Is Loung Ung a Feminist?

Am I the only one that thinks that Loung Ung is a little feminist? I think that through the whole book, she is pushing equal rights for the woman of Cambodia. Which is defiantly, in this book, something that they are far from having. This really did change things in the book, her whole family would of been treated the same as other family's were. Here experiences really changed I think because of her gender. But getting back to her being a feminist, I personally do believe that she is.

Do you think that she is a feminist? And how do you think her experiences changed because of her gender?

Cambodia Culture - Chinese Culture

So while reading the book, and after reading Victoria's posts, I have really noticed the similarities between Chinese culture and Cambodia culture. Now I knew going into reading this book, that India and China had heavily influenced Cambodia culture, but I really did not know how heavy. After reading this book, I really can now see that Chinese and Cambodia culture is almost parallel. If anything, there are a few differences. I guess that this influence is just like Chinese food on America, only on a much larger scale.

Did you know anything about how close these two cultures are before reading the book? Or were you very surprised like I was?

Death = Better reading?

I just realized something very interesting. We as the reader knew about Loung's father's death long before she did. (Well at least at that time.) I think that this really changed the way that I read the book. I knew that when ever Loung referenced her father before she knew he was dead, I knew he was dead. Kinda like inside information. I really did feel a little sad when ever she did this, I can only imagine what it's like not knowing that your father is dead. And having to find out later on when this whole time you thought he was alive.

Did you read the book differently knowing that he was dead?

Loung - Strong?

So it's really no surprise to me that Loung would see herself as a strong person. I think that a lot of people in the book saw themselves as strong to. This lead them to the solider training camp. I feel that they really did have to see themselves as strong people, other wise, I think that they would of not survived the camp. This now brings up a few good questions to mind:

1. What did they need to do to survive?
2. What qualities does here gentle sister have to have for her to be saved?

These to me are really what drives my thinking about the book, let alone what it really means to survive? What are you own personal answers to these questions?

connections pg 99-100

"I hope she won't be reincarnated here," I say quietly. Chou reaches out for my hand and holds it gently as she wipes her eyes with her sleeve. I think about what Chou has just told me. I imagine Keav sleeping peacefully some where. On the third night she wakes up only to realize that she is dead. It saddens me to think of her pain upon finding out she cannot return home. I imagine Keav in heaven, watching over us, fially happy again. I picture her the way she looked before the war, and wearing a white gown and washing in the river. I see her the way she looked in Phnom Penh, not the wat Ma described her.

I can relate to this book because a few years ago someone in my family passed away and was in the hospital. The day he passed was sad and we were all trying to remember all the good memories we shared with him from when we were little. Also I can relate this book to "Lovely Bones" because in the book a little girl is murdered by her neighbor and her parents have no clue what happened to her. So they were in panic waiting for her to come home and everything. The girl describes what her heaven was like and how it was so nice.

new words found in chapters 14-18

vividly-strikingly bright or intense, as color, light, etc
scorching-burning; very hot.
famished-
to suffer or cause to suffer extreme hunger; starve
merely-only as specified and nothing more; simply
indomitable-that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
plunges-to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.;

connection pg 79 - 80

In Cambodia, New Year's is our biggest and most important holiday. For three days, stores, restaurants, businesses are closed. There is nothing to do but enjoy the food and festivities. Everyday there are parties at friends at friends' houses. At these gatherings, the host serves roast pig, duck, beef,sweet cakes, and beautiful candies. The part I liked best was when the parents took the children around to their friends. Children are not given presents during this holiday. Instead, we are given money- brand-new crisp bills in decorated red paper pouches.

This part of the book kind of relates to me because on Chinese New year I go visit my family and we give each other a red envelope wit money. There is no gifts given to each other. Family and friends usually gather together and eat. Chinese New year last for 15 days. On Chinese New year the tray of candy is known as " the tray of togetherness," which the trays are usually round or shaped like and octagon. The candies that are in the "tray of togetherness" are Candied melon(growth and good health), Red melon seed( dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness, truth, and sincerity), Lychee nut( strong family relationships), Cumquat( prosperity[gold]), Coconut(togetherness), Peanuts(long life), Longnan(many good sons), and a Lotus see(many children.) Mainly my Chinese New years is spending time with my family and having dinners.