comment on style/ language / tone

The overall tone of the story is one of hopelessness and fear though there is an undertone of hope and a belief in a better life. The story includes many references to the life and culture of the people of Vietnam of the periods covered by the author, both during and after the war. Among these discussions are the author's discoveries about the foreign soldiers who are just people. This realization is both reassuring and frightening to her because it means that the invaders arrive in her country and commit atrocities that make Le Ly more fearful and insecure. She also comes to realize that these are men - sometimes little more than boys - who just want to go home safely. She comes to find that she likes some of the American soldiers and eventually becomes involved with several, both as friends and in sexual relationships. There are some references to legends and traditions that make the reader more vividly aware of Le Ly's life as a youngster. For example, she gives detailed information about the burial rites upon her father's death, focusing on the fact that she believes her father's spirit remains nearby and provides her with a peace that she lacked prior to his death. Another legend presented to the reader is that of the god who sent grass and rice to the farmer in ancient days. The messenger got the two bags mixed up so that the farmer had to work hard to raise the rice while the grass grew prolifically - the opposite of what the god had instructed.