Chapter 3~ Open Wounds

Wow. It's not even chapter four and Le Ly has been arrested three times! In this chapter, Le Ly's family decided to side with the Viet Cong,  but still were forced  to follow the Republican's demands. She is quite the character in her village. She saved the Viet Cong troops from a massacre by using her shirt signals. Because of her quick-thinking, the village wrote a song/poem about her that is an example of an ELEGY.

Sister Ly, who comes from Go Noi,

Where the Thu Bon washes the trees,

Has defeated the horse-faced enemy.

Her daily rice she could not eat

Without hearing the tortured prisoners.

Although the moon is covered with clouds,

Her glory will shine forever.

One day we heard Sister Ly

Was in prison-tied hand and foot.

Beaten by day-tortured by night.

She sings "Mother don't cry.

While I live, I still struggle.

Comrades please save your tears,

Sister Ly is still living,

And her struggle will go on forever. (Hayslip, 75)

Now you're probably asking "What on earth?" Well, the Vietnamese praised their heroes, and they made no exception for Le Ly.

One final comment. Towards the end of the chapter, there was a section that dealt with Le Ly's rape. Look, that's not acceptable in any shape or form to treat women like that, or any person for that matter. Let's remember to treat every person with the dignity he/she is entitled.