English 9 Summative Packet First They Killed My Father Loung Ung Author’s Note Front 1975 to 1979—through execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor—the Khmer Rouge systematically killed an estimated two million Cambodians, almost a fourth of the country’s population. This is a story of survival: my own and my family’s. Though these events constitute my experience, my story mirrors that of millions of Cambodians. If you had been living in Cambodia during this period, this would be your story too. Objectives: R.9.1 Answer literal, inferential, and critical thinking questions about a variety of media and genres (fiction, non- fiction, drama, poetry) when presented with grade-level texts from multiple cultures and perspectives. R.9.1.2 - Analyze the development of a complex character, citing evidence from the text to support their assertions. R.9.2 Identify a variety of elements of fiction, including setting, character, conflict, basic situation, complications, climax, resolution, point of view and figurative language when presented with grade-level texts from multiple cultures and perspectives. R.9.4 Analyze credibility of sources, assess the usefulness of evidence presented in support of the research question, and recognize bias. R.9.6 Increase their vocabulary knowledge and demonstrate that knowledge through reading comprehension and by applying new words in their writing. W.9.4.1 - Engage in narrative writing. SL.9.1 Participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with partners in grade 9 topics, texts, and issues; present themselves as ethical and credible speakers (ethos); demonstrate logical, reasoned, organized appeals (logos); understand the audience’s emotions and needs and adapt accordingly (pathos); and demonstrate comprehensive listening. Summary: One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung’s family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed. Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung’s powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality. Exploring the text Pages 1 – 22 tell of Loung Ung’s childhood memories of Phnom Penh. Pages 23 – 213 tell of her family’s experiences during the Khmer Rouge dictatorship. Pages 214 – 272 are of Cambodia during the invasion by Vietnam. Pages 283 – 303 relate how Loung was able to make her way from Cambodia, through Vietnam to Thailand (after being robbed at sea by pirates), and finally to America where she now lives. English 9 Summative Packet FTKMF Vocabulary—Define the following terms 1. Agrarian: 2. Capitalist: 3. Denigrate: 4. Forage: 5. Heinous: 6. Impoverished: 7. Indoctrination: 8. Infiltrate: 9. Juxtaposed: 10. Permeate: 11. Sarong: 12. Saunter: 13. Sinewy: 14. Somber: 15. Youn: English 9 Summative Packet 16. Zealous: 17. Vehemently: 18. Mundane: 19. Reverie: 20. Relegated: 21. Impending: 22. Makeshift: 23. Camaraderie: 24. Dispensable: 25. Omnipotent: Foreign Word Bank – Create a list of vocabulary words that you do not understand. You should have at least 5 words listed and defined. English 9 Summative Packet Seven Day Walk 1. Why does Pa have to lie about his job? What would have happened to Pa and his family if he told the soldiers he was in a government position? 2. “I dare not look into his eyes, for I have been told that when you look into their eyes, you can see the devil himself,” (Ung 32). Why does Loung compare the soldiers to the devil (Provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer)? 3. Describe Loung’s dream about the New Year’s parade. Make sure to include two facts that you learn about their New Year’s celebration. What is the significance of the red dress? 4. “Uncle Leang and Uncle Heang have lived in the countryside since before the revolution and have never lived in a city. The Khmer Rouge considers them uncorrupted model citizens for their new society,” (Ung 37). Why do you think the country folk would be more suited for the new society? What do they have that city folk do not? Krang Truop 1. Describe life in the village. 2. How did the Khmer Rouge come to power? 3. What do the spirits that Loung imagines in the woods symbolize? (A symbol is something that stands for something else. Example: The US flag stands for freedom) English 9 Summative Packet Waiting Station 1. Why do you think Khouy is practicing his karate moves? 2. Why didn’t the soldiers take the Ungs to Battambang? 3. Why did the Ungs get to leave the waiting station so quickly? Anlungthmor 1. Describe Loung’s fever and nightmares. 2. “People are discontent. They are hungry. The native villagers are suspicious of everybody, and they are asking too many questions. We are different, your ma speaks Khmer with a Chinese accent, you kids have lighter skin, and besides me, this family does not know much about farming, so the villagers will make us the first scapegoats for their problems,” (Ung 54). What does Pa mean by this statement? Define Scapegoat: 3. Why does the Khmer Rouge feel they need to kill anyone who is perceived as a threat? What effect is this going to have on the country? Ro Leap 1. Why does Loung compare the villagers to tigers? Give specific examples from the text. English 9 Summative Packet 2. What would you compare the villagers to? 3. What does the Angkar view as evil? What do you think is the reasoning behind this? 4. Describe the three levels of citizenship in the village: 1. Chief and Soldiers: 2. Base People: 3. New People: 5. Why are children unable to attend school? 6. Based on the reading so far, what problems exist in this supposedly “equal” society? Labor Camps 1. Why is Khouy forced to marry Laine? What is the family’s reasoning behind this? English 9 Summative Packet 2. Describe Loung’s realization in the following passage: “Lying in my room, in a tearful sulk, I often wished I were dead. I wanted to make her suffer for what she did to me. I wanted her to feel hurt and guilty, to know that she drove me to kill myself. Then from the heavens, I would look down and gloat over her misery. That would be my revenge. Above the clouds, I would look down at her puffy, sorry face, and only when I believed she had suffered enough would I return to forgive her. Now I realize that when you die, you don’t get to come back to life whenever you want to. Death is permanent,” (Ung 75). How does this change her outlook? Loung’s Realization: Changed outlook: 3. How is China helping the Angkar? Keav: August 1976 1. Create a chapter Summary: 2. Describe how Keav must have felt at the hospital when she knew that everything was a lie? How would you feel? 3. According to the Loung family, what happens when people die? English 9 Summative Packet Leaving Home 1. Why do the soldiers take away entire families now? What do they have to fear? 2. “In the Chinese Culture, it is believed that if you speak of someone’s death out loud, it will come true. By telling the comrade sister my parents were dead, I have put a marker on Ma’s grave,” (124). How does Loung feel about lying? 3. Describe Loung’s hatred. How is it eating away at her? Child Soldiers 1. What are the children taught about the Angkar at this camp? What do they learn about the Vietnamese? 2. Why do you think that Pol Pot’s name has now replaced “Angkar”? Why is this significant? 3. Describe Loung’s nightmare of the beast. English 9 Summative Packet Gold for Chicken 1. Describe Geak: 2. Describe Ma: 3. Why is the story about the chicken important? 4. “Still she is beautiful because she is good and pure. Looking at her makes me want to die inside,” (Ung 150). Why is it hard for Loung to look at Geak? What guilt does she feel? The Last Gathering 1. What does the killing of the lice symbolize? Why can they laugh about it? 2. Why does Loung break her “farewell rule and look back”? The Youn Invasion 1. What happens when the mortars hit? Where does Loung go? 2. Why do you think that the men could finally talk against Pol Pot openly? English 9 Summative Packet 3. What does Loung realize when she says: “Maybe the Khmer Rouge’s power is just another one of Pol Pot’s many lies,” (Ung 169). 4. Who are the “Youns”? What does Loung realize when they meet the “Youns” for the first time? The First Foster Family 1. After all that the people of Cambodia have been through, why does the mother treat Loung poorly? How does Loung react to the mother’s comment: “You will never be great. What makes you think you will be great? You are nothing. You are an orphan. You’ll only be somebody if you become a hooker!” (183). 2. At this point, what would you like to tell Loung? What words would you have to comfort her? Back to Bat Deng 1.