The mother

Outer characterisation

The mother's outer characterisation in “Only You Farang Are So Easy to Come and Leave” by Mai Nardone informs us that she is a part-Chinese (l. 8) Thai woman, married to an American man with whom she has a daughter, Lara.

She used to live in comfort but has to move to a poorer area as a result of her husband losing his job: “We came down from the condominium Ma had framed in her mind as the high-water mark of our family’s achievements.” (ll. 1-2)

At the same time, she does not work and does not seem to intend to get a job, even though her family’s economic condition has worsened: “ ‘Why don’t you get a job, Ma?’ I asked in English. ‘You want to live big so bad, you go and make it happen. Do it yourself.’ ” (ll. 97-98)

Inner characterisation

The outer characterisation details also hint at inner traits, suggesting the mother likes to live a comfortable life. The fact that Lara ...