Created by Subin Kim
Discussion Questions
Use these questions during a discussion or while reading the novel to reflect and engage in deeper thoughts.
Chapters 1-3
1. What is the difference between the way Loung’s mother and father treats her, and how might this affect the way she grows?
2. What might be the importance behind the meaning of Loung’s name? What could this foreshadow? (pg. 10)
3. What are Loung’s family’s feelings about America? Why do they portray the country in such a way?
4. In your opinion, which sibling influences Loung the most, and why?
5. Where do you think Loung and her family is going and why?
6. What would you do if you were Loung in this situation (where your family abruptly left home without warning or explanation)?
[Credits to Gina Lee]
2. What might be the importance behind the meaning of Loung’s name? What could this foreshadow? (pg. 10)
3. What are Loung’s family’s feelings about America? Why do they portray the country in such a way?
4. In your opinion, which sibling influences Loung the most, and why?
5. Where do you think Loung and her family is going and why?
6. What would you do if you were Loung in this situation (where your family abruptly left home without warning or explanation)?
[Credits to Gina Lee]
Chapters 4-11
1. In the beginning of today’s reading, the main character, Loung, describes the war scene very positively and creates complaints about her conditions. What do you think the significance of this tone is?
2. What changes/growth can be recognized from Loung’s way of thinking?
3. Do you think that Communism is equal? Do you think it is making the society a better place?
4. How have the behaviors of Loung’s parents changed?
5. Kim has earned “new friends” from Ro Leap. Are they true friends? How do they treat him?
6. What do you think of Khouy’s marriage? Do you think this is the wiser decision?
[Credits to Jennifer Kim]
2. What changes/growth can be recognized from Loung’s way of thinking?
3. Do you think that Communism is equal? Do you think it is making the society a better place?
4. How have the behaviors of Loung’s parents changed?
5. Kim has earned “new friends” from Ro Leap. Are they true friends? How do they treat him?
6. What do you think of Khouy’s marriage? Do you think this is the wiser decision?
[Credits to Jennifer Kim]
Chapters 12-17
1. How would you feel if you got a letter from your daughter saying that she is sick, in the hospital?
2. Do you think the golden watch was actually stolen or just lost? Why?
3. In Loung’s situation where Pa isn’t back by the promised time, would you try to stay positive or negative? Why?
4. What would you have done when you saw Pa in danger? Would you do the same as Loung?
5. How would you feel with two of your family members dead?
6. While looking at the pictures, who stood out the most? Why?
[Credits to Bryana Lee]
2. Do you think the golden watch was actually stolen or just lost? Why?
3. In Loung’s situation where Pa isn’t back by the promised time, would you try to stay positive or negative? Why?
4. What would you have done when you saw Pa in danger? Would you do the same as Loung?
5. How would you feel with two of your family members dead?
6. While looking at the pictures, who stood out the most? Why?
[Credits to Bryana Lee]
Chapters 18-22
1.How do you think Loung’s life is going so far compared to what other Cambodian children might be experiencing?
2. In the beginning of our reading, Loung’s selfishness is continually shown through her actions. What do you think of her actions and would you understand her if you were put in the same situation? (pg. 155)
3. Loung describes her life as a “life in deja vu” (Ung 159). What do you think this means, and have you ever had any experiences similar to Loung’s?
4. During the first attack, Loung does not help the girl in pain and leaves the camp. Would you do the same or differently and why?
5. In your opinion, do you think the Youns are someone to trust or someone to be suspicious of? Why?
6. There are continuous parts where foreshadowing is used by the author in scenes such as when Loung is almost raped, or when Loung has precognitions about her mother and Geak. What effects did these techniques have on you while you were reading the novel?
[Credits to Subin Kim]
2. In the beginning of our reading, Loung’s selfishness is continually shown through her actions. What do you think of her actions and would you understand her if you were put in the same situation? (pg. 155)
3. Loung describes her life as a “life in deja vu” (Ung 159). What do you think this means, and have you ever had any experiences similar to Loung’s?
4. During the first attack, Loung does not help the girl in pain and leaves the camp. Would you do the same or differently and why?
5. In your opinion, do you think the Youns are someone to trust or someone to be suspicious of? Why?
6. There are continuous parts where foreshadowing is used by the author in scenes such as when Loung is almost raped, or when Loung has precognitions about her mother and Geak. What effects did these techniques have on you while you were reading the novel?
[Credits to Subin Kim]
Chapters 23-27 & the Epilogue
1. Was it right for Kim to risk Loung’s life in order to get retrieve their mother’s backpack (when they left it behind)?
2. The foster family took care of Chou, Kim, and Loung for quite a long time. Are Chou, Kim, and Loung better off with the foster family or with Meng and Khouy?
3. Why would the old woman and several other women want to volunteer to kill the Khmer soldier? Would you have volunteered too?
5. Uncle Leang couldn’t recognize Loung at first and refused to give her his rice cakes. Other than the difference in physical appearance, how other ways might have Loung changed?
6. In the epilogue, Loung describes her life in America, explaining the events that have happened since her time there. Did the Cambodian- Vietnamese War limit her from living her life to the fullest in America?
[Credits to Gina Lee]
2. The foster family took care of Chou, Kim, and Loung for quite a long time. Are Chou, Kim, and Loung better off with the foster family or with Meng and Khouy?
3. Why would the old woman and several other women want to volunteer to kill the Khmer soldier? Would you have volunteered too?
5. Uncle Leang couldn’t recognize Loung at first and refused to give her his rice cakes. Other than the difference in physical appearance, how other ways might have Loung changed?
6. In the epilogue, Loung describes her life in America, explaining the events that have happened since her time there. Did the Cambodian- Vietnamese War limit her from living her life to the fullest in America?
[Credits to Gina Lee]
Created by Gina Lee
Soundtracks for Chapters
The first track of First They Killed My Father’s soundtrack is an ost from the animation, Spirited Away, called "It’s Hard Work". First They Killed My Father opens up the world of Phnom Penh, Cambodia in a lively, vivid manner, creative because it’s written in Loung’s 5-year old point of view. Contrary to the negative title, "It’s Hard Work" is peaceful yet very chirpy and spirited, and it matches perfectly with Loung Ung’s optimistic personality. Because this track is a “music box song”, it will further help the readers illustrate Phnom Penh’s exotic streets and culture with the perky instrumentation.
The second song for the soundtrack is an ost from a Korean drama, Ha-Yaien-Gyuw-Tap, called "B Rossette". In the next section of the memoir, Chapters 3~7, the Khmer Rouge soldiers invade Phnom Penh and Loung Ung’s family is evacuated, filling readers with anticipation and anxiety about what will happen next. The Ungs are unwelcomed and declined to stay at the villages they stumble upon, which forces them to continue on a road towards the unknown. The suspense and dramaticity of "B Rossette" is fitting to the tension in Chapters 3~7, and the uncertainty and dread for Loung’s future will be communicated to the readers clearly from the tenseness of this track.
The third song for Chapters 8~11 of First They Killed My Father is "Chasing Pavements" by Adele, a slow and neutral song that expresses the choice of either giving up or keep trying even if success is unlikely. When the Ungs settle in the village of Ro Leap during this section, they encounter various harsh conditions of the Khmer Rouge’s rules. As they bear to meet the unfair, impossible expectations from Ro Leap, Loung feels defeated and like Adele in "Chasing Pavement", wants to give up.
"Words As Weapons" by Birdy is the fourth song in this soundtrack, and it brings a melancholy vibe similar to the doleful and dispirited tone of Chapters 12~14. These chapters consist of several tragic, despairing events such as the deaths of Keav and Pa, causing Loung to suffer greatly and be emotionally wounded as "Words As Weapons" portrays. Lyrics such as “You’re trying to keep me suffering” (Birdy) also help to emphasize the sorrow and misery Loung goes through, and the woeful mood of the song fits in with the despondency of these chapters
The third track is an inspiring song called "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten, which voices the determination to stay strong-minded even with criticism from what seems like the rest of the world. Throughout Chapters 15~19, Loung is sent away by Ma to join Met Bong’s child soldier camp, where she learns to endure the daily toil and propaganda. Loung’s willpower and courage is similar to that of Platten’s "Fight Song", and like she sang, “Starting right now I’ll be strong” (Platten), Loung vows to prevail Met Bong’s scoldings and remain unsubmissive to her propaganda.
Moving on, the sixth song of this soundtrack is "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson, a motivational and vibrant song about never giving up and staying dauntless. Chapters 20~24 are the climax of First They Killed My Father, starting with the Youns invading Met Bong’s camp. Loung demonstrates her courage and stoutness, learning that when she didn’t give up, she became “stronger”. From this track, readers will be able to further understand Loung’s maturance, as the lyrics of "Stronger" describe how overcoming obstacles makes one stronger.
The last track for First They Killed My Father is a song by The Gabe Dixon Band called "All Will Be Well". This song has a merry, country tune to it, just as in Chapters 25 to the epilogue, when hope emerges for Loung Ung and there’s a cheerful, lighthearted mood to the writing. Loung also immigrates to the United States, tying loose ends like the lyrics of "All Will Be Well" explains.
Created by Subin Kim
Glossary of Key Terms
Use this glossary to have a better understanding of the reading and have an easier time reading the novel.
*P = Paragraph
*P = Paragraph
Chapters 1-3
Vendor: a person or company offering something for sale, especially a trader in the street
Pg. 1, P1
Instantaneous: occurring or done instantly
Pg. 4, P1
Amenities: a desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place
Pg. 7, P1
Facade: the principal front of a building, that faces onto a street or open space
Pg. 8, P3
[Credits to Bryana Lee, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Pg. 1, P1
Instantaneous: occurring or done instantly
Pg. 4, P1
Amenities: a desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place
Pg. 7, P1
Facade: the principal front of a building, that faces onto a street or open space
Pg. 8, P3
[Credits to Bryana Lee, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Chapters 4-11
Rendezvous: a place where many people go to spend time or meet at a particular time
Pg. 45, P2
ex.) the house at the village was a rendezvous for Loung’s family after separation
Avail: to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)
Pg. 52, P3
ex.) jewelry and money weren’t avail to the Loung’s family
Scapegoats: one that bears the blame for others
Pg. 54, P2
ex.) Ung’s family can always be scapegoats for the base people
Omnipotent: having complete or unlimited power
Pg. 61, P4
ex.) the Khmer Rouge soldiers and chief are omnipotent and abuse their power for unnecessary and immoral actions such as raping a girl
Emaciated: to make feeble/ cause or lose flesh as to become very thin
Pg. 64, P3
ex.) everyone at the village are becoming emaciated due to malnutrition
Heinous: very bad or evil; deserving hate or contempt
Pg. 66, P3
ex.) Loung’s family and the newcomers aren’t heinous, but the base people claim them to be just because they are from the city
[Credits to Subin Kim, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Pg. 45, P2
ex.) the house at the village was a rendezvous for Loung’s family after separation
Avail: to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)
Pg. 52, P3
ex.) jewelry and money weren’t avail to the Loung’s family
Scapegoats: one that bears the blame for others
Pg. 54, P2
ex.) Ung’s family can always be scapegoats for the base people
Omnipotent: having complete or unlimited power
Pg. 61, P4
ex.) the Khmer Rouge soldiers and chief are omnipotent and abuse their power for unnecessary and immoral actions such as raping a girl
Emaciated: to make feeble/ cause or lose flesh as to become very thin
Pg. 64, P3
ex.) everyone at the village are becoming emaciated due to malnutrition
Heinous: very bad or evil; deserving hate or contempt
Pg. 66, P3
ex.) Loung’s family and the newcomers aren’t heinous, but the base people claim them to be just because they are from the city
[Credits to Subin Kim, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Chapters 12-17
Etch: to fix permanently in or implant firmly on the mind; root in the memory
Pg. 110, P4
ex.) Memories of her family etched Loung, disheartening and dispiriting her.
Prolong: to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer
Pg.116, P4
ex.) Instead of being prolonged, it seems like the safety of Loung is diminishing.
Dispensable: not necessary or essential
Pg.123, P1
ex.) Luxury was dispensable and Ung’s family retained only the essential needs for life.
Calluses: a hardened or thickened part of the skin
Pg.123, P2
ex.) Because she worked for so many hours, Loung’s feet were evident of calluses.
Infiltrators: something/one that infiltrates
Pg. 132, P3
ex.) Infiltrators were punished severely if found, as the KR had no sympathy and mercy towards them.
[Credits to Gina Lee, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Pg. 110, P4
ex.) Memories of her family etched Loung, disheartening and dispiriting her.
Prolong: to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer
Pg.116, P4
ex.) Instead of being prolonged, it seems like the safety of Loung is diminishing.
Dispensable: not necessary or essential
Pg.123, P1
ex.) Luxury was dispensable and Ung’s family retained only the essential needs for life.
Calluses: a hardened or thickened part of the skin
Pg.123, P2
ex.) Because she worked for so many hours, Loung’s feet were evident of calluses.
Infiltrators: something/one that infiltrates
Pg. 132, P3
ex.) Infiltrators were punished severely if found, as the KR had no sympathy and mercy towards them.
[Credits to Gina Lee, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Chapters 18-22
Infirmary: a place for the care of the sick or injured; a facility serving as a hospital
Pg. 154, P3
Significance: many people not only in Loung’s family, but also from other families were often injured to grew weak under harsh conditions forced by Khmer Rouge troops and eventually had to visit the infirmary where they may have even died.
Exuberant: extremely good; overflowing; plentiful; luxuriant; superabundant
Pg. 156, P4
Significance: Loung’s family was once exuberant, but the sudden war and invasion lead them to this poor, filthy situation. In this paragraph, it may be used in a way of flashback or reminder.
Palpitate: To pulsate with unusual rapidity with exertion, emotion, disease, etc..
Pg. 162, P2
Significance: in various occasions, we can describe that Loung and her family members’ hearts pulsated especially when the danger of death approached them. This paragraph uses this word to describe Ma’s emotions and nervousness before meeting death.
Mortar: a cannon very short in proportion to its bore, for throwing shells at high angles.
Pg. 165, P4
Significance: a type of weapon used during the Vietnamese-Cambodian War (maybe informs us about the development of technology that this time period)
Vehemently: strongly emotional; violent; in an angered manner; intense or passionate
Pg. 169, P2
Significance: this word often shows up in this week’s reading possibly allowing the author to appeal to the readers of how aggressive people/soldiers were, or became after all the violence and chaos began happening
Agrarian: related to land or agriculture
Page 169, Paragraph 4
Significance: this sentence, specifically, describes Pol Pot’s purposes for such an invasion by using the word agrarian, the audience can learn he simply relied on the farming land and wanted a fair, pure, and farming society
Envision: to picture mentally; especially that of future events
Pg. 171, P3
Significance: most of the imaginations Loung has of her parents and siblings being killed or attacked are in italics and she mentions that she envisions these as to Loung appears to be young and creative, but not so unaware or innocent
Jubilant: showing great joy, satisfaction
Pg. 174, P2
Significance: again, this word is also a type of reminder for the readers of how in the “old days” for the Ung family, everyone was jubilant and yet, now the members were all segregated and in grievous situations
Hyperventilate: to cause (a patient) to breathe more rapidly or deeply than normal
Pg. 180, P3
Significance: violence appears to be a common factor of Loung’s life and yet she still appears to be innocent (as a young girl about love) and seems to be shocked of the people and events she faces
Reverie: a state of dreamy meditation or fancy musing
Pg. 191, P3
Significance: shows Loung’s imagination and creativity skills as she is yet a young child
[Credits to Jennifer Kim, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Pg. 154, P3
Significance: many people not only in Loung’s family, but also from other families were often injured to grew weak under harsh conditions forced by Khmer Rouge troops and eventually had to visit the infirmary where they may have even died.
Exuberant: extremely good; overflowing; plentiful; luxuriant; superabundant
Pg. 156, P4
Significance: Loung’s family was once exuberant, but the sudden war and invasion lead them to this poor, filthy situation. In this paragraph, it may be used in a way of flashback or reminder.
Palpitate: To pulsate with unusual rapidity with exertion, emotion, disease, etc..
Pg. 162, P2
Significance: in various occasions, we can describe that Loung and her family members’ hearts pulsated especially when the danger of death approached them. This paragraph uses this word to describe Ma’s emotions and nervousness before meeting death.
Mortar: a cannon very short in proportion to its bore, for throwing shells at high angles.
Pg. 165, P4
Significance: a type of weapon used during the Vietnamese-Cambodian War (maybe informs us about the development of technology that this time period)
Vehemently: strongly emotional; violent; in an angered manner; intense or passionate
Pg. 169, P2
Significance: this word often shows up in this week’s reading possibly allowing the author to appeal to the readers of how aggressive people/soldiers were, or became after all the violence and chaos began happening
Agrarian: related to land or agriculture
Page 169, Paragraph 4
Significance: this sentence, specifically, describes Pol Pot’s purposes for such an invasion by using the word agrarian, the audience can learn he simply relied on the farming land and wanted a fair, pure, and farming society
Envision: to picture mentally; especially that of future events
Pg. 171, P3
Significance: most of the imaginations Loung has of her parents and siblings being killed or attacked are in italics and she mentions that she envisions these as to Loung appears to be young and creative, but not so unaware or innocent
Jubilant: showing great joy, satisfaction
Pg. 174, P2
Significance: again, this word is also a type of reminder for the readers of how in the “old days” for the Ung family, everyone was jubilant and yet, now the members were all segregated and in grievous situations
Hyperventilate: to cause (a patient) to breathe more rapidly or deeply than normal
Pg. 180, P3
Significance: violence appears to be a common factor of Loung’s life and yet she still appears to be innocent (as a young girl about love) and seems to be shocked of the people and events she faces
Reverie: a state of dreamy meditation or fancy musing
Pg. 191, P3
Significance: shows Loung’s imagination and creativity skills as she is yet a young child
[Credits to Jennifer Kim, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Chapters 23-27
Smoldering: burn slowly with smoke but no flame
Pg. 198, last word of the page
Executioners: an official who carries out a sentence of death on a condemned person.
Pg. 205, last paragraph
[Credits to Bryana Lee, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Pg. 198, last word of the page
Executioners: an official who carries out a sentence of death on a condemned person.
Pg. 205, last paragraph
[Credits to Bryana Lee, Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Created by Bryana Lee
Interactive, Fun "Ladder" Game !
Instructions for the Board Game:
1. At least two people are needed to play this game. 2. Like the original Snake and Ladder game, you roll the dice and move your marker along the board according to the numbers. 3. If you end up facing the bowl of food, you can climb the ladder. But if you get caught by the soldier, you have to go down the slide. 4. The last space is number 54 with a total of four ladders and three slides. About Our Board Game : The game is like the famous snake and ladder game but with Khmer Rouges leading the players down the slide and the bowl of food leading the players up the ladder. There is a total of 54 spaces, three slides and four ladders to lead the players to a great adventure. The game rules are simple, the player would roll the dice then go the amount of spaces rolled and if the player land on either the space where there are soldiers, they go down the slide and up the ladder when they land on the space with a bowl of food. The final goal would be to get to space 54. The game was designed with some symbolism such as Khmer Rouges stopping all citizens from escaping the city of Phnom Penh and bowls of food that helped citizens get more energy for a better escape. |