Kien is forced to grow drastically throughout the novel, but it isn't until the moment that he sees and hears his dog being murdered that he starts to lose the very thing that makes him innocence. His dog is given to his cousins, by his mother, in what seems like an act of betrayal on part of her. Khuon's actions are questionable and cruel. She allows the one thing her son loves the most be taken away and killed in front of him. She neglects his wishes to keep the dog, and allows it to die. Khuon truly understands the extent of the hatred that her sons will experience, and she tries to get them to realize just how bad things will become. By allowing Lulu to die, she hopes to strengthen Kien and Jimmy. They must be prepared mentally for what is to come. She hopes to make them understand that all they have is themselves and everything else in the world can be taken away. In attempts to making her children stronger individuals, she only broadens the gap between Kien and her relationship.
By Steve M.
Finding Strength through Despair:
ReplyDeleteKhuon has never been very loving and this is no different. All her life, Khuon kept Kien sheltered from the realities of the outside world so it isn’t until the takeover of the Communist government that Kien experiences a rude awakening. Khuon needs him to grow up right away as he is her eldest son and so, he is essentially robbed of his childhood. I do believe that Khuon loves him very much but considering the circumstances, this was the only way she knew how to keep Kien and the entire family alive.
I'm conflicted about what Khuon did to Kien's dog. On the one hand, it was unacceptably cruel for her to do such a thing in front of a young boy. But on the other hand, Khuon believed this act was the only way to prove to Kien the reality of how cruel the world can be. I only wish there was a better way to show the cruelty of the world without having to murder the dog.
ReplyDeleteBy William H.
William, I completely and absolutely agree with the conflict that you’re experiencing. I, myself have had an extremely hard time trying to comprehend her thought process. She definitely has a method to her madness, and I do believe in some sick and preserves way she really is trying to make things better for her children. I agree with your last comment. I really wish the dog did not have to die in order for this message to sink in. The puppy would have provided them with a friend in their time of need.
DeleteBy Steve M.
This specific event in Kien's life probably scarred him and it was the beginning of all the traumatic events he would face. This particular event in his life scarred me too. I struggled to read it and even thinking about it is hard. I agree with you Steve. I want to believe that in some way, that I can't really understand, Khuon meant it for good but part of me believes that perhaps Khuon acted out of pain. In some instances hurt people want to hurt others. It's just heart breaking that an innocent little puppy had to die in the process. Perhaps it is a foreshadowing of the later events, which impacted Kien's life.
ReplyDelete-Karen S.
This scene really resonated with me. I was furious that Khuon gave the dog to her nephews when she knew they would kill it. Loan gave Lulu to Kien because she knew he needed something to love and nurture and Lulu needed special care because of her crippled paw. Kien screams and cries when he witnesses his evil cousins kicking his dog to death. His grandfather even protests asking why she is destroying her son. Khuon is even described as crying which doesn't make sense at first because she is the one who created the situation. Khuon believes she is teaching Kien how to be a man and it is clear that she is in pain watching her son cry. As a mother of a little boy, I know how hard it is to watch your child cry after punishment but it is still necessary.
ReplyDeleteBy Christina B.