We can work on Yiyun Li “The Princess of Nebraska” (2004)

Adrian Tomine Killing & Dying (2015)

Nam Le “Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice” (2012)

Answer the following questions, spending 5-10 minutes typing out your response to each question!

  1. Prof. Pandya said in lecture yesterday that generational conflict is a consistent theme in our class, and in immigrant literature more broadly. How do conflicts and misunderstandings between a parent and child (Nam and his father, Jesse and her father, Sasha and her mother, Sasha and her unborn child etc.) shape the story? (Please choose two of the stories listed above to support your answer).
  2. Silence and speech is a key theme in AS AM 5. Pick two of the stories from this week – one must be different from the ones you wrote about above – for this answer for your evidence. What silences (unspoken secrets/traumas etc.) exist between the characters in this story? Are these silences broken/turned to speech by the end of the story? Explain why/why not.
  3. The endings of all of the stories we have read in the last few weeks have been ambiguous – open to our interpretation. Choosing any of the three stories from this week, answer the following questions: Did you feel like the ending to this story was hopeful? Why/why not? Did the protagonist of this story have a clearer sense of their identity by the end of the story?
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Question 1: Generational Conflict and Its Impact

Nam Le’s “Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice”

In Nam Le’s story, the generational conflict between Nam and his father is central to the narrative. The father’s expectations of his son, rooted in traditional Vietnamese values, clash with Nam’s aspirations for a life in America. This conflict shapes Nam’s identity and his relationship with his father, leading to feelings of guilt, resentment, and a sense of cultural displacement.

Adrian Tomine’s “Killing & Dying”

Similarly, in Tomine’s graphic novel, the relationship between Jesse and her father is fraught with tension and misunderstanding. The father’s conservative values and expectations clash with Jesse’s desire for independence and self-expression. This generational divide leads to conflict and alienation, ultimately impacting Jesse’s mental health and well-being.

 

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Question 2: The Power of Silence and Speech

Nam Le’s “Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice”

In this story, silence plays a significant role in perpetuating the generational conflict between Nam and his father. The unspoken expectations, unspoken resentments, and unspoken love create a barrier between them. While the story ends with a glimmer of understanding, the silences between the characters remain unresolved.

Adrian Tomine’s “Shortcomings”

In “Shortcomings,” the character Ben is often silent, struggling to express his emotions and desires. His silence contributes to his isolation and dissatisfaction with his life. While he eventually confronts some of his issues, the story ends with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the reader to wonder if Ben has truly changed or if he will continue to be haunted by his past.

Question 3: Ambiguous Endings and Character Development

Nam Le’s “Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice”

The ending of this story is ambiguous, leaving the reader to ponder the future of Nam’s relationship with his father. While there is a moment of connection and understanding, the underlying tensions remain unresolved. Nam’s identity as a Vietnamese-American remains complex and uncertain.

Adrian Tomine’s “Killing & Dying”

The ending of “Killing & Dying” is also ambiguous. Jesse’s decision to leave her boyfriend and move to New York City represents a significant change, but it remains unclear whether she will be able to overcome her past traumas and find happiness. Her identity as an artist and as a woman continues to evolve

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