Homework - GUAIA Pioneers

Pioneers - The Beat of A Different Drum

1. Do the second generation of migrants have an easier time than the first?
1. Yes because the second generation have grown up in the society of Australia (ie. trends, language). Where as the boy in this story has trouble understanding the language, as he states that on his first day of high school he couldn't understand the first question his teacher asked him. He also doesn't understand the uses of words, such as the lunch lady calling him "luv". This overall makes him feel angry, because back in Hong Kong he was successful, however he feels like he is an idiot in Australia because he is still trying to learn how to spell pie. 
2. WHy do the pioneers choose to come to Australia? Do you think that their reasons are always clear, even to them?
1. The boys family moved to australia to flee the "subsequent madness" which was caused by Margret Thatchers negotiation with Deng Xiaoping for the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. This is all he explains about their movement to Melbourne, it may be because this seems the only reason he can understand in which explained why they moved to Melbourne. 
3. How do the pioneers' lives change when they come to Australia
1. He is not used to the heat and humidity in Australia, as he explains that it "felt alien on my skin". He wanted to be able to sit at the back of the class and go unnoticed, however he was pestered with questions like "the new animal at the zoo". He felt "robbed" of language and the idea of going to school frightened him because he would be exposed to the new environment which he was not used to. He begins to feel angry and an urge to withdraw. He didn't have anyone to talk to, because no one would understand. He begun to 'absorb' himself in his martial art novels as a form of escape. 
4. What elements do they choose to bring with them when they migrate? And which do they reject? Why?
1. He brought his comics with him when he arrived in Australia, because it gave him a way to escape the difficulties of being in another country. Within this story it is not clear what particular things/elements rejects, we do not know much about his use of chinese, (but would assume that he would use it at home). Though at the beginning he does loose his love for things, because it becomes too difficult to understand and enjoy things in a world that he does not fit into. 
5. What tricks do the pioneers learn to assist them in belonging to Australian culture
1. He becomes good friends with Stewart, who is patient with him and help him understand the language. They bonded over the fact the Nigel found it cool that he could read chinese. Also he used soap operas to learn the language, with the repetitive plot and over-acting. This taught him the rhythm and tone of the language. He also began anticipating sentences so he would have the time to prepare what to say. As he explains in the final line, he begun to understand english when he began to "listen to its music".