Chapter Two: Fathers and Daughters

As the story progresses, Le Ly informs the reader of the events occurring around her village.  She explains how the war has developed into a violent force that has divided both the nation of Vietnam and her own family.  In the second chapter, Le Ly focuses on her relationship with her father and the moments they share working together in the fields.  She describes the hardships war has caused and her own innocence in understanding which side to support.  She reminds the reader that the truth of goodness is not always clear as her own knowledge is controlled by the government and teachers she has.  She is uncertain of who to support as her siblings go off to separate sides.  Most importantly though, she leans of the sacrifice of war as her father tries to protect her.

"As usual, my father played an important role in keeping me safe and alive...For me and most other children, the new war was still an exciting game. For my father, it was a daily gamble for life itself." (47)

Le Ly has become involved in the war as she serves as a spy for the Viet Cong army.  This position puts her in constant danger and as a young girl, she is often too inexperienced to know how to avoid trouble.  Her father, however, knows of the implications that could arise and works to protect Le Ly.  He acts as her scapegoat and puts himself in such a position, that his own life could be at risk. His love shows the compassion and protection of a father and the bond between fathers and daughters.

Steven Curtis Chapman describes beautifully the love of a father for his daughter in the song "Cinderella". The hardships this father face are similar to the hardships of war while his love for his daughter is like that of peace, but on a very different scale. He describes both hardships and love through a father's eye in the lyrics as listed below. One may listen to "Cinderella" at http://stevencurtischapman.com/cinderella.htm

"She spins and she sways to whatever song plays, without a care in the world. And I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders. It's been a long day and there's still work to do, she's pulling at me saying 'Dad I need you!'"