"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?"
What is one of Sergei’s defining character traits?
Sergei is highly suspicious of strangers, a trait formed by his difficult past in Russia.
What is one of Sergei’s defining character traits?
Sergei is highly suspicious of strangers, a trait formed by his difficult past in Russia
What is one of the themes of the story related to decision-making?
One theme is that making moral decisions can be extremely difficult when emotions are involved.
What point of view is used in "What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?"?
The story is written in third-person limited point of view, focusing mainly on Sergei’s thoughts
What is an example of symbolism in "What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?"?
The goldfish symbolizes companionship, something Sergei is desperate to hold onto
What is Yoni’s goal in the story?
Yoni's primary goal is to collect interesting stories from people for his documentary.
Yoni's primary goal is to collect interesting stories from people for his documentary.
What is Yoni’s goal in the story?
What lesson does Sergei learn about happiness?
Despite having wishes, Sergei learns that happiness cannot simply be granted by magic.
How does the story use different perspectives?
The story shifts perspectives between Sergei’s internal thoughts and Yoni’s perspective as he works on his documentary.
What literary device is used to show Sergei’s past wishes?
Flashbacks are used to reveal Sergei’s previous wishes and provide context for his current dilemma.
What was Sergei’s first wish?
Sergei used his first wish to cure his sister of lung cancer.
What causes the conflict between Sergei and Yoni?
Sergei misunderstands Yoni’s intentions and believes he’s trying to steal his goldfish, which causes conflict.
Why does Sergei hesitate to use his last wish?
Sergei fears using his last wish because he knows it will leave him without the comforting presence of the goldfish.
What is the purpose of the flashbacks in the story?
The flashbacks reveal the emotional weight of Sergei’s previous wishes and why he guards the last one so carefully
How does dramatic irony play a role in the story?
The reader knows Sergei misunderstands Yoni, while Yoni is unaware of the danger he is in, creating dramatic irony.
Where did Sergei live before moving to Israel, and how did this affect his character?
Sergei moved to Israel from Russia, where his distrust of others developed
What past experience made Sergei distrustful of strangers?
Sergei’s experiences with the KGB in Russia made him very distrustful of others.
What theme does the story suggest about immigrants and isolation?
The story explores the isolation that immigrants like Sergei often feel when they move to new countries.
Why does the story begin from Yoni’s perspective instead of Sergei’s?
The story begins from Yoni’s perspective to introduce his optimistic approach to life before it contrasts with Sergei’s worldview.
What is an example of personification in the story?
The goldfish is personified by being able to talk and offer wishes to Sergei.
What is one of the central themes of "What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?"?
The story explores the theme that wishes can’t guarantee happiness, no matter how powerful they are.
What does the goldfish symbolize for Sergei?
The goldfish represents Sergei’s need for companionship and his fear of being alone.
What does Sergei learn about his last wish by the end of the story?
Sergei learns that holding on to his last wish won’t solve his problems, and it may be better to let go.
What is the narrative role of the goldfish in the story?
The goldfish does not have its own narrative but acts as a mediator between Sergei and the outside world, symbolizing his emotional attachment
What is an example of an open or ambiguous ending in the story?
The story ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the moral lesson open to interpretation.