In the novel Inside Out and Back Again, a war between North and South Vietnam takes place. To survive the war, Ha and her family must flee their hometown of Saigon by boat. They move to America, Alabama. The family struggles to fit in and adapt to the American culture, language, food, and tradition. The author Thanhha Lai adds figurative language such as simile and metaphor which allows readers to see Ha’s perspective.
The author uses simile to show Ha’s personality and perspective. A quote from the novel that shows this is on page 5 when Ha says, “I was as red and fat as a baby hippopotamus.” This reveals that Ha lacks confidence. This is important because she remembers all the negative stuff people have said to her. Another quote from the novel is on page 9 when Ha describes, “The green fruit shaped like a lightbulb.” This is important because it gets Ha interested and satisfied in the papaya shaped like a lightbulb. In conclusion, the similes show Ha’s personality and her connection with papayas.
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A quote from the novel is on page 13 when Ha describes her father’s portrait, “smiling, peacock tails at the corners of his eyes.” This reveals Ha’s thoughts on her father who she has barely seen and how happy her father was back then. This is important because Ha will be able to remember her father’s face as she grows up. Another quote from the novel is on page 52 when Ha describes her mother sewing, “the needle a worm laying tiny eggs that sink into brown cloth.” This reveals Ha’s thoughts during the sewing machine process. This is important because it shows that Ha is an observant person and could learn alot from this skill. In conclusion, the metaphors show how observant Ha is to small things and her thoughts on her father’s