3/22/2025
The Ashes of Memory
Bo said that in the dream, Bo was 10 years old (Bo is now 9 years old). Bo was at Phan Dinh Phung's house. Kt suddenly ran to get the phone in the car so he wasn't there. Bo Br (Bo's grandfather) bumped into the kerosene lamp, the lamp spread to the fan, and exploded. So the whole house burned down. Bo Br died. Then the whole family ran out of there. But then everyone felt sorry for their belongings. Each person felt sorry for something. At that time, Bo saw a huge demon walking around Bo Br's body. Bo Br's soul was too greedy for money so it lingered in the house and kept following the demon. Br's mother felt sorry for Bo Bia's medicine bottles, ran in to get them and saw that demon, was so scared, jumped down and died. Br also felt sorry for his belongings, ran in to get the phone charger and disappeared inside. Only Bo Bia was left outside. Then the news about the building was on the newspaper. Then Bo said the video cut to the scene where Kt's mother read the newspaper, in the newspaper there was news about the building. Then Bo wandered around Hanoi. War, bombs everywhere. Bo wandered alone. Then Bo said that in a dream, 20 years later Bo returned to that land. Everything was ashes. Bo found a ring from her grandmother and a jar of gold or something.
Bo's dream is rich with symbols and themes that delve into familial ties, loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Let’s break down the various elements to provide a detailed interpretation.
Setting: Phan Dinh Phung's house The house could represent security, comfort, and the foundation of Bo's family life. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama, symbolizing the home and the memories attached to family. This setting may resonate particularly with Bo’s upbringing and familial relationships.
Bo's Age: 10 years old (while currently 9) Dreaming of being older than your actual age often indicates a desire for maturity or a deeper understanding of life. It might suggest that Bo is grappling with concepts like responsibility or the pressures of growing up, especially as he processes his experiences and emotions related to his family.
Inciting Incident: The kerosene lamp and explosion The lamp, which caused the fire, can symbolize enlightenment or knowledge but in this context, it transforms into a source of destruction. This contrast indicates a loss of innocence or the fragility of stability within the family. The explosion possibly represents a sudden change or trauma that disrupts the family dynamic.
Bo Br (Bo's grandfather) and his death The death of Bo Br signifies a significant loss, reflection of grief, and perhaps a fear of abandonment that might be felt by Bo. The notion of Bo Br's spirit lingering due to greed suggests an unresolved issue in the family—perhaps feelings of attachment to material possessions or unresolved conflicts tied to family legacies.
The demon The presence of the demon symbolizes fear, regret, or dark emotions that may persist after a traumatic event. The demon's association with Bo Br's soul indicates that unresolved feelings (greed, attachment to material possessions) can haunt individuals after death, affecting their family's emotional landscape.
Family’s sorrow for their belongings Each family member’s longing for their specific possessions implies a deeper emotional attachment to material items, possibly revealing insecurities or unresolved conflicts about what has been lost. It reflects the struggle between materialism and emotional connections within a family context.
The setting of war and bombs Transitioning to a war-torn environment signifies turmoil and chaos. This imagery indicates Bo’s fear of external threats and instability in life, mirroring internal conflicts he may be facing. Wandering alone suggests a sense of isolation and seeking one's identity amidst turmoil.
20 Years Later: Finding a ring and a jar of gold Returning after two decades to a place of devastation could symbolize the remnants of past experiences and memories. The ring from the grandmother signifies legacy, love, and connection to the past. Gold or valuable items may represent enduring family values or memories that survive even after trauma and loss.
Overall Themes Bo's dream encapsulates key themes of loss, longing for connection, the impact of trauma, and the importance of familial ties amidst chaos. It navigates through grief, attachment, identity, and the inevitable passage of time. Ultimately, it may serve as a reflection of Bo's subconscious grappling with emotions surrounding family dynamics, memories of loved ones, and the process of growing up amidst uncertainty.
To interpret this dream, it would be beneficial for Bo to consider how these themes resonate with his own feelings and experiences. Engaging in conversations with family about shared memories and values may provide further insight and healing regarding the emotions depicted in the dream.