In the Land of the Free

Eaton’s “In the Land of the Free” ties together two distinct narrative styles—journalistic objectivity and sympathetic characterization—to convey the frustrating and tragic situation that befalls Hom Hing and Lae Choo. By presenting their situation with the US immigration system clearly and directly, the story becomes difficult for readers to dispute. Similarly, it is easy for readers to imagine that this tale of family separation could, and very likely did, happen to many Chinese families as a result of racist legislation.

The narrative’s objective and factual tone is apparent in the interaction between Hom Hing and the customs officers who confront the family in the San Francisco port. They explain the matter of taking custody of Little One with an air of detachment, indicating that they are merely doing their jobs and complying with the law as written. One officer addresses Hom Hing with language that references official policy: “Seeing that the boy has no certificate entitling him to admission in this country you will have to leave him with us” (4). They lay out the facts of the situation and the word of the law plainly, without additional commentary or editorializing to convey that this is, quite simply, the legally correct and “right” thing to do.