Characters
The Old Woman
- Fierce, courageous, and vengeful: Despite her age, she is driven by a powerful desire for revenge against the Khmer Rouge, willing to take extreme action to avenge the suffering they caused to her family.
The Hammer and Knife
The hammer and knife used by the two women to kill the Khmer Rouge soldier symbolize vengeance and retribution. These weapons, similar to those used by the Khmer Rouge soldiers, represent the villagers' wish to avenge the brutality they’ve suffered.
Hammer = forceful justice
Knife = sharpness of revenge
"Automatically, I raise my scarf to cover my head and face. My heart beats wildly. Fear seeps into my body. He is looking at me. He can see me. What if he escapes and kills me? I take a step back, leaning into the crowd for protection"(Ung 300).
Syntax / Repetition
The repetition of "He is looking at me" and "He can see me" emphasizes Loung's growing fear. The use of short sentences mirrors the rapid progression of events and her nervous, instinctive reactions. The final sentence, however, offers a contrast, providing a moment of reflection as she attempts to regain some control amidst the chaos.
Meng
- Resourceful and Observant
- Protective and Cautious: He prioritizes his family’s safety and does not get swept up in the mob’s want for vengeance.
The Well of Dead Bodies
The well symbolizes the countless innocent lives lost and discarded by the Khmer Rouge regime. It highlights the victims' loss of identity and dignity. Which shows how, even after or in death, they are stripped of respect and humanity.
”The smell coming from the well is horrible. Pinching my nose and covering my mouth, I walk up to it and peer in. The smell is so putrid it makes my eyes water. It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness of the well, then slowly, thirty feet below, I make out the shape of human figures floating on top of the water”(Ung 304-305).
Imagery
The passage uses imagery that targets the senses to evoke a visceral or emotional reaction. The reader almost experiences the stench, intensifying the scene’s horror and painting a gruesome picture that adds to its morbidity. This imagery emphasizes themes of death, dehumanization, and the haunting consequences of war.
Chou
- Innocent and Compassionate: Her unwillingness to watch the execution shows how she clings to her humanity in a world that has become cruel and desensitized.
- Quiet and Reserved: She internalized much of her suffering, and rarely spoke up or acted out.
Pithy’s Death
Pithy’s death symbolizes the loss of innocence, the merciless nature of the Khmer Rouge regime, and the unjust suffering of the public in times of war. It also reflects the hopelessness and powerlessness that war imposes on individuals.
"The woman raises her hammer again. I almost feel pity for him. But it is too late to let him go, it is too late to go back. It is too late for my parents and my country”(Ung 303).
Syntax / Repetition
The short, abrupt sentences and the repetition of “it is too late,” creates a sense of realization and emphasizes the irreversible nature of the situation. No matter what happens in the coming future, they cannot change the past or undo their damage.
Khmer Rouge Soldier
- Executed Brutally
- Young and Vulnerable: The soldier is described as a young man, frightened in his final moments.
- Victim: His role in the Khmer Rouge reflects the manipulation and trauma inflicted on soldiers, many of whom were forced into horrific actions.
Black Clothes
(given to the people by the Khmer Rouge to wear)
These clothes are meant to represent the regime's promise of equality for the nation. However, for those who endure its brutality, they instead serve as a symbol of the regime's attempt to strip away individuality and suppress personal expression.
“He screams a loud, shrill cry, that pierces my heart like a stake”(Ung 302).
Diction
"Pierces" conveys the pain and abruptness of the violence.This diction evokes a feeling of brutality, where the violence is not just heard but felt, emphasizing the depth of their trauma.
Loung
- Desensitized to Violence
- Resilient- Loss of Innocence + Emotional Maturity: Loung’s shift from shock to a more understanding / compassionate perspective shows how her innocence fades as she deals with the harsh realities of war and oppression.
The Execution
The execution of the Khmer Rouge soldier represents the cycle of violence and the complexities of right and wrong in a war-torn society. The villagers seek revenge, but the soldier’s death doesn’t bring true justice or healing. Instead, it shows how violence becomes a means of survival and a way to cope with the trauma.
"Hearing this, my heart races with excitement. Finally, a chance to kill for Pa, Ma, Keav, and Geak. 'Come, Chou! Let us go and watch!' I plead with her.
'No. Please don’t go,' Chou pleads with me.
'I have to go. We get to kill one of them for once'"(Ung 300).
Rhetorical Appeal: Pathos
This passage appeals to pathos by evoking strong emotions of anger, excitement, a desire for justice, and desperation. Loung’s rush of excitement for the thought of vengeance conveys how intense her grief and trauma is. Which fosters compassion in the reader for her pain.