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The duckweed, which is both a reminder to her that she will never escape her the values that her culture projects onto her, but also that if duckweed can thrive in such an environment, then so can she.

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The duckweed, which is both a reminder to her that she will never escape her the values that her culture projects onto her, but also that if duckweed can thrive in such an environment, then so can she.

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pg 131
"This purple became an obsession, both a childhood delight and an adolescent nightmare. In my memory, it is at once both the purest balm and the most overpowering poison of my existence"

The beauty of the duckweed, surrounded by the rotting environment is equivalent to her illusion of Vietnam. She begins to recognize her own childhood ignorance as she finally begins to see the poverty and struggle that is masked behind the beauty of her homeland. It is a reminder to her that she will never be free from her traditions and confucian values, and she cannot escape the cycle of poverty. However, she also comes to terms with appreciating how there is beauty that emerges from the misery of life, which is the hope of escaping her current state of living.

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When Hang gets bullied due to her father/lack of one

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When Hang gets bullied due to her father/lack of one

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Pg 18
"They had mocked me, insulted me. Me, the fatherless child, the little bitch."
"The neighbour snapped at me insultingly, 'Your own father, you poor thing.'"

The lack of her father's presence followed Hang everywhere until she begged her mother to tell her about him. Traditional values of marriage and children in Vietnam is presented here as Hang is viewed as a bastard child and an illegitimate. The constant reminder of her father throughout the early years of her life may have impacted her ability to trust and clearly had an effect on her self-esteem. Her mother took pity on her and began to regale her with tales of Ton, her father. Despite this, Hang yearned for a relationship with her father that she would never get.

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Hang leaving Moscow to help her uncle despite his inability to reciprocate the love and care for her.

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Hang leaving Moscow to help her uncle despite his inability to reciprocate the love and care for her.

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Pg 14
"He was sick, and here I was, preparing to abandon him."

The realisation that she was abandoning a family member represents Hang's ability to realise her shortcomings. The deep-rooted traditional values result in Hang helping Chinh regardless of his poor treatment of both herself and her mother, Que. Hang's commitment to duty is presented in this moment through her selflessness and underlying acceptance that family comes first regardless of previous events.

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When Hang reflects on the oppression that her people face as a result of the Communist rule.

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When Hang reflects on the oppression that her people face as a result of the Communist rule.

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"Hundreds of faces gnawed at my memory. Those of my friends, people of my generation, faces gnawed with worry, shattered faces, twisted, ravaged, sooty, frantic fear.
[...]
The fear that we might not be able to pay for food, ..."

This is significant as her description of the struggles that the Vietnamese citizens face, shows Hang's growing awareness of her disillusionment with Vietnam from her childhood memories. The beauty of Vietnam in her mind masked the poverty and oppression underneath, as she sees the living states of the villagers, and their inability to escape their circumstances. She recognizes that the disorder and oppression under the Cyst's rule left people worrying about filling their stomachs rather than improving their defects.

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Hang's first meeting with Aunt Tam and her reaction

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Hang's first meeting with Aunt Tam and her reaction

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Pg 72
"I stood very still, letting her touch me, caress me." "'She's a drop of his blood. My niece," she murmured"
This moment represents the beginning of Hang's relationship with Aunt Tam. Aunt Tam is depicted as a no-nonsense and strict relative, however, it is clear that there is an appreciation and love for Hang due to her position as Tam's niece. The adoration and awe in which she caresses Hang's face supports the idea of Tam as a constant in Hang's life.

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When Hang's mother-daughter relationship changes drastically towards the end of the novel

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When Hang's mother-daughter relationship changes drastically towards the end of the novel

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Pg 180
"She went white and glowered at me. Suddenly she jumped up, screaming like a madwoman, 'No! Shut up! I said NO.'"

The unprecedented outburst from Hang's mother, Que, signalled a shift in their relationship as she changed from a doting mother to a raging, screaming woman. The contest before this moment is also significant as it becomes clear that Hang is no longer Que's main priority as she denies her food due to a lack of money regardless of the opportunity to sell Aunt Tam's rings. This suggests lingering resentment toward Tam from Que due to her wealth and preferential treatment of Hang. Compared to previous moments in the novel where Que would forgo eating herself to allow Hang to eat, this moment highlights a clear shift in their mother-daughter dynamic and the beginning of a strained relationship.

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Feeling abandoned due to her missing father - she is shamed for this and considered to have an illegitimate status as a result 

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Feeling abandoned due to her missing father - she is shamed for this and considered to have an illegitimate status as a result 

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Generational trauma from communist Vietnam

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Generational trauma from communist Vietnam

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Disillusionment of Vietnam, especially in terms of her views towards communist values

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Disillusionment of Vietnam, especially in terms of her views towards communist values