Paradise of the Blind
World literature two Statement of intent I plan to elaborate on the political aspects of by writing a formal letter to the Vietnam government. The Vietnam government banned this book from the country because of the all encompassing political aspects included in the book. In the authors books all of the aspects of life are demonstrated and the total view was an unattractive image for the leaders. This book was banned because it went against what a government hopes to portray to their people.
Duong Thu Huong worked for the Communist Youth Brigade at the age of 20 but was expelled from the communist party in 1989. She has been imprisoned numerous times for her outspoken support for human rights and democratic political reform and is no longer allowed to leave Vietnam. In Paradise of the blind, her fourth book written and her fourth book to be banned, she included government acts such as the effects of communists on the people such as the land reform act, and Ratification of Errors. The large political attraction and its effect on the people are a large part of her books but the cultural aspects are also prominent.
I hope to convince the Vietnamese government to publish this book which would provide a better understanding for the people in and out of Vietnam. The reason I chose to do a letter it because it allows me to show the government’s large and influential part in the people’s lives and as well as discus the cultural aspects. The government banned the book in 1991 and I wanted to explore why it was important enough to ban and hopefully have an objective view on why it would be good to publish it. President Truong T? n Sang,
Thank you for the honor of taking time out of your day to read my letter. I would like to address the Book Paradise of the Blind by Duong Thu Huong. Because it was banned from your country you might not be familiar with the work but I am sure you are aware of the author. She is well known for her writing and political stances. Her book is a fiction with many real life situations and probable events for a person of Vietnam in the 1980’s. Because of this factor I found it interesting that it was banned from your country under the term of President (Insert name here).
I write to you today in hopes that you will reevaluate president (insert name here)’s decision and allow this book to be published. The social conditions were not optimal in the book and I can respect the decision to ban it, but it was banned from the country but that was a different time and things have changed since then. Under the influence of many years the conditions and circumstances have changed. Publishing the book provides you with a good opportunity to portray an understanding for the people and your willingness to cooperate with their wants with little or no cost to you.
Duong Thu Huong has spoken out about the government censorship numerous times and by allowing her book to be published now, it could allow the people to trust their government. The book showed a vulnerable time in Vietnamese history fraught with trials and errors on the part of the government. The fact that it revealed corruption in the government was a problem at the time but the government has improved since then. After the Ratification of Errors the land owners were allowed to prosper again such as “Aunt Tam” even though times were still difficult.
Like the Ratification of errors after the land reform, by ending the ban it would show that you as a country are willing to accept the past and move on. As the governmental issues discussed in the book are not as prominent today it would be beneficial for the government’s reputation to show how far they have come. As I read the book I soon realized what insight it would provide an understanding into the lifestyle of the older generations. It would allow the students of today to better understand their countries history and how it affected the people’s lives.
The insight that the book provided Americans into Vietnam could also be mirrored by the Vietnamese and a new appreciation for their culture could arise. By allowing the people to see the conditions back then they will realize the full extent of the improvements made and understand their parents and grandparents went though. The food in the book allows for a better understanding of the situation. At each time in the characters life, depending on their financial situation, the food varied. The fact that there is an emphasis on food would be understood and relatable to the public.
They have the ability to compare condition then and now creating a bond that comes from true understanding. Thought this book good traits, situations, and food are juxtaposed with bad and the influence that they had on their surroundings is something that can be learned from. This book demonstrates a strong aspect of your culture in the submission of Que to her brother. When her brother told her to leave her husband she did even though she loved him. Her devotion to her brother demonstrates the characteristics of a good sister and later aunt.
Que went to the tenement were her brother lived in order to care for her brother and his family. She put her brother’s needs in front of her own and her daughters. When her job was not acceptable in her brother’s opinions she reluctantly changed jobs. That selflessness in her endeavor to help her brother is something to be admired. Just as Que helped her brothers family, Hang was loyal to her mother. When her mother had her leg amputated due to a car accident and could no longer be an efficient worker, Hang hurried to help her. Hang quit school to go to Russia to work and support her mother.
Tam also had admirable qualities in that she supported her brother’s child when Hang’s mother had practically abandoned her for her nephews. Tam supported Hang through school and gave her many opportunities to succeed. The traits in all three of these women are admirable and the general public could learn from their sacrifices. The hard work that they put in gave others the ability to live and do as they needed to survive. Paradise of the Blind is an interesting book that taught me a lot about your culture. It advocates many good qualities as well as change.
Hang’s decision to progress into the future and leave her past behind when she decided to sell her Aunt’s house allows her to move on and create a new opportunity to better herself. By releasing the book the same opportunity would come for you and learning form the past would further strengthen yourself today. People could compare what is to what was and make up their opinion for themselves. The people will appreciate the freedom and respect you for allowing them the option. By leaving the book banned you lead people to believe that it is still true today when much change has occurred.
