1. At first the villagers fear and resent Kien, whom they do not know.

Then he helps them, they learn to know, accept, and even like him. But they easily turn on him when he appears to be collaborating with the New Government trio. Why are they unable to accept Kien trustingly?

2. Mai and Loc come from a very different family background than Kien —both socially and economically. Do these differences in nurturing explain their differences in behavior?

3. What seems to have happened between Kien and Jim? Is Kien entirely fair in being so bitter?

4. On the surface, "share and share alike" is a commendable idea. Why is it (or is it not) a good idea when Guyen Thi Lam asks the villagers for their "fair share" of fifty percent?

5. Hong, Mai, and the other females have "traditional" roles in the life of the...