The Rent Collector: Chapter Three Summary & Analysis

Sopeap arrives at Sang Ly’s hut, looking unwell. Strangely quiet, Sopeap asks if Ki is recovering from his injury, which surprises Sang Ly since the Rent Collector has never expressed interest in anyone else. Sopeap asks if she can buy the children’s book, and when Sang Ly tells her it was a gift, Sopeap responds that she will mark their monthly rent as paid in full, stunning Sang Ly. As Sopeap turns to leave, Sang Ly summons her courage and asks the old woman to teach her how to read, even though Ki is uncomfortable with the idea. Sopeap does not understand why Sang Ly should want to learn, but Sang Ly tells the woman she wants a better future for Nisay. Stung Meanchey is keeping him ill. She wants him to at least have hope.

Since Sang Ly’s request was “heartfelt,” she expects Sopeap to at least give her some amount of respect. Instead, Sopeap’s face hardens and she tells Sang Ly that hope “died at Stung Meanchey.” However, when Sang Ly pithily responds that the only thing to die in Stung Meanchey is Sopeap herself, Sopeap begins to laugh rather than reacting angrily. The old woman tells Sang Ly will she will teach her to read, but only on the strict conditions that Sang Ly buys her an expensive bottle of rice wine each week, studies and does homework with fierce dedication, and supplies her own pencils and papers. Sang Ly realizes that these things will cost money, and Ki will not be happy, but agrees that she will try. However, Sopeap declares that trying is not enough: “If you want to resurrect hope, doing is the most important.”