In this visual representation, I depict Kien inside the sphere of annihilation staring deeply into an abyss while holding his knees tightly to his chest. After being sexually assaulted by Lam, Kien experiences feelings of extreme anxiety, sorrow, and pain. I place Kien within this sphere because it represents the current emotions that Kien feels after this dreadful experience. This sphere of annihilation leads to a void that represents absolute nothingness. This is indicative of Kien's current emotions because the violation changed his life and shattered his childhood along with his innocence into a thousand pieces. Within this sphere, Kien remains in a state of blackness and hopelessness since he feels as if there is nothing to look forward to anymore. This violation has also made Kien feel unlike himself. It has breached the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of Kien against his own will. It is important to note that Kien experiences this violation during the formative years of his life; as a result, Kien falls into a void of meaning and understanding since nothing seems to make any sense. This sphere of annihilation has taken control of him and utterly annihilated his dreams.
By Estephanie M.
I think that your drawing of Kien inside this void, is good representation of the way he felt after being assaulted by Lam. The text describes Kien as going into a mental "cacoon." He hides within himself to try and cope with the horrific act that just happened. Because Kien was so young, and only knew that whatever happened to him was a betrayal, he only knew how to protect himself through his emotions. I agree, that at this point in his life, he has been overwhelmed by this "sphere of annihilation." It is clear that his sense of hope was destroyed early on in his life and it would take a lot to help him come out of the darkness that once consumed him in his childhood. Although, he does go through a lot, as the memoir, progresses, there is sense that Kien might have hope after. The idea of coming to America, helps Kien focus on leaving the darkness he was once bound to.
ReplyDeleteAndrea M.
I especially like this representation of Kien stuck or cast into this "sphere of annihilation," as it accurately depicts the feelings of isolation, banishment, and loss Kien experiences throughout the majority of his childhood. The use of the word or term "annihilation" is particularly affecting, as it carries with it strong connotations. I do believe that much of Kien was annihilated as a child, such as his innocence that you mentioned, as well as his capacity to hope for the better. However, he does gain redemption in being able to leave to America and, as we know, he is able to rebuild his life thereafter. This annihilation then is or was unable to fully destroy him. And I think that in his writing this memoir as an adult, he (Kien) is able to also rebuild or redeem some part of his childhood, as he is no longer plagued by the "nightmares" of his annihilation.
ReplyDeleteJordan M.
Estephanie,
ReplyDeleteVoid, annihilation, and isolation are etched into the picture you drew. The amount of negative space (the non-shaded portion) that surrounds a simple sphere of chaotic grey shading really shows the amount of isolation that Kien experienced after such a traumatic experience. Even within the sphere, he rests almost directly in the center, barely shaded, and surrounded with heavy blackness that emphasis the void that Kien resides in. The annihilation appears in the union of these two instances of different negative spaces and the use of grayscale. The lack of any color and residence in the void are iconic as the lose of innocence in youth and in humans
Patrick T.