Chapter 60 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with the family driving home, Bowen jiggling his leg nervously. Mom asks him to stop because she has a second job interview later that day. Bowen, however, has his own interview in exactly twenty-eight minutes, though he keeps this to himself. The narrator tries to change the subject by asking about free school lunch, mentioning that twenty-two million kids depend on it. Mom reveals that she herself relied on free lunch as a child.

She then shares her family's history: after a summer living in a car, she and her parents (Lao Lao and Lao Ye) finally moved into a small one-bedroom apartment in San Diego. Life was still hard—she saved her chocolate chip cookie from school every day for her grandparents, worrying about it getting squished in her pocket, and she couldn't play sports because she had no health insurance. When Lea asks if it was embarrassing to have free lunch, Mom says she was actually more embarrassed by her name. She explains that she used to be called Wei Wei, her Chinese name. Bowen recalls a time at the San Francisco airport when a man mispronounced it as “Why Why” and made a joke. Mom's expression shows the pain is still fresh. She reveals that even teachers made fun of her name.

The conversation deepens when Bowen asks if that's why she changed her name to Julie. Mom nods and tells them about a college professor who refused to call her Wei Wei, saying her Chinese name was a joke, and renamed her “Will.” Bowen connects this to an essay the siblings found in her closet. Mom is surprised they found it but confirms that she wrote it. She explains that she fought back by reporting the professor to the department head, and a year later he was removed. The children cheer.

Mom then delivers a powerful message: there will always be people who try to make you feel bad for being different, but you shouldn't let them. She admits she wishes she had embraced her name growing up, but it took her a long time to find pride in her roots. That's why she gave her children unique names—so they'll always remember and be proud of where they come from. The chapter ends with Bowen silently mouthing his name, “Bo-wen,” as if finally owning it.

Key Events

Bowen is anxious about his interview, while Mom mentions her second interview.
The narrator asks about free school lunch, leading Mom to reveal she used it as a child.
Mom recounts her childhood: living in a car, then a one-bedroom apartment, saving cookies for grandparents, and lacking health insurance.
Lea asks about embarrassment; Mom says she was more embarrassed by her name, Wei Wei.
Bowen recalls the airport mispronunciation incident.
Mom reveals teachers mocked her name, and a college professor renamed her “Will.”
Bowen connects this to the essay found in the closet.
Mom explains she reported the professor and he was removed.
Mom tells her children to embrace their differences and explains why she gave them unique names.
Bowen mouths his name.

Character Development

This chapter offers a deep look into Mom's past, revealing the roots of her resilience and her fierce protection of her children's identities. Her willingness to share her painful experiences—from poverty to name-based discrimination—shows her trust in her kids and her desire to prepare them for the world. She transforms from a woman who once felt ashamed of her name into someone who proudly gave her children unique names to honor their heritage. Her story of reporting the professor demonstrates her courage and refusal to accept injustice, a lesson she hopes to pass on.

Bowen's development is subtle but significant. He starts the chapter fidgeting with anxiety about his own interview, but by the end, he is silently mouthing his name, “Bo-wen,” as if claiming it for himself. This moment suggests he is internalizing his mother's message about embracing one's identity, even as he faces his own challenges. Lea shows empathy, reaching out to comfort her mother, while the narrator (likely Knox) demonstrates curiosity and a desire to understand his family's history.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Identity and Name: The chapter centers on the power of names. Mom's original name, Wei Wei, becomes a symbol of her heritage and the discrimination she faced. The professor's renaming her “Will” strips away her identity, while her decision to give her children unique names is an act of cultural pride.
Discrimination and Resilience: Mom's experiences with teachers and a professor who mocked her Chinese name highlight systemic prejudice. Her act of reporting the professor and having him removed shows resilience and the importance of standing up against injustice.
Family History and Sacrifice: Mom's childhood poverty—saving cookies for her grandparents, lacking health insurance—illustrates the sacrifices her family made. This backstory deepens the reader's understanding of her current struggles and her determination to provide a better life.
Embracing Differences: Mom's message to her children—that there will always be people who try to make you feel bad for being different, but you shouldn't let them—is a central theme. The chapter encourages readers to find pride in their roots.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it reveals the backstory behind the essay the siblings found in Mom's closet, connecting a mysterious object to a painful but empowering part of her life. It also deepens the family's bond as Mom shares her vulnerabilities, allowing her children to see her as more than just a parent. The chapter reinforces the novel's themes of identity, cultural pride, and resilience, and it sets up Bowen's own journey as he prepares for his interview. By ending with Bowen mouthing his name, the chapter suggests that he is beginning to embrace his own identity, mirroring his mother's growth.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Mom say she was more embarrassed by her name than by having free lunch?

Answer: Mom explains that while free lunch was a sign of poverty, her name, Wei Wei, was a constant source of mockery. Teachers and even a college professor made fun of it, which made her feel ashamed of her heritage. The name became a symbol of the discrimination she faced, and changing it to Julie felt like a way to escape that pain.

How does Mom's story about the professor illustrate the theme of standing up against injustice?

Answer: Mom refused to accept the professor's disrespect. Instead of staying silent, she reported his behavior to the department head, and he was eventually removed. This shows that fighting back against injustice can lead to change, and it teaches her children that they have the power to challenge unfair treatment.

What does Bowen's action of mouthing his name at the end of the chapter signify?

Answer: Bowen's silent repetition of his name, “Bo-wen,” suggests he is internalizing his mother's message about embracing one's identity. After hearing how his mother struggled with her own name, Bowen seems to be claiming his own name with pride, preparing to face his interview with a stronger sense of self.

Navigation

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Book Hub