The Happiest Refugee
Close study of Chapter Six
Question One
Anh Do starts the chapter by referring to some sayings which he learnt from his father. These are sometimes called maxims, or, rules to live by. Why does Anh Do include these at the beginning of the chapter? Does Anh live by these maxims? Can you find an example from later in the memoir?
Question Two
Anh Do recounts the experiences of Uncle Three in this chapter. This particular section is used to develop pathos in the reader. Identify at least one device in the sentence below and explain how each is used to provoke an emotional response.
After the pirates took everything they sank the boat in the middle of the ocean, and the 32 people on board were forced to cling onto bits of debris at the mercy of the raging Indian Ocean.
Question Three
In this chapter Anh starts to question his father’s ‘addiction to risk taking’. He recounts incidents of his father being intoxicated and violent. Identify one device which Anh Do uses to communicate this situation. Include a quote and explain the effect of the technique on the reader.
Question Four
Anh Do manipulates sentence length for emphasis; sometimes his sentences are long and fluid, at other times, he uses short, snappy lines. Find an example on page 73 and explain why he does this.
Question Five
This chapter explores a turbulent time in Anh Do’s childhood, as he transitions to some awareness of his father and himself. What did he learn? What have you learnt about growing up from this chapter?
Take notes for this as a group and then respond on your own in paragraphs individually.