characters
This narrator tells the story in “Best Quality.”
Who is Rose Hsu Jordan?
This food at dinner becomes a symbol of Rose’s feelings about herself.
What is the crab?
At the dinner, Rose does this instead of taking one of the best crabs.
What is choose the worst crab?
A major theme of “Best Quality” is learning this about yourself.
What is self-worth?
The chapter “Best Quality” is mainly centered around this family event.
What is a family dinner?
This is Rose’s mother, who teaches her an important lesson about self-worth
Who is An-Mei Hsu?
Rose chooses the crab with this flaw, showing how she settles for less.
What is a missing leg / broken crab?
An-mei notices Rose doing this at dinner and understands what it says about her character.
What is settling / giving up the better choice?
The chapter shows how parents can pass down this through advice and example.
What is wisdom?
Rose compares herself to the flawed crab because she feels this way.
What is damaged / not good enough?
This person hosts the family dinner where the crab is served.
Who is Auntie Lindo?
An-mei says Rose has this inside her, even if Rose does not recognize it.
What is her best quality?
Rose reflects on how her marriage is beginning to do this.
What is fall apart / end in divorce?
Rose’s struggle in her marriage connects to this theme.
What is power and control in relationships?
An-mei believes Rose has a hidden strength that Rose has forgotten because of this.
What is years of doubt / letting others make choices for her?
This character is known for always choosing the best things and acting confidently.
Who is Waverly Jong?
The crab represents how Rose sees herself.
What is she feels broken or less than others?
An-mei gives Rose this message through her story and actions.
What is that Rose must value herself and speak up?
An-mei wants Rose to stop being passive and start showing this.
What is strength / independence / assertiveness?
Waverly’s confident behavior contrasts with Rose’s lack of this.
What is confidence?
This person is Rose’s husband, whose relationship with her is falling apart in the chapter.
Who is Ted Jordan?
The dinner scene symbolizes Rose’s tendency to do this in life.
What is accept less than she deserves?
By the end of the chapter, Rose begins to realize she must stop doing this in her life.
What is letting others decide for her / being passive?
The chapter suggests that when people do not value themselves, they often do this.
What is allow others to mistreat or control them?
The title “Best Quality” most strongly refers to this lesson.
What is recognizing and valuing your inner worth?