Loung's Journey

Within the first few pages of the memoir, Loung introduces us to her family and the class that they occupy. She creates a distinction between her family and the peasant class by including specific contrasts and details. She addresses the differences in travel, in realty, in education between the classes – often comparing her own family to those around her. She states “I know we are middle-class because of our apartment and the possessions we have. Many of my friends live in crowded homes with only two or three rooms for a family of ten” (Ung 7). Meanwhile, her family of nine lives in a spacious apartment adorned with a television and many ornaments. It is interesting to note that, at only five years old, Loung is completely aware of the economic

When they begin their journey, the family has the luxury of being able to flee the city in their truck – a luxury that soon runs out of petrol. The is the first loss of privilege that the family experiences. Along the road, this loss of class beings to affect the family. Loung cannot comprehend why they are being treated so poorly and why she has to walk so far, the physical and emotional struggle she has to endure something that is foreign to her. She acts out, constantly asking when they will be able to return or if they are there yet. While Geak is too young to even be perturbed by this journey, the other children begin to grow up at a rapid rate. They drag Loung along, scour for food, remain silent to protect their family, and grow thick skin. Ma, once a lover of golden jewelry and getting made up, is focused solely on her family’s survival. She plays a very strong and silent role, keeping her mouth shut to protect her children’s innocence. Pa, on the other hand, begins to show his usefulness within the first few days of the journey. The “rock” of the family, Pa’s peasant background and strong devotion to his family keeps the nine of them alive for quite some

Pa is the man of house and works as a military police captain, functioning as the main source of income and Loung’s “teddy bear”. Her father and her have a very close relationship, her father often getting her out of trouble with Ma and holding her in his lap. The introduction to the relationship between Loung and her father early in the memoir makes the slow distancing between these two even harder to bear, as her farther can no longer devote any time to his children at Ro Leap. Next, there is Ma. Ma is a traditional mother who values beauty and politeness. Loung and her mother are not very close because Loung is a trouble tom-boy. This strained relationship continues throughout their time at Ro Leap, seen through moments such as when Ma throws a coconut shell at her daughter. While Ma and Loung do not get along, they remain devoted to each other. Then there are Loung’s siblings, which include – in age order - Meng, Khouy, Keav, Kim, Chou, and Geak. Prior to the evacuation, Pa supports the family while Ma disciplines and the children focus on school and recreation. But the invasion of the Khmer Rouge shifts the role of each family member. While Pa continues to the main source of income and support, using his agricultural knowledge from his childhood to provide, each member of the family has to step up. The book states “My parents, older brother, and sister work in the ride