Chapter 1 - Coming Back - Realization

The theme of chapter one of When Heaven and Earth Changed Places by Le Ly Hayslip, is presented as a time of discovery and realization for Le Ly. As Le Ly is growing up she is learning the true reality of war, love, and tradition. Learning from her mother, Le Ly attains important information in relation to becoming a virtuous wife and dutiful daughter-in-law. She discovers that to be a admirable wife she must please her mother-in-law. Additionally, she uncovered that man, not monsters, created her worst nightmare. "... I discovered who the enemy was. I realized they weren't magical devils after all, but men of another race (Hayslip, Le Ly 14)." As Le Ly uncovers this information she had a fresh reality to overcome. It reveals a truth to Le Ly that causes her to be more alert, the truth that humanity was her torment. The insight to this quote reminds us that the genuine cause to a great deal of our earthly destructions begin with our own humanity. These would be us not taking care of our planet or people with any single abuse.