First They Killed My Father
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79 Terms
Loung Ung
main character; 5 years old when soldiers evacuate Phnom Penh; name means “dragon”; loses innocence through genocide
Pa
Seng In; worked for Lon Nol government; smart, calm, loving father; killed by Angkar in Ro Leap
Ma
Ay Choung; beautiful and proper; killed with Geak
Meng
oldest brother; quiet, smart, valedictorian; sent to labor camp
Khouy
16-year-old brother; strong and feared; forced to marry Laine to avoid conscription
Keav
14-year-old sister; known for beauty; dies of dysentery in Kong Cha Lat
Kim
10-year-old brother; called “little monkey”; caught stealing corn to feed family
Chou
8-year-old sister; quiet and obedient; closest companion to Loung
Geak
youngest sister; happy child; dies with Ma
What does Loung’s name mean?
Dragon
What does Kim’s name mean?
Gold
What is Angkar?
“The Organization”; the ruling Khmer Rouge authority
What is a barang?
A white foreigner
Where is the memoir set?
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Who wrote First They Killed My Father?
Loung Ung
When did the Khmer Rouge take over Phnom Penh?
April 17, 1975
Why were people forced to leave Phnom Penh?
Soldiers claimed the U.S. would bomb the city
Why did Pa lie about his occupation?
The Khmer Rouge killed educated and government people
What kind of government did the Khmer Rouge want?
Communist society with total equality and control
What are “base people”?
Villagers who lived in rural areas before the revolution
What are “new people”?
City people considered lower class by the Khmer Rouge
Why did the Khmer Rouge ban titles like Mr. and Mrs.?
They wanted everyone treated equally
Why did the Khmer Rouge destroy colorful clothing and possessions?
To erase individuality and past identities
Why is life dangerous for teenage girls?
Soldiers could abduct or abuse them
Why was Khouy forced to marry Laine?
To avoid military conscription and protect Laine
What happens to Davi?
She is taken and raped by soldiers
What illness kills Keav?
Dysentery
Why does Kim steal corn?
To feed his starving family
What happens when Kim is caught stealing corn?
He is badly beaten by soldiers
Why do families disappear overnight?
The Khmer Rouge secretly kills them
What happens to Pa?
He is taken away and killed
Why do Loung and Chou pretend to be orphans?
To survive in the children’s camp
What is Loung trained to become later in the memoir?
A child soldier
What is the first lesson in Loung’s military training?
Obey orders without hesitation
What does Ma tell the children before separating?
If they stay together, they will die together
Where does the family first go after leaving Phnom Penh?
Kom Baul military checkpoint
Why did the family take a truck instead of the Mazda?
They did not want to attract attention
How did the family secure spots on a Khmer Rouge bus?
Pa bribed officers with Ma’s gold necklace
What nationality/heritage does Ma have?
Chinese
Why is the family in danger because of Ma’s heritage?
The Khmer Rouge targeted minorities and educated families
What religion did the Khmer Rouge oppose?
Religion in general
What is Angkor Wat?
An ancient religious site in Cambodia
Why were people cheering when Khmer Rouge soldiers arrived?
They thought the war was over
How is Loung described at the beginning?
Curious, hyper, mischievous, active
How is Ma described?
Beautiful, proper, strict
How is Pa described?
Kind, wise, loving, calm
How is Chou described?
Quiet, shy, obedient
How is Keav described?
Beautiful, gossip-loving, argumentative
How is Kim described?
Small, agile, quick
How is Meng described?
Gentle, intelligent, reliable
Why do adults call Loung ugly?
Cambodian superstition to avoid attracting evil spirits
Describe the Ung family before the war
Middle-class family with cars, servants, and comfort
What does Pa say about America?
It has freedom and two political parties
What happens to Loung when they reach the village?
She becomes very sick
How do many villagers die?
Starvation, disease, malaria, and poisoning
Why do the villagers hate capitalists?
The Khmer Rouge taught them to
What happens to teenagers in the village?
They are sent to labor camps
Why does Pa think separating the family is safer?
It lowers suspicion and improves survival chances
What happens when Kim stops working for the chief?
The family loses extra food
Who are Uncle Leang and Uncle Keang?
Ma’s relatives who shelter the family temporarily
Who is Chong?
A widow who loses her family and kills herself
Who is Pithy?
Friend of Loung and Chou killed during Khmer Rouge violence
Who is Eang?
Meng’s wife who later helps Loung come to America
What does the Khmer Rouge believe about education?
Educated people are threats
Why are educated people targeted?
The Khmer Rouge fears opposition and intelligence
What does “all remnants of past lives must be destroyed” mean?
The Khmer Rouge wanted to erase old society and traditions
What color clothing does the Khmer Rouge prefer?
Plain dark clothing
Why do the Khmer Rouge change language and vocabulary?
To control thought and identity
What happens to Loung emotionally during the memoir?
She becomes traumatized, angry, and hardened
What keeps Loung alive despite hopelessness?
Remembering her father and wanting survival
What is communism in the memoir?
A system where all property and labor are controlled collectively
Why did the Khmer Rouge hate technology and luxury?
They viewed them as corrupt and capitalist
What happens to children under Khmer Rouge rule?
They are separated, indoctrinated, and militarized
What food shortages affect the family?
Extreme hunger and starvation
What happens at the nightly lessons?
Children praise Angkar and hear propaganda
How do other girls treat Loung at camp?
They bully her for her lighter skin and heritage
What major theme is shown through Loung’s experiences?
Loss of innocence
What is another major theme in the memoir?
Survival under oppression
What does the memoir reveal about genocide?
It destroys families, culture, and childhood