Homesick: My Own Story

by Jean Fritz

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Discussion Topic

Analysis of the setting, characters, plot, theme, and point of view in "Homesick: My Own Story" by Jean Fritz

Summary:

In "Homesick: My Own Story" by Jean Fritz, the setting is 1920s China, where the protagonist, Jean, lives with her missionary parents. The characters include Jean, her family, and friends. The plot centers on Jean's struggle with her identity and longing for America. Themes include cultural conflict and the search for identity. The point of view is first-person, providing an intimate look at Jean's experiences.

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What is the narrative of "Homesick: My Own Story"?

The book is essentially about a 12 year old girl named Jean from America, who attends a British-run school in China, where her family are missionaries. She has to discover who she is, and is confused about various loyalties and identities. The main theme is identity, as Jean and other characters struggle to discover who they are, and what role their country or upbringing plays in that.

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What are the setting, characters, plot, theme, and point of view in "Homesick: My Own Story" by Jean Fritz?

The setting of this story is China, in the early 20th century, the story takes place between 1925-1927

The main characters are Jean, a 12 year old girl, her parents, Arthur and Myrtle, who are Christian missionaries.  The Hull family, also missionaries, along with their children, Andrea and David, who is adopted.

The plot of this story involves Jean's struggle growing up in China.  She has never seen her home country, America. 

"Jean has only her imagination and the letters from her grandmother in Pennsylvania...

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upon which to base her image of "home." As she dreams about the U.S., she almost forgets how much she cares about China."

"Images of home and roots fill the episodes in this book, developing ideas about what it means to be a foreigner and what it means to belong. Jean's own journey of self-discovery complements this theme."

The story is somewhat autobiographical combined together with fiction.  The narrative emerges through the voice of 12 year old Jean. 

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