Appendix A: Teacher Resources
Catfish and Mandala Discussion Questions
- What compelled Pham to make his journey back to Vietnam?
- Considering the sacrifices Pham’s family made to get to the United States, does Pham have an obligation to do well and take advantage of all the opportunities given to him?
- Should the values of one culture be carried over to another culture even if they conflict?
- How did Pham’s expectations of his trip differ from what ultimately happened?
- Compare Pham’s journey to another character’s journey in literature. How are they alike or different?
- Why are some of the chapters italicized and titled “Fallen Leaves”?
- “The hardships of a pilgrimage lend no courage for facing mecca” (62). What connotations are given by the word “pilgrimage” and why does Pham use this word? How would the sentence be different if the word “pilgrimage” were changed to “journey” or “vacation”?
- Is Pham running away from something or to something?
- Are the Vietnamese justified in being resentful of the Viet Kieu?
- “These Vietnamese, these wanting-wanting-wanting people. The bitter bile of finding a new world I don’t remember colors my disconsolate reconciliation between my Saigon of Old and their muddy-grubby Saigon of Now” (102). Has Saigon changed or has Pham changed? Did Pham idealize or romanticize his childhood? Is it natural to look back at a part of your life and only remember the best parts?
Essential Questions for Discussion
- How do a person’s experience, cultural identity, and family background influence his or her choices and inform his or her character?
- Does a person have an obligation to do well and take complete advantage of all the opportunities given to him or her?
- Should the values of one culture be carried over to another culture even if they conflict?
- Who are the insiders/outsiders in a society/social group?
- How do the qualities that define an outsider/insider affect his or her relationship in a society/group?
- What are the disadvantages of being an outsider?
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