Analysis of Aunt Tam

Tammy Graham

April 4th, 2011

English

Analysis of Aunt Tam

“These are precisely the people we must denounce and punish.” These words were said about Aunt Tam’s family. Aunt Tam is introduced as the sister of Hang’s father. Aunt Tam and Hang’s father grew up with not a lot of money. Hang’s mother’s side of the family, especially uncle Chinh who was the brother of Hang’s mother never accepted Hang’s father, Ton, and his sister, Aunt Tam. Uncle Chinh claimed that Ton and his family are landlords and they are the enemies of the peasantry, so Hang and her mother, Que, should have nothing to do with them even though Ton, was Hang’s father.

“Remember now: During the land reform, they cut this house into two. Bich took possession of one half, the other next to the temple. They left me only a few acres of wasteland: no buffalo, no cow, no wagon. The few dozen coins I had been able to save, I gave to Ton.” (p76) Aunt Tam told her story to Hang and Que of her life when her and Uncle Ton were living poor. Because Aunt Tam, Uncle Ton and the rest of their family were looked upon bad, they suffered with losing a lot of things they had, for example, half of their house. “I kept every penny I earned in my belt and slept with a knife under my neck” and this shows that

Aunt Tam has grown up to have lots of money from a successful business and therefore she gives a lot to her niece Hang, whom she just met. Aunt Tam treats Hang so well because she says that Hang is the last drop of blood from that side of the family. “You’re the last drop of blood in my family. The house, the altar to the ancestors, the rice paddies, the garden, I’m keeping them for you, do you understand?”(p87) Aunt Tam would always say this to her niece Hang and because Aunt Tam now has a lot of money she spoils Hang. “She pulled a wad of bills from her pocket. “This is for traveling. Rest a bit. The week before you leave for university, I’ll be sending someone to call for you. I’m inviting the...