Essay Questions

How does the author handle the issue of sibling rivalry?

Tuyen and her family are immigrants after running away from the Vietnam civil war. However, the reader learns that Tuyen's brother called Quy, is left behind during the escape. Tuyen's brother, Binh, is dedicated to locate Quay and bring him to join the rest of the family, but Tuyen is against that idea. The reader does not understand why Tuyen is not concerned about her lost brother, who is suffering without his family's help. Binh continues to search for Quy, but the hatred between him and Tuyen increases. The reader is left to assume that Tuyen organizes Quy’s attack when he plans to reunite with the rest of the family.

Provide three examples to illustrate how the author uses the literary device ‘irony’ in the book ‘What We All Long For’?

The book is entirely satirical because it contains unexpected occurrences that contradict readers' expectations. The first satirical illustration depicts itself when the author explains Tuyen's family escape. The family is running away from the Vietnam war, seeking to move to a safer place. Ironically, the family faces new challenges in the foreign country, including violence, language barrier, and economic hardship. Secondly, there is the irony of family rivalry. Tuyen hates her brother Quy for no good reason. Tuyen should be compassionate about her brother, who is left behind during the escape, but that is not the case. Thirdly, there is the irony of the Quy.
At last, Quy wants to surprise his family because he has located them. Ironically, he is attacked and his family car stolen by Jamal. Consequently, the entire book is sarcastic.

What is the symbolic meaning of Tuyen and Carla’s friendship?

Tuyen and Carla's friendship represents the existence of bisexuality in society. Both Tuyen and Carl are female characters, and they are excellent friends. However, Tuyen is romantically attracted to Carla, but Carla is not. Carla knows that they are best friends, and that is all. Tuyen is a female, and she is sexually attracted to a fellow female, something that the reader finds sardonic. However, the author intends to illustrate that bisexuality is real and is within our society.