Cultural Differences: Similarities Between Robert And Cao

When Lam says, "The new kid, he listened and nodded to everything I said like he understood," (Lam p. 27) he makes the point that Robert and Cao have an immediate bond because they share similar past experiences. Robert and Cao have both experienced being bullied and growing up without a father. Language barriers between the two boys make it difficult for them to understand what the other is saying, but they are able to recognize what the other is going through. In the end, these experiences that the boys have both had to deal with throughout their life brings them closer together. Robert and Cao are both picked on by the mean kid in class, and there ability to work together to stand up for one another brings them together. Robert is picked on during his show and tell presentation because he only has half a …show more content…
Robert has been raised in America without a father since he was four years old. Robert says, "...I don't remember him very well." (Lam, p 22) Robert is know in the seventh grade and can only present half of his family tree to his class because he doesn't know the other half. He has, and never will grow up with a father figure to set a shining example for him to follow. Cao has recently moved to America from Vietnam because of the war. Cao draws his family tree out for his class and explains his past life in Vietnam. Robert helps him narrate saying, "...The soldiers came with guns and they took his daddy away." (Lam, p 31) Cao goes on to explain his father was killed and he had to move to America without him. When Robert finds out Cao's story he feels a connection to his own life. Later that day Cao says, "Robert Quentin Mitchell, ain't we a good team, or what? (Lam p 32) Robert and Cao bond over the fact that their fathers are not apart of their lives