The Refugees

Story 1

Reading Check

1. So she would not be captured and raped by the pirates (Story 1)

2. “‘You died too,’ he said. ‘You just don’t know it.’” (Story 1)

Short Answer

1. The speaker believes her job as a ghostwriter is ironic because she grew up with so many ghost stories. In particular, she is still haunted by the ghost of her brother, because she has not dealt with the trauma of her journey from Vietnam. (Story 1)

2. According to the narrator’s mother, a “good death” is one where the person is able to die with their family and receive a proper burial. A “bad death” is one where there is no burial and the person is “far from home.” Aunt Six had a “good death,” while the speaker’s brother had a “bad death.” (Story 1)

Story 2

Reading Check

1. GIs/American soldiers (Story 2)

2. When Marcus says that “The best way to help [your family] now is to help yourself” (Story 2)

Short Answer

1. Marcus and Parrish are Liem’s new sponsors in San Francisco. When they pick up Liem from the airport, they tell him that they are a “romantic” couple, which makes the “small hairs on his arms and on the back of his neck stiffen[]” in interest and curiosity. (Story 2)

2. In response to Marcus’s query about what he wants to be in the US, Liem responds that he wants to be “good.” The concept of goodness reappears twice: First, he asks Marcus after their sexual intercourse if he was “good” and, second, his father’s letter alludes to the idea that Liem must fight against the “sinful” nature of the US. (Story 2)

Story 3

Reading Check

1. To follow Mrs. Hoa (Story 3)

2. American Reconstruction (Story 3)

Short Answer

1. The speaker’s mother refuses to donate to the anti-communist cause, calling Mrs. Hoa’s tactics “extortion,” while the speaker’s father says that while the war may officially be over, “paying a little hush money would make our lives a lot easier.” Although the speaker disagrees with both her parents, she is more “upset” with her father. (Story 3)

2. After feeling humiliated in her store, the speaker’s mother decides to visit Mrs. Hoa’s home with her son (i.e., the speaker). The speaker believes his mom is going to seek revenge on Mrs. Hoa, but after they see Mrs. Hoa’s living conditions—and hear her story about her husband and sons—the speaker’s mother contributes $200 to her cause. (Story 3)

Story 4

Reading Check

1. The autoimmune hepatitis in his liver (Story 4)

2. He will report Arthur’s brother’s company to the police for false documentation of employees. (Story 4)

Short Answer

1. Arthur receives a new liver from a donor who was killed in a hit-and-run accident. After both an information leak and some investigation, Arthur finds out that Louis claims to be the donor’s son. In order to thank Louis, Arthur offers his garage for Louis to use as storage for his fake designer products. (Story 4)

2. Minh Vu is the true son of Men Vu, the organ donor of Arthur’s liver. He realizes that Louis is a fraud. (Story 4)

Story 5

Reading Check

1. Yen (Story 5)

2. “[I]mmigrant and refugee students who already knew the language but merely wanted an easy grade” (Story 5)

Short Answer

1. Vinh suggests that his mother quit her job at the library to take care of her husband, whose health is dwindling after his diagnosis. She is not interested in this option, and refuses to quit even as her husband’s health further deteriorates. (Story 5)

Story 6

Reading Check

1. “[Y]ou should at least drink its beer.” (Story 6)

2. Because they are an interracial family (i.e., Black father, Japanese mother, and their daughter) (Story 6)

Short Answer

1. Legapsi is researching the best methods for using robots in demining activities. Carver recognizes that both his daughter and his wife are enthralled with Legaspi’s work; however, Carver believes he is naive since the US Department of Defense could use this technology for something else. (Story 6)

2. Although Carver believes that he is still young, he is mentally and physically slowing down. The best example of Aging and the Loss of Agency is his refusal to get into the car in the monsoon, which ultimately leads to him getting a fever and being hospitalized while Claire takes care of him. (Story 6)

Story 7

Reading Check

1. “[So he] could see this woman’s face, and how she lived” (Story 7)

2. His mother’s wig (Story 7)

3. To be the baby’s father (Story 7)

Short Answer

1. According to Mimi, “Vietnamese women took care of their men, doted on them” while American women “were fickle and demanding.” She offers to find him a Vietnamese bride. (Story 7)

2. Disappointed with his son’s lack of masculinity, Mr. P takes Thomas to the barber and then to Sam’s (Thomas’s ex-wife’s) house with the hopes that they will reconcile their marriage. They are surprised to learn that Sam is pregnant; however, she does not reveal who the father is, and tells Thomas not to come back. (Story 7)

Story 8

Reading Check

1. As the “same” (i.e., “small, charming, and forgettable”) (Story 8)

2. A bra and underwear from Victoria’s Secret (Story 8)

Short Answer

1. Vivien reveals that she originally believed she would love her father when she finally met him; however, this was not the case as she had not really known him. Phuong agrees that “he’s not easy to love,” and reflects to herself how she now pities him. (Story 8)

2. Phuong shares that she wants to accompany Vivien to the US, with the hopes that Vivien will sponsor her until she is able to take care of herself. Vivien declines her offer, crying and admitting that most of the information that her mother shared regarding her success was not true. (Story 8)

Two Essays

Reading Check

1. “Americans of all kinds believe that it is impossible for an American to become a refugee, although it is possible for refugees to become Americans and in that way be elevated one step closer to heaven.” (Essay 1)

2. They were all immigrants. (Essay 1)

3. 17 years (Essay 2)

Short Answer

1. Nguyen is critical of the role that race plays in the US government’s reception of refugees. In particular, he says that he was “lucky” that he had an Asian background since they are considered to be the “model minority” in the US, whereas if he was Haitian or Central American, he would not be accepted as a refugee due to “racial politics.” (Essay 1)

2. During his writing process, Nguyen learned about “the grief of writing” as well as “test[ed himself] as a scholar.” (Essay 2)