Opening Line: 'down town
saigon is a tangle of bikes."
"Up until 1975 when the
communists took over."
Metaphore for chaos, lack
of political freedom makes
sitch seem more realistic.
2. Struggles or Hardship
"She keeps sprinting... desperate
attempt...heart plummets." "The
girl knows that people disapear
for no reason." unchle get
operation with no anathetic
Stuggle to stay alive,
dangerous place,
lack of health care
3. Father Hero
Ahns dad saves mum on the
train, He dresses as a guard
"Marches through the gates"
Characterises father as a
heroic, brave and risky figure
Chapter 2
Idea
Example
Effect/Technique
1. Togetherness - work
together an outcome can be
achieved
"...Several pairs of
hands reached...",
"When they all woke up
to search for Loc"
See them as one big
family doing things to
benifit each other
2. Danger of traveling on a boat
"Lack of food and water",
over exposier to sun, salt,
sea, wind, pirates.
Shows hardship family has
to face, alot of imagry used.
Chapter 4
Idea
Example
Effect/Technique
1. How smart his father is
"Dad went and got a coat
hanger...bent it out of
shape... click, car was
unlocked.", "Dad was always
building a fence, making a
shed or making an
enclosure." "Dad has an
amazing knack... playing with
them for a few minutes."
Characterises him to be
a hero, hard worker and
that he can do anything
2. Lessions he learnt as a child
"I was very slow when it
came to boy girl things", "He
got Khoa and me to hold the
stearing wheel...leaver the
boulder...out of our way"
Hes Naieve, Part of his
journey- shown as being young
and innocent- hasnt had that
turning point, selection of detail
shows hes cleaver
3. How optimistic their family
is concidering their history
"Theirs only two times in life,
now or to late", "Dads looking
at buying a farm, the sewing
business has prospered."
Motivational, build a life
for them selfes,
optimictic- moving
forward and looking for
better life.
Chapter 5
Idea
Example
Effect/Technique
1. Importance of family
"She was an important part of
my up bringing", "I sat next to
her and cheered her on"
States in first sentence how
important family is, all very
supportive of each other
2. Value a good education
"My parents believe in giving us
kids as good education as as they
can afford", "Holy
schmoly...expencive things... No
Problem", "Late night sewing till
3am...give their children a better life"
Will do anything for their
kids to get a good education,
parents are self sacrafising
3. Blending into an
Aussie culture
"Crack open a can of VB",
"Maccas happy meal to
celebrate", "Put her feet up
and sing Kareokee"
Even though Ahns gran is
full vietnamese the aussie
culture is rubbing off on
him, provided through his
diologe and quotes.
Chapter 6
Idea
Example
Effect/Technique
1. Power - loss of
respect and authority
"You loose respect for
him and authority in
general", "When you
break through having fear
of your father, and willing
to do anything to hurt him"
Heroic figure isn't
their anymore, no
longer a role model
and hero and his "You
can do anything"
motto is gone
2. Loss of thrust and
friendship
"Losing trust of his
brother was crippling for
him", "..They were both
trying to kill each other
on the kitchen floor"
his family was most
important in the beginning
and this is the start of Tam
going down hill after the
loss of his brothers
3. Bad luck and fortune
"Eventually everything
sold at a massive
loss", Self belief to
addiction to risk
taking", "theirs now
and theirs to late"
He's lost everything from
the business to the farm,
gives up and feels he
cant go on any further,
characterizes him as
giving up and losing hope
4. Guilt and Blame
"Guilt ate away at him",
he couldn't do anything
to save him brothers so
he blames himself
Dramatic change in
Ahns dad, Tam.
becomes a hypocrite
and life becomes tough