Inside Out
Back home, this plant represents Ha's safety and culture, constantly referenced for the entire book
What is the papaya tree?
Early on in American life, Ha finds herself being bullied by a character only referred to as this
Who is Pink Boy?
Described as "massive" and filled with much needed food, Ha's ship is rescued by this
What is an American ship?
Ha believes that her family has been taken in by this person, who ironically does not own anything close to a horse
What is a cowboy?
A person that is admired, loved, or revered
What is idol?
This is the name of the North Vietnam's government system, and the reason why America was so invested in the war
What is communism?
Ha does find friends in America, namely a boy named Steven (referred to as SSsì-Ti-Vân) and this girl
Who is Pem/Pam?
After arriving in "tent city," Ha tells the reader that the only thing they have to eat is this, which has "a layer of thick syrup"
What is canned fruit?
Ironically, even though Ha cannot pronounce her name, she still receives a massive amount of love and support from this person
Who is Miss Washington?
Easy to cut or chew
What is tender?
Father, a figure the family is always talking about, has been missing for nine years due to this job
What is Navy/soldier?
Ha gets made fun of for mentioning this religious figure, resulting in her trying to fight back by mispronouncing Jesus
Who is Buddha?
Miss Scott shows footage from the Vietnam War during class one day, with pictures of burnt girls getting into helicopters fleeing this city
What is Saigon?
Despite believing America is an accepting place, Ha's brother is immediately called this name, ironic in its undeserved cruelty
What is ching chong?
Seek information or advice from
What is consult?
When shopping for groceries, Ha would often buy slightly less than what was asked of her so she could purchase this for herself
What is fried dough?
Unlike the rest of his siblings, Brother Quang almost immediately finds success in America doing this job
What is mechanic?
Ha is disappointed in this when trying to eat it, describing it as "Chewy, sugary, waxy, sticky."
What are dried papayas?
One of the saddest examples of irony comes when Brother Khôi pulls this out of his pocket on the boat, something he said he wanted to protect
What is a dead chick?
Sudden desire or change of mind
What is whim?
Back in her almost perfect life in Vietnam, Ha would hang out with this person, her best friend who held similar wealth and happiness
Who is Titi?
At the end of the story, Mom finally let's go of this item as a symbol of letting go of her husband in death
What is the amethyst ring?
Ha's prized doll is often described as this, meant to show the reader how many small pieces have been taken and damaged over time
What is mouse-bitten?
Ha's mother tells her she should take up this job due to her ability to argue, something made ironic from Ha's protesting against it
What is a lawyer?
Launch, drive, or push forward
What is propel?