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The Best We Could Do: Questions

This blog post, I wanted to really take the time to address some questions and some of my thoughts relating to The Best We Could Do.

 Firstly, and probably the most relevant in terms of the total scope of what we read Friday: was Bo's neglect of Thi and her siblings due to what he thought a father's role should be (as in a foil to the mother) as a result of what he saw as a child, or was it due to some deep-rooted pain as a result of the abuse he suffered as a child, as detailed in flashback form (pages 135-151)?

Why did Ma have so many children (page 29)? Many children, especially in a place as poor and politically turbulent as Vietnam, would lead to economic downfall, and Ma came from a well educated background. Was it a result of Bo mainly? Also, why are two of the children (Quyen and Thao) obscured (page 29)? Are they deceased?

These questions mainly relate to the family dynamic of the novel, as I believe that is the think that is most easily convoluted in my mind. Hopefully this question can be addressed tomorrow in seminar format or in the reading.


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