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The autocratic leader of the Khmer Rouge whose policies lead to the deaths of an estimated two million Cambodians. Pol Pot’s name begins as a mysterious rumor whispered across villages after the Khmer Rouge takeover; eventually it replaces “Angkar” in Loung’s propaganda lessons and chants, reflecting that he is a figure even more important than the government. Loung hears people describe Pol Pot as a fat, brilliant soldier with “kind eyes,” yet wonders if those eyes can see that his people are starving. Loung grows to hate Pol Pot for all the pain he has caused her family. She often wishes for his violent death and tells Chou that she will kill him.
Pol Pot Quotes in First They Killed My Father
The First They Killed My Father quotes below are all either spoken by Pol Pot or refer to Pol Pot. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 13
Quotes
I am a kid, not even seven years old, but somehow I will kill Pol Pot. I don’t know him, yet I am certain he is the fattest, slimiest snake on earth. I am convinced that there is a monster living inside his body. He will die a painful, agonizing death, and I pray that I will play a part in it. I despise Pol Pot for making me hate so deeply. My hate empowers and scares me, for with hate in my heart I have no room for sadness. Sadness makes me want to die inside. Sadness makes me want to kill myself to escape the hopelessness of my life. Rage makes me want to survive and live so that I may kill. I feed my rage with bloody images of Pol Pot's slain body being dragged in the dirt.
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Related Themes:
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Pol Pot Quotes in First They Killed My Father
The First They Killed My Father quotes below are all either spoken by Pol Pot or refer to Pol Pot. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 13
Quotes
I am a kid, not even seven years old, but somehow I will kill Pol Pot. I don’t know him, yet I am certain he is the fattest, slimiest snake on earth. I am convinced that there is a monster living inside his body. He will die a painful, agonizing death, and I pray that I will play a part in it. I despise Pol Pot for making me hate so deeply. My hate empowers and scares me, for with hate in my heart I have no room for sadness. Sadness makes me want to die inside. Sadness makes me want to kill myself to escape the hopelessness of my life. Rage makes me want to survive and live so that I may kill. I feed my rage with bloody images of Pol Pot's slain body being dragged in the dirt.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
