World Lit
Lauren DiSalvo
English p.3
5 April 2015
In the novel, Paradise of the Blind, Duong Thu Huong uses symbols and characterization to relate characters Aunt Tam, Que, and Uncle Chinh to the conflicting political ideologies of the 20th century Vietnam in order to display her opinions on its power of achieving proclaimed paradise. With Uncle Chinh representing the communist ideology, and Aunt Tam representing the capitalist ideologies, Duong Thu Huong uses their differences to express her beliefs towards extremist ideologies.
Within the novel, Uncle Chinh has been portrayed as an epitome of communism. Duong Thu Huong constructed this character as a dependable figure with an unfriendly nature. “He was intoxicated with himself. His satisfaction was that of a creeping parasitic vine.” (Hang, page 26). The author establishes her opinion towards Uncle Chinh’s eagerness for power through the diction within the phrase “intoxicated” and “parasitic vine”, providing her criticism towards his nature. His contribution towards the communist ideologies helped him move towards a higher position in the party, which was linked towards his characterized greedy nature. The moneyless and classless movement of communism is advertised in the hypocrisy of the communist ideology in relation to Uncle Chinh’s actions of greed. His totalitarianism is represented in the way he manipulates his sister, Que. “You realize that you’re sabotaging my authority.” (Huong 32). In order to represent the hypocrisy of Uncle Chinh, Duong Thu Huong promoted the relationship between Uncle Chinh and Que as a relationship similar to an authority figure and a peasant struggling to thrive in the 20th century North Vietnamese communist government. Uncle Chinh’s aggressive tone of voice was a technique used by the Huong to represent his magnitude of dominance over Que, creating their hierarchal relationship. The author’s uses diction by representing Uncle Chinh’s craving for power in the phrase “my authority.” The
English p.3
5 April 2015
In the novel, Paradise of the Blind, Duong Thu Huong uses symbols and characterization to relate characters Aunt Tam, Que, and Uncle Chinh to the conflicting political ideologies of the 20th century Vietnam in order to display her opinions on its power of achieving proclaimed paradise. With Uncle Chinh representing the communist ideology, and Aunt Tam representing the capitalist ideologies, Duong Thu Huong uses their differences to express her beliefs towards extremist ideologies.
Within the novel, Uncle Chinh has been portrayed as an epitome of communism. Duong Thu Huong constructed this character as a dependable figure with an unfriendly nature. “He was intoxicated with himself. His satisfaction was that of a creeping parasitic vine.” (Hang, page 26). The author establishes her opinion towards Uncle Chinh’s eagerness for power through the diction within the phrase “intoxicated” and “parasitic vine”, providing her criticism towards his nature. His contribution towards the communist ideologies helped him move towards a higher position in the party, which was linked towards his characterized greedy nature. The moneyless and classless movement of communism is advertised in the hypocrisy of the communist ideology in relation to Uncle Chinh’s actions of greed. His totalitarianism is represented in the way he manipulates his sister, Que. “You realize that you’re sabotaging my authority.” (Huong 32). In order to represent the hypocrisy of Uncle Chinh, Duong Thu Huong promoted the relationship between Uncle Chinh and Que as a relationship similar to an authority figure and a peasant struggling to thrive in the 20th century North Vietnamese communist government. Uncle Chinh’s aggressive tone of voice was a technique used by the Huong to represent his magnitude of dominance over Que, creating their hierarchal relationship. The author’s uses diction by representing Uncle Chinh’s craving for power in the phrase “my authority.” The