Questions:
“Concrete Crucible”
1.In what way is the street of Panhandle comparable to a concrete crucible?
2.In what way is Kai Ting not a born street-fighter of Panhandle?
3.Why does Kai Ting decide to become a street-fighter?
4.Why does Kai Ting as a Chinese American boy try “to become an accepted black male youth”?
5.Comment on the language style of this chapter.
“Revolution”
6.Why is the chapter called “Revolution”?
7.Why does Edna decide to marry Kai Ting’s father?
8.How do you explain Edna’s being called a missionary?
9.How do you understand what Edna as a stepmother does in the Chinese American family?
10.Why is Kai Ting’s family a victim of Edna’s cultural chauvinism?
11.Is the conflict between Kai Ting and his stepmother universally significant or culturally specific? How do you interpret Edna’s violence in the Kai Ting’s family, an example of domestic violence or cultural dominance?
“Fire”
12.Why is Willie’s face captured by disbelief when first confronted by Kai Ting?
13.What are some of the factors that contribute to Kai Ting’s success in beating Willie?
14.What is the significance of Kai Ting’s victory over Willie?
15.Kai Ting thinks of “Mah-mee” a couple of times in the chapter.Why?
“Epilogue”
16.What does the epilogue tell you about Kai Ting’s change of attitude towards Edna?
17.The epilogue ends with almost the same sentence as in “Fire”: “I ain’t fo’ yo’ pickin-on, no mo’!” Why?