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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what way does the Old Asian Man break character?

2. What is the protagonist's father's real name?

3. Who is the author of Interior Chinatown?

4. Who is the protagonist of Interior Chinatown?

5. From the discussion of lighting on page 11, what can reasonably be inferred?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Turner tell the protagonist about the system--about what rising up through it means, and about his own place within it?

2. What is the paradox that periodically sends the residents of the Chinatown SRO Apartments over the edge into an all-night party?

3. How does the protagonist feel when he sees his father working in the kitchen, and why?

4. What causes the protagonist to realize that his father is suffering from dementia, and how does he respond?

5. What ultimately happened to Older Brother?

6. What do the memories the protagonist has about his mother and food demonstrate?

7. Describe how residents use their small spaces at the Chinatown SRO Apartments and what this might signify.

8. What are some of the details that people should realize mean that Sifu is living in poverty?

9. When the protagonist finally steps into the spotlight, what is his first line, and what does it signify?

10. Explain the central conceit of the section in which the protagonist visits and cares for his father despite his father seeming not to recognize him.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Willis's ambitions are entirely circumscribed by the world of Chinatown. And yet, to go outside of Chinatown to find better opportunities would mean leaving behind a significant part of himself. To what extent does American culture demand that a person give up primary loyalty to their heritage in exchange for success? Does this happen to everyone, or only to those in certain groups? Is there a logical way around this problem, or is it just one of the harsh realities that some people have to face? Write an essay in which you explore how this motif is developed within the novel and then make a claim about how well this represents modern-day America. Be sure to back claims in both sections of your essay with strong evidence and warrants, and remember that anecdotes about individuals are not evidence--evidence about social phenomena comes from studies of groups, not from individual cases. Cite all sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

Write a thesis-driven essay in which you analyze the ambitions of Willis Wu. What are his ambitions, and where do they come from? At what point do his ambitions cease being merely about wanting material security (a safe and comfortable place to live, enough food to eat, etc.) and start to be about something more intangible (ego, status, etc.) Are these ambitions inherent in his personality, or are his ideas about success derived from culture, family, or some other source? Be sure to provide textual support for your claims.

Essay Topic 3

The life story of the protagonist's father is in some ways specific to the world of Interior Chinatown, in some ways specific to the experience of immigrants, and in some ways universal--particularly in his "descent" from stardom to generic bit parts for older actors. Consider this third aspect of his story: write an essay in which you demonstrate how Ming's story conveys a message about society's treatment of the elderly. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your ideas.

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