The Thematic Complexity of Poverty, Relationships, Political Turmoil in Thailand, and Students’ Aspiration in Minfong Ho’s Rice Without Rain

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to explain the themes of poverty, relationships, political turmoil in Thailand, and students’ aspiration in Ho’s Rice Without Rain (1986). The essay focuses on the thematic aspects of the novel in order to demonstrate how it thematically reflects the contemporary national affairs, epically political upheavals and students’ aspiration. The discussion of poverty, relationships, political turmoil in Thailand, and students’ aspiration will be closely related to the way by which Ho perceives the economic deterioration of poor people; and how she offers viable alternatives throughout the narrative structure of the novel. These alternatives are the optimistic narrative events that convey the core of national prosperity by getting rid of political turmoil, and reinforcing students’ aspiration. In doing so, the essay attempts to prove how the themes of poverty, relationships, political turmoil in Thailand, and students’ aspiration could really contribute to the reconciliation of the past and current political unrest in Thailand. Thus. The study’s methodology is descriptive i.e., it sheds light on the narrative description of poverty, relationships, and politics approached in the course of the novel.