Characters
This is the name of the of the main character who tells the story.
Who is Ha?
The city in Vietnam where Hà lives at the beginning of the story.
What is Saigon?
Hà believes this fruit predicts her future during Tết.
What is the papaya?
Hà is upset because she is treated this way as the youngest child.
What is being underestimated/treated like a baby?
Hà often feels this when she is ignored or treated unfairly.
What is frustration?
Hà lives with this parent.
Who is Mother?
This war is happening during Part 1 of the novel.
What is the Vietnam War?
This tree is very important to Hà and represents hope.
What is the papaya tree?
This is something that becomes harder to find as the war worsens.
What is food?
Mother shows this trait by staying calm and strong.
What is strength?
This family member has been missing since the war began.
Who is Father?
Soldiers and weapons begin appearing in the city, showing this major problem.
What is the war getting closer?
Mother burns incense and prays at this place in their home.
What is the altar?
Mother must make difficult decisions because of this danger.
What is the war / communists approaching?
The family struggles with this emotion because of Father’s absence.
What is grief / sadness?
Hà has this many brothers.
What is three?
Hà and her family live in this country
What is Vietnam?
The papaya tree grows fruit but does NOT grow this, which disappoints Hà.
What are flowers?
Hà’s family fears this might happen if they stay in Saigon.
What is being hurt, killed, or captured (by the communists)?
This major theme in Part 1 is this idea of family staying together.
What is family unity / loyalty?
This brother is the oldest and tries to take on responsibility for the family.
Who is Khôi?
The New Year celebration that is very important to Hà’s family.
What is Tết?
The papaya tree best symbolizes this idea.
What is hope for the future?
The main reason the family begins considering leaving Vietnam.
What is safety / survival?
Despite the war, Hà continues to feel this about the future.
What is hope?