Getting the Bugs Out in Kampoon Boontawee’s A Child of the Northeast

บทคัดย่อ

This study discusses the wild insects hunted and eaten by the protagonist Koon, the boy in Boontawee’s A Child of the Northeast and explains how he learns to hunt and eat them. It also presents the states of finding and consuming the tiny insects which reflect human kinship. Theoretical ideas regarding kinship stated by Robin Fox and other researchers are focused on. The qualitative method is employed; the findings are reported in the form of a descriptive analysis. The study finds that mainly three types of wild insects are hunted. The boy learns how to find cicadas from his father. He learns how to find crickets from his mother. Eventually, he learns how to get red ants’ eggs from his father and neighbors. All are done under the mode of simplicity with a moderate sense while human kinship can be seen. Edible wild insects, including wild animals and plants, play a part in becoming locals living a traditional lifestyle within nature. The study argues that the wilderness can bring a family and its friends together as a single community.