Catherine Mandrell
Lauren Servais
3/8/11
In coming home again by Chang-Rae Lee there is a significance of family. I can relate to this story and Chang-Rae in it because my grandmother came to stay with us when my mother got back surgery. She came for a few months and made delicious meals every night. I can remember the succulent chicken baked in the oven stuffed with goat cheese and rosemary, the fluffy mash potatoes, and the hot fresh rolls out of the oven. My grandmother was there for my mom in her time of need and we greatly appreciated it. Just like in Coming home again where her son is there for his mother. I remember I would watch my grandmother in the kitchen like Chang Lee watched his mother. I was fascinated by it. I too enjoyed cooking and she even taught me how to make some of our family’s favorite meals. My grandmother and I bonded over those long six months. I was only around the age of eleven but I still understood that if my grandmother were not here it would not be an easy recovery for my Mom. The writer and his mother had a great bond when they were in the kitchen. Like in Lee’s family my family was the same way in the fact that dinnertime was my family’s time to catch up with each other and unwind from the day. I always enjoy hearing what my family has to say. It’s really rare that we are able to eat dinner around the table anymore and I deeply miss that but life is just too hectic now a day's.
The last time we saw my grandma we went out to Las Vegas to visit her at her condo. I surprised her when she came home from work with a full course meal. She was ecstatic! I made her the things she taught me the last time she came to visit. It was pork tenderloin set in a marinade for an hour and grilled, mash potatoes with lots of butter and cream, and a salad with homemade vinaigrette. Although this wasn’t exactly heart friendly food she ate it with joy. Food is a big part of my family’s life just like in Coming Home Again.
My grandma and me have a very close relationship like Lee and his mother. The prime example in the story of how close Chang and his mother are is when he is making Mahn-doo filling. His mother tells Chang “I don’t know how you were going to make it without me.” Chang responds with “I don’t know either.” This shows there strong mother son bond. I am one of the only girl cousins in our family so whenever I am around my abnormally humungous family they completely spoil me. Just like his mother hated to say no to him my grandmother was the same. It hurt her to say no to me. She wanted so badly to give me everything but she knew that not getting my way everytime would build character.
1. What is the writer’s thesis? Can you find the statement? Is it the main point the rest of the essay works to develop?
ReplyDelete"The writer and his mother had a great bond when they were in the kitchen. Like in Lee’s family my family was the same way in the fact that dinnertime was my family’s time to catch up with each other and unwind from the day." You made it very clear that spending time wiht your family and grandma are a big part of your life.
2. What evidence is cited to prove and support the writer’s thesis? What pieces of evidence are cited from the readings and/or the writer’s observations to support the thesis?
“I don’t know how you were going to make it without me.” Chang responds with “I don’t know either.” This shows there strong mother son bond. This provides us with the evidence that you and your grandma have a very close relationship.
3. Is the writer’s reasoning/critical thinking provided to explain how the evidence proves and supports the thesis?
yes, you did a great job of giving examples to support what you were talking about in your essay.
4. What’s strong about the essay?
You gave us many details about why you and your grandma are so close and your critical thinking was great.
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI to made a connection with this story and my grandmother. It was hard to write mine and not be sad but when I read yours it made me happy for some reason. Your thesis is clearly stated in the beginning "I can relate to this story and Chang-Rae in it because my grandmother came to stay with us when my mother got back surgery". This made it very easy to follow. You had very good descriptions with great detail. The stuffed chicken description made me very hungry. It seems you have an interest in food and cooking and that made me biased in the direction of liking your essay very much. Something that I left out of my essay was specific citations but you included them in your writing very well. I enjoyed reading you essay very much.
Your thesis is clear and strong throughout your essay and is heart warming story. Body paragraphs support your thesis and main point through your essay. You have great a quote in your essay and main point is clear throughout.
ReplyDeleteLike mine your paper ends abruptly and paragraphs after the intro are not as strong; this is why its a rough draft. Looks like you need to add some more to your story to make the requirement of 3-4 pages. Good Luck!
(: Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brian, your thesis was clear and I loved how you gave detailed examples. And reading about that chicken made we want to eat it! You have a good start with connecting each example from the story to your life. I think if you added more examples your paragraphs would definitely be more developed and support your thesis. Thanks for sharing your story and I enjoyed reading your essay.
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteCan I come to your house to eat?
I loved your essay. For the food descriptions, yes, but also because you showed me how Lee and his family bonded together, the same way your family does. I also like how you related your family spoiling you with Lee's personal bond with his mother.
Thank you,
Carrie