Thi's Relationship with Má

Throughout the graphic novel The Best We Could Do, the author, Thi Bui describes the convoluted relationship she has with her mother, Má. On the very first page of the book, Bui mentions that Má was not in the room while she was giving birth. This immediately lets us know that her mother being there was very important to her. Throughout the first chapter, Bui continues to mention this. As the book continues, we see more of Bui’s relationship with her mother and exactly what Má represents in Bui’s mind.

Bui says that it is harder for her to write about her mother than it is for her to write about her father because, “[Her] image of [Má] is too tied up with [her] opinion of [herself],” (Bui 131). She then proceeds to say that her mother was a prettier version of herself. From listening to Má’s stories about her past, Bui knows that her mother was a very smart and driven young woman who could have accomplished whatever she wanted to. Having a parent that you feel will always be better than you would be very hard on Bui; especially when you consider more aspects of their past. On page 57, Bui wonders if her parents have ever looked at her with disappointment. She wonders if she and her siblings could make up for the loss of their sisters. This puts even more pressure on Bui to fulfill her mother’s wishes and to live up to her expectations. This is why I believe that Bui mentions Má so much throughout the text with so much emotion behind it.