Symbolism In Inside Out And Back Again

Symbolism has been used throughout history to used to represent religion and country. There are many symbols in the novel Inside Out and Back Again. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai is a work of historical fiction. First, Ha, her mother, and her three brothers were forced to flee their home country of Vietnam due to war. They have to face this hardship without the support of their father, who was kidnapped by the Communists and disappeared. Then, they travel on a boat in unsanitary and awful conditions to a refugee camp in Guam. Next, they are sponsored by a many they call “Cowboy” and are taken to live with him in Alabama. In America, the family faces discrimination because of their race, language, and struggle to adjust to their

On page 103, it states,” Mother wants to sell the amethyst ring Father bought back from America, where he trained in the navy before I was born.” I can infer that Ha’s mother wanted to sell the ring for supplies, but Ha doesn’t want her to. On page 17 it says,” Mother says the price of eggs were not the price of rice, and the price of rice were not the price of gasoline, and the price of gasoline were not the price of gold, then of course Brother Khoi could continue hatching eggs.” This means that Ha’s family needs money for what they need because everything is getting expensive due to the war.. On page 103 it says,” She wants to buy needles and thread, fabric and sandals from the camp’s black market.” This means Ha’s mother is thinking about selling her ring for clothes and other items because everything is starting to get expensive. In conclusion, the amethyst ring is very valuable to Ha’s family because they need to survive without money due to the prices that keep rising in their local

On page 103 it says,” i can’t fall asleep unless I twist the ring and count circles.” This means that twisting the ring and counting lulls her to sleep, ;even in the worst circumstances- the boat ride to America. On page 174 it states,” I try but can’t fall asleep, needing amethyst-ring twirls and her lavender scent.” This means that Ha can’t fall asleep and is trying to sleep without the comfort of the amethyst ring. On page 103 it says,” I have never seen her without this purple rock.” This means that Ha feels safe and comfortable when she sees the ring on her Mother’s finger. In conclusion, Ha and her family believe that the ring is a part of their past from when father