The Sorrow of War is a novel written by Bao Ninh, based on the Vietnam War and how it has brought tragedy to soldiers and citizens physically and mentally. Other than the war being a focus of the novel, the relationship between Phuong and Kien is the center of attention. Phuong plays a huge role in the novel and it soon build up to the end of her relationship. In the Novel, Ninh portray Phuong as a character who changes throughout the novel, making her feel unsure of her own feelings. Also, the author expresses the downfall of their relationship by using upset diction to reveal the characteristics of Phuong as impure and independent. Phuong’s characteristics eventually led to a failure relationship. To show internal conflict within Phuong, Ninh makes her as a rape victim to show how it has physically affected her as a person, changing her to feel insecure. Phuong truly loves …show more content…
Ninh, develop Phuong as an inconsiderate person to create complication in the relationship. Kien hope to continue his relationship with Phuong, but when he return there was only disappointment. As Kien and Phuong embrace each other in one other arms, making their way into his room, “[Kien] saw a shadow inside the door of her room and suddenly became brusque. [Phuong] had not been alone--[Kien] let her go--and closed the door in her face” (Ninh 83). The fact that Phuong had found a new lover while he was gone is a major disappointment to Kien because there was never a moment where he forgot about her. Yet, Phuong did not take in Kien's feelings, but made a new path which makes Phuong a incondersite person. In addition, when Phuong met Kien for the very last time, Kien asked her to stay, but Phuong did not acknowledge Kien’s request. “I may not know what exactly my future holds, but I do know we can’t meet again” (Ninh 145). Even though, Phuong still love Kien she chooses to walk away from Kien because she's no longer