Quotes
“You are so weak. You must learn to be strong.”
Met Bong
How has this Genocide taken a toll on Loung both mentally and physically?
Open Ended:
Loung is very vengeful and is filled with anger for what the Angkar has done to her family.
Physically, she has become very weak and frail. Her bones are protruding and she has lost so much weight.
How is the infirmary described?
Abandoned concrete warehouse with moldy, crumbling walls. Dark, scent of rubbing alcohol and stale flesh.
When Loung reunites with her family, she claims everyone but who is there?
Khouy
What are some of the sickly symptoms the family shares?
Stomachache, extreme exhaustion, diarrhea, and aching joints. However, after discussion they conclude that they aren’t sick, but weak from starvation.
“Im so glad you are here! I was afraid to be here alone!”
Loung
What does Loung feel toward the patients in the infirmary?
Loung feels pity for these patients. This is because there are two hundred or so patients that are all on the verge of death, surrounded by revolting conditions. She feels pitiful knowing that many of these patients will die before the sun rises the next day.
When Loung arrives at the infirmary, what is she reminded of?
She is reminded of Keav, and wondered if she slept in similar cots drenched in urine and waste. She imagines Keav dying alone among thousands of strangers.
Why are they all forced to leave the infirmary?
After one week the infirmary became overcrowded and they were forced to leave.
What is the current food ration situation?
The period of plentiful food did not last long and their food rations have been reduced. As a result many people are becoming sick, including Loung.
“We’re all together now. We’re all together.”
Ma
Why does Loung hesitate before eating the seeds from the cotton?
Open Ended:
We can infer she hesitates due to the stories she’s heard about people dying from poisonous plants and foods. However, she heard that cotton was safe to eat therefore does end up eating its seeds.
What is the medicine that Loung is given?
A cube of sugar.
Why does the family never speak about Keav or Pa?
Although nobody in the family has explicitly stated they cannot bring them up, each family member keeps their own memories of Keav and Pa private and locked within their hearts. Some things are better left unsaid.
How long has it been since the Khmer Rouge took over the country?
Three years
“Where are you going, you stupid girl?”
Met Bong
On the way home from the infirmary what does Loung take? How does she feel and what does this say about her?
Open Ended:
She steals a rice ball from an old lady. Loung feels extremly guilty and feels as if she put a marker on the woman’s grave.
This might reveal Loungs desperation to survive as she is willing to steal from another human. This could also characterize her as selfish.
Why were the nurses and doctors in the infirmary useless?
The Khmer Rouge executed all educated people and now these doctors are unqualified. There are also not enough doctors to treat the hundreds of patients that end up in infirmary‘s. Therefore, most patients are left to die.
How does the family share a joyful moment together even while struggling?
They all gather around as Ma is combing the lice out of Loungs hair and laugh while killing the bugs. They spend the day sitting around talking, laughing and loving each other.
What does Loung compare her hands to?
She claims it looks stubby and waxy like five pale fat worms. She momentarily envisions them detaching and crawling away.
“I’m all right, I am not as you see me.”
Keav
Why does Loung continue to count the dates?
Open ended:
She claims it it no use to keep counting days because it won’t bring her family closer to her. However she is still young and doesn’t understand much but counting the dates is the only sane thing she knows how to do.
Why does Loung go in the water on the way to the infirmary?
The mud soothes her aching joints and she drinks some of the water.
What is the significance of the chapter title? What does this mean about the future?
Open Ended: The title may indicate this is the last time this group of family members is all together again. Will anyone survive and will they ever see each other again?
What does Loung dream about towards the end of the chapter?
She dreams about Keav. The dream starts peacefully where they are walking together. Keav appears to be beautiful, young, and exuberant until her appearance begins to change. She grows thinner and disfigured. Loung eventually screams herself awake.