An emotional piece by Loung Ung, First They Killed My Father, recounts the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime and how she and some members of her family survived the mass killings. The autobiography is told from Loung Ung’s point of view as an adult looking back at what happened from ages five to nine. The events of this tragedy happens in three parts: before the Khmer Rouge takeover, under the Khmer Rouge reign and life afterwards. While living under Khmer Rouge regime, Ung tells of life in the country which was different from where she grew up, the city of Phnom Penh. She is one of seven children and the daughter of a high-ranking government official. Ung also tells of the sacrifices that not only she had to make, but her family members as well.
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Kim, the older brother of Loung and the youngest of the Ung boys, took leftovers from the chiefs two son in order to help his family. In return for the leftovers, the boys commanded him to do errands and jobs as well as physically abuse him. He continued to do this for several months. Even though Kim was only 10 years old at the time, he knew he had to “endure their cruelty to help feed his family” (64). Loung stole from her family because she felt as if she had no other choice to satisfy her hunger. Pa was friendly with the chief and exchanged gifts for extra rice. On nights they really needed extra rice, Ma was able to cook it however the remaining rice was sealed tight in a container hidden from sight. Loung was extremely hungry one night and decided to take the rice for herself. She felt so ashamed for knowing. Loung was not the only thief in the family. Kim stole corn from the nearby cornfield in Ro Leap. He did it once before he was caught by two Khmer Rouge soldiers, who gave him a beating that resulted in a very unseemly bruise before letting him go. That was the last time he
Kim, the older brother of Loung and the youngest of the Ung boys, took leftovers from the chiefs two son in order to help his family. In return for the leftovers, the boys commanded him to do errands and jobs as well as physically abuse him. He continued to do this for several months. Even though Kim was only 10 years old at the time, he knew he had to “endure their cruelty to help feed his family” (64). Loung stole from her family because she felt as if she had no other choice to satisfy her hunger. Pa was friendly with the chief and exchanged gifts for extra rice. On nights they really needed extra rice, Ma was able to cook it however the remaining rice was sealed tight in a container hidden from sight. Loung was extremely hungry one night and decided to take the rice for herself. She felt so ashamed for knowing. Loung was not the only thief in the family. Kim stole corn from the nearby cornfield in Ro Leap. He did it once before he was caught by two Khmer Rouge soldiers, who gave him a beating that resulted in a very unseemly bruise before letting him go. That was the last time he