Inside Out And Back Again

The theme of family is strong throughout the story, especially the helpfulness of one’s family in growing stronger and bouncing back from challenges. Hà’s family is unified throughout their refugee journey, and each member of the family shows caretaking skills for the others.

Even before they leave Saigon, Mother calls a family meeting to hear the brothers’ and Hà’s opinions on taking the drastic step of abandoning their home. Mother decides to flee because it is in the best interests of the children; she chooses a location (America) considering her children’s education and future. She secures a sponsor who will allow them to remain together, takes a job to support them, comforts and advises Hà, inspires them to hope for Father’s return, and when the time comes, instructs them to let that hope go.

Brother Quang tends to his family members using his intelligence and interpersonal skills. He helpfully translates for Mother and Hà when communication barriers cause conflict. He carries Brother Khôi away from the eyes of other refugees as Khôi grieves over his dead chick. He takes a job as a mechanic—for which he is overeducated—for the sake of the family but soon proves his true skills and begins night school for his intended career as an engineer.

Brother Vũ uses his physical strength and size to protect his family in the chaotic shoving to board the refugee vessel, and he uses his charm and cooking talents in the refugee camp kitchen to secure a favorite food (fruit cocktail) for them. He teaches Hà defense moves with his martial arts skills and rescues her after she uses a defense move to defeat Pink Boy.

Brother Khôi seeks a partner in defying any plan to flee Saigon, and knowing how much Hà loves her papaya tree, convinces her the two of them should remain no matter what. Later, he quietly tells Hà that he understands the cruel comments of Hà’s classmates because he is experiencing the same at his school. He serves as a confidante and sympathetic ear for Hà.

Only 10, Hà does not have as many opportunities to take care of her family, but her actions show how much she cares for them. She loves Mother and plans to give her the first papaya from her tree. She sacrifices her only doll to the cold sea to soothe Khôi over the loss of his chick. She gives Mother solitude and space when Mother needs it.

Each family member shows resilience and the power of forward progress despite the challenges of losing Father, fleeing their homeland, and resettling in a foreign land. This ability to move forward and recover from challenges stems directly from family support.