FTKMF Chapters 25 to end

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 she feels uncomfortable when witnessing someone doing what they want to do and not worrying about other people's opinions. Loung won't be used to such freedom for a long time. The trauma she went through won't go away as soon as she leaves Cambodia.

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