Seedfolks, Paul Fleishman novel study: Kim reflections

What does Kim hope to show her father? By deciding to plant lima beans in the neighborhood’s vacant lot, I think Kim hopes to establish some kind of connection with her late father. She never experienced the same love and affection that the rest of her family received. She wants her father to know that she exists and she wants him to be proud of her. She hopes that her father will notice her from wherever he may be and know that she is truly his daughter because she is gardening just as he did in his home country. Kim is doing this to honor her late father. What do her actions say about her as a person? Her resolution to make these beans grow in the vacant lot shows that she is a very determined individual. She wants to ensure that these beans “thrive” and honor her father. This shows that is a very hopeful, compassionate, respectful and thoughtful individual because she hopes to create a bond with her father from earth to heaven. She probably wonders what it would’ve been like for him to refer to her as “daddy’s little girl”. What effect could Kim’s actions have on her neighbourhood? Her planting this new garden could inspire other people in the community who may have lost a loved one to plant alongside her; it could prompt others to clean up the neighborhood and take better care of it; others may not care and could vandalize her work and ensure her garden does not thrive. Some individuals may still want the lot to continue to be a dumping ground and not respect what Kim is doing. I think someone may extend a helping hand and be a “father figure” for her. What’s ironic about where Kim decided to plant her lima beans? It is ironic that something beautiful and vivacious like a garden which needs constant care, attention and love is being created in a vacant lot/dumping ground where the environment is clearly not suitable for this and no one seems to respect the land. What lesson can we learn from Kim? From Kim, we can learn that one person can indeed make a difference in a community by being determined, putting your heart into it, and starting out with a small, attainable goal - all to make a change for the better.