Unpolished Gem

by

Alice Pung

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Unpolished Gem makes teaching easy.

Alison Pung Character Analysis

Alice’s younger sister, and Kien and Kuan’s third child. Alice spends most of her time taking care of Alison after she is born, which is thankless work. Alice’s parents only seem to notice when Alice does something wrong—like when she accidently lets Alison roll off the bed when she is just a baby.
Get the entire Unpolished Gem LitChart as a printable PDF.
Unpolished Gem PDF

Alison Pung Character Timeline in Unpolished Gem

The timeline below shows where the character Alison Pung appears in Unpolished Gem. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 2
Culture and Assimilation  Theme Icon
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
At nine years old, Alice spends most of her time caring for her baby sister, Alison. Kien continues to work in the garage making jewelry, and Alice has little time to... (full context)
Culture and Assimilation  Theme Icon
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
 One day, as Alice is taking care of Alison, the baby rolls off the bed and onto the floor. Kien runs into the room,... (full context)
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
...has been looking after the baby all day, and she watches as her parents rush Alison to the doctor. (full context)
Culture and Assimilation  Theme Icon
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
...Kuan return from the hospital. “You are lucky,” says Kien. Alice is so relieved that Alison is alright that she forgets to be thankful for not killing herself. (full context)
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
...try to take her mind off her guilt for failing to take proper care of Alison. She learns embroidery as well, and she makes hats and stuffed animals. Kien has another... (full context)
Part 3
Culture and Assimilation  Theme Icon
Family, Love, and Marriage Theme Icon
...the temple being constructed and to worship the fruits of our labour.” Kien even dressed Alison and Alina in dresses for the drive. Alice and Alexander would grow bored at the... (full context)
Culture and Assimilation  Theme Icon
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
Kien tells Alice that it is time to go pick up Alina and Alison from school. But it is already too late. Alice had walked the long way home... (full context)
Gender and Inequality Theme Icon
...the meals. Kuan even drives her to the market to do the shopping. She babysits Alison and Alina, and they play games and laugh. “Wah, look how good the house looks!”... (full context)
Epilogue
Culture and Assimilation  Theme Icon
Family, Love, and Marriage Theme Icon
PUNG is written in large gold letters across the grave marker. “It’s so deep!” Alison says as she throws rice into the open grave. Alice notices that one of the... (full context)