Symbolism In Inside Out And Back Again

The Book Inside Out and Back Again tells the story of a ten year old girl named Ha. Her entire life was changed by the Vietnam War, it caused her to move from Saigon Vietnam all the way to Alabama. Throughout the story there are many symbols that stand out, these symbols would tell part of the story. These symbols would help Ha and her family live life, the symbols were the Papaya Tree, Amethyst Ring, Ha’s doll, and Bruce Lee. The symbols were told in different parts of the story, without these symbols parts of Ha’s life would be completely different. One of the biggest symbols in the text was the Papaya Tree, in the text the Papaya Tree was most important to Ha. The tree symbolized Ha’s love for her country and home, not to mention hope. Ha, she hoped that one day she could provide food for her family. During the time when Ha’s mother had decided they were going to leave Saigon, Ha’s older brother chopped down the tree. This action destroyed dreams and hopes that Ha ever had of returning to Saigon and providing for her family. The Papaya Tree remained as a symbol to Ha as she continue to grow, because it would bring memories of her younger childhood.
The ring was specifically important to Brother Quang, Ha’s mother, and Ha herself. The ring symbolized Ha’s mother’s relationship and history with Ha’s father. Although Ha has never known her father, the ring would become part of her nightly routine. Ha could not fall asleep without twisting the ring, when wearing the ring Ha’s mother would still feel connected to Ha’s father. During the story Ha’s mother was deciding if she should sell the ring, her son would disagree. He feels the ring was the last tangible remnant of love, which it was. With or without this ring Ha and her family would soon have to move on from the