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Questions and Answers
Who wrote the following quote that opens the novel: 'Let us not become gloomy as soon as we hear the word torture'?
Who wrote the following quote that opens the novel: 'Let us not become gloomy as soon as we hear the word torture'?
Friedrich Nietzsche
On what date did the Fall of Saigon occur?
On what date did the Fall of Saigon occur?
April 30, 1975
What does the word 'epicurean' mean in Chapter 1?
What does the word 'epicurean' mean in Chapter 1?
A lover of sensual pleasures
Whom does the narrator say actually came up with the question attributed to Lenin in Chapter 1: 'What is to be done?'
Whom does the narrator say actually came up with the question attributed to Lenin in Chapter 1: 'What is to be done?'
Who is the author of 'Asian Communism and the Oriental Mode of Destruction'?
Who is the author of 'Asian Communism and the Oriental Mode of Destruction'?
What was the narrator's father's profession?
What was the narrator's father's profession?
What is the name of Bon's wife?
What is the name of Bon's wife?
What is the name of Bon's son?
What is the name of Bon's son?
Who wrote the quote cited in Chapter 1: 'Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds'?
Who wrote the quote cited in Chapter 1: 'Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds'?
Who gave the narrator his rucksack that he packs and leaves with in Chapter 1?
Who gave the narrator his rucksack that he packs and leaves with in Chapter 1?
What kind of camera does the narrator describe carrying in the hidden compartment of his rucksack?
What kind of camera does the narrator describe carrying in the hidden compartment of his rucksack?
Who is the dictator of the Philippines when the narrator leaves in Chapter 1?
Who is the dictator of the Philippines when the narrator leaves in Chapter 1?
What author does the narrator say that Man had introduced him and Bon to in Chapter 1?
What author does the narrator say that Man had introduced him and Bon to in Chapter 1?
What Beatles' song does the narrator describe singing in the bar with Man and Bon in Chapter 1?
What Beatles' song does the narrator describe singing in the bar with Man and Bon in Chapter 1?
To whom is the narrator writing his confession in Chapter 2?
To whom is the narrator writing his confession in Chapter 2?
What does the narrator say his mother called him in Chapter 2?
What does the narrator say his mother called him in Chapter 2?
What does the narrator say his father called him in Chapter 2?
What does the narrator say his father called him in Chapter 2?
Where have the narrator and Bon landed in the beginning of Chapter 4?
Where have the narrator and Bon landed in the beginning of Chapter 4?
What word in the novel refers to the practice of concealing a message within another message?
What word in the novel refers to the practice of concealing a message within another message?
Where does the narrator first arrive in the United States in Chapter 4?
Where does the narrator first arrive in the United States in Chapter 4?
What word from Chapter 4 refers to a straight, close-fitting dress with a high neck?
What word from Chapter 4 refers to a straight, close-fitting dress with a high neck?
Where does the Department Chair say he met his wife in Chapter 4?
Where does the Department Chair say he met his wife in Chapter 4?
What author is cited in the narrative as saying 'East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet'?
What author is cited in the narrative as saying 'East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet'?
What does the narrator brush over the letters from his aunt in order to see the hidden messages in Chapter 4?
What does the narrator brush over the letters from his aunt in order to see the hidden messages in Chapter 4?
What food item does the narrator describe missing terribly in his letter to his aunt in Chapter 4?
What food item does the narrator describe missing terribly in his letter to his aunt in Chapter 4?
What does the narrator claim to be guilty of in his confession in Chapter 5?
What does the narrator claim to be guilty of in his confession in Chapter 5?
What fictional spy character does the narrator describe sleeping peacefully on a bed of nails in Chapter 5?
What fictional spy character does the narrator describe sleeping peacefully on a bed of nails in Chapter 5?
What kind of store does the narrator describe the General opening in Chapter 5?
What kind of store does the narrator describe the General opening in Chapter 5?
What job has Bon taken in Chapter 5?
What job has Bon taken in Chapter 5?
On what day of the week does the General's store opening occur in Chapter 5?
On what day of the week does the General's store opening occur in Chapter 5?
Where does the narrator say Ms. Mori lives in Chapter 5?
Where does the narrator say Ms. Mori lives in Chapter 5?
What is Ms. Mori's first name?
What is Ms. Mori's first name?
What Founding Father does the narrator describe having said that an older mistress is a wonderful thing in Chapter 5?
What Founding Father does the narrator describe having said that an older mistress is a wonderful thing in Chapter 5?
The author writes in Chapter 5, 'Under Asian communism, everything but' what 'is free'?
The author writes in Chapter 5, 'Under Asian communism, everything but' what 'is free'?
To what religion does Bon ascribe?
To what religion does Bon ascribe?
Where is the General's store located, according to the narrator in Chapter 5?
Where is the General's store located, according to the narrator in Chapter 5?
Who is the woman that Claude was forced to leave behind when he fled Saigon?
Who is the woman that Claude was forced to leave behind when he fled Saigon?
What is described as 'the cue for the evacuation's final phase' in Chapter 5?
What is described as 'the cue for the evacuation's final phase' in Chapter 5?
Who has the General enlisted to help the narrator in killing the major in Chapter 5?
Who has the General enlisted to help the narrator in killing the major in Chapter 5?
The narrator writes to the Commandant in Chapter 7, 'We're revolutionaries, and revolutionaries can never be' what?
The narrator writes to the Commandant in Chapter 7, 'We're revolutionaries, and revolutionaries can never be' what?
Where does the narrator describe attending a wedding in Chapter 7?
Where does the narrator describe attending a wedding in Chapter 7?
To what song does the General go onstage to dance with the performer at the wedding in Chapter 7?
To what song does the General go onstage to dance with the performer at the wedding in Chapter 7?
What kind of traditional dress does the narrator describe Lana having worn as a girl in Chapter 7?
What kind of traditional dress does the narrator describe Lana having worn as a girl in Chapter 7?
Where does Lana attend college?
Where does Lana attend college?
What was Lana's major in college?
What was Lana's major in college?
What is one of the nicknames for the Congressman that the narrator describes in Chapter 7?
What is one of the nicknames for the Congressman that the narrator describes in Chapter 7?
What district does the Congressman represent?
What district does the Congressman represent?
Where does the narrator take the General and Madame to the Congressman's house for dinner in Chapter 7?
Where does the narrator take the General and Madame to the Congressman's house for dinner in Chapter 7?
Madame exclaims in Chapter 7, 'The worst thing about living in America is' what?
Madame exclaims in Chapter 7, 'The worst thing about living in America is' what?
What is the name of the Congressman's wife?
What is the name of the Congressman's wife?
What does the Congressman say that the movie is about that he is advising on in Chapter 7?
What does the Congressman say that the movie is about that he is advising on in Chapter 7?
What is the name of the film that the narrator is to advise about?
What is the name of the film that the narrator is to advise about?
What is the name of the movie director's assistant?
What is the name of the movie director's assistant?
In what film does the narrator describe Mickey Rooney playing a 'bucktoothed, bespectacled Jap' in Chapter 8?
In what film does the narrator describe Mickey Rooney playing a 'bucktoothed, bespectacled Jap' in Chapter 8?
What film of the Auteur's is described in Chapter 8 as 'A critically lauded movie about the travails of Greek American youth in the inflamed streets of Detroit'?
What film of the Auteur's is described in Chapter 8 as 'A critically lauded movie about the travails of Greek American youth in the inflamed streets of Detroit'?
What film of the Auteur's is described in Chapter 8 as being 'about the failure of the American Dream'?
What film of the Auteur's is described in Chapter 8 as being 'about the failure of the American Dream'?
What is the name of the Auteur's gardener?
What is the name of the Auteur's gardener?
What infamous Nazi does the author describe in Chapter 8?
What infamous Nazi does the author describe in Chapter 8?
What food does Madame offer to the narrator when he visits in Chapter 8?
What food does Madame offer to the narrator when he visits in Chapter 8?
What character is the Thespian playing in the film?
What character is the Thespian playing in the film?
What character is the Idol playing in the film?
What character is the Idol playing in the film?
What is the name of the older Vietnamese brother in the Auteur's film?
What is the name of the older Vietnamese brother in the Auteur's film?
What is the name of the Vietnamese sister in the Auteur's film?
What is the name of the Vietnamese sister in the Auteur's film?
Of what ethnicity is the actor who plays Danny Boy in the Auteur's film?
Of what ethnicity is the actor who plays Danny Boy in the Auteur's film?
Of what ethnicity is James Yoon described in Chapter 10?
Of what ethnicity is James Yoon described in Chapter 10?
What is the dish soap that James Yoon is known for promoting in television commercials?
What is the dish soap that James Yoon is known for promoting in television commercials?
Where is Asia Soo's mother from?
Where is Asia Soo's mother from?
Where is Asia Soo's father from?
Where is Asia Soo's father from?
What book is Asia Soo reading when the narrator approaches her by the pool in Chapter 10?
What book is Asia Soo reading when the narrator approaches her by the pool in Chapter 10?
Where does the narrator describe finally seeing the Auteur's film in Chapter 10?
Where does the narrator describe finally seeing the Auteur's film in Chapter 10?
Who is described as the A-Team's only black soldier in the Auteur's film?
Who is described as the A-Team's only black soldier in the Auteur's film?
The narrator says in Chapter 11, 'The longer I worked on the movie, the more I was convinced that I was not only a technical consultant on an artistic project, but an infiltrator into a work of' what?
The narrator says in Chapter 11, 'The longer I worked on the movie, the more I was convinced that I was not only a technical consultant on an artistic project, but an infiltrator into a work of' what?
Who is the young student that the narrator describes discussing Mao with him and Man in Chapter 11?
Who is the young student that the narrator describes discussing Mao with him and Man in Chapter 11?
Where does the narrator wake up in the hospital after the accident on the movie set?
Where does the narrator wake up in the hospital after the accident on the movie set?
What do the extras bring to the narrator at the hospital in Chapter 11?
What do the extras bring to the narrator at the hospital in Chapter 11?
The narrator describes working his first assignment under whose supervision at the National Interrogation Center in Saigon?
The narrator describes working his first assignment under whose supervision at the National Interrogation Center in Saigon?
How does the narrator describe having broken the Watchman during interrogation in Chapter 11?
How does the narrator describe having broken the Watchman during interrogation in Chapter 11?
Where does the narrator land after returning from the movie set in Chapter 12?
Where does the narrator land after returning from the movie set in Chapter 12?
Who awaits the narrator when he arrives back in the U.S. from the movie set in Chapter 12?
Who awaits the narrator when he arrives back in the U.S. from the movie set in Chapter 12?
What business has the General decided to open to raise money for the movement in Chapter 12?
What business has the General decided to open to raise money for the movement in Chapter 12?
Where did Madame organize a Tet celebration, according to the narrator in Chapter 12?
Where did Madame organize a Tet celebration, according to the narrator in Chapter 12?
Where does Sonny say Abe is now in Chapter 13?
Where does Sonny say Abe is now in Chapter 13?
What does the narrator bring to Ms. Mori's house in Chapter 13?
What does the narrator bring to Ms. Mori's house in Chapter 13?
What color beret does the General wear in Chapter 13?
What color beret does the General wear in Chapter 13?
Where does the grizzled captain say he lost contact with his family in Chapter 13?
Where does the grizzled captain say he lost contact with his family in Chapter 13?
Whom does the narrator cite in having said 'men will die for bits of ribbon pinned to their chests' in Chapter 13?
Whom does the narrator cite in having said 'men will die for bits of ribbon pinned to their chests' in Chapter 13?
The narrator begins Chapter 14 saying, 'Sometimes the work of a subversive is purposeful, but sometimes, I confess, it is' what?
The narrator begins Chapter 14 saying, 'Sometimes the work of a subversive is purposeful, but sometimes, I confess, it is' what?
What is the title of the newspaper article Sonny writes about the field maneuvers in Chapter 14?
What is the title of the newspaper article Sonny writes about the field maneuvers in Chapter 14?
What is the revue that Lana performs for in Chapter 14?
What is the revue that Lana performs for in Chapter 14?
Where did the narrator, Bon, and Man swear their blood oath?
Where did the narrator, Bon, and Man swear their blood oath?
Where do the narrator and Bon go to see Lana sing in Chapter 14?
Where do the narrator and Bon go to see Lana sing in Chapter 14?
What do the narrator and his friends drink at the nightclub in Chapter 14?
What do the narrator and his friends drink at the nightclub in Chapter 14?
What is the first number that Lana performs at the club in Chapter 14?
What is the first number that Lana performs at the club in Chapter 14?
What drinks does the narrator buy for Lana at the club in Chapter 14?
What drinks does the narrator buy for Lana at the club in Chapter 14?
Where does the narrator learn that Lana works in Chapter 14?
Where does the narrator learn that Lana works in Chapter 14?
Where does Lana say she'd like to live if not in Los Angeles in Chapter 14?
Where does Lana say she'd like to live if not in Los Angeles in Chapter 14?
What word from Chapter 15 refers to a celestial nymph?
What word from Chapter 15 refers to a celestial nymph?
What does the narrator describe marriage as in Chapter 15?
What does the narrator describe marriage as in Chapter 15?
What does Bon threaten the shoplifters with in Chapter 15?
What does Bon threaten the shoplifters with in Chapter 15?
Where does the Congressman invite the General in Chapter 15?
Where does the Congressman invite the General in Chapter 15?
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Study Notes
Opening Quote and Themes
- Friedrich Nietzsche's quote, "Let us not become gloomy as soon as we hear the word torture," sets a tone of dark humor and philosophical contemplation at the novel's outset.
Historical Context
- The Fall of Saigon, a pivotal historical event marking the end of the Vietnam War, occurred on April 30, 1975.
Key Characters and Relationships
- The narrator's father was a priest, shaping his complex views on religion and identity.
- Bon's wife is named Linh, and their son is Duc, highlighting familial ties crucial to the narrative.
- To the narrator, his mother referred to him as "love child," while his father was silent about him, illustrating familial dynamics and emotional disconnect.
Significant Concepts and Terms
- "Epicurean" refers to a lover of sensual pleasures, emphasized in Chapter 1's exploration of indulgence.
- The term "steganography" describes concealing messages within other messages, reflecting themes of subterfuge in the novel.
Cultural References
- Alexandre Dumas is introduced as an influential author for the narrator and Bon.
- The song "Yesterday" by the Beatles serves as a nostalgic element in Chapter 1, connecting characters through shared experiences.
- Rudyard Kipling's quote about the East and West emphasizes the cultural divides encountered.
Detailing the Journey
- The narrator and Bon first arrive in the U.S. at San Diego in Chapter 4, marking their transition to a new life.
- The Minox camera represents the narrator's secretive and observant nature, tucked away in his rucksack.
Personal Struggles and Growth
- The narrator claims guilt in his confession for "honesty," revealing his internal conflict and moral dilemmas.
- The character of James Bond is referenced to illustrate the absurdity of spy clichés, while also acknowledging the genre's romanticized violence.
Social Commentary
- American life and cultural corruption are critiqued through Madame's statement about living in America, expressing disillusionment.
- The arrival in America leads to various businesses, including a liquor store and plans for a restaurant, showcasing the struggle for livelihood amid the diaspora.
Interpersonal Dynamics
- Relationships with characters like Ms. Mori and the General form a web of social interactions that affect the narrator's journey and identity.
- Wedding scenes in Chapter 7 symbolize both celebration and the tensions of cultural integration.
Film and Media Critique
- The narrator's involvement in the movie industry serves as a commentary on propaganda, identity, and representation.
- References to famous films, such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's," highlight racial stereotypes and the Hollywood portrayal of Asians.
Final Notes on Transformation
- The narrative's progression through various cities (Guam, Los Angeles) mirrors the personal evolution of the narrator and his friends.
- Emotional states fluctuate between nostalgia, ambition, and regret, encapsulating the immigrant experience and the search for belonging.
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