The Happiest Refugee

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the play over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. An “anecdote” is a short story or description that provides more information about a certain theme or person. Do uses humorous anecdotes, usually in the style of “vignettes,” to shape his personal experience as a refugee in Australia. Select one humorous anecdote from his memoir and consider the following:

• Briefly summarize Do’s anecdote. (topic sentence)
• What is humorous about this particular anecdote?
• What effect does humor have on the reader?

2. Throughout his memoir, Do shares instances in which, despite his and his family’s attempts to work hard, they are repeatedly faced with the challenges of poverty. Consider this cycle of Hard Work and Poverty for the Do family.

• What is the relationship between hard work and poverty for Do and his family as refugees in Australia? (topic sentence)
• Select three instances in which his family experiences financial worries.
• How do Do and his family respond to these challenges? In particular, how does their belief in hard work shape their responses?

3. In the discussions of his Father-Son Relationship, Do recounts a popular phrase his father would say throughout his childhood: “There’s only two times in life. There’s now and there’s too late.” Based on this quote, respond to the following questions:

• What does this quote mean? Specifically, at what point in the memoir does Do learn the true origin of this quote? (topic sentence)
• Select three moments in the memoir in which Do references this quote.
• How does this quote affect Do’s life choices?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Within the memoir, Anh’s family life ranges from times of happiness and stability during his early childhood, to tumult and uncertainty during his teenage years. Consider the Father-Son Relationship between Anh and his father, as well as his relationship with his mother before and after his father leaves. What is the impact of these two relationships on his emotional stability? How are they related to his ethic of Hard Work and Gratitude for his life in Australia?

2. At several points in the memoir, Do recalls moments of racism; however, he makes a point to say that these instances were rare. Consider his personal experience with racism in Australia: When was he targeted and by whom? Now consider the question more generally. How much does racism play a role in preventing refugees from feeling welcome in their new home? Support your discussion with anecdotes from the memoir, as well as from your own experiences and observations.

3. Reflect on Do's title for his memoir, The Happiest Refugee. Based on his account, is Do’s choice of title an ironic or realistic description of himself? Support your argument with specific textual evidence.