What, Of This Goldfish Would You, Wish? Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Who is Yonatan?

A young boy who had an idea to go house to house and ask questions for a documentary he was making.

What happened to Yonatan's camera?

It broke because he fell.

What number channel did Yonatan want to air his project on?

Channel 8.

How many wishes did the goldfish grant?

<p>3</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does beleaguered mean?

<p>Lay siege to.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Sergei Goralick?

<p>A Russian fisherman.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Sergei not like people banging on his door?

<p>It brought old memories back from Russia when the KGB took his father.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Sergei want to take Yonatan to the hospital?

<p>They would ask questions on how it happened.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does fluent mean?

<p>Able to express oneself clearly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does plotting mean?

<p>To do something secretly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was so special about the goldfish?

<p>It granted wishes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the main character?

<p>Yonatan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Sergei hit the boy over the head with a stove burner?

<p>He thought his fish was going to get stolen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the setting of the story?

<p>Herbon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Yonatan want to do?

<p>Film a documentary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider how Sergei reacts when Yoni comes to his door. Does his response seem rational or not?

<p>His response does not seem rational to us because we are used to our freedoms, but for Sergei, he grew up with the KGB barging into his home.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the dialogue between Sergei and the goldfish reveal about their relationship?

<p>Sergei feels that the goldfish is his friend because the goldfish talks to him every day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can you infer about Sergei's character based on the way he uses his first two wishes?

<p>Sergei truly cares for others, but it is very difficult for him to do so.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What details in the story reveal the conflict between Sergei and the goldfish?

<p>Sergei wants the goldfish to stay with him forever, but the goldfish is ready to leave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conflicting motivations must Sergei sort out before using his last wish?

<p>He was saving his last wish for something special but had already used his first two on other people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is the structure of flashforward effective in the story?

<p>Yes, it allows readers to figure out on their own that Sergei made the right decision.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme about happiness does the story convey?

<p>Sergei realizes he will be lonely without the goldfish but knows that he made the right choice by using his last wish to save Yoni's life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Yonotain?

<p>An earring boy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does poignant mean?

<p>Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does beleaguered mean?

<p>Trouble with many problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does fluent mean?

<p>Able to express oneself clearly and easily.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does holocaust mean?

<p>Destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially caused by fire or nuclear war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does wizened mean?

<p>Shriveled or wrinkled with age.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who are the main characters in this story?

<p>Yoni and Sergei.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Yoni go door to door asking people?

<p>If you found a talking goldfish that granted you three wishes, what would you wish for?</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Sergei's first wish?

<p>To cure his sister's lung cancer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Sergei's second wish?

<p>To cure Sveta's boy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Yoni do with the videos he took of the people's responses?

<p>Folks would give their answers, and Yoni would edit them down and make clips of the more surprising responses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can the goldfish taste when he is excited?

<p>Freedom.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Russian say he would do to the goldfish?

<p>He would put him in a glass jar and talk to him all day long.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of story is this?

<p>Fiction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Sergei use his last wish?

<p>He was saving it for something special.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the setting of the story?

<p>Israel/Tel Aviv.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who are the characters in the story?

<p>Yonatan, Sergei, and the goldfish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the plot of the story?

<p>The magically goldfish grants wish to Sergei and brings a dead man back to life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Yonatan's documentary?

<p>A testament to the massive rift between our dreams and the often compromised reality in which we live.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Sergei so upset when Yonatan barges into his home?

<p>He is scared because he thinks it's the KGB.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Sergei's special guest and what is his purpose?

<p>Yoni, to shoot a documentary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the beginning of the story?

<p>Yonatan has an idea about videoing asking people a question about what they would wish for.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the end of the story?

<p>The goldfish grants Sergei his third wish to bring back Yoni from being dead.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of the story?

<p>Be careful how you spend things because you never know how you might need to use them later.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is characterization used?

<p>Describing Sergei and Yoni, detailing their distinct qualities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is flashback used in the story?

<p>When Yonatan came to the door, and the fish is gone because Sergei had used his last wish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What point of view does the story reflect?

<p>Many Russian Jews were finally able to move to Israel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does cash out mean?

<p>To make a lot of money.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of conflict is portrayed in the story?

<p>Man vs. man, specifically between Sergei and Yoni.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the suspense in the story?

<p>Not knowing if Sergei will use his last wish on Yoni to bring him back to life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does dialogue play?

<p>Sergei and the goldfish talking about his last wish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Main Characters

  • Yonotan: A young boy creating a documentary and seeking opinions on wishes from a magical goldfish.
  • Sergei Goralick: A Russian fisherman with a troubled past, who wishes to protect his privacy.

Plot Overview

  • Yonotan's project involves interviewing people about their wishes if they found a goldfish that grants three wishes.
  • Sergei possesses the goldfish but initially distrusts Yonotan and aims to keep the fish safe from potential theft.

Goldfish and Wishes

  • The goldfish can grant three wishes, which Sergei uses to help others before considering his own desires.
  • Sergei's first wish is to cure his sister's lung cancer, followed by curing a boy named Sveta.

Key Themes

  • Friendship: The relationship between Sergei and the goldfish is complex; while Sergei sees the fish as a companion, the fish sees its role as a job.
  • Happiness: Sergei derives happiness from his friendship with the goldfish but must confront loneliness after using his wishes for others.
  • Conflict of Interest: Sergei faces a decision about using his last wish for personal happiness versus the greater good.

Setting

  • The story takes place in Herbon, Israel, with cultural nuances reflecting Sergei's Russian Jewish background.

Language and Vocabulary

  • Beleaguered: Easily troubled and overwhelmed by problems.
  • Fluent: Able to express oneself easily and articulately.
  • Poignant: Evoking a deep sense of sadness or regret.

Character Development

  • Sergei's background with the KGB shapes his reactions; he desires privacy and is cautious about strangers at his door.
  • Yonotan is depicted as an inquisitive youth, driven by the desire to capture real emotions for his documentary.

Conflicts and Resolutions

  • Man vs. Man: Conflicts arise between Sergei and Yonotan, particularly around trust and intent.
  • Suspense is built around the uncertainty of whether Sergei will use his last wish on Yonotan after a fatal incident.

Narrative Techniques

  • Flashbacks are utilized to reveal Sergei's painful memories of living under oppressive circumstances in Russia.
  • Dialogue between characters deepens the understanding of their motivations and relationships.

Story Structure

  • The conclusion leaves readers to infer the outcome of Sergei's final wish, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and the significance of choices.

Cultural Insights

  • The story highlights the struggles of Russian Jews in transitioning to life in Israel, reflecting broader themes of adapting to new cultures and personal histories.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the short story 'What, Of This Goldfish Would You, Wish?' with these flashcards. Explore key elements like characters, events, and details about Yonotan's documentary project. Perfect for students or anyone interested in literature.

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