Meeting Maung-Maung

I think the theme of Meeting Maung-Maung by Pico Iyer is that one’s positive outlook on life and relationships formed in life are what truly matters. When Iyer first meets Maung-Maung he is suspicious of Maung-Maung’s intentions. When Maung-Maung offers him a gift, a jade rock, he wonders, “..was he framing me, or cunningly putting me in his debt? What was the small print? What did he want?”(19). Iyer fails to realize, until later, that Maung-Maung is just trying to be a good man and form a friendship with Iyer.

I think Iyer’s most effective language is converting Kyats to U.S. dollars. This conversion constantly proves how poor Maung-Maung is, but it also shows the deep contrast between Maung-Maung’s attitude and income. Although he is dirt poor Maung-Maung is a very positive and friendly person. He shows how money is not the root of happiness and is not what truly matters in life.  Another way Iyer writes effectively is by showing us Maung-Maung’s broken English in the dialogue. “..If I hit horse in this life, in next life I come back as horse”(20) The dialogue really brings Maung-Maung to life. I appreciate his effort to speak English even more when Iyer explains how Maung-Maung taught himself English.