University:
Herzing University
Course:
HU 340 | Humanities and Contemporary Popular Culture
Academic year:

2023
Views:

266

Pages:

2
Author:

Hadassah Cameron

Name: Block: Date: The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu Vocabulary Terms Assimilation: Culture: Family: Heritage: Identity: Magical Realism: Melting Pot: Multiculturalism: 1. How does the author’s use of each of the elements of short stories add to our understanding of Jack’s identity? Describe his identity using the following guiding questions: a. Plot: How does Jack’s identity change from the beginning of the story to the end? Use this quote as a reference: “The young woman reached out and put a hand on my shoulder. Then she got up and left, leaving me alone with my mother. Following the creases, I refolded the paper back into Laohu. I cradled him in the crook of my arm, and as he purred, we began the walk home.” How does this quote clearly show the main character’s sense of identity? b. Setting: What is the setting in the story and how does this provide us with more information about Jack’s identity? How does this provide us with more information about his mother’s identity? c. Character: How has Jack’s identity been shaped by his mother? His dad? Has his environment played a role? d. Imagery: How does the imagery used by the author function as a way for the reader to better imagine the world of Jack and his mother’s world? e. How does the author use the symbolism of the origami paper menagerie to more fully help us know, understand, and empathize with his mother? f. Conflict: How does the familial conflict between Jack and his mother, allow the reader to understand Jack’s identity and his mother’s identity? How does the cultural conflict between Jack and his environment, allow the reader to understand Jack’s identity and his mother’s identity? g. Point of View: Why is the use of first person narration so effective in this story, as it relates to the idea of identity? h. Theme: What is the theme of this story? How does the theme support our understanding of who the main character is? 2. Reflection: Write a short reflective paragraph of a childhood experience that had an impact on your identity.