Phuong might be seen as a metaphor for Vietnam. Show why you agree/disagree with this statement.
             In 1946 when the Vietnam War began, the French fought the Vietcong to control Vietnam. They wanted to control its body-its economy, foreign policy, and especially its political system (as Vietnam followed communism). They did not have concern for Vietnam's better interests. Likewise, Phoning is portrayed by the author as a metaphor for Vietnam. She is shown simplistically, as were the people in Vietnam, simple and beautiful. She is shown to the reader as a metaphor for Vietnam.
             When Fowler discusses the issue of Phuong with Pyle, he gets fed up and says, "I don't care for her interests... I only want her body." Likewise, what is it that the Western countries want from Southeast Asia? The answer is that they want control over its body-its economy, foreign policy, and especially its political system. Does American's foreign policy have concern for Vietnam's better interests? it is more concerned with York Harding's vision of world democracy. She is also seen as simple and uncomplicated as her people and her country.
             Phuong's "love" to Fowler and Pyle is not so much on love but more on the practical reason of money, shelter, food and other necessities. In the same way, Vietnam moved to communism to get necessities to its people and thus were pulled into a full scales war.
             Throughout the whole book Phuong is not aware of what is going on around her. She does not know, for example of Pyle's bombings. This unawareness is also true for the Vietnamese people, who are not involved in the war and are happy with their lives, yet their rulers say they fight for their better lives. Are they not happy with their lives? They are, yet the Americans want to provide them with washing machines and new age technology. Why? To improve their lives that they are happy with. To improve their unadvanced, un-americanised lives.
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