The Rent Collector Themes

The Rent Collector tells the story of Sang Ly, a poor Cambodian villager who lives in Stung Meanchey, a massive garbage dump in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Although Sang Ly is illiterate, she convinces the ornery Rent Collector Sopeap Sin—who was once a university professor—to not only teach her to read, but also to teach her about literature from all over the world. Through the wisdom that Sang Ly gleans from Sopeap’s literary knowledge…

Sopeap Sin seems initially to be the bane of Stung Meanchey: a bitter, drunken old woman whose rent collecting and foul demeanor are a burden upon all the villagers. However, as she reluctantly teaches Sang Ly how to read, Sang Ly discovers not only that Sopeap is a knowledgeable former professor, but that her alcoholism and meanness result from years of horrific experiences and ultimately conceal a kind and generous spirit. Through the gradual unveiling…

Sopeap describes hope to Sang Ly as “our longing not only to make a difference today but to see what is possible for tomorrow.” Although such longing and optimism seem a rare thing in the Stung Meanchey dump, Sang Ly learns to find and tend her hope for the future until it compels her to take action and create change in her life.  Sang Ly’s personal journey suggests that, although a difficult environment may seem…

Although life in Stung Meanchey can be dreary and difficult, the most resilient characters in the story use their sense of humor to buoy their own spirits, remain optimistic amidst hardship, and even challenge inequitable social conventions. The villagers’ use of humor to cope with hardship and point out absurd social conditions suggests that humor is not as frivolous or nonsensical as it may sometimes seem—it can be a positive coping mechanism to help one…