RAIN MUSIC
Longhang Nguyen
Fern J. Jacoby
Far Rockaway High School
Far Rockaway, New York
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Longhang Nguyen emigrated to the United States from Vietnam with
her sister and father in 1979. Two years later, her mother rejoined
the family. During those two years, not only did her father care
for his children, but he also attended school to reobtain his
veterinary license.
The following story describes the complexity of emotions that
constitute love, It also emphasizes the role that ones cultural
background plays when choices are made concerning love. Before
reading the story, students might consider creating a personal
mosaic, labeling the tiles with the various aspects of love that
are part, or will be part, of their own lives.
AIM: How does our cultural background affect our decisions
about love?
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Just be looking at the first paragraph, how
would you describe the relationship between the two sisters?
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What does the author mean when in paragraph
two, she calls her sister, "the red rose of the family,"
and herself," the green thorn?'
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What else is there about the sister that makes
their parents so proud of her? Do you see anything wrong with
this sense of pride? Explain.
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Why do you think Linh's parents would not approve
of David?
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How do you think the narrator feels about Linh's
relationship with David?
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Why does Linh believe that skin pigment is going
to keep them apart?
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Although Linh says that "pigments"
keep David and her apart, what other owns are revealed in the
story?
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Does Linh really love Thanh? Why/why not?
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David wrote -Ram Music" especially for
Linh. How is this suggestive of what win happen to their relationship?
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What is significant about the use of rain in
the title, as well as at the end of the story?
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As a sister, what can the narrator do for Linh?
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How much does being Vietnamese bring to bear
on any relationship Linh may have?
