Do you think Mr. Chum becomes a father figure for Teera during her visit to Cambodia?

Do you think Mr. Chum becomes a father figure for Teera during her visit to Cambodia?

Yes. He is very helpful and goes beyond the duties as a just a driver. He is paying attention to her emotions and knows how to guide her in the right direction.

While I see Mr. Chum as caring and concerned at this point in his life, if I were going to assign a familial relationship it would be one of perhaps, uncle. I can imagine that he too, looks to make amends where he can without assigning nor fully claiming blame in volatile situations where few people have much of the information, and all are at risk.

I don't think he was a father figure so much as representing security and stability.

It depends on what "father figure" means. Mr. Chum is comfort and understanding, patience and unconditional non-judgemental acceptance. That goes beyond a father figure..... Perhaps the Buddha.

I don't think I would call him a father figure, more a protective, caring male. It was a friendship of sorts, with Chum looking our for Teera. A previous answer compared him to an "uncle" and I like that analogy.

No, I don't view him as a father figure for Teera; I see him as a kind, compassionate individual who astutely sees that Teera is searching for answers that may prove unpleasant and complicated for her. He serves as her "guide" during her search for answers.

No - not a father figure - more a caring, compassionate friend who wants to help her through her search.

I do not see Mr. Chum as a father figure to Teera. He is a caring guide to Teera. He listens and teaches without judgment. That is why I see him as a "foil" to her character. One who helps us understand where she is coming from. Teera's father is an important character on his own, his presence is strongly felt throughout the novel.

I think he becomes not a father figure but a "family" figure. She has lost everyone in her life and does not have a home anymore. I think her aunt was her home. Mr. Chum provides a link between Teera and Cambodia; he also protects her and cares for her. Most importantly, he is there for her - he answers the phone whenever she calls, is there when she needs him, and is able to sense when she needs quiet or conversation.

Mr. Chum is more than a father figure. As Buddhism is the most prevalent spiritual practice in Cambodia, he may indeed represent the Buddha or perhaps a deva (guardian angel) patiently guarding and guiding her.

I didn't see Mr. Chum as a father figure. He is protective and helpful, as others have said, and he helps Teera navigate through the city and fills in a lot of the gaps in her knowledge of Cambodia (after all, she left at a fairly young age, and at a time when the country was in turmoil). As her driver, he is a guide for her, but not necessarily a father figure. His role reminded me of that of Virgil in Dante's "Inferno," leading the protagonist through the steps he needed to take on his journey, and giving him explanations. Mr. Chum is always available to Teera to take her where she wants to or needs to go, and answering her questions. So I saw him as a guide more than a father.

I could never picture Chum as a father figure to Terra. He was an integral part of her journey, but to me his role was one of a silent spiritual protector. That person who listens quietly with a non-judgmental presence. In my mind she lost her father when he left, a "ghost" of her imagination.