Significance of Rice

For the most part, the Ung family is forced to eat rice every single day, in extremely small quantities, in order to survive in the labor camps they live in. The rations are decreased during periods of time when the Khmer Rouge cannot afford to get more or are in a difficult position in their war against the Youns, and are increased in periods in which the soldiers feel safer. The brink of starvation no longer appears far off for the family, and in fact they all become extremely thin from hunger, prompting Loung to one night steal a small portion of rice from their communal stock. When Chou points this out in the morning, no one knows who the culprit is, but Loung feels like dying of shame and continues to recall that moment throughout the book, most notably when Geak is killed. Loung remembers how she stole the food which should have gone into Geak's belly, for her sister is among the weakest and sickest of them all due to her small, growing body not receiving enough nutrients. Rice is therefore all that stands between the Ung family and death.