How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Because the Lees [...] fled Laos since their country fell to communist forces in 1975, they do not know if their house is still standing. (1.4)
Here you have it: the Lees hardly even have time to pack their bags before leaving Laos, let alone take a peek over their shoulders. Nao Kao and Foua's parents were born in the mountains, and their parents' parents were born there, too. This uprooting takes a huge mental toll on the family, not to mention the Hmong people as a whole.
Quote #2
"I am very stupid." When I asked her why, she said, "because I don't know anything here. I don't know your language." (8.21)
How 'bout a shot of confidence to go with that morbid self-deprecation, dear? In case you couldn't tell, Foua is being way hard on herself. After all, how long would most Americans last in the mountains of Laos? Although Foua is a sharp and skilled woman, her skills simply aren't prized much in the United States. And that makes adapting all the harder.
Quote #3
"What I miss in Laos is that free spirit, doing what you want to do [...] I miss that feeling of freeness. I miss having something that really belongs to me." (8.27)
This is a common sentiment among Hmong refugees. In Laos, they were free to raise their families and practice their culture how they saw fit. But in America, the Hmong are forced to abide by their new home's bureaucratic nature. And after facing war, forced migration, and violence, there's nothing that the Hmong hate more than bureaucrats.