“Identity is discovered through family relationships

Instructions: From the book ‘Homegoing’ by Yaa Gyasi, based on chapter Yaw, write a 3 page
double spaced paper analyzing the chosen theme. This paper needs to closely analyze how the
chosen theme is developed.
The chosen theme is: “Identity is discovered through family relationships”.
Use only chapter Yaw for this paper.
Below are 4 quotes that I have identified that might be helpful in the paper, you can use these
quotes or find better quotes from the same chapter to show how the chosen theme (discovery of
identity via family relationships) is developed.
Try to use 2 to 4 quotes that develop this theme and do a close analysis of those quotes,
focusing carefully on the language used in the quote (style) as well as the significance/meaning.
Be creative and take risks in developing the theme.
Review the rubric below:
Rubric:

Exemplary

Theme
● Theme is developed with
sophistication and creative
risk taking

Content

● Develops content that
clearly supports theme
● Compelling details enrich
the writing
● Displays a strong
relationship between
content and medium

Style
● Creates an appropriate,
engaging tone that shows
awareness of audience and
purpose
● Contains no spelling or
usage errors

Page 226 – In the quote below, I was thinking that this quote shows that Yaw feels that he does
not have a true identity. Other people identify him by his scars yet he himself does not know
how he got them. He relies on the stories that he’s heard. This might help build the paper as we
lead into the next quote:
“ ‘What story have you heard? About my scar?’ Yaw asked.—— ‘They say you
were born of fire’ Peter started, ‘that this is why you are so smart. Because you
were lit by fire.’ —- ‘ They say your mother was fighting evil spirits from

Asamando.’ Then William: ‘I heard your father was so sad by the Asante loss that
he cursed the gods, and the gods took vengeance.’

Page 227 – This quote shows how Yaw has been living his life without knowing where
he came from, or how he got his scar: which was a meaningful part of his life. His scar
represented the way he was seen by others. By using the words “all I know”, Yaw
reveals that he doesn’t know anything about his lineage, and where he got his identity.
He has learned to find his identity through storytelling, and from what he has “heard”
about what happened to him when he was a baby.
“ ‘ I was only a baby. All I know is what I’ve heard.’ ”
Page 240- asking mom how he got scar. Shows that he is trying to learn about himself
by talking and asking questions from his family (mom).
“ ‘ Tell me the story of how I got my scar,’ He said. She sighed. ‘How can I tell
you the story of your scar without first telling you the story of my dreams? And
how do I talk about my dreams without talking about my family? Our family?’ ”
Page 242- Recognizes her skin. After many years of not having anyone to relate to,
being the odd one out, Yaw finally connects with his mother. Using the word
“recognized” shows how he felt like he could finally relate to someone and not be
judged by his looks. Seeing his mother’s burnt hands helped Yaw feel less lonely in the
society.

“She held her hands out to him, and he looked at them carefully. He recognized
her skin in his own.”