The Best We Could Do

by

Thi Bui

Má’s Mother Character Analysis

A rigid and cold woman who, during ’s youth, spends most of her energy socializing and organizing elaborate dinners. As a result, Má never has much of a relationship with her, and this influences Má’s own attitude toward her children: she dedicates all her energy to providing for them, but has difficulty connecting with them emotionally.
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Má’s Mother Character Timeline in The Best We Could Do

The timeline below shows where the character Má’s Mother appears in The Best We Could Do. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2: Rewind, Reverse
Family, Inheritance, and Parenthood Theme Icon
Intergenerational Trauma Theme Icon
Memory and Perspective Theme Icon
Thi remembers meeting Má's mother and Má's father and her uncle Hải when she was 12, after they moved to... (full context)
Chapter 5: Either, Or
Family, Inheritance, and Parenthood Theme Icon
Assimilation, Belonging, and Cultural Identity Theme Icon
Repression and Freedom Theme Icon
Memory and Perspective Theme Icon
But Má's mother is strict, distant, and humorless. She spends her time putting on fancy dinner parties but... (full context)