Communist Handlers Reinvented: Ha Jin’s A Map of Betrayal and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer

Abstract

This essay examines the communist handlers in Ha Jin’s A Map of Betrayal and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer. Departing from the stereotypical characterization, the handlers of the two novels—Bingwen in A Map of Betrayal and Man in The Sympathizer—are developed into intricate characters that subvert the traditional representations of Asian communist spies. To study the handlers' significance in counteracting the Asian communist villain stereotype, the essay first examines Bingwen’s limited yet noteworthy departure from the communist Asian spy trope as a hidden victim of the communist regime. It then explicates Man’s humanity and complexity that decisively refutes the red-yellow peril stereotype. Lastly, it elucidates how the two authors’ agenda for the novel cause the difference in the level of character development of the handlers. In so doing, this essay attempts to enhance the understanding of the novels’ political criticisms and demonstrate the ongoing process of Asian American literature moving away from repeating the stereotypes of Asian communist spy to recreating a nuanced character of human complexity.