Introduction
Mai Der Vang’s poetry collection, Afterland, explores the experiences and aftermath of the Hmong people’s journey as refugees after the Vietnam War. This research-based project aims to critically analyze the metaphors and symbols employed in Afterland, providing a deeper understanding of the devastating consequences of war.
Der Vang addresses the war the Hmong people faced, while Carpiniello, Levy and Leaning, Lim et al., and Sheath et al. address the negative impact of war. Through various metaphors and symbols, the poet depicts the struggles and resilience of the Hmong people, their displacement, and the impact the war had on them.
Metaphors of War’s Destruction and Loss
The poet has effectively employed various metaphors and symbols to convey the impact of war on people. “Or your son’s head in the rice pounder, shell-crumbled” symbolizes the senseless and tragic loss of innocent lives, particularly the vulnerable and defenseless children (Der Vang 7 lines 13-14). It represents the horrors of war and the devastating impact on families. “Your Hmong village is a graveyard portrays” the profound devastation and loss endured by the Hmong people, emphasizing the imagery of death and destruction (Der Vang 7 line 6).
It evokes imagery of devastation and loss; however, it may oversimplify the experiences and emotions associated with war, such as the resilience of the Hmong people. Ethical questions are raised about killing innocent people in conflict, questioning the justification for and the repercussions of such actions. In doing so, it reveals the crimes committed against the Hmong people and their historical context throughout the war.
The poet employs metaphors to convey the dehumanizing effects of war on the people. “The crowded dead turn into the earth’s unfolded bed sheet” conveys an emotional representation of death and burial (Der Vang 13 lines 10-13). However, as the dead decompose, their remains become part of the soil rather than a physical object. The metaphor reflects the devastating effects of death and the tragic truth of the countless lives lost in the conflict.
It prompts a reflection on the grave consequences of violence as people are displaced after losing their loved ones. The symbolism of the world as an open bed sheet emphasizes the gravity of death, especially to those left behind. People must critically examine the adverse implications of engaging in wars, as protecting innocent civilians is challenging (Levy and Leaning 105). It makes them feel about the awful results of wars and thus maintains peace.
Symbolic Depictions of Refugee Displacement and Emotional Trauma
Metaphors have been used to portray the challenges faced by refugees in a new environment. The poet writes, “Creatures of the Mekong, heads bobbing like ghosts without bodies,” offering an emotional portrayal of the displacement and loss faced by refugees (Der Vang 13 lines 16-17). In reality, the people of the Mekong are living beings with physical bodies, so the comparison to bodiless ghosts diminishes their agency and existence. The metaphor addresses the adverse feelings of dislocation and alienation that migrants feel.
The isolation presents a profound emotional concern, highlighting the insurmountable obstacles faced by individuals displaced from their homes. It makes people think about the devastating emotional and psychological effects of being displaced from one’s community and culture. Refugees face numerous challenges, including a shortage of housing and mistrust in the host countries they migrate to (Sheath et al. 3531). Having an insight into the experiences of refugees and the impact of displacement on mental health is crucial.
The author employs metaphors to convey the devastating impact of war, resulting in pain and suffering. The author writes, ” Float the mortared cartilage and burial tissue in this river yard of amputated hearts,” evoking a powerful representation of pain and suffering among the refugees (Der Vang 13 lines 23-25). The river yard of amputated hearts may not symbolize release and letting go, but rather a haunting reminder of pain and loss. This symbolic imagery explores the profound physical and emotional wounds of war.
Amputated hearts are a powerful symbol of the shattered lives and broken emotions of refugees forced to flee violence and persecution. When analyzed critically, this metaphor highlights the critical need for healing and empathy by drawing attention to the long-term effects of trauma experienced by people and communities. War’s catastrophic impact on mental health and the need to promote empathy and compassion during such trauma are essential (Carpiniello 2840). They can have long-term mental and emotional effects on people; thus, it is crucial to prevent these adverse effects of war.
The poet reflects on the harsh environment that the refugees faced during their travel. The poet writes, “Spirit, when I flee this jungle, you must too,” as the phrase “jungle” has been symbolically used to show the difficult circumstances the persona faced during the war (Der Vang 20 line 1). Personal freedom may be necessary, but the hardships of war help people gain perseverance. The symbol used by the author conveys a sense of urgency towards liberation, as the refugees were living in a harsh environment during the war. “You must not run off no matter how much flesh you smell” depicts the endurance the refugees had to incorporate during the war (Der Vang 20 line 6).
People must prioritize their safety over mindlessly putting themselves in danger. The flesh has been used as a symbol to illustrate the many people who died during the war. The literary device emphasizes that the persona was in a highly uncomfortable environment that could cause psychological distress.
The poet stresses the gruesome events that the people encountered during the war. In the poem Transmigration, the poet writes, “Among the foliage, we must be ready to see the half-decayed,” depicting the dead bodies that the refugees saw (Der Vang 20 lines 4-5). War harms human life, and thus people should not readily accommodate its effects. The poem examines the psychological and emotional impact of seeing such disintegration via this metaphor, underlining the risk of trauma and desensitization from repeated exposure to horrific images.
In response to criticism, it encourages thought on the long-term effects of exposure to such upsetting images and poses issues about the delicate balance between resilience and maintaining one’s mental well-being in the face of harsh realities. Traumatic events and the long-term consequences of being exposed to violence on mental health should not be ignored (Lim et al. 6). Therefore, efforts must be made to maintain peace among citizens and reduce refugee problems.
Using metaphors, the poet stresses the determination the refugees had to endure during the war. The metaphor “When I make the crossing, you must not be taken no matter what the current gives” in the poem Transmigration depicts a profound sense of resilience and determination that the persona had to adopt (Der Vang 20 lines 10-11). It encourages people to endure suffering, which may not always prove beneficial.
When critiqued, this metaphor prompts one to consider the risks and costs associated with upholding one’s integrity and resisting forces that could attempt to undermine one’s sense of self. It encourages reflection on the difficulties and moral issues in challenging situations while upholding one’s principles.
Inner Conflict, Moral Struggle, and Psychological Endurance
Humans may encounter events in wars that present internal challenges, making it difficult for them to make decisions effectively. In the Last Body, the poet writes, “I am the angel trapped inside the bullet,” representing the internal struggle and conflict that the refugees had to persevere (Der Vang 34 line 9).
The analogy emphasizes the complexity of human nature, where each person has the potential to do both good and damage. It raises questions about people’s moral responsibility for the consequences of their actions and the ethical dilemmas they encounter. Readers are encouraged to consider the inherent inconsistencies in human nature and the decisions individuals make when faced with difficulties as a result of this metaphor.
The war adversely affected the mental health and emotions of those who lost their loved ones. “I feel the pulse of this inferno” has been used in I am a Whole Defense to symbolize that the poet is overwhelmed by the circumstances they are experiencing as Hmong refugees (Der Vang 45 line 6). The phrase ‘inferno’ effectively captures the turmoil and emotional upheaval that refugees may have endured during such challenging times.
Additionally, the poet writes, “I teach boulders,” which may have a symbolic meaning of the challenges the persona encountered (Der Vang 45 line 10). However, it is worth noting that while the symbolism of an inferno and boulders effectively conveys the challenges the persona faced, it may not encompass all the experiences of Hmong refugees during the war. It does not effectively capture the resilience that the Hmong refugees had to develop after facing challenges.
The refugees underwent psychological torture and thus found speaking on some issues painful. In analyzing the metaphor, “I murder my tongue, hang it on a jagged line,” Thrasher depicts a powerful image of self-silencing and suppression (Der Vang 68 line 1). People should be free to discuss the psychological issues that affect them. The use of this metaphor effectively illustrates the difficulty in conveying the devastation caused by the conflict.
The argument against this metaphor centers on the significance of unrestricted access to speech and the risks associated with inwardly censoring oneself. Counteracting this argument is that individuals speaking to others about their problems may appear weak and thus affect their ability to develop resilience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the metaphors in Afterland by Mai Der Vang present a wide variety of imagery and symbolism, focusing on the themes of war, death, and persecution that the Hmong refugees experience. The refugees lost their loved ones due to the war and were compelled to endure traumatizing events, such as seeing dead people on their journey. Through critical analysis and the integration of scholarly research, these metaphors offer a profound reflection on the devastating consequences of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the urgent need for empathy and support in times of crisis.
Works Cited
Carpiniello, Bernardo. “The Mental Health Costs of Armed Conflicts: A Review of Systematic Reviews Conducted on Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and People Living in War Zones.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 4, 2023, pp. 2840–51.
Der Vang, Mai. Afterland. Graywolf Press, 2017.
Levy, Barry S., and Jennifer Leaning. “Russia’s War in Ukraine: The Devastation of Health and Human Rights.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 387, no. 2, 2022, pp. 102–5.
Lim, Isis Claire Z. Y., et al. “Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress in War- and Conflict-Afflicted Areas: A Meta-Analysis.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 13, 2022, pp. 1–13.
Sheath, Danny, et al. “Diverse and Complex Challenges to Migrant and Refugee Mental Health: Reflections of the M8 Alliance Expert Group on Migrant Health.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 10, 2020, pp. 3530–41.