Nguyen tells his story through what he remembers, what he does not remember, and what he tries not to remember. Trace Nguyen’s use of the word “remember” throughout this essay.

Question

Trace Nguyen’s use of the word “remember” throughout this essay. Which parts of his experience seem most important for him to remember? Why? How does he emphasize those experiences?

Answer 1

Nguyen's story is one of great difficulty. He is piecing parts of himself together through memories and the holes left by what he cannot remember. What we can't remember sometimes tells us more than what er do remember. The circumstances around what we don't remember always make us ask 'How?" and 'Why?' The often difficult answers fill in the blanks between the puzzle pieces we remember.