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Introduction
In the book of When the Broken Glass Floats" by Chanrithy Him, it talks about the narrator Athy who went from being wealthy family to being a poor family struggling to survive in a war caused by the KR. Her family bond was tested through this war as she saw many deaths, sufferings, and woes which later lead to the quote "With a body there is suffering." -
Introduction II
This quote basically reveals that through emotion or phyiscal trauma, we suffer through our bodies. This belief is improtant to Athy and her family because they learn that life has joy and happiness, but also sadness and suffering. -
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Takeo
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Comet
In the beginning of the book, there was already foreshadowing of the war. When Mak, Athy, and the mother were looking at a comet in the sky, the mother pointed out,"When the tail of the comet pointed to a particular place, Cambodia would be drawn into war with that country." (30) -
Comet II
Because the comet is basically showing foreshadowing to the war, they are seen already suffering. They are suffering through emotion and supersititon which later will affect their bodies. -
War Begins
Another signifcant detail about this proverb is how it can make people panic. During the first few hours of the war, the mother shouts to the father saying, "What are you doing? You'll get shot! Why aren't you careful?" (31) Since people care about staying alive and not wanting to die, they panic. This conveys the thought about wanting to be able to stay alive, so they won't have to suffer. -
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Khmer Rougue Rule
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Cheng Dies
Amother topic that makes this proverb true is tha it shows sadness with hope. As Cheng begins to die, he said,"Tell my mother, too, if I don't see her." (151) As Cheng was dying, he did not want athy to see him because he did not want her to suffer. He did not want her mother to suffer either because he began to die. Therefore, he just told her to tell his mother, so he can be a savior or a cause of hope, and not sadness. -
Rice Field Troture
Another reason why this proverb is significant to the story is because it can also bring forth happiness. After Athy had hurt her foot and had to stay in the hospital, she met the nurse who said,"P'yoon srey [Young sister], how long have you had this wound." (167) She was shocked that people in the KR would be nice to her due to them calling her P'yoon srey. Therefore, if she did not hurt her own knee which made her suffer, she would not have found out about kind people in the KR. -
Chea's Death
Another signifcant detail that makes this proverb true is fear. After Chea dies and Athy asks why Ra denied her dying wish, Ra responded,"I did't want to bury her there! I'm scared." (239) Ra conveys the feeling of wanting to forget because of fear.She wanted to forget about her sister because she is scared, and she did not want to suffer emotionally. -
Mass Marriage of Forbidden Love
Foridden love can also prove that the proverb is signifacent in the book. As the pregnant woman was getting killed, someone in the crowd says,"Everyone turns, the baby is dying" (247). Because they fell in love with one another, they had died. This was through the emotions of love they thought that they can overcome anything, but later we find out that they could not go through anything as they can not overcome the law. Therefore, they sufferef through death because of their emotional ways. -
Conclusion
In conclusion, we find that the saying 'With a body comes suffering" plays a huge role in the book. Because the suffering of the body was caused by emotions or physical mishaps, it shows that these issues was the main cause of death and pain which Athy had to go through. Even in humanity, life will be troubling withy suffer, but it may not be so bad since we will learn through our pains and suffering.
