Key events
Who did Lindo's parents arrange for her to marry?
Tyan-yu.
What major event caused Lindo to immigrate to the United States?
She escaped her arranged marriage.
Where did Lindo immigrate from?
China
Who is Waverly planning to marry?
Rich Shields
Why does Lindo push Waverly to succeed?
She wants the best for her.
Why was Lindo sold to Tyan-yu's family as a child
Her family did not have a lot of money, and the arrangement was made so she would eventually marry Tyan-yu.
Who is Rich Shields, and who is he to Waverly?
Rich is Waverly Jong's fiance.
Why does Lindo feel frustrated with Waverly?
Because Waverly often rejects her Chinese heritage and traditions.
What two feelings are causing conflict for Waverly?
SHe wants to be independent and make her own decisions, but she also wants her mother's approval.
Why is Waverly upset with her mother?
She feels her mother is controlling.
How did the storm affect Lindo's early life and future marriage?
The storm flooded her family's farm, and she was sent to live with Tyan-yu's family earlier than expected.
What is one reason for the cultural tension between Waverly and her mother?
Waverly and Lindo have different perspectives because they are balancing Chinese traditions with American culture in different ways.
How do Lindo's and Waverly's different cultural backgrounds contribute to conflict between them?
Lindo was raised in China and values Chinese traditions, while Waverly was raised in America and prefers American customs and beliefs.
What does Waverly hope her mother will do when she meets Rich?
Waverly hoped her mother will approve of Rich and support their relationship.
What is one lesson from these chapters?
Love can be shown through guidance and concern.
What did Lindo do on her wedding night and why was it significant?
Lindo blew out the candle meant to symbolize a successful marriage, which represented her decision that the marriage was not right for her.
What game did Waverly become a prodigy in?
Chess
How did moving from China to America change the way Lindo viewed herself?
In china, Lindo had a strong sense of identity and belonging. After moving to America, she began to feel caught between two cultures and struggled to understand where she truly belonged.
Why does Waverly care so much about what her mother thinks of Rich?
Waverly cares about her mother's opinion because she loves and respects her mother, even though they often disagree. She wants her mother to approve of Rich and support their marriage.
Why does Lindo show off Waverly's chess success?
She is proud of her.
How did Waverly become a chess prodigy, and what impact did it have on her life?
She became fascinated with chess, played in the park against older men, and eventually became a local celebrity through competitions.
What chapter does Waverly prepares to marry Rich Shields?
Four Directions
Why does Lindo feel that she has lost part of herself in America?
Because she has had to adapt to American culture, and over time she noticed some of her Chinese traditions and identity fading away.
Why is Waverly nervous about introducing Rich Shields to her mother?
She fears that Lindo may criticize or disapprove of him, as conflicts between them in the past have often involved judgement and disapproval.
How does Waverly view her mother's criticism?
As controlling and harsh.