- 1. Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a poignant memoir that delves into the complexities of identity, loss, and the ties that bind us to our heritage. Written by the lead singer of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast, Zauner's narrative unfolds as she reflects on her experiences growing up as a mixed-race Korean American, navigating the cultural chasm that often leaves her feeling caught between two worlds. The memoir is framed around her relationship with her mother, a figure of both strength and warmth, whose diagnosis with cancer propels Zauner into a journey of grief and self-discovery. Through vivid storytelling, she recounts her childhood memories of food, family, and tradition, articulating how these elements shape her understanding of love and belonging. The title itself refers to H Mart, an Asian grocery store where Zauner finds solace and connection to her Korean roots, highlighting the significance of food as a medium of cultural expression and emotional healing. With lyrical prose and heartfelt reflections, Zauner invites readers into her intimate world of sorrow and resilience, exploring themes of mortality, memory, and the enduring power of familial bonds, ultimately crafting a narrative that is as much about the celebration of life as it is about mourning its losses.
What is the primary setting that serves as a backdrop for the memoir's exploration of grief and identity?
A) The author's childhood home
B) South Korea
C) A hospital
D) H Mart
- 2. What is Michelle Zauner's stage name for her musical career?
A) Korean Lunch
B) Chinese Dinner
C) Thai Snack
D) Japanese Breakfast
- 3. Who is the central figure in Michelle's life that the memoir primarily focuses on grieving?
A) Her father
B) A close friend
C) Her mother
D) Her grandmother
- 4. What illness does Michelle's mother battle throughout the memoir?
A) Heart disease
B) Cancer
C) Alzheimer's
D) Diabetes
- 5. What is Michelle's mother's ethnic background?
A) Korean
B) Chinese
C) Vietnamese
D) Japanese
- 6. What is Michelle's father's ethnic background?
A) Chinese
B) American (White)
C) Korean
D) Japanese
- 7. How does Michelle primarily connect with her Korean heritage after her mother's death?
A) Through cooking Korean food
B) Studying Korean history
C) By moving to Korea
D) Learning traditional dance
- 8. What Korean dish becomes particularly symbolic of her mother and their relationship?
A) Bulgogi
B) Bibimbap
C) Tteokbokki
D) Kimchi
- 9. Where did Michelle grow up?
A) Eugene, Oregon
B) Los Angeles, California
C) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
D) Seoul, South Korea
A) A music venue
B) A Korean restaurant
C) A Korean-American supermarket chain
D) A department store in Korea
- 11. Besides being a memoir about grief, what is another major theme of the book?
A) Political activism
B) Romantic relationships
C) Travel adventures
D) Cultural identity
- 12. What does food represent in the memoir?
A) Wealth and status
B) A professional interest
C) A simple necessity
D) Love, memory, and cultural connection
- 13. How does Michelle's understanding of her mother change after her diagnosis?
A) She sees her vulnerability and strength
B) She becomes angry at her
C) She realizes they have nothing in common
D) She feels she never knew her
- 14. What was Michelle's mother's name?
A) Soo-Young
B) Chongmi
C) Mi-Young
D) Hye-Jin
- 15. Besides her mother's death, what other significant loss does Michelle process?
A) Her marriage
B) Her connection to Korean culture
C) Her home
D) Her musical career
- 16. What does H Mart symbolize for Michelle?
A) A tangible connection to her mother and heritage
B) A tourist attraction
C) A place of employment
D) Just a place to buy groceries
- 17. What aspect of her identity does Michelle feel is threatened by her mother's death?
A) Her identity as a musician
B) Her American identity
C) Her identity as a writer
D) Her Korean identity
- 18. How does the memoir end in terms of Michelle's grief?
A) With complete resolution of her grief
B) With forgetting her mother
C) With acceptance and continued connection through memory
D) With anger and bitterness
- 19. What literary genre best describes 'Crying in H Mart'?
A) Memoir
B) Cookbook
C) Self-help book
D) Fiction novel
- 20. What was the original form of 'Crying in H Mart' before it became a book?
A) A New Yorker essay
B) A song lyric
C) A newspaper article
D) A series of blog posts
- 21. What is the English meaning of the Korean word 'eomma,' which Michelle uses for her mother?
A) Mom
B) Sister
C) Grandmother
D) Aunt
- 22. What is the Korean dish of rice, vegetables, and chili paste that Michelle often craves and prepares?
A) Kimchi
B) Tteokbokki
C) Bibimbap
D) Bulgogi
- 23. Where did Michelle's mother grow up?
A) South Korea
B) United States
C) China
D) Japan
- 24. Where was Michelle living when she learned about her mother's diagnosis?
A) Los Angeles
B) Philadelphia
C) New York
D) Seattle
- 25. What is the name of Michelle's band that she forms before Japanese Breakfast?
A) Small Major Team
B) Tiny Giant Association
C) Minor Big Club
D) Little Big League
- 26. Where did Michelle attend college?
A) Bryn Mawr College
B) UC Berkeley
C) NYU
D) University of Oregon
- 27. What Korean term does Michelle use to describe the intense, wordless communication between family members?
A) Han
B) Jeong
C) Hwabyeong
D) Nunchi
- 28. What significant life event does Michelle experience shortly after her mother's death?
A) Starts a company
B) Has a child
C) Buys a house
D) Gets married
- 29. What is the name of Michelle's husband?
A) James
B) David
C) Michael
D) Peter
- 30. What instrument does Michelle primarily play in her bands?
A) Bass
B) Guitar
C) Keyboard
D) Drums
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