The Refugees

Memory is an important theme in many of the stories in the novel. Compare and contrast the way memories inform the refugee experience of characters in at least three stories. What does this say about the experience of members of a diasporic/exiled community? Finally, consider how Nguyen connects memory with trauma.

Teaching Suggestion: For Nguyen, memory is often coupled with the theme Haunted by Trauma, particularly for those characters who are unable to cope with the loss of loved ones and their life before the war in Vietnam. Additionally, the loss of memory is complicated by Aging and Loss of Agency as many characters struggle to separate the present from the past. In the class discussion, invite students to share examples from their Personal Connection Prompt and make connections to the text now that they have completed the reading.