Woman Warrior #3

QUOTE:
"Eight year olds were about twenty dollars. Five year olds were ten dollars and up. Two year olds were about five dollars. Babies were free. During the war, though, when you were born, many people gave older girls away for free. And here I was in the United States paying two hundred dollars for you."--page 83, Brave Orchid
SIGNIFICANCE:
This quote has to do with question number 5. What hardships do the characters endure as they make a new life? The author of the book relates a conversation she had with her mother, Brave Orchid, about the way life was back in China. The mother is explaining to the author about how slave trade worked in China and how little value girls had back in her homeland. The reason why this quote relates to the question is that the author feels distant from her mother and has difficulty accepting western way of life while still respecting and understanding her mother's traditions.
PERSONAL CONNECTION:
This quote made me think of how difficult women and children have it in various parts of the world. In United States we take children's and women's rights for granted. I am a strong woman who got to choose her own path. I feel very privileged.
QUESTION:
What kind of emotions does this quote stir in you? Why?
QUOTE:
"My mother has cooked for us: raccoons, skunks, hawks, city pigeons, wild ducks, wild geese, black-skinned bantams, snakes, garden snails..."--page 90, narrator
SIGNIFICANCE:
This quote relates to question number 6. How do the characters maintain their cultural ties to their homeland while living in America? In this passage the mother is shown to cook foods unusual by American standards. In that way she retains cultural ties with her homeland. Although Brave Orchid is far from home, her cooking is a way to remind herself and her children of China.
PERSONAL CONNECTION:
This quote made me think of all the foods my mom cooks that are traditional to my culture. We eat latkas, gefelta fish, etc.
Food is a huge part of my culture, even if it seems strange to those who are not Jewish.
QUESTION:
What are some dishes that are important to your family? Why are they important?