‘Fireworks’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]

Fireworks by Dave Chua – From the anthology ‘How We Live Now’ by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow

The narrator and protagonist is a teenage girl reflecting on the males in her life and how they impose themselves upon her.

This is a simplified set of notes – a gist, in effect – of the text, to help you to start reflecting as you study. Also, it’s free, so make the most of it.

My recommendation is for you to briefly read the story once through, then read through these notes. From there, read the story again, but slowly. Pace yourself and reflect:

• What does the protagonist learn from each of the men in her life?
• Whilst this story focuses a lot on the men in her life, her mother and best friend inevitably has a lot of influence on her as well. What are those influences?
• Of these qualities, which does she adopt?
• From what you’ve learnt of her experiences, how does this short story influence your choices as to how you should live next?

(Note: the protagonist is a teenager. She is dealing with puberty and all of its associated difficulties. So any spoilt-brat behaviour and sullenness on her part is to be expected, and not too overly judged.)

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