Mother Vuong pham quotes

Question 1

evidence 1

Answer 1

“about mother’s youth, before the bloodshed in Saigon”

tone shift

Starting sentence: pham demonstrates language as a vessel to activate memories to reveal the true history behind culture prompting empathy and connection
Insert quote.
Immediate effect: The abrupt change from subdued tones to referencing the somber past represents the persona’s changing identity from naivety to profound cultural affinity.
Effect to topic sentence. Through accessing his mother’s memories, a bond was created between him, his culture and Vietnam as he grasps the sacrifices his mother made and the war torn reality of his homeland, underscoring the power language/memories has to reshape identity.

Question 2

evidence 2

Answer 2

“I picture her driving a yellow scooter… soothing aromas of pho and lychee tea…”
plethora of sensory
stanza 7
Pham highlights how (language can allow) memories can(to) harmonise an individual with culture.
effect: The persona’s immersion in Vietnamese tradition as a result of his mothers memories, suggests a intimate affection to his cultural customs, shifting his identity to resonate with his heritage.

Question 3

evidence 3

Answer 3

“ all of which//was the city she will no longer call home.”
enjambment

This ultimately accumulates to him fully assimilating into his heritage as he realises “all of which// was the city she will no longer call home.”
Immediate effect: The heavy use of enjambment creates a sense of disjointedness representing the personas emotional dissonance from greiving the loss of his homeland.
Effect linking to topic
upon being exposed to the tragic past of his heritage as result of his mother’s memories, the persona processes the hardships Vietnamese refugees experienced, shaping his identity to connect with his people.

Question 4

evidence 4

Answer 4

“I know now, as I did in my childhood wonder.
recurring motif
Furthermore, in the recurring motif of “insert quote”
Immediate effect: Pham elucidates the importance of language to shape a whole identity through utilising memories to piece together fragmented assumptions about culture
Effect linking to topic: The repetition of the phrase throughout the poem signifies the persona’s increased knowledge and understanding of culture as he gains confirmation of his fragmented “Childhood wonder(s)” from exploring the memories of his mother