pump six and other stories by paolo bacigalupi

He cannot hold onto the illusions of being an authoritative man because he is a high and dry refugee whose continued existence is dangling in the balance. He has two options: to either take the leftovers or to starve. Tranh’s state of affairs compels him to eat humble pie. Ma beams and pushes his half-eaten dishes across the table.” ( Paolo Bacigalupi, “ Yellow Card Man”) But the humiliations of his new life have taught him much about who he really is. He knows men who might have enough face to starve before accepting Ma's scraps, but he isn't one of them. “Tranh tries to control his hunger, to force himself to walkaway, but he can't. The veracity of life as refugee is incongruous to the life that Tranh led while in his country. However, in Thai kingdom, refugees, who are clad expensively, are predisposed to attacks from ‘white shirts’ who take their clothes and vend them.

Before the war, Tranh assumed that one’s clothing can be contributory in eliciting worthy impressions.

An antique piece of gold mechanization swinging on your wrist is nothing if not bait.” Paolo Bacigalupi, “ Yellow Card Man”)Įxclusive clothing exposes refugees to peril. A white tailored suit from Hwang Brothers is nothing so much as a target. Based on these words, it is clear that Tranh embraced the ideology of the self-made man and he ascribed his accomplishment to the ideology. Ma’s egotism and reprisal become palpable when he taunts Tranh with the same words that Tranh used to mock him when he (Ma) had not thrived. 'And now look at you.” (Ma, “Yellow Card Man”) Isn't that what you always used to tell me? That luck has nothing to do with success? That men make their own luck?' He laughs again. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Pump six and other stories by paolo bacigalupi