Journal entry #41 Sui Sin Far

Siu Faat Jimmy Wong
English 48b
March 13, 2008
Professor Lankford

Quote:

For twenty moons my wife care for and nurse the old people, and when they die they bless her and my son, and I send for her to return to me. I had no fear of trouble… “Very good, Hom Hing,” replied the first officer. “Nevertheless, we take your son”.

Summary:

It is the conversation between Hom Hing and the officer when the officer needs to take away his son.

Response:

Frankly, when I first read this part, I really don’t know the reason why Hom Hing has to explain such personal things to the officer. However, after attending to class and discussing with friends, I start to get why Sui Sin Far has to put this conversation in the passage. Indeed, Hom Hing is in such a helpless situation when the officer has to take away his son. At that time, he can do nothing, but bring out this story about his wife and his son. He wants to explain to the officer that he has already suffered from separating with his family for a long time . On one hand, he wants to express his sadness that they have separated with each other for a long time and his happiness that they finally can meet each other in America. On the other hand, he attempts to use his story to make the officers feel sympathize with their situations and not to take away his son. Although I don’t agree with what the officers do, I know it is their responsibility to protect their country from foreigners. I think I shouldn’t blame the officers. Instead, I should blame the government to have such a cruel law “in the land of the free”.

After I finish the story, I think that the U.S government should have a system which is more flexible. He is just a small boy. He will not bring big risk to the country. I think the government should allow him to stay with his family in the country for a certain period instead of immediately keeping him away from his parents.