Thursday, January 22, 2015

Gathering of Pearls Study Guide: Chapters 6-12




Chapter 6
1.     Reflect on the letter that Sookan receives from her sister. Describe the conflict between the two women. Also discuss the internal conflict (with herself) that Sookan has. Why is this important to the novel and to Sookan’s identity?
Sookan’s sister blamed her by not writing any journals to her. She said how great her job as being a nun was and she said she thought it was bad for Sookan not writing anything to her. For Sookan, she knew that she needed to obey her sister but the first thing came up to her mind was she thought her sister didn’t understand her. She found that the only thing her sister care about is her work instead of Sookan. However, by the habit that she must obey and listen to her sister, she still started to write a journal. It’s important because Sookan, at that point of time, start to think by herself instead of implicitly follow her sister.
Chapter 7
1.     What does Ellen think is important in college (and in life)?
Ellen thinks the activities, such as parties, the mixers and social scenes are important.
2.     How does her friendship with Ellen make Sookan reconsider her future?
They think Sookan doesn’t need to obey her sister to be a nun, she should do whatever she wanted to.
3.     Do you think that Sookan is right to listen to Ellen or should she follow the model of her sister instead?
I think she should listen to Ellen that everybody has their own life experience. A road that others gave to you might not be the one you can settle in or the one you like. Each person is lived on their own, not for others. Sookan should live her own life.
Chapter 8
1.     Why does Sookan get in trouble and receive demerits in Ch. 8?
It’s because she missed the afternoon attendance.
2.     Do you think she made the right decision in sneaking out?
Yes. Even though it’s bad to miss the attendance, she was extremely busy to find even another minute to write to her sister. And her sister would get much mad if she doesn’t reply the sister’s letter.
3.     What is the letter that she writes about?
She writes about her life in America and she explained the reason that she has no time to write a journal.
4.     How do you think her sister will react to this letter?
I think her sister would still feel angry because Sookan still didn’t listen to her completely. She would say something more aggressive to force Sookan write to her everyday.
Chapter 9
1.     Thanksgiving with Ellen’s family is both good and bad for Sookan. Why? Gice at least two reasons for each.
It’s good for her. Firstly, she knew a different kind of family that seemed to be so nice to each other and seemed to be equal. Then, she had a great time their and she knew Ellen and her family better.
Chapter 10
1.     What is Sookan’s secret study spot?
The shower room, which is the only room that would have light after lights out, is her secret study spot.
2.     What happened to her while she was studying for her final exam?
She fell down and got a fever.
3.     What are Sister Reed’s instructions for Sookan over winter break?
Marci would take her and Ellen to her house without any books and bring, and they would talk about the schedule after break.
Chapter 11
1.     Compare the two letters from home: how is the one from her mother different from the one from her sister? What does this show about these two women and their different viewpoints about life and about Sookan?
According to mother’s letter, she’s proud of Sookan and she told her that every simple thing happened to her. I found her love by Sookan’s missing her and the language she used when she taught. She mentioned small things to comfort Sookan’s heart of home missing. However, for what the sister said, she didn’t know that Sookan’s perspective of a new world, which called America. She’s just show up her work and say how great she was. She’s controlling Sookan and never cared about her sister.
Chapter 12
1.     What food does Sookan prepare for her guests?
She prepared Korean food
2.     What do Marci and Ellen add to the celebration?
Ellen made cookies while Marci made brownies.
3.     Who joins them?
Sister Reed does.
4.     Why do you think this gathering is so important to Sookan?
It made her relax, and realized her life in Korea. It made her came out from her own world of the worries and problems to get a peaceful time to enjoy the party and remind her hometown.

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