In this literary analysis essay, I will explore how Thanhha Lai uses literary devices to convey the theme of family in "Inside Out and Back Again". Specifically, I will analyze how the author uses imagery, metaphor, and point of view to show the overall conflict and tension in the time period, and the impact that choice has on the meaning and theme of the text. Firstly, the author uses metaphor to create a vivid portrayal of the physical and emotional struggles that the family faces as they flee their home and seek refuge in a new country. For example, when Hà and her family are on the boat, the author uses a metaphor to describe the urgency, danger, and fear that they feel, “Everyone knows the ship could sink, unable to hold the piles of bodies that keep crawling on like raging ants from a disrupted nest,” (Lai 63). The use of the word "everyone" implies that the situation is well-known or widely understood. Overall, the sentence creates a sense of urgency, danger, and fear. This imagery emphasizes the importance of family in times of crisis, as the family members rely on each other for comfort and support. …show more content…
For instance, when Hà's teacher fakes laughs at her when Hà says her own name, Hà feels a sense of loss of her cultural identity, "I repeat, Hà and wish I knew enough English to tell her to listen for the diacritical mark," (Lai 140). Through this symbolic use of Hà's name, the author highlights the difficulties that immigrants face in adjusting to a new culture and the importance of family in preserving their cultural identity and