Sunny Yu answers “Can someone explain the duel meaning of...”

Julie Choi asked this question about The Sympathizer (The Sympathizer, #1):

Can someone explain the duel meaning of "nothing" to me. I think I get it but am not sure. Of course, I get the first and obvious meaning - what is more important than independence and freedom? Nothing as in nothing is more important. But what is the other meaning?

Sunny Yu The meanings of "nothing" is complex, as the protagonist himself reflects that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom, and nothing is…moreThe meanings of "nothing" is complex, as the protagonist himself reflects that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom, and nothing is also more precious than independence and freedom." The two "nothing" here are absolutely different, and they are even contradictory terms. Obviously, the literal nothing emphasizes the ideals of the revolution; the second "nothing" here is not only the literal nothing but also individualism. This is because in the first chapter of the book, the nameless protagonist called himself nothing. In the book, his name is never revealed, and his very identity is being torn apart. The "nothing" here refers to the opposite of collectivism, which is individualism, and that is the answer to the question what is more precious than freedom and independence.(less)

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