Question

Knowing the carp is a symbol of luck, perseverance, and success in Chinese culture, what can be inferred from this excerpt from Wang's "The Carp"? It is ironic that Confucius's son Carp died an early death. It is better to be named Cloud than Carp. It is appropriate to present new parents with a carp. It is unfortunate that her father only had daughters.

Answer 1

This question is incomplete since it is missing the excerpt. I've found the excerpt online. It is as follows:

Read the excerpt below and answer the question.

When a son was born to Confucius, the king of Lu sent over a carp as present. Confucius named his son Carp.

The wise say a carp leaping over the dragon gate is a very lucky sign. My father says he named me Cloud because I was born in the year of the dragon: there are always clouds following a dragon. Confucius’ son died an early death. My father has only three daughters.

Answer:

What can be inferred from this excerpt is:

1. It is ironic that Confucius's son Carp died an early death.

Explanation:

As was stated in both the excerpt and the question, the carp is a sign of good luck in Chinese culture. As a matter of fact, the carp that jumps over the dragon gate becomes a dragon. Both symbols are related to success, luck, perseverance, and strength. Therefore, if the name we give a child were to influence that child's life, it would only be logical that someone named Carp would be lucky and prosperous. However, Confucius's son, Carp, died early. He never had the chance to be prosperous; he did not have much luck. It is, thus, ironic.