Girl in Translation
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Epilogue
Themes
All Themes Poverty and Shame Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Work vs. Education Independence and Coming of Age The Immigrant Experience
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Kim Ma Annette Matt Aunt Paula Curt Uncle Bob Mr. Bogart Luke Vivian Dr. Weston Dr. Copeland Mrs. LaGuardia Mr. Scoggins Park Pa Nelson Mr. Al Tammy Mrs. Avery Mr. Jamali Jason Mr. Pak
Symbols
All Symbols The Liberty Goddess Underwear Ma's Violin and Piano Skirts
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Girl in Translation

by

Jean Kwok
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Uncle Bob Character Analysis

Uncle Bob is Aunt Paula's husband; he's a wealthy Chinese-American who went to Hong Kong to find a wife. Kim learns later that he did this because Uncle Bob has a limp and walks with a cane, and thus needs someone who can care for him and his assets. Though he technically owns the factory, he allows Paula to do most of the work of running it, and as time goes on, he's seldom there. When Kim or Ma do confront him about their subpar living situation, he brushes them off and distracts them by buying them iced tea.

Uncle Bob Quotes in Girl in Translation

The Girl in Translation quotes below are all either spoken by Uncle Bob or refer to Uncle Bob. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Poverty and Shame Theme Icon
).
One Quotes

Nelson rolled his eyes. "Welcome to America," he said loudly for the adults' benefit. He leaned in to pretend to kiss my cheek and said softly, "You're a rake filled with dirt." A stupid country bumpkin. This time, his tones were perfect.

[…] I felt a flush crawl up my neck, then I smiled and pretended to kiss him back. "At least I'm not a potato with incense sticks for legs," I whispered.

The adults beamed.

Related Characters: Kim (speaker), Nelson (speaker), Ma, Aunt Paula, Uncle Bob
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Page Number: 8
Explanation and Analysis:

"Never forget, we owe Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob a great debt. Because they got us out of Hong Kong and brought us here to America, the Golden Mountain."

Related Characters: Ma (speaker), Kim , Aunt Paula, Uncle Bob
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Page Number: 10
Explanation and Analysis:
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Uncle Bob Quotes in Girl in Translation

The Girl in Translation quotes below are all either spoken by Uncle Bob or refer to Uncle Bob. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Poverty and Shame Theme Icon
).
One Quotes

Nelson rolled his eyes. "Welcome to America," he said loudly for the adults' benefit. He leaned in to pretend to kiss my cheek and said softly, "You're a rake filled with dirt." A stupid country bumpkin. This time, his tones were perfect.

[…] I felt a flush crawl up my neck, then I smiled and pretended to kiss him back. "At least I'm not a potato with incense sticks for legs," I whispered.

The adults beamed.

Related Characters: Kim (speaker), Nelson (speaker), Ma, Aunt Paula, Uncle Bob
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Page Number: 8
Explanation and Analysis:

"Never forget, we owe Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob a great debt. Because they got us out of Hong Kong and brought us here to America, the Golden Mountain."

Related Characters: Ma (speaker), Kim , Aunt Paula, Uncle Bob
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Page Number: 10
Explanation and Analysis:
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