Pigs from Home

1. How does the author start this story which is in direct contrast to the title of the story? It contrasts because she talks about George Clooneys pigs which has got is opposite to the title. What effect does this have on the reader and their expectations of the story? This creates curiosity in the reader. 

2. What core Vietnamese value is instilled in the author? That he keeps pigs just for the meat.

3. What is humorous about the mother’s ‘flair for natural medicine’ in regards to her personality?  Her flair for natural medicine in regards to her personallity is humorous because she come sfrom a long line of hypochondriacs. 

4. How does the description of the killing of pigeons continue the style utilised in the introduction of the story? They killed the pigeons by holding their legs and hitting it on the head with a cast iron stove. This description continues the style utilized at the introduction of the story because it is unique, unusual but normal form his perceptive.

5. What is the author’s opinion of pigs? Give two quotes to support your conclusion.  The author hates pigs " of all the animals you can keep pigs are by far the worst smelling" and " no pig has ever been a friend of mine".

6. In the paragraph on pgs 53-54, give two examples of alliteration employed by the author.

7. On pg 54 what simile is used to describe pigs? How does this simile work for the situation it is used?

8. What simile does the author use to describe her mother sunning herself? How does this relate to the core focus of the story?

9. What does the author describe as ‘the divide between the old world and the new’? What do you think is meant by this statement?

10. What is the author’s reaction to the slaughter of the pig at night? What statement does the author make about the neighbours which displays the way he feels about the whole experience? What is important about including this statement?

11. Why don’t the parents have pigs anymore? How does this relate to the description of the burial of the last pig they owned?

12. How would you characterise the description of the mother’s treatment of the pig’s blood? Is it appetising?

13. What is ironic about the way the author has a popular Vietnamese dish? What is it about the way the author describes the experience of having pigs that makes it ironic?

14. How does this story relate to the title Pigs from Home?

15. Why do you think this story is in the Battlers section of the book?