Black & Red in First They Killed My Father

In the final four chapters of  First, They Killed My Father, hope returns to Loung's life as she reunites with family and heads to America. In chapter 25 Loung's clothes are being washed by her aunt. "I watch Aunt Keang throw our dirty clothes into an aluminum bowl and soak them with water -- I watch in fascination as the clear water becomes gray and then black as the detergent does its work" (Ung 212). The cleansing of Loung's clothes could represent multiple things, but most likely it represents Loung washing off her trauma from the genocide. Of course, stains will stay, but for the most, she is back to living a normal life. During chapter 27 While Loung is staying in a refugee camp, she witnesses a woman who is dressed provocatively in a red swimming suit which makes her uncomfortable. "A young woman walks into the water wearing nothing but a small bright bathing suit!" (Ung 230). Loung hasn't been free or even witnessed freedom in so long that s...

Graham Red and Black motif in FTKMF In chapters, 21-22 Loung and two of her siblings are "adopted" by another family. This turns out to be an enforced labor situation and not an adoption. Loung has dark thoughts about her family and the community around her and feels safe nowhere. She stops to trust the Youn soldiers after one of them attempts to rape her. The underwear of the Youn soldier is bright red, this is something Youn remembered more than other details. When he assaults her his face became darker and sinister. This fits with the theme in FTKMF about black being a color of evil and sadness.