The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down- Chapter 8

710 Words3 Pages
The Characters in the chapter of the book are Anne Fadiman the social worker in this case also the author of the book. Foua and Nao Kao are Lia’s mother and father. May Ying Xiong the “cultural broker.” Sukey Waller the psychologist at Merced Community Outreach Services. Bill Selvidge the doctor that introduced the case to Anne. The Hmong culture has many beliefs such as do not offer to shake hands with a man, take off your shows, and do not raise your voice. Foua and Nao Kao, Lia Lee’s parents mistrust Americans. They would not allow any American to see any of Lia’s medical records. Doctors told Anne that there was no use in trying to get to Lia’s medical records because of her family. Bill Selvidge was the doctor that introduced the case to Anne Fadiman. He told her to talk to Sukey Waller. Sukey Waller was greatly respected by the Hmong. Her business card says “Fixer of Hearts” in Hmong and Lao. The Hmong people do not believe in mental and physical illness. They only believe in spiritual problems. Sukey told Anne to go and get a “cultural broker” to help her with the Lee family. Anne realized that she has to have less status in the Lee’s house due to them not liking being belittled. “Everything depends on who sent you” was the phrase they used in the book so, Bila Yao Moua set up the meeting between the Lee’s and Anna and May Ying. Lee and Ly are Americanization’s of the Hmong surname Lis. May Ying’s husband and the Lee’s are in the same clan, so they opened their arms to May Ying like a long-lost niece. Anne saw them different than one of the doctors portrayed the family. She saw the Lee family as Smart, humorous, talkative, and energetic. As she looked at Foua and Nao Kao she noticed that they were short and wore American outfits when they were not in Hmong clothes. They could not read, write, or even speak in the English language.

More about The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down- Chapter 8

Open Document