Question

2 paragraph
10 - 12 image analysis worksheet
chapter 2 of american born chinese
directions: study the panels below from chapter 2 of american born chinese. analyze how gene
luen yang uses visual and literary techniques to build meaning across these two excerpts. make sure
to explain how techniques like visual parallels and textual parallels contribute to the books
meaning. what do these excerpts reveal about the teachers and students in jins school? what do
they reveal about jin?
visual p

• they both
• dont look
• happy
• all the

students are
staring

• both in

classroom

• some student

same shot
two panels
from page 30 of american born chinese
annoyed
some
racial
expressions
oblivious
from page 36 of american born chinese
annoyed
textual p

• teachers

move the
same
assumption
he takes
a bully
role at
first
jin is
reminded
of himself

Explanation:

The worksheets ask for an analysis of visual and literary techniques (like visual and textual parallels) in American Born Chinese Chapter 2. Visual parallels might include similar classroom settings, student postures (e.g., staring), and character expressions (e.g., not - happy looks). Textual parallels could be teachers making similar introductions (mentioning where the student moved from). These elements build meaning by showing recurring social dynamics (like how new students are presented, potential racial undertones in student reactions). For teachers, it reveals a formulaic way of introducing new students (maybe without considering student feelings). For students, their stares and lack of positive expressions might show discomfort or prejudice. For Jin, the "he takes on a bully note at first" and "Jin is reminded of himself" notes imply he may see himself in the new student's situation, highlighting his own experiences of being an outsider or dealing with social awkwardness in school.

Answer:

The analysis would detail how visual elements (same classroom setting, similar student body language) and textual elements (repeated teacher introductions) create parallels. Teachers are shown as using a uniform, perhaps insensitive introduction method. Students display discomfort or prejudice through their stares and expressions. Jin, through the connection made (seeing himself in the new student's situation as hinted by "Jin is reminded of himself"), is revealed as someone who has experienced or is aware of the social isolation or awkwardness of being a new (and potentially racially different) student in the school.