FTKMF: Post 7. B.

In this final section Eang, Meng, and Loung arrive at the refugee camp in Vietnam. Then after a longer period than expected upon arrival, they get the news that they will be going to America. But the night before they leave, Loung experiences her last electrical storm near her home country of Cambodia. “I hate electrical storms; they sound as if the sky is at war with itself. The explosions make me feel like death is chasing after them again. I squeeze my eyes shut trying not to be afraid. Beside me, Meng and Eang sleep quietly, their backs to each other. I envy them their adult stats and fearlessness…”(232) Loung envies the way that her eldest brother and sister-in-law can act. She wants to grow up. While that same night Loung realizes that she is leaving not only her country but also her past behind. She misses Ma, Pa, Keav, and Geak. “As I drift to sleep, I think of Pa. I know his spirit can travel over land to be with me but worry if he can cross the ocean to America…”Pa, I miss you,” I whisper. Pa grins at me, his round face wrinkle around his mouth and eyes. “ Pa, I’m leaving for America tomorrow. Eldest brother said America is very far from Cambodia, very far from you…”… “Don’t worry. Wherever you go, I will find you,” (233)

FTKMF: Post 7. A.

As you may already know our American perspective is very much different than that of Cambodians. Americans view themselves at the very top or climax of the food chain; we can never be eaten and harmed. While in Cambodia, the people fear the wildlife and never take a moment to think they are above the earth’s creatures. This is especially shown in the way the fleeing refugees aboard the ship to Vietnam react to a shark while they are aboard their ship. “Sharks!” they exclaim. “If they crash into our boat and put a hole in it, we are all dead!”(224) In America, the passengers would be taking photos and video of the animal as if it were the eighth world wonder. The American and Cambodian cultures are very unlike in the way and position of themselves on the food chain with the earth’s wild life.

FTKMF: Post 6. B.

In this sixth section, many important events occure first of all the Loung, Chou, Meng,Khouy, and Kim leave the Chinese controlled camp. They prepare by saving up food, then they depart along with Meng and Khouy’s lady friends to their Mother’s brother’s home. After a long and fearful trek across the countryside, they arrive at his country hut. There they enjoy new (not black!) clothing along with increased rations. At the home they start to work at the market and are able to make crepes on ocation. The new currency is now rice. After a time in the town Meng marries Eang, a deserted intelligent and cultured woman. Then Eang lost family finds here and brigns MEng and Eang to Vietnam. There MEng learns of a way to America. He returns to the town to bring Loung to Lam Sing refugee camp. During their risky trek they encounter pirates. “Meng had anticipated the Thai pirates and left all of Ma’s jewelry with Khouy in Cambodia. Though they took they took the one thing that means the most to me, the captain tells us we should b=consider ourselves lucky. When we are all back on the boat, the pirates offer directions to the Thai refugee camp. Our captain thanks them politely, seemingly bearing no grudges or anger, and the pirates wish us luck and wave good-bye as we sail on.” (227) When the boat then arrived at the camp Meng, Eang, and Loung were overwhelmed that they were finally going to America.

FTKMF: Post 6. A.

Between the Cambodian and American cultures, there are many differences. One of which I found very surprising was the way the citizen view sexuality and the body. In America, women walk around in mini skirts so short you can see there underwear and tube tops that are basically created the accentuate a woman’s breasts. We Americans are accustomed to Janet Jackson pop outs and swimsuit malfunctions, while in Cambodia a little leg showing could be fatal. “A young woman walks into the water wearing nothing but a small bright red bathing suit! The stretchy material clings tightly to her body, allowing everyone to see her voluptuous figure. The suit has no pant legs or skirt, leaving her white thighs uncovered. The Y-neck top exposes her cleavage, which bounces as she run into the water. I know she has t be one of “those” Vietnamese girls everyone always gossips about because no Khmer or Chinese girl would wear such a thing. Khmer girls swim either with their long sarong wrapped tightly around their chest or are fully clothed.” (230)The differences between cultures even in the swimsuit department is very much different.

FTKMF: Post 5. B.

Out of all the sections, this fifth section was my favorite. This is so, because finally in this part, Loung and her living family are freed by the liberating army. In this fifth section I thought the way that Loung Ung thought of her freeing soldiers. Loung was very much confused of the way she should treat them. “I am not sure which one to tell my story to. I thought they were here to save us from the abuses of Pol Pot and not to hurt us.” (182) The betrayal that Young experienced with the Pol Pot army, changed the way she trusted people and one person she did not trust or listen to was her new “foster mother”. “With that little reminder from him, I know the foster mother is wrong about me. I do possess the one thing I need to make something of myself one day: I have everything my Pa gave me.” (183) The mistrust that Loung experienced while in the young adult camp under Pol Pot’s rule, forced this young girl to resort to her upbringing and the values that her mother and father had taught her. She used theses ideas and lessons to survive the cruel camp like environment. But Chou seems to not have caught onto this idea. “Chou is eleven and only three years older than me, but at times I feel much older than she is. It still amazes me how she can survive by being accepting and not fighting back.” (190)

FTKMF: Post 5. A.

Throughout this novel, the readers are learning more and more about the Cambodian culture, traditions, and society. While having a full blown sense of American culture, I have come to the determination that a fourth cultural difference between the American and Cambodian societies is their mindset. In particular during this section, it happens to be on the topic of rain. In America, we view rain as a burden. It causes car crashes, traffic delays, and in an extreme case, flooding. But also in the American culture, we take fresh, pure water for advantage; while in other countries, many would kill to have a simple well. “He remembers how he used to read that in some countries, the rain is cold and makes you sick, forcing people to stay indoors. Not so in Cambodia. Here the rain is warm, and in Phnom Penh, it meant it was time to go outside and play. The rain was, and still remains, our friend, even under the Khmer Rouge.” (116) In this quote it also sowed how although the new government can control their lives in many ways, there are a couple of things that they have no control over.

FTKMF: Post 4. B.

Dear Loung Ung,
As I have just finished the fourth section of your novel I have begun to feel an extreme sense of anger that you have to towards the new communist government expecially with the new murder of your father. “By the third day, we all know that what we feared most happened. Keav, and now Pa, one by one, the my family.” (107) With this anger you made many silent threats against Pol Pot, the new head of government. “I am going to kill Pol Pot. I hate him and I want to make sure he dies a slow and painful death.” “Don’t say such a thing or you will get hurt.” “I am going to kill him”(108) You also begin to describe his nature. “I will kill Pol Pot, I don’t know him, yet I am certain he is the fattest, slimiest snake on earth.”(108) Throughout this novel it seems as if you are going through an emotional battle also. “Sadness makes me want to die inside. Sadness makes me want to kill myself to escape the hopelessness of my life. Rage makes me want to survive and live so that I may kil. I feed my rage with bloody images of Pol Pot’s slain body being dragged in the dirt.” (108) In the end of the section, you also showed anger against another subject, the gods of the Buddhist religion.“Gods, this cannot happen to me again! If you let my brother die, I will never forgive you. You can just go to hell- for I know there are no gods in the world now,” (114)
I look forward to reading more,
Caitie