Truong Nhu Tang

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how, in his "A Vietcong Memoir", Truong Nhu Tang provides his side to the thirty year war. The paper looks at how, throughout Tang's memoir, we can trace his political ideology, which initially began as a result of Western imperialism. As time goes on, Tang's ideology changes in response to domestic forces within his own country, as well as from the external forces--primarily Western idealism leaving Tang ultimately disillusioned about his cause and struggle for independence. This eventually leads him to exile in order to be free.

From the Paper:

"Truong Nhu Tang was born into a family of wealth where at the age of thirteen, it was determined that Tang would pursue a career in pharmacy. Educated in France and accustomed to the French culture, his father was "less severe than the native Vietnamese variety" (2), which allowed him to exercise a gentle and patient approach to disciplining his children. In addition, Tang's grandfather, a believer of Confucius beliefs, made sure his grandsons led moral lives based on the "five ethical principles: benevolence, duty, propriety, conscience, and faithfulness" (3). Through these virtues, the boys' main goals were to protect the family's honor and be loyal to their nation (4). Through his father's Western upbringing, Tang and his brothers appreciated the arts, music, culture and education of French life. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Tang, Truong Nhu. A Vietcong Memoir: An Inside Account of the Vietnam War and Its Aftermath. San Diego, New York, London: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1985.

More papers on Truong Nhu Tang:

• Book Review # 95078 : "Vietnam Memoirs"
• Essay # 27366 : "Tang Engineering Inc."

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