Short Stories: The American Dreamers (2020)

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 12

7th Grade

Lesson 9 of 13

Objective


Analyze the juxtaposition between Chinese and American cultures.

Readings and Materials


  • Short Story: “Who’s Irish?” by Gish Jen (In Who's Irish?: Stories, Vintage, 2000) 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Based on “Who’s Irish?,” what does the juxtaposition between Chinese and American customs reveal about the narrator’s challenges in adapting to an American lifestyle?

Key Questions


  • How does the author characterize the narrator? What words make you think that?
  • Reread the sentence: “I am work hard my whole life…” What is the effect of the author writing in improper English? 
  • Read the sentences: “Why the Shea family have so much trouble? They are white people, they speak English. When I come to this country, I have no money and do not speak English.” What does this reveal about the narrator’s point of view as an immigrant? 
  • What is challenging for the grandma in adapting to her daughter and John’s American parenting style?
  • How is the tragic event at the end the result of cultural clash? What does this tell the reader about the narrator and the American dream?
  • The American dream purports that if you work hard, you can be successful. The narrator in “Who’s Irish?” has worked hard. Has she achieved the American dream? Why or why not? 

Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Next

Explain how undocumented immigrants perceive the American Dream and adapt to American culture.

Lesson 10
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