sign to me of a very good book.
I have enjoyed reading the comments of students re: Girl in Translation. I particularly like the comments from students who have had to translate their lives into the dominant nomenclature when linguistic tools are still in their infant state. ah-Kim is certainly exceptional; however, I like the author's transliteration of what is said vs. what ah-Kim and her mother hear.
The music and the poetry of their simple, yet fulfilling lives in China, are also interrupted evident in the harsh new living environment. Kim's mother can't play her violin as much because it is so cold.
One wonders what transpired between Big Sister and her sibling to change what could have been a pleasant introduction to America, into a nightmare. Why is Big Sister so evil?
In some ways, ah-Kim is wiser than her mother whose life is limited to the factory, a place where she is not able to grow into her new life. When Kim tells her mother "Ma, let's run away. We can find a new job at another factory. Aunt Paula doesn't have to know.'"
"Back in Hong Kong," Kim reflects, "[she] would never have dared to talk to [her mother] like this, to openly argue with her about such grown-up topics, but [she] had never had the responsibilities there that she had now" (Kwok 88).
In other ways Kim's mother shows how cross-culturally, some things need no translation, like a gift to a teacher, even one as mean as Hobert (smile).
I love the section where the child and her mother prepare their altar and welcome in the New Year. I like ah-Kim's friend Matt at the factory and how he helps her and his mother and brother, considering how small he is physically--
Annette and her family are also kind, despite ah-Kim's poverty. The teacher from hell (Mr. Bogart) is unbelievable. I wish that ah-Kim had a kinder teacher, she would have grown so much faster in her new country and Al, their neighbor whom Kim teaches how to say words in her language, which he mispronounces but she knows what he means, even if no one else would -- he is almost a mirror image of her linguistically before school and her dictionary, which she studies. She is kind to him in his attempts to learn to speak to her family the way most of the native speakers she meets are not.
It's sad when he moves.
These characters: Al, Annette, Matt, create a nice balance; they let us know that there is a subtle almost precarious balance between the good and the evil.
There is a lot of suspense in the story such as the fight between Kim and the class bully (95); also what is Kim going to do when the school year ends and Annette goes to the college prep school.
I also like the nickname the workers called ah-Kim's aunt (Dog. Flea. Mama.) and they didn't hold her responsible for her aunt's evil attitude which gets worse. . . . Keep reading (smile).
Sharron Dawkins
Professor Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Girl in Translation Free Write
Moving to a foreign country and not knowing the language would be a challenging for an adult so I could imagine what it would be like for a little girl. Kim’s mother was also very brave to make the move trusting her sister would help the two of them get on their feet. The conditions in which they had to live in were beyond poverty. The description Kim gave about where they lived was on a level of homelessness; it was like they had moved into a condemned building as squatters and was still required to pay rent. I wonder what kind of Person (aunt Paula) could be so heartless as to let her sister and niece live with rats and roaches in a building with no heat during bitter cold winters.
The whole time I was reading the book, I was trying to picture what it would be like to be in a school among children were I was the odd one; trying and assimilate and understand the new American culture, or having an unsupportive teacher that viewed me as being dumb because of a language barrier.
Kim’s mother was her driving force; her goal to change her mother’s living condition so she wouldn’t have to slave in the factory of pennies. It’s amazing to think that people in the 20th century would have their children working in Factories alongside them, but it seems that people that enter this country under extreme circumstance fall prey to underground work practices by unethical business people that don’t care about the people that work for them or labor laws.
Shipra Pathak
Proffessor Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Free Write: Girl in Translation
Girl in translation is a fiction story of a Chinese immigrant family of two, Kimberly (protagonist) and her mother. The story is written in first person, where Kimberly is telling her life story after she moved to Brooklyn, New York from Hong Kong. Kimberly is 11 years old and the only child on her parents. Her father passed away when she was three. In Hong Kong Kimberly was a brilliant student and her mother was a music teacher. Their dream of a better life in America was short lived, because soon they realized that they had to pay back Aunt Paula because of the money she spent on them for the legal process to be able to come to the US. Upon their arrival to New York, they were moved into an apartment in insanitary conditions to live, which her Aunt mentioned to be a short stay until she finds a better apartment for them.
To pay their debt her mother started to work in sweat shop managed by Aunt Paula. Since her mom was getting paid less than minimum wages, Kimberly started to work with her mother after school for them to be able to fulfill their minimum basic needs. Their life in America was more harder because neither her mother not Kimberly spoke any English. Soon Kimberly realized that the only way for her to change her life was by doing really well in school, so she make some friend and won’t be ridiculed by other students due to her limited English. During school, Kimberly struggled to be liked by other students, and her teacher, while she tried to learn English. But soon with her strong determination, she was able to do well in school.
I really liked this novel, because as I was reading through I could relate the struggle of Kimberly to myself. When I migrated to US from India six years ago, I also knew little English. And to support my family, I started working while talking ESL classes to be able to move into this society. At one time in the story, Kimberly used the word “rubber” for eraser and everyone laughed at her, I had the same incident. I also didn’t know what I said wrong until I asked my friend.
In this story, Matt is the prince. Matt is a young boy, same age as Kimberly who works in the same sweat shop. They both are friends, and Kimberly likes being around him. Though, Kimberly is a shy Chinese girl, she does not openly express her feeling toward Matt.
Shipra Pathak
Proffessor Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
In response to Stephanie Chan
Stephanie I agree with you that it is a “simple novel.” I found reading this novel much easier as compare to The Dance Boots. I was able to follow the story and I enjoyed reading each word of this book, because as an immigrant I was able to relate to her situation. Kimberly’s constant hard work and motivation of her mother helped her achieve goals of life.
Trang Tran
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June, 2011
FreeWrite: Girl in Translation
So far in the story about Kimberley or Ah-Kim and her mother is very interesting. At first I felt bad for Ah-Kim being that she had to work hard both at home and at the factory just so that they can get a better life. Their living condition is horrible but they always find a way to manage. Ah-Kim schooling is very important, mostly because it is view a way out for her and her mother and this is a reason why she works hard to keep up in all her classes after spending time at the factory. In the story, Ah-Kim is learning to bridge the gap between her upbringing Chinese traditions with the American teenage ways.
Ah-Kim’s Aunt Paula is quite frustrating because of the way she treat Ah-Kim and her mom even though they are family. Though I do not like this character, I actually have an interest of finding out her reaction to when Ah-Kim and her mother finally do get out of the factory work. Aunt Paula though for her decency to help the Kim’s mother with the medicine and bring them over, she is pretty much two face – hiding her blacken face (uncaring face) behind her “I do care, we’re family.” To Ah-Kim, Aunt Paula’s disapproval and judge mental is a source that pushes her to do so well in school and work for her to prove her aunt that they could achieve high status just like her or even higher.
To Rebecca:
I agree with you that it take a special type of person to learn how everything work here in America and go on pursuing and taking advantage of every opportunity that is thrown at them in order to live the life in America. Although, unlike your father, my mother came here for a better life for me and my sibling since there we had nothing left when she was put into the refugee camp in the Philippines. Though coming here made a great deal for the family, it became my older sister to be the special person who learn the language, and culture and take the step forward to help the family while my mom work the whole time.
Ramos, Rebeeca. “Reflection on Girl in Translation.” Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011
< http://poeticsrapandtothersocialdiscourses.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-on-girl-in-translation.html.>
Jeffrey To
Professor Wanda sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Girls in translation- freewrite
Reflection on the story so far: the protagonist An-Kim, her mom… themes like child lbor, immigration, slum lords… Cinderella-wheres the prince?
The book Girls in translation, is very interesting. So far, I read about different themes such as immigration, child labor and slum lords. My teacher even mention a cinderella theme. I never thought about a cinderella theme in the book. The story is about am asian girl migrating to another country. She is not familiar with the language.
One of the themes of the book is child labor. I personally don’t have a opinion on child labor. I mean its bad but at the same time there are a lot of it going on in the world in over populated countries like china. The book talks about immigration. Immigraton is good and bad. I guess it really depends on the situation. Immigration can be hard for others to adjust or experience. Going to a new place where the area is new and unknown is scary. The last theme in the book are slum lords. Slum lords are basically gangsters and thugs who control areas in the slums , slums meaning poor, unsanitory and ghetto.
My family and I can relate to immigration. I was from a poor area from Vietnam. I migrated to the United States in the 6th grade. It was hard for me to adjust and learn english.
To Trang:
Your summary of the book was good. It gives people who have not read the book a idea of what the book is going to be about. Im reading the book and curious about what the mother and daughter will do once they get out of the factory. The book is really interesting once I started reading it.
Tran, Trang. “Reflection on Girl in Translation.” Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011
Joanna Louie
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Free Write Response
To Daniel Lu: Like you, I find it disheartening to read or hear about families trying to obtain the “American Dream”. My family had to face many struggles and hardships to maintain an adequate lifestyle, to ultimately have the “American Dream”. Almost like your parents, my grandparents worked in factories, very similar to Ah-Kim, simply to receive an income to live. My grandparents came here to create a better life for themselves, but most importantly for their children and their future families. Being the second generation, it has been very interesting hearing the stories of a basic day my grandparents lived. I am very privileged and lucky compared to them. For my grandparents, my parents and myself, I continue to work hard. I also want to make not only myself, but also them proud of me. Each time I see my grandparents, they ask how I am doing in school. The stories I share with them bring a smile to their face. For them to know I am living a much better lifestyle makes them happy. My wellbeing is their happiness. The experiences and obstacles set in front of my “American Dream” are very different to what they had in front of their “American Dream”.
Work Cited
Lu,Daniel. “Reflection on Girl in Translation.” Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011
< http://poeticsrapandtothersocialdiscourses. blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-on-girl-in-translation.html. >
Daniela Myovich
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B
27 June 2011
Free Write: Girl in Translation
Jean Kwok’s Girl in Translation in some ways is very similar to Linda Legrade Grover’s The Dance Boots. Both are considered fiction, because the characters are not real, but in both stories the setting is accurate. Kwok’s family went through something quite similar to what her character Kimberly goes through (going through the migration process, working in sweatshops, and living in a dingy, rodent-invested apartment). That’s why these books are so shocking, people actually lived the lives these characters are representing.
Jean Kwok. "Jean's Story." Jean Kwok. Jean Kwok 2011. Web. 27 June 2011. .
Response to Rebecca:
I agree that Kwok writes so you see the struggles that Kim and her mom go through. I particularly enjoy her use of first-person and the way she uses gibberish to show how Kim hears the language.
Ramos, Rebecca.“Reflection on Girl in Translation.” Online Posting. 27 June 2011. College of Alameda. English 1B Web Forum. 27 June 2011.
Satima Flaherty
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
28 June 2011
Jean Kwok’s Girl in Translation identifies with any person of color who came to United States either first or second generation. People aren’t always nice and they it make even harder for you when you don’t know the language. Ah-Kim had to battle with troubles at school, work, and home all at a young age. Kwok’s book gives people a better understanding on how difficult it is in America especially when you are “fresh off the boat”. Girl in translation is about power. She had the power to succeed through education. Even though she didn’t speak the language well she understood the dynamics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Her education is a symbol of how important education is. She wouldn’t have been able to get her or her mother out of their circumstances if it wasn’t for education.
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