Just as in Reading Assignment #2 Response, comment on this post with your assigned answers. You may collaborate with your partner to come up with your answer but everyone must post individually. Please include the question number with your response.
- Who are the “Youns”? What are they doing? JG, LR
- The children’s mother turns them out of home. She says, “I don’t want you here. You are too much work for me! I want you to leave!” When this happens Loung’s blood “boils with resentment” towards her mother. Why has she acted this way? Do you think Loung’s attitude is justified? Imagine yourself in Loung’s position. How would you feel? HM, LB
- Loung and her sister wish to join a children’s work camp. Why? What does “Met Bong” mean. At night Met Bong “educates” the children. How? What does she want the children to do? At this time how old are Loung and her sister Chou? When Met Bong tells them that the Angkar loves them and will protect them do they believe her? KH, LR
- At a new camp site Loung Ung sees a young boy up a palm tree cutting fruit: “He smiles and waves to me, but the cleaver is still in his hand.” Is this the first time the author has noted a smile since the Khmer Rouge takeover? Is the image one of warmth and friendship or does the author wish to convey a warning? How does she do this? KH, LB
- Who is Pol Pot? Why are children being forced into the army? What are the children being taught about their parents? JG, HM
**Due Monday Dec. 2
2) She has acted this way because if she would have just acted normal than Loung, Chou, and Kim wouldn't have left. Ma had to act as if she didn't want them so they would left and not come back.
ReplyDeleteIn a way Loung's attitude is justified but at the same time I think her and her siblings knew the truth and knew that there was a reason why Ma was acting the way she was they just didn't want to admit it to themselves.
I would feel betrayed and sad which would lead me to anger but I think I would also realize she was doing what is best. I would also be depressed but would know that I had to stay strong.
5) Pol Pot is the leader of the Angkar or Khmer Rouge. Children are being forced to into the army because children are pure and can be easily influenced and their minds can be easily changed. The children are being taught that their parents are basically in the wrong and that if the are not for the Angkar they are traitors and should be destroyed. That the Angkar is almighty and the parents are the ones who should be for not against the Angkar.
Betrayal, sadness, and depression are three very powerful emotions we would all like to avoid. So sad that Ma basically has to do this. Good analysis Hannah.
Delete3) They want to join the children's work camp because their mother has sent them away. It wasn't an intentional search for this specific camp, but it is the first on they came upon, tired and hungry, so they went for it.
ReplyDelete"Met Bong" means "comrade elder sister".
She educated them by telling them of the "glorious" Khmer soldiers' victories, the "terrible" Youns, and Angkar's love for all children. She wants them to pledge their allgience to Angkar, and work to prove their love to Pol Pot.
Loung is seven and Chou is ten.
They do not believe Met Bong at all. They feel nothing but hurt and anger toward Angkar.
This is the first time anyone has smiled at a stranger that has been mentioned, but I do not believe it is one of warning. Loung is surprised and caught off guard by it, but she later on talks about how he sends some of the fruit in her direction. I think it is a truly friendly gesture.
ReplyDelete2. When Ma acted the way she did she fully did it out of love. She loves her children so much that she would rather them be far from her care just so that they may live. This would have to be the hardest thing to do as a mother but she knew that if they stayed with her they soon would all die. Once these words left her mouth Loung's reaction was very expected. As a young child she dose not understand that pain it took for Ma to overcome to say these things but she it for the safety and welfare of her remaining Children. I would have reacted that same way because I am one to fight and voice my options. I would have felt betrayed at that age if my mother wanted me to leave, but at this age I understand the hard things to have to sacrifice for your family.
ReplyDelete4. Yes this the first time that she has been in a community where happy things happen. This boys smile help her accept the knew life that she now has to live with. She is alone and in a new camp where you support the war and you hunt instead of being hunted. This friendship continues by seeing him and accepting the fruit that he would throw her way.