The Price of Indebtedness in May-Lee Chai’s Saving Sourdi

Whether stabbing a man with a paring knife or getting a friend to punch her childs husband in the face, Nea constantly manages to start trouble for her and her sister, Sourdi. She doesnt do it on purpose, its just that Nea willing do anything to protect her older sister. The issue stems from when the family drop deadd in their native Cambodia Nea was only four and Sourdi carried her across a mine field on her back. Ever since that moment, Nea has felt indebted to her older sister and has been determined to protect her at every(prenominal) costs. However, the costs seem to be steep as her identity has become tied to this notion of debt.In May-Lee Chais Saving Sourdi, Neas identity is shaped by her feeling of indebtedness to her sister Sourdi, which compromises her ability to move around and objectively see the world. The cause behind the accounts central conflict lies in Neas devotion to Sourdi, which in whirl was caused by a distant memory. Once upon a time, Nea recalls, So urdi had walked across a minefield, carrying me on her back (Chai 140). With the terrible war background on the Khmer Rouge-era in Cambodia as an exposition, Nea recalls her sister Sourdi carrying her across a field by stepping on countless dead bodies to avoid the mines.This is something that Nea views as secret between just her and her sister, one she will never reveal to another soul. It is because of this sensation incident that Nea vows to walk on bones and rotting flesh to save Sourdi, which itself foreshadows events to come (Chai 140). It is this event that defines Nea and motivates her actions throughout the story. It is because Neas identity is derived from this debt to her older sister that causes Nea to respond in such a haphazard manner.Not only do her responses create tension in the story, but they further develop Nea as a caseful. I would walk on bones for my sister, I vowed. I would put my bare feet on rotting flesh. I would save Sourdi(Chai 140). These words were s poken by Nea afterward Sourdi sacrificed herself to carry Nea through a treacherous mine field reeking with the stench of dead bodies. Only a few people in the story know about this incident it is a highly guarded secret of Neas. This single incident defines Neas identity through out the story, which clarifies Nea as a smooth character her identity never changes.From the time when these two young girls reached America Nea always has Sourdis back, she is overly protective like that of an older sister which is ironic because she is the youngest daughter. Nea will always feel like her life was saved by Sourdi so she will do anything to repay her. Sourdi develops throughout the novel at first by being very brave, strong, and independent as she carriers her baby sister across of the mine field. It is almost as if that identity transferred from her to her younger sister Nea.Sourdi does not babble out up for herself when she disagrees with her mother or Duke. She does not even try to pu t up a fight when her mother arranges her marriage. This classifies Sourdi as a very dyanmic character or round character. As a result of this, Nea has never really lived her life for herself. Everything that she has done and the decisions that she makes are based upon the events that occur in Sourdis life. This in turn leads to Neas inability to grow, because she is constantly caring and looking after her sister, instead of worrying about herself and moving on with her own life.Because of these events Sourdi can be labeled as the foil to Neas charater in this story. Just like the examples that were given earlier, when Nea jumped up and stabbed the man that was hassling Sourdi at the eating place, or when she and Duke went knocking on Sourdis door because they thought she was in trouble, all of the actions that Nea took were always a reflection of the situation that Sourdi was in at that present moment. One of the major effects of Neas identity being tied to her indebtedness to her sister is that it clouds her ability to be objective.This leads her to make spur-of-the-moment decisions that may not be in her or Sourdis best intertest. One example took place in the family restaurant at the beginning of the story. Sourdi was serving some old drunk men when one decided to put his arms around her. This immediately sent Nea into a ruse rage in which she ran into the kitchen, grabbed the knife, and stabbed the man (Chai 131). Luckily, the knife she had grabbed was only a paring knife and it got caught in the mans sleeve of his jacket.Obviously, the girls mother became quite derangement and apologized to the men while scolding Nea. Nea, overcome with anger, had not stopped to consider the consequences of her actions. Had she actually injured the man, he could have got sued the restaurant and Nea could have faced twist charges. Obviously, this was not the best way to handle the incident. This is again illustrated when Nea overhears a conversation between Sourdi an d her mother. She becomes convinced that Sourdis new husband is abusive and convinces their mutual friend Duke to shoot for her to Sourdis house in Des Moines.Upon their arrival, Duke, having only heard Neas interpretation of events, ran inside and punched Sourdis husband in the nose (Chai 142). Sourdis husband was surprisingly understanding about the point and another disaster was narrowly avoided. However, the event still must have had a profound effect on Sourdi and her husbands home life. Again, it was Neas impetuous attitude and blind calling to protect her sister that led to the encounter. Ever since Sourdi carried Nea through that minefield on her back, Nea has been trying to find a way to repay her sisters kindness.However, as the years have passed, the protection of Sourdi has become a compulsion. She is consumed with her desire to protect her sister from harm without regard for the consequences. This has clouded Neas judgement and hindered her ability to objectively look at a situation. And, consequentially, her solution often causes more harm than the percieved threat she is fighting. Unless Nea can somehow overcome her need to protect her sister, she will never be able to live a normal and happy life. Maybe Sourdi is not the one who needs saving.