What, of this Goldfish would you wish? Flashcards

Vocabulary and Definitions

Poignant: Elicits strong feelings of sadness or regret.
Wizened: Describes someone who is shriveled or wrinkled due to aging.
Beleaguered: Refers to someone facing numerous troubles or challenges.
Fluent: Indicates the ability to communicate easily and clearly.
Zionist: Jews advocating for a Jewish state in Palestine.
KGB: Soviet Union's Committee for State Safety, functioning as an intelligence agency.
Superimpose: To place one thing over another.
Vignettes: Short, descriptive snapshots or sketches.

Character Summaries

Yonatan (Yoni): Creative boy filming a documentary about wishes in Tel Aviv; encounters a magical goldfish in Jaffa.
Sergei Goralick: Russian Jewish character with a Zionist father; experiences KGB interference; possesses a magical goldfish granting three wishes; fears loneliness and has a talking goldfish.

Themes and Character Actions

Sergei's Wishes: Reflect an altruistic nature, prioritizing others' needs over his own:
- Curing his sister of cancer.
- Healing Sveta's son discreetly.
- Reviving Yonatan while accepting the cost of freeing the fish.
Central Theme: The narrative emphasizes that material wishes cannot provide true happiness.

Plot Dynamics

Loss of Companionship: Sergei uses his last wish to restore humanity at the expense of the fish's freedom, showing the depth of his relationships.
Reluctance to Use Third Wish: Sergei hesitates due to the emotional attachment to the goldfish.

Conflict Resolution

Confrontation with Yonatan: Sergei strikes Yonatan out of fear of losing the goldfish's companionship, revealing his insecurities and attachment.

These study notes encapsulate the vocabulary, character motivations, central themes, and significant plot points found in the story "What, of this Goldfish would you wish?"