First They Killed My Father

Analytical Essay – Practice Questions

1. First They Killed My Father is a story of survival. Discuss.

2. “The more I tell people, the less the nightmares haunt me. The more people listen to me, the less I
hate.” Loung is utterly transformed by her experiences. Do you agree?

3. In the memoir, all characters lack autonomy. Do you agree?

4. The instinct to fight is strong in First They Killed My Father. Discuss.

5. Although afflicted by unimaginable suffering, Loung endures because of her family. Do you agree?

6. In the memoir, everything is destroyed by war. Discuss.

7. “What are you kids following us for? Go home! Get away from here. There is nothing to see!”
Children are impacted the most in First They Killed My Father. Do you agree?

8. Strength and resourcefulness are the qualities that ultimately ensure Loung’s survival. Discuss.

9. In First They Killed My Father characters suffer because of hate but are sustained by love. Discuss.

10. The memoir suggests that a loss of childhood innocence is the first casualty of war. Do you agree?

11. First They Killed My Father bears witness to the appalling consequences of tyranny. Discuss.

12. ‘Power is abused by those who wield it whilst those without power are rendered impotent in the face
of adversity.’ Discuss in relation to the text First They Killed My Father.

13. First They Killed My Father reveals the darker side of humanity. Discuss.

14. ‘First They Killed My Father is not only a memoir, it is a courageous tale about coming-of-age.’ Do you
agree?

15. The memoir First They Killed My Father reveals that war destroys everything. Discuss.

16. ‘No one can survive without family.’ Do you agree?

17. Loung’s struggle in the memoir First They Killed My Father leads to an incredible transformation.
Discuss.

18. First They Killed My Father demonstrates that although tested by suffering and war, a family bond is
unbreakable. Do you agree?

19. There is no greater horror in this memoir than the loss of innocence in Cambodia’s children. Do you
agree?

20. Luong endures unimaginable suffering at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, yet she is sustained by her
brothers and sisters. Discuss.