The Refugees
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Black-Eyed Women The Other Man War Years The Transplant I’d Love You To Want Me The Americans Someone Else Besides You Fatherland
Themes
All Themes War and the Refugee Experience Cultural Identity and Family Memory and Ghosts Intimacy and Isolation
Quotes
Characters
All Characters The Ghostwriter Liem The Boy Arthur Arellano Mrs. Khanh James Carver Thomas Phuong Claire Vivien The Ghostwriter’s Brother The Boy’s Mother Professor Khanh/The Professor The Ghostwriter’s Mother Louis Vu Norma Marcus Chan Mr. P. Sam Mr. Ly Martín Arellano Mrs. Hoa The boy’s father Parrish Coyne Victor Devoto
Symbols
All Symbols Liver Photos Lingerie
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The Refugees

by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Black-Eyed Women
  • The Other Man
  • War Years
  • The Transplant
  • I’d Love You To Want Me
  • The Americans
  • Someone Else Besides You
  • Fatherland
Themes
  • All Themes
  • War and the Refugee Experience Theme Icon
    War and the Refugee Experience
  • Cultural Identity and Family Theme Icon
    Cultural Identity and Family
  • Memory and Ghosts Theme Icon
    Memory and Ghosts
  • Intimacy and Isolation Theme Icon
    Intimacy and Isolation
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • The Ghostwriter
  • Liem
  • The Boy
  • Arthur Arellano
  • Mrs. Khanh
  • James Carver
  • Thomas
  • Phuong
  • Claire
  • Vivien
  • The Ghostwriter’s Brother
  • The Boy’s Mother
  • Professor Khanh/The Professor
  • The Ghostwriter’s Mother
  • Louis Vu
  • Norma
  • Marcus Chan
  • Mr. P.
  • Sam
  • Mr. Ly
  • Martín Arellano
  • Mrs. Hoa
  • The boy’s father
  • Parrish Coyne
  • Victor Devoto
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Liver Symbol Icon
    Liver
  • Photos Symbol Icon
    Photos
  • Lingerie Symbol Icon
    Lingerie
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)

The Refugees Study Guide

It's easy to cite LitCharts for use in academic papers and reports.


MLA

Emanuel, Lizzy. "The Refugees." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 5 Jan 2019. Web. 11 Feb 2026.


Chicago

Emanuel, Lizzy. "The Refugees." LitCharts LLC, January 5, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2026. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-refugees.

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