In her 1988 novel Paradise of the Blind Duong Thu Huong reflects the Vietnamese traditions through the core of society: the family. Ancestors and living blood relatives are highly respected in Vietnamese culture. Vietnamese youth is brought up with the idea of respecting family members embeded into their minds. Hang was also molded like any other individual,however she has a distinct way of interacting with her Aunt Tam, her mother Que, her Uncle Chinh, her roommates and complete stangers. These differences reveal her personality and show how Huong developes her as a universally relatable character. Hang is mindful and thankful when she is in her aunt’s care. She loves her mother yet feels envious of the affection she shows towards her nephews.
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The young women are all working in Russia away from their families which allows them to express themselves freely regardless of their cultural background. The boundaries of Hang’s personality is emphasized when she is surrounded by her roommates. Hang reaches a level of confidence where she does not have to filter her words as she says, ‘’Do you think it sprouted wings?‘’ (Huong 84). Ultimately it is the first time Huong utilizes sarcasm and a rhetorical question. It would be inappropriate for her to speak with any of her family members in this manner therefore it shows a side of her that she was taught to reserve. Hang can feel that her roommates were ‘’anxious not to annoy (her) any further.’’ (Huong 84). This is obviously not the first time she let them know she was bothered. There is no obligation for her to reserve her opinions. As her roommates continues to discuss the mystery of the sewing machine Hang replies, ‘’ No shouting’’ (Huong 85). Huong’s use of direct wording, an imperative tone as well as minimal words demonstrates that she is capable of being opinionated and impatient. Hang does have thoughts and opinions of her own, which is the basis of having a well developed personality. Huong utilizes the fragmentation technique to illuminate the borderless …show more content…
Encounters with these characters are significant as their conversations reveal a unique dimension of Hang that is unconventional in terms of its disconnect from her culture. During her train ride to Moscow Hang sits next to an older gentleman. as the trip comes to an end, she ‘’glanced at him grateful’’ (Huong 199) when he held her hand ‘’squeezing it softly’’(Huong 199). There is an unprescribed agreement of trust between the two individuals. Hang could easily interpret these gestures and expressions as a threat but instead she finds it soothing. Huong depicts how Hang’s thoughts are not narrowed by her culture when she is the one responsible for herself. The absence of a healthy male figure and unfortunate situations she has had to endure, alongside the formality required between strangers in the Vietnamese culture made it unusual that Hang was not hesitant when the passenger ‘’shook (her) hand, kissed (her) head...’’ (Huong 199). Hang decides on her own that it was not a threat. Hang is confident and relies on her own boundaries. Huong employs the fragmentation technique, making it possible to corrobrate the different personna Hang adapts. When the Bohemian gives her tickets she notes to herself that “ it was the first time (she) had accepted help from someone outside (her) family ‘’(Huong 232). From her cultural perspective it is important to only give and accept help from family,
The young women are all working in Russia away from their families which allows them to express themselves freely regardless of their cultural background. The boundaries of Hang’s personality is emphasized when she is surrounded by her roommates. Hang reaches a level of confidence where she does not have to filter her words as she says, ‘’Do you think it sprouted wings?‘’ (Huong 84). Ultimately it is the first time Huong utilizes sarcasm and a rhetorical question. It would be inappropriate for her to speak with any of her family members in this manner therefore it shows a side of her that she was taught to reserve. Hang can feel that her roommates were ‘’anxious not to annoy (her) any further.’’ (Huong 84). This is obviously not the first time she let them know she was bothered. There is no obligation for her to reserve her opinions. As her roommates continues to discuss the mystery of the sewing machine Hang replies, ‘’ No shouting’’ (Huong 85). Huong’s use of direct wording, an imperative tone as well as minimal words demonstrates that she is capable of being opinionated and impatient. Hang does have thoughts and opinions of her own, which is the basis of having a well developed personality. Huong utilizes the fragmentation technique to illuminate the borderless …show more content…
Encounters with these characters are significant as their conversations reveal a unique dimension of Hang that is unconventional in terms of its disconnect from her culture. During her train ride to Moscow Hang sits next to an older gentleman. as the trip comes to an end, she ‘’glanced at him grateful’’ (Huong 199) when he held her hand ‘’squeezing it softly’’(Huong 199). There is an unprescribed agreement of trust between the two individuals. Hang could easily interpret these gestures and expressions as a threat but instead she finds it soothing. Huong depicts how Hang’s thoughts are not narrowed by her culture when she is the one responsible for herself. The absence of a healthy male figure and unfortunate situations she has had to endure, alongside the formality required between strangers in the Vietnamese culture made it unusual that Hang was not hesitant when the passenger ‘’shook (her) hand, kissed (her) head...’’ (Huong 199). Hang decides on her own that it was not a threat. Hang is confident and relies on her own boundaries. Huong employs the fragmentation technique, making it possible to corrobrate the different personna Hang adapts. When the Bohemian gives her tickets she notes to herself that “ it was the first time (she) had accepted help from someone outside (her) family ‘’(Huong 232). From her cultural perspective it is important to only give and accept help from family,