“March of the Elephants” is a short story written by Allison Thai, depicting the events of the Sino-Vietnamese War. The protagonists – two sisters, Hiển and Mai – lead the resistance forces and eventually succeed in overthrowing the Chinese reign. Thus, “March of the Elephants” uses two strong women and their successes on the battlefields of Vietnam to pique the interest of readers to investigate further into Vietnamese culture and history.
There are two overarching themes in the short story – Vietnamese culture and the close relationship between the two sisters. Hiển and Mai are both great warriors who are experts in wielding swords and riding war elephants. Their resistance to the Chinese oppressors demonstrates the resilience of the Vietnamese warriors, paying tribute to the rich culture and traditions of Vietnam. It is further emphasized by Hiển’s resolve to continue fighting for freedom after learning about her husband’s death. She states, “My husband had fought and died to free Vietnam. I love him still. I will not dishonor his name by giving up” (Thai para. 23). At this moment of the story, the readers are captivated by the sisters’ resolve and willpower and might potentially get interested in Vietnamese culture. Moreover, the author does not explicitly mention the period of history but indirectly explains the situation via the methods of fighting and geographical names. For instance, the war elephants, sword fighting, duels, and emphasis on honor indicate the medieval period of the conflict, making readers interested in Vietnamese history.
Consequently, most of the story’s narrative emphasizes the close relationship between the two sisters. Hiển and Mai have contrasting personalities in their attitude to life and war. Hiển – the elder sister – is a pragmatic and intelligent leader who plans effective strategies and worries about the well-being of her troops. She feels incompetent for making a strategic miscalculation but manages to stay calm and prepare for the consequent attacks. On the other hand, Mai demonstrates recklessness by saving soldiers while risking her life in the process. Despite the utmost danger, she only states, “I saved them, didn’t I?” with a wide grin on her face (Thai para. 8). Thus, the author transparently demonstrates Mai’s open and reckless personality by showing her genuine reaction to various atrocities of the war.
Despite the differences, the sisters maintain a close and familial relationship, supporting each other in times of need. The author emphasizes the significance of family many times throughout the story. Even during the most challenging moments, the readers can witness the strength of the sister bond and appreciate their relationship. After encountering the Chinese envoy, Mai says,” ‘No secrets,’ Mai said softly. ‘We’re sisters.’” (Thai para. 18). She encourages her sister to disclose the information since Hiển is visually stressed and requires emotional aid. When the sisters reach a consensus, the readers can transparently see how close and supportive their relationship is.
Consequently, the author uses the relationship between the sisters to further develop the narrative. During the final duel of Hiển with the Chinese general, a soldier aimed his bow at Hiển’s back and dishonored the battle. Nevertheless, Mai noticed it and rushed to intercept it without hesitation, even if it could potentially lead to her death. Shortly after, she loses consciousness; however, the dishonorable doing of the Chinese soldier leads to a fierce battle. When Mai wakes up, she learns of the victory of the Vietnamese troops, relieved that her act of self-sacrifice saved Hiển’s life. The author emphasizes Mai’s courage and willingness to protect her sister even at the potential cost of her own life. Consequently, the readers might project these honorable characteristics to all Vietnamese warriors. Ultimately, the author portrays the sisters and the Vietnamese soldiers as courageous and respectful, making readers invested in the culture and history of the country.
Lastly, it is essential to discuss the role of symbolism in the story. As seen from the title, war elephants play a vital part in the conflict and symbolize the unbending resolve of the Vietnamese people. Nevertheless, the author primarily focuses on the sister relationship and their impact on the war. As a result, elephants have a supplementary role in the narrative and merely act as symbols of courage. To support this position, the author utilizes the dialogue between Hiển and Mai. At the end of the story, the sisters state,” ‘Look at us, the heroes who freed Vietnam: a pregnant woman and a cripple.’ Hiển smiled. ‘Well, that’s why we have our elephants.’” (Thai para. 75). Ultimately, while elephants do not play a direct part in the narrative, the author uses them to symbolize the courage and unbending resolve of the Vietnamese warriors.
Ultimately, “March of the Elephants” is a captivating literary piece that piques readers’ interest, making them fascinated by Vietnamese culture and history. Allison Thai focuses on the relationship between the two sisters as the primary point of the narrative and conveys the hardships of the war through their actions. Furthermore, she utilizes the intelligent symbolism of war elephants to demonstrate the courage of the Vietnamese warriors and their resolve to protect the country. As a result, the author composed a captivating story, making readers interested in Vietnamese culture.
Work Cited
Thai, Allison. “March of the Elephants.” Banana Writers, n.d. Web.