The story of “The Madagascar Plum” is about a former officer of the Sai Gon army. The officer tells of a story that is the main cause of his post-traumatic stress. It involves a young girl that is found and kept with the troops. The young girl seems to be very smart for her age and the Captain has a feeling she is when he says “In the city, a child like this might be only six or seven, but in the countryside, one like this is nine or ten,” regarding the cleverness and maturity of a country child oppose to a city child. The girl who is later found out to be mute is killed by the narrator due to her inability to speak. The narrator also explains it was partially due to his inebriation from drinking whisky.
I believe that the narrator is a reliable source of the story. Although he mentions that he is a drunk and that his decisions are sometimes altered, he is able to admit to these things. By acknowledging this it shows that he would not be fabricated something because if he was he might as well lie about his own flaws. Killing an innocent young girl is something that is extremely awful and the only way he is able to continue living is through his alcoholism.
The story has to do with his own PTSD so it shows how bad he has been affected by what happened to the girl. Also, he talks about how he beats his eldest child because of the Madagascar plum that reminds him of the “impudent child.” The Madagascar plum remains as a symbol of taking the life of the mute girl and he would rather not eat anything than have to eat the fruit.
The story “The Madagascar Plum” is about a former officer of the Sai Gon army. The officer tells of a story that is the main cause of his post-traumatic stress. It involves a young girl that is found and kept with the troops. The young girl seems to be very smart for her age and the Captain has a feeling she is when he says “In the city, a child like this might be only six or seven, but in the countryside, one like this is nine or ten,” regarding the cleverness and maturity of a country child oppose to a city child. The girl who is later found out to be mute is killed by the narrator due to her inability to speak. The narrator also explains it was partially due to his inebriation from drinking whiskey. Another strong reason for the killing of the girl is the pressure felt by the American officer. In order to impress, the narrator feels as though he has no other choice but take the life of the girl.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the narrator is a reliable source of the story. Although he mentions that he is a drunk and that his decisions are sometimes altered, he is able to admit to these things. By acknowledging this it shows that he would not be fabricated something because if he was he might as well lie about his own flaws. Killing an innocent young girl is something that is extremely awful and the only way he is able to continue living is through his alcoholism.
The story has to do with the officer's PTSD. This is shown by how bad he has been affected by what happened to the girl. Also, he talks about how he beats his eldest child because of the Madagascar plum that reminds him of the “impudent child.” The Madagascar plum remains as a symbol of taking the life of the mute girl and he would rather not eat anything than have to eat the fruit. Like many soldiers, the officer is constantly reminded of the war.