Essay Questions

What is the figurative meaning of name Kimberly?

Ah-Kim is a young woman who is expectant about a better future. Life in Hong Kong is difficult and she is hopeful that after relocating to the USA things are going to be better for her. When she receives an invitation from her aunt to go to the USA with her mother, she is filled with Joy. After arriving in the United States, she changes her name from Ah-Kim to Kimberly to signify a fresh start. Therefore, the name Kimberly is symbolic to represent the start of new things and a new life. However, things do not turn out as Kimberly expected because even in the United States life is harder for immigrants.

Why is Kimberly finding it hard to cope in her new school in the United States of America?

While in the USA, Kimberly is taken to a new school so that she can continue with her education. However, things are harder and difficult for her because she cannot speak English. She is ridiculed by fellow students because of her inability to speak or express herself in English. The teacher who is supposed to help her cope is instead ignoring her and concentrating on those students who are fluent in English. Due to this frustration, Kimberly is giving up and she is looking forward to stopping attending school because it is adding more harm to her than good. However, remembering that life without the proper education in the USA is hell, she decides to soldier on with her studies despite the challenges on her way.

Is Jean Kwork developing discrimination as the main theme?

After Ah-Kim relocates to the USA, the author focuses on the challenges she goes through due to her originality. Changing her name to Kimberly does not help her to be accepted. While at school, she is discriminated by fellow students and her teacher. The immigrants are living in absolute poverty and live-in low-class areas reserved for the poor. Accessing basic services such as good hospitals for immigrants is not easy. Therefore, the minority communities in the USA are discriminated against and treated unfairly.