Never Fall Down By Patricia Minh Character Analysis Essay

Loss of Innocence and Emotional Strength in Patricia McCormick’s Never Fall Down

A keen perception of reality is an integral component in one’s life as it dictates the reaction of an individual in the most distressing times. In Patricia McCormick’s Never Fall Down, an accurate perception of reality stems from the loss of innocence. The author uses text, setting, character and conflict to vividly illustrate that loss of innocence breeds emotional strength.

The setting of the novel, the killing fields of Cambodia, thoroughly exhibits the protagonist’s awareness to suffering. Exposed to sorrow at the tender age of 11, Arn Chorn Pond is highly cognisant of his surroundings. When remembering his displaced family, Arn often repeats an analogy

for survival during the genocide. He states, “Be like the grass.

Bend low, bend low, then bend lower. The wind blow one way, you bow that way. It blow the other way, you do, too. That is the way to survive” (McCormick, 33). The brittle and weak grass represents “survival” in both, literal and metaphoric contexts. Before the reign of the rebel group, Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is described as a close knit ‘village’ of sorts, with children playing freely amongst nature alongside scenic patches of greenery. In a pre-genocide era, this greenery is a representation of safety and survival – whereby the Cambodians had autonomy over their affairs and security matters. Albeit, after the rebellious ‘revolution’, McCormick brilliantly juxtaposes the landscapes. Arn is keen to note the dirt, mud, dry terrain, foul odour and darkness in the fields. Thus, his formula for survival demonstrates a highly aware understanding of the circumstance. ‘Bending like grass’ depicts an erosion of self-will and the fragility of human life. Moreover, Arn’s heightened understanding can also be

attributed to his passive observations. He states. “You show you care, you die. You show you fear, you die. You show nothing, maybe you live” (27). Fear, happiness, pride, subservience all fall short with the Khmer Rouge. Arn immediately recognizes this fact and determines that survival amidst the plains of brutality, death and sabotage relies entirely upon remaining invisible. In both instances, the setting of the text highlights his alertness through his reactions.
Arn’s character makes a drastic transition from emotional crippling to emotional strength.

His perception of reality changes greatly when he is stripped of his innocence. Despite numerous attempts to comply with the multiple tenets of the revolution, he’s obligated to join the Khmer Rouge as a soldier. Heavily burdened by this task, Arn risks losing his morality and humanity for the sake of survival. He states, “Now I have gun. I feel I am one of the Khmer Rouge. It feels powerful” (112). After months of supressing his will under the reign of the revolutionaries, being on the other side of the battlefield allows him to bask in violence and brutality, using it as a channel to release his tide of emotions involving misused vulnerability, fierce ire, oppression and grief. Arn becomes a killing machine – a clear consequence of the excruciating abuse he suffered. His past shaped his perception of reality whereby his supressed emotions crippled his ability to perceive optimistically. He states, “Long time I been on my own, but now really I'm alone. I survive the killing, the starving, all the hate of the Khmer Rouge, but I think maybe now I will die of this, of broken heart” (110). Arn’s crippling unleashes a plethora of feelings, each more overwhelming than the next. His impulsive retaliation by killing and imposing death only cripples him further by clouding his judgement. He’s caught in a blind rage, unable to feel or think clearly. It’s only after discovering that his sister

is alive that his rage subsides and his will power increases. After giving up all hope, he revives some of its remnants when he states, “Now I know you’re still living, I will live, too” (129). In his first display of strength and hope, Arn refuses to succumb others. His choice to ‘live’ instead of ‘survive’ – void of any rebel interference – demonstrates a strengthening emotional grasp. Perhaps more importantly, this time, he allows hope and perseverance to overpower fear and anger. An individual is emotionally strong when they combat distressing situations with an equally strong sense of fortitude. Therefore, Arn’s resilience against further emotional suppression undoubtedly validates the strength of his character.
The result of internal and external conflict faced by the protagonist reveals his strong emotional hold. When he’s rescued and bought to the United States, Arn is full of guilt and refuses to speak to the American crowd regarding his story. He states, “Why I live? I kill. So many people die?” (207). His conscience, fully awoken after escaping the vicious clutches of violence, faces deep moral struggle. He becomes deeply cynical and his willpower flickers and dims. However, his apprehension is met with kindness and encouragement to move on from his American peers. Recognizing he could re-tell the tragic tale of genocide for thousands, he places his guilt aside and chooses to truly ‘live’. He states, “All the time you survive, you wonder why you don’t die. But now my life can be something different. Now in America, I don’t have to fight. I don’t have to survive. I can choose a new thing; to live” (208). Arn’s selfless approach to prioritize others at such a young age and finally stop running illuminates his newfound emotional strength. Moreover, this desire to ‘live’ is indicative of a revival of emotional will and Arn’s inconsistent yet active pursuit further proves his emotional vigour. Despite the abuse, hate and torture, now Arn finally puts his past demons to rest. His speech evokes a multitude of emotions, each applauding furiously with tears in their eyes. Subsequently, the closing sentence of the novel reads, “And finally, the tiger in my heart, he lay down a moment and rest” (211). Arn’s jagged journey to peace unfolded in a series of both, uplifting and tragic events. Ultimately, his ability to turn his ‘survival’ quest into an inspirational and meaningful life by overcoming his guilt was his greatest feat.
Arn experienced severe unsteadiness and brutality in his life. Yet, that unsteadiness nurtured a stronger individual, with firmer beliefs and a higher emotional capacity. His previous weaknesses withered and were replaced with more powerful characteristics. Never Fall Down reveals a crucial aspect of the human condition, the human spirit. The driving force behind Arn’s actions was to remain true to his character until the very end. His numerous encounters with the Khmer Rouge shaped his path to emotional strength. His will to survive was fueled by his spirit to see his family and survive. Despite becoming a destructive killing machine who raved for blood, he still persevered in the face of death and most significantly, did not allow himself to lose his humanity in the end. His will to ‘live’ overpowered his susceptibility to forfeit to his guilt. Conversely, humans are susceptible to a variety of emotions in distressing times. As a consequence, they sometimes lose their innocence when facing certain truths and realities. The use of those realities to become stronger allows humans to reach true liberation. All humans possess the human spirit, which allows them to fight against and deal with these actualities. Its miraculous nature drives their will and ultimately, results in a reborn powerful, liberated individual.

Bibliography
McCormick, Patricia and, Arn Chorn-Pond. Never Fall Down: A Novel. New York: Balzar Bray, 2012. Print.