The idea of loss and being lost is very prevalent in the stories "Miss Lien" and "We Should Never Meet." The sense of loss in identity that Kim feels and Lien's loss of family is depicted by drawing eyes in the night sky. In the daytime, it is easier to see where someone is going, but in the nighttime, it is harder to know where someone's path is, even if their eyes are wide open. The constellation below the eyes include the North Star, which is often the star that travelers use to find their way in the dark. There is no moon or other stars because Kim, Lien, and Lien's child come across as utterly alone in the first two stories. Despite the presence of other people in their lives, Lien and Kim feel as if they can only rely on themselves. The constellation is included as a reference to found families as well, representing how the stars are seen together in order to form a constellation. Even though Mai loses her parents just like Kim, she finds some sort of peace with herself by the end of the stories. Kim tries to find her way, just like Mai, even if she stumbles along the way. The constellation also reflects the idea of trying to move on from her past and focusing on her future that the story "We Should Never Meet" presents for Kim, even if she does not necessarily do so.
By Kelsey C.
First I want to say I really love your illustration. Second think you're right on about the sense of lost between the characters Kim, Lien and Lien's child as they are presented as characters who won't ask for help when they need it. In one of the courses I am currently taking, Harry Potter as Literature and Cultural Studies we just discussed how Harry is someone who does not ask for help but instead he always claims he will do it alone. In that class we then conclude that this is due to the environment Harry grew up in which was abusive and disheartening. So we concluded that generally the people who don't ask for help are the ones who have been raised in an environment that does give them a sense of safety. They are in an environment where they do not have any figures in their life that they feel safe with; thus they rely on themselves. I believe this is the case especially for Kim.
ReplyDeleteBy Marisa M.
Your illustration is beautiful! I definitely love the idea of them not being able to find themselves because these two characters, to me, come off as the most vague, identity-wise. However, I disagree that they would never ask for help. Miss Lien went to the midwife's house and stayed in her care. She offered everything she had as a way to repay her. As for Kim, she relied heavily on Vinh, although she did not like the fact. She turned to him for shelter and for protection. Similarly, she asked the store owner for money to move out. Though Kim is a very stubborn character, she does seek help.
ReplyDeleteI love the North Star as a representation of the individual orphans coming together to form a constellation. It reminds me of the book overall, being that all of the short stories are individual, but they come together to form a beautiful collection.
Kelsey, your analysis of the concepts of being lost and finding a path are very creative and insightful. The use of the night sky is a very interesting choice, given that there isn’t much emphasis on that visual in the novel. However, I feel that the representation is fitting seeing as the sky is one natural feature that is more or less similar all over the world. The northern star is especially clever seeing as it’s always in the same position. The northern star and one specific constellation is also telling, as it makes their ability to find their “way” more difficult, narrow, and difficult. The illustration is evocative of being lost in the dark, something that refugees and displaced individuals struggle with.
ReplyDeleteMarcus H.