It is interesting to read the contrasts and similarities between Huan's and Mai's characters show the two stories and Vietnamese War survivors. They both show two different outcomes of orphaned children in result of the war. They either got adopted as babies or were put into foster care because they were too old to be adopted. Huan's attitude is extremely negative compared to Mai's because he resents her for knowing her mother; an opportunity he never received. He also gets this aggression because he feels unwanted by his biological mother even though he was one of the lucky children that was placed in a loving home. At one point Huan even tells Mai she was lucky to know her mother and have some sort of memory even though she was not adopted and had no real family in the United States. The struggle with identity is clearly seen in Huan as he tries to connect with his vietnamese roots but fights with his American side when he visits the orphanage. During his visit to the orphanage he struggles with his identity because he does not feel a connection to it anymore but at the same time still has a desire to be remembered there. Mai on the other hand seems to be calm and collected throughout the story but at the end, reveals the true reason she had not returned to Vietnam. She did not want to feel the resentment that Huan was feeling. Just like Huan She also struggles with her feelings toward vietnam but expresses it in a completely different manner.
By Iliana T.
Iliana, I agree with your blog post. I think these two characters handled their life situation differently. Huan is seen as resentful and unable to cope with the fact that he is an orphan. Where as Mai, although never adopted is seen with a different attitude. Yes, she feels a void because she had to be part of the foster care system but her ambition to move past that is seen as she decides to attend college and speaks of her life in a manner that leaves the reader with a notion that she is mature for her age. She also states that she wishes to return to Vietnam to help. In contrast Huan wishes to return to find the feeling of belonging but he does not find it. I think you covered these feelings well and by contrasting the characters you allow the reader to make their own arguments about Mai and Huan. I think this can also potentially develop into an essay topic.
ReplyDeleteBy Ada M.