The Latehomecomer

Why were Kao's grade dropping?

She was missing a lot of school because she felt so sick.

What conclusions did Kao come up with at the end of the memoir?

She realized that there were no guarantees in life and that people have no choice about when and where they die. She was better able to balance being both Hmong and American and grew satisfied with her life.

Why did Kao get worse and continue to lose weight?

She was divided between wanting to stay Hmong like her parents and wanting to become American.

"I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had been on simmer for too long." What did Kao mean with this metaphor?

She was ready for a change.

Why did Kao have a panic attack?

She was worried about her family being able to stay in America especially since they couldn't go back home.

How did mother and father differ in their opinions of the house? Explain.

Father was happy with the house but mother was hoping they could find something better.

What was Kao's diagnosis?

Her diagnosis was "baby lupus".

According to the first footnote on page 60 why did the governments of Vietnam and Laos consider the Hmong people their enemies?

Because the Hmong people fought on the side of the United States during Vietnam.

How did Kao and Dawb's learning abilities differ?

Dawb was taken more seriously by her teachers because she was a good listener had no accent and grasped things quick and easily.

What is Kao's key to success in school?

Do the homework go to class every day and follow the teacher with your eyes.

Summarize Kao's new neighborhood.

It is run down, and the houses are in need of repair.

Why do you suppose Dawb didn't have the same emotional issues as Kao?

Life came easier for Dawb. She didn't over-think things like Kao and just took life in stride.

Decode the title "The Latehomecomer" by defining the three words that make up the word "Latehomecomer" and coming up with some conclusions.

"Late" means coming after others "home" is a place of refuge or a residence and "comer" is a person who is progressing. Kao is a "Latehomecomer" because she arrived in the country after it was already established wants to feel at home here and is progressing in this country.

How did Mrs. Gallentin help Kao? Explain.

She gave Kao confidence and helped her realize that she had good writing skills. She also made her realize that she would make a good college student because of her reading and writing skills.

What did you learn about Kao Kalia Yang from the background section?

She is Hmong and was born in a refugee camp in Thailand before moving with her family to Minnesota in 1987.

Why did Mrs. Gallentin like Kao's Romeo and Juliet essay so much?

She liked it because it fully revealed aspects of real life.

What effect did the welfare reform of 1996 have on Kao's family?

It delayed her grandmother's visit and put her uncles in California in danger.

Describe the inside of the house.

It had a small entryway three big rooms (kitchen, living room and playroom) each with its own small bedroom to the right a small bathroom between the 2nd and 3rdbedrooms and an enclosed porch.

What is the "someday" father is waiting for?

It is the time when the children become educated and can help support the parents.

What effect did the gift have on Kao?

It made her feel stronger every day until she got better.

Also off the kitchen there was a small room with just enough space for a washing and drying machine and the requisiteheavy-duty sink." What does "requisite" mean?

It means something that is needed or required.

What did the flashback to the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp reveal?

It revealed father's dreams of success for all of them in America.

Explain grandma's gift to Kao.

It was a bracelet with mother and baby elephants and their tusks were entwined. Grandma said that elephants protect their babies by forming a circle around them. Grandma believes the power of elephants will make her better.

How does Kao feel about the new house? Cite the evidence.

Kao loves the new house. She thought it should have cost more money. "It looks like at least $70,000 to me."

Why do you suppose there is so much political controversy concerning immigration today?

Perhaps because of the way political parties align their beliefs.

Imagery is vivid descriptions that appeal to one or more of the five senses. What is the effect of the imagery in the first paragraph?

The combined smells of the two different foods, American and Hmong, show the influence of both cultures.

Why does Kao have a problem with the study of American history when it comes to Vietnam?

The help from the Hmong people during Vietnam isn't mentioned in American history textbooks.

"The small house before us would work. It would be our first piece of America the first home we would buy with the money our parents earned." What is being compared with this metaphor and what is being emphasized by it?

The house is being compared to a "piece of America". It emphasizes the American dream of owning your own home.

When father said "We can hide from the rain and the snow in here" what did he mean?

The house was good enough for the family.

What is the central idea of the memoir?

The life of a refugee is emotional and difficult.

Compare and contrast the immigration experience today versus Kao's time.

The mode of transportation and amount of luggage allowed have changed.

Kao used a simile to describe the new house: "It looked like it belonged to Laura and Mary Ingalls and a time when girls wore cotton skirts with little flowers and bonnets . . ." What is emphasized with this simile?

The old-fashion appearance of the house is emphasized with this simile.

Why did the family need a new house?

The parents had four more children after moving to America, and they needed more room.

"The houses were supposed to inspire us to work extra hard in school." Why did Kao use the passive voice here? Explain.

The passive voice is being used here to emphasize the ridiculousness of a house being inspirational instead of a person.

Why was Minnesota considered a safe place during the welfare reforms of 1996?

The welfare programs were not being terminated as quickly as other states and a bill was being considered that would allow veterans of the Vietnam War and Hmong with documents to apply for U.S. citizenship and take the examination in Hmong.

What were Kao and Dawb's dreams for the future?

Their dream was to go to the University of Minnesota and become doctors or lawyers.

Why do you suppose Dawb and Kao "posed creative arguments" about why owning a mansion would be bad for their family? Explain.

They were being sarcastic. Also, joking in this manner made them feel better about not be able to afford one.

"The entire structure smelled old like the thrift shops we were frequenting less and less." What did you learn about the family's finances with this simile?

We learn that the family's finances must be getting better because they were shopping less and less in thrift stores.