At the top of the page, there is fire. At the bottom, water. Kien had to endure the extremities of the two elements in multiple situations: whether it was working in the reeducation camp in the scorching heat or being pummeled by waves for the sake of chasing a sense of freedom. Kien was constantly betrayed by both people and the environment. The only person he was able to confide in was Moonlight. Her absence is [not] represented by the minuscule stars on the page - a night sky without its main attraction: the moon. Her essence was hope, the brightest light in a dark place. Without her "light" guiding him, his path to freedom became unclear. Kien is portrayed as a child in the center of the page. After fourteen years, he's lost a significant part of his childhood. All he wants to do is drop all responsibilities that weren't his. Around him is a python, a representation of the cold-blooded people around him who constricted him and prevented him from growing/living freely (ex: the capitalists vs. communists, his mother who left him with responsibilities, his aunt who strips him of his human rights). Though he cried, he was an incredibly resilient little kid - so rightly portrayed as a statue-like figure, making it known that he can go unharmed even with a python coiled around him.
By Shirley T.
Shirley,
ReplyDeleteYour image is amazing at depicting the worldly obstacles that Kien faces in the novel. Similar to you, I also mentioned that hope was a big part in Kien's survival. Even though he mentions more than once that he has given up, his actions prove other wise. One of my favorite quotes comes from Moonlight in her last hours that signify how important it is to keep hope to persevere. The quote is from page 266 and says “Please don’t lose your faith!” she urged. “At least not in humanity, Kien. I know you are angry, and I know the feeling of being ostracized.” I think this goes perfectly with your drawing.
-Tori R.
Shirley, I thoroughly enjoyed your illustration depicting a snake wrapping around Kien. It seemed as every chapter account progressed in the memoir, escape was inevitable even in what were supposed to be the safest of places; such as his home and school. The vicious nature of those surrounding him and the Communist regime, seemed intertwined to every encounter he had experienced. This post was a touching portrayal of Kien's horrific everyday.
ReplyDeleteCassandra V.
Shirley,
ReplyDeleteThe simplicity of the illustration is incredibly powerful. The five symbols of Kien and the World are well though-out and well drawn. The bordering of Fire and Water seem to represent the danger of life, whether it be the life of a mixed-race child/half-breed or a regular Vietnamese person living under the rule of a Communist Government. The Snake is a powerful image through many world cultures of lies and deceit and the use of the Python is great because it also represents the struggle of power (being the Vietnamese People/Government) exerted over the powerless (The Mixed-Raced). I also thought it was great that you made the depiction of Kien statue-like. It reminded me of something like a corpse, which would be the death of his childhood.
-Patrick T.
I love this idea. I had not really considered Moonlight too much, only because there are so many other characters that seem to take precedence to her, but your words about her place in Kien's life is spot on. I also really enjoyed your drawing, it was simple, yet bursting with underlying meaning. Your depiction of Kien's responsibilities, and the adults who lay them on his shoulders, as a constricting snake is so powerful. Kien is indeed being suffocated by his circumstances. I also think that your drawing connects amazingly with Kien's moments of violence. The boa constricting around his neck is so unbearable, that he wants to transfer that suffocation to someone else. To make BeTi feel what he feels everyday (when he grabs her by the neck); it's almost as if Kien was showing BeTi what she does to him It's though he needs her to understand the pain, or perhaps it's just revenge for how long she has been choking him.
ReplyDeleteBy Erica R.