52 pages • 1 hour read
Marie G. Lee, Marie Myung-Ok LeeNecessary Roughness
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1996A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Consider the author’s choice of setting. How do the Kims’ two hometowns—Los Angeles, California and Iron River, Minnesota—develop the themes of the novel?
Explore the role of religion in the novel. What does it represent? How does its impact change throughout the story?
How do Chan and Abogee each develop as characters throughout the story? How would you describe their relationship when the story ends?
Chan endures many instances of racism, both subtle and overt. How do these events change him?
How do Young and Chan support each other in Iron River? How do they view the positives and negatives of being the only Korean kids in the town?
How did the Kims’ Los Angeles community and their Iron River community react similarly to Young’s death? How were their reactions different? What is the significance of the coming together of these two communities at Young’s funeral?
In what ways is Jimmi similar to Chan? In what ways do they differ? How does their relationship reflect the different forms that American racism takes?
Explore how ideas of masculinity manifest in football. What traits are deemed valuable? What traits are deemed negative? How do these beliefs develop and get passed down?
How does Young’s death change the Kims, both individually and as a family?
How does Iron River become a comfortable place for the Kims? How can other towns show kindness and welcome first- and second-generation immigrants into their community?
