Ha mother

Hà's mother is both tender and strong. While she is the source of love and comfort for her children, she is also witty and displays wisdom in her explanations. Hà describes her as having sunken eyes, too-hollow cheeks, and a mouth dark with worries—a physical appearance that attests to her grief. America is difficult for Ha's mother because of language and racism. Upon their arrival in Alabama, Hà's mother tells her children that they must discard all other concerns and focus solely on learning English.