Kien's+father

1. Why has Bao Ninh chosen to present this character as a poet? 2. What oppositions are established when we read about the 'anti-intellectual atmosphere of the state ideologies that came with Communism.' 3. What is the sigificance of the 'sad, unkempt winter garden' ? 4. Kien remembers his stepfather's advice: '... a human being's duty on this earth is to live, not to kill... Don't turn your back on life.' Why does he remember this? 5. Is it significant that Kien has very little memory of his mother? Also, we read of his stepfather that 'No one remembered the circumstances of his death, or even how the house had been destroyed.' How is memory represented in this novel?

=WORLD LIT SUGGESTIONS:=

All three novels offer portrayals of youth or childhood. What symbols and images are used to construct these representations?
==All three novels have offer representations of parent (or surrogate parent) -child relationships. Which methods of characterisation are used in the construction of these relationships and how do they relate to the wider themes of the novels?==

Both //Sailor// and //Sorrow// can be read as commentaries on the relationship between the individual and the state. How are symbolism and narrative used to construct this relationship or theme?
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