Miss Lien
“…Lien remembered the night her mother announced her most recent pregnancy. The adult’s reaction had been different from previous ones. There were no smiles or shouts of good fortune.” (Page 6)
Usually, large families are a necessity for a future pair of hands to help in the fields. Perhaps the family has become too large? Or perhaps the child is from someone not of the family.
“Beyond the hills, the sky was smoking, but not with the soft pinks and oranges Lien had grown up watching every evening. The fiery shades were pointed and harsh. Cinders lingered in the air.” (Page 7)
The description gives the impression of an omen. Combined with the suddenly dour mood of the family, the omen seems to be one of war. Considering the Vietnam War, that is probably what is occurring at this time.
“Their bodies, so recently torn open, were still in shock and ached, bled, and throbbed, resentful of what they’ve been put through.” (Page 8)
Miss Lien has just recovered from what appears to be birth. The words are a metaphor that parallels the trauma of birth to war. She is dazed, confused and in pain like soldiers returning home from a war.
“The shelling, once barely audible in their village, was increasing in volume and frequency. The earth shook from these mounting explosions, unstable, uncertain, rattling the people who depended on its rich soil for their livelihood.” (Page 9)
War seems to be encroaching onto the village. The explosions imply that as they continue to rupture the soil, the livelihoods of the people in the village will be uprooted as well. The earlier line of digging a ditch is another indicator of the village being affected by the war. Morbidly, I can only expect those ditches to end up as graves.
We Should Never Meet
“Lots of people mistook her for Hispanic, sometimes even white. But Kim wasn’t interested. She’d seen what it did to Vinh.” (Page 27)
This reminds of the story from Asian Americans in the Twenty-First Century in which after the events of 9/11, Southeast Asians were mistaken for being Middle Eastern, leading to racism and mistreatment.
“Kim hated beepers. The idea of being reached anytime, anywhere didn’t have the same appeal to her as it did to her ex-boyfriend.” (Page 28)
Here is the contrast of globalization versus the desire for privacy. Privacy and being insular is something that seems to be a recurring theme in our exploration of Asian American interactions. The advent of something as simple as a beeper never really occurred to me in its impact.
“No one was home when Kim returned to the apartment. The place seemed brighter, bigger when it was empty, which was hardly ever.” (Page 32)
This is an off-hand reference to the tendency of Asian cultures having multi-generational homes. That is something I can attest to living in Hawai’i in which we lived with our auntie’s family and our grandparents. It’s often expected due to either being an ancestral home or in the case of the U.S, to save money.
“Technically, Kim was classified as an orphan when she arrived in the States as a part of Operation Babylift. But that didn’t mean her parents were dead, only that they’d given her up.” (Page 36)
Operation Babylift is something I am unfamiliar with. But to think that the parents were left behind while the babies went to the United States sounds a bit harsh. The comment about being given up sounds more like abandonment rather than a noble sacrifice, which bothers me.
The Delta
None of the dialogue has quotation marks, a bizarre little detail that I’ve noticed. Perhaps it is a metaphor for how they want to say something, but the sounds of their voices have been silenced. One interpretation is that the dialogue can be interpreted as an internal monologue as a parallel to the themes of religion.
“It wasn’t, Phuong said. A few years ago the Immaculate Souls orphanage grew overcrowded, so we volunteered to open up some empty rooms here. Now we shelter more infants than they do.” (Page 59)
One of the biggest tragedies of war are the widows and orphans left behind. Here the fighting has escalated to the point where places that weren’t built as orphanages have to become so in order to house the overflow of orphans. As a result, that further drains the resources from other places.
“Truc thought of his nieces and nephews when they were first born, their chubby, petal soft skin blushing with health and vigor. These babies burned red for another reason. Those without boils appeared transparent.” (Page 59)
My first thought for why these babies appear red is as a result to exposure to Agent Orange, a chemical weapon developed by the United States during the Vietnam War. It’s horrifying to think about what was used against the Viet Cong due to the jungle terrain.
“As he walked out, he saw Phuong lift the screaming infant to her chest. But instead of rocking the child back and forth or caressing its back, she simply pulled the baby’s diaper away, realized it didn’t need changing, and promptly returned it to the crib.” (Page 60)
Pragmatism triumphs over compassion in this excerpt. As the number of babies increase, there is not enough time to dedicate to caring for each infant individually. As a result, though this appears callous, Phuong has only so much energy to care for the babies in the orphanage.
Visitors
“They must have believed him such a foolish old man, an obvious new refugee. They probably knew this was the first time he had ventured out to Little Saigon alone.” (Page 90)
The experiences of someone who is FOB is pretty drastic in how they are perceived in public. Their norms and expectations are too ingrained to shift quickly enough to adapt to the new environment and as a result, are often left feeling ashamed.
“He’d adopted the strategy most other Vietnamese immigrants had regarding police enforcement. Stay out of the way, bow the head in false respect, say nothing. Then they can’t trick you into trouble.” (Page 90)
Considering that police brutality is still an issue to this day, there is something to be said about the power of law enforcement. It is just another avenue in which marginalized groups have to interact carefully with and often end up punished on the basis of being different.
“His arms scrambled for the runaway cabbage rolling for the gutter. He nearly fell rescuing it, but he had to. He’d spent the leftover money from groceries on an espresso and a Vietnamese newspaper. A little treat he now regretted dearly.” (Page 92)
There is a commonality to freshly arrived immigrants starting out poor. This is especially terrible for Bac Nguyen as those groceries were for his granddaughter’s party. To ruin the food is to tarnish his image as a pillar of the family and a respected elder. Money appears to be hard to come by.
“The boy insisted on carrying most of the bags, despite Bac Nguyen’s protests. The streets in Little Saigon were near several freeways and often busy with traffic. Bac Nguyen wouldn’t admit this out loud, but he felt safer walking with the taller young man.” (Page 93)
This is an instance of interaction between two people of different generations. Similar to the Goose Father story from Drifting House, the younger man is showing courtesy to Bac Nguyen while Bac is conflicted about accepting help due to interference with the young man’s studies.
Gates of Saigon
“They peered into the empty car hopefully, but Hoa shook her head. They had other nurseries to get to, a maximum of two per stop.” (Page 116)
Being confronted with the sight of multiple emaciated children is a difficult one for sure. This tale centers around the poor part of Saigon and this scene is becoming common due to the escalation of the war. Perhaps this story is connected to We Should Never Meet as the talk of delivering to orphanages is presented once more.
“These new volunteers were always impatient to do so much their first week, brushing off suggestions to allow time for adjustment to the country’s climate and the time change. Their ignorance irritated Hoa, their denial that they could be more in the way than helpful.” (Page 117)
This viewpoint is a cynical critique on volunteers in relief programs. It’s a rather scathing remark about people who are unfamiliar with the situation and thinking that they can change it for the better. However, that ignores the larger picture of how the situation is the same in other places.
“Hoa had worked with enough Americans to understand their need to converse all the time. At first she found their chatty dispositions intrusive, but eventually understood that their curiosity indicated a genuine concern.” (Page 119)
Americans are often portrayed as being loud, talkative, and this is what Hoa is exposed to working with Steven. It is interesting to see how she finds the inquiries as a form of concern rather than nosiness.
“On the radio, the South Vietnamese government tried to spin defeats as strategic moves for ultimate victory, but Hoa heard the worry in their voices.” (Page 120)
It’s all about propaganda and maintaining morale. Considering the fall of Saigon that occurred in the war, the assurances are as much for the citizens as they are for the announcers themselves. The escalation of desperation in the orphanages however is a factor that can’t be ignored.
Emancipation
“When I was five years old, I was smuggled on a boat with forty-eight other refugees to escape Vietnam. We spent three weeks on the open sea, nearly starving, until a Norwegian naval ship rescued our leaky, water-rotted boat.” (Page 145)
The journey to escape your own home country is usually depicted as a struggle. Something common with the documentary Honk if You Love Buddha and the woman who worked at a sewing factory. The upholstery that depicted the scenes as they left their country were brutal.
“Mai didn’t like people looking at her. She excelled in academics, not appearance. When people stared, she assumed she didn’t measure up, and Mai hated feeling inadequate, especially for things that were out of her control.” (Page 146)
In psychology, there is the concept of the imaginary audience, in which one feels that everything they do is being observed and compared to. Combined with the desire for identity and the need to fit in, this is something that Mai is going through as she gives a speech.
“Colleges liked essays on triumphing over adversity and learning important values from a life lesson.” (Page 146)
Everyone loves an underdog story and applications/personal statements to colleges are no different. The fact that colleges seem to choose those who overcome adversity though seems to be a contrast to the portrayal of elite institutions and being havens of the rich.
“Her situation had turned out so fortunate that she had nothing to write about. It was strange, realizing her life had to be worse to count for something.” (Page 147)
Now that particular statement really disturbs me. The fact that Mai had the fortune of being adopted into a caring family despite her being orphaned and having to leave Vietnam would render her personal statement invalid is a crime. An account such as that should be encouraged, as it’s the happily ever after of fairy tales that many dream of obtaining.
Bound
“She smoothly navigated through the tearful faces and pleading words, both Vietnamese and English. One woman tried to push a baby at her, but Bridget quickly deflected it, crossing her arms and shaking her head. It wasn’t that she didn’t sympathize, but there were enough children inside the center, the legitimate orphans they did accept, who needed their help.” (Page 175)
Children and orphans seem to be a recurring theme in the stories so far. I feel that is an intentional design by the author as children often represent innocence and joy. Presenting them in the environment of a war-torn country creates a sharp contrast that heightens the desperation of the situation.
“This little girl’s survival somehow felt better, more cathartic, than giving birth itself.” (Page 177)
The survival of the young baby is a symbol of hope as she is already exposed to the results of the surrounding war. With no mother figure in sight, a concussion, and severe malnutrition, her survival is a miracle in and of itself.
“A large group of relatives and friends gathered at the airport to say good-bye, tight smiles across their faces, loudly agreeing that hat Bridget was doing was admirable and Christian. Ronald knew they were lying, disapproving of a young mother leaving to enter a war zone that had become so unpopular.” (Page 179)
Here is the manifestation of the anti-war movement in regards to the Vietnam War. The fact that family and friends could hate each other for even doing something as provide help shows how divisive that issue was during the time.
“Since the last American troops withdrew in 1973, Bridget knew the southern government could do little against a northern invasion. Once the Communists took over the capital, the U.S embassy would be forced out, along with all foreign charity workers and volunteers.” (Page 184)
This establishes the timeframe as prior to the fall of Saigon. The reference to Communism also brings to mind the fact that the Cold War is still running rampant in the background as well, with the USSR not having disbanded quite yet.
Motherland
“On the main boulevard leading to the palace, mopeds and cars noisily tangle in five-lane rush hour. In the gardens around the palace, other tour groups snap pictures of the landmark, while pushcart vendors in conical hats and slippers creep around them…” (Page 214)
For Huan, this Vietnam is foreign to the one he remembered as a child. Rather than the ravaged country that suffered under the war, it looks pristine and active. There is a marked difference in the tone of the current Vietnam to the one he had to escape from.
“She instructs them to remain inside the palace garden, so that no one is left behind. She is always worried about losing people.” (Page 215)
Perhaps Leah, the tour guide, was a survivor of the war as well. Though this quote might seem innocuous as part of being a tour guide, there is a hidden implication of the loss caused by the war.
“It will be good for him to get away and appreciate what he does have, which is so much. His mother tries to see the best in everything and, especially now, is determined to pass this trait down to her son.” (page 217)
Huan’s mother is showing her own concern and affection by encouraging Huan to revisit Vietnam and to reconnect with his roots. In my opinion however, I think that Vietnam or this version of it is far too new for Huan to be comfortable with.
“Once Huan nods, granting permission, the cop nearly jumps him, quickly slapping into Huan’s arms, legs, and midsection. Huan stares at the ground, trying to control his breathing, attempting to expel his growing rage.” (Page 221)
Being searched and considered suspicious is something that has happened in the aftermath of 9/11. At airports, those who looked Middle Eastern were always chosen for “random” searches and to be lumped in the those who did orchestrate the attack on the World Trade Center echoes the situation that Huan is going through.