Chapter three of Thi Bui’s The Best We Could Do focuses on the troubled relationship between Thi and her father, Bo, that began in her childhood. Thi distinguishes hers and Bo’s connection to their memories through contrasting elements, such as earth and water. Bo “practiced leaving his body”, while Thi “practiced being brave” in the given panel. Thi’s use of the word brave juxtaposes Bo’s seemingly flighty instinct that borders on escapist. The depiction of astral projection represents Bo’s abandonment of the past; in the dreamscape panel, he floats in front of an image of himself as a mountain, which shows his isolation from his memories, and takes on the immovable, stagnant traits of earth to show his stubborn refusal to reflect on those memories. The natural contrast between earth and water manifests in Thi and Bo and how they cope with their pasts. Where Bo is far off and detached in his dreams in a dark and nebulous mountain range, Thi is seen swimming through her less fantastical home, drawn in simple lines and lighter colors. Water is a mutable, connective element, and it evokes the common saying, “Water is thicker than blood”, where water of the womb—family—is strong than any “blood pact” made among friends. The discussion of family and generational trauma takes precedence in The Best We Could Do. In her dream, Thi is immersed in it, in water and her home, and becomes more grounded and self-aware of the influences her family has had on her life. Bo, who lacks connectivity and the ability to confront his past, is left high and dry, seeking to be free from it. Thi seeks to “[be] free in it”. Despite the fundamental difference in the substances that make up their personalities, they both dream of freedom, to an extent, which perhaps underscores a basic understanding and lays the groundwork and framing of the beginning of the fourth chapter where Thi says, “Me and Bo, we’re okay now”. Forgiving those difference offers to amend the hurt and fear between them, and lends to core themes of healing and forgiveness.
References
Bui, Thi: The Best We Could Do
Hello Sadie, I enjoyed reading your blog post! The post outlined a lot of important themes from the graphic narrative in an engaging and clear manner. I found it interesting how you analyzed the scene you chose by comparing Bo and Thi’s states of mind and graphic representations. You pointed out important symbols that were used in the story like water and explained the connotations behind their usage. I hadn’t noticed the connection between the elements represented in Bo and Thi’s dream and their ways of coping with trauma. What stood out to me was the difference in their states of mind, Bo avoids his past while Thi immerses herself to become more free.
~Natalie Chien
Hi Sadie! I find it very interesting how you compare Bo and Thi’s connection to dreams, memories, and the past in that chapter, particularly Thi seeking to be “free in it” vs. Bo seeking to be free from it. Thi’s curiosity about and investigation of her family past makes sense given that she dreams of finding freedom while “immersed” as opposed to escaping the water. The mountainous imagery of Bo’s dream really does contrast with that — if you’re trying to get as far from the sea as possible, you might go to the mountains. I definitely hadn’t noticed that when I first read the chapter.
In addition, the saying about blood and water brings up a lot to think about in the context of this book, given its depiction of family, births, the ocean… and the rusty colour that is used in the art.
– Linda