The family realizes maybe America is not as free as they thought it was going to be. The “free” part of the title suggests the family is going there for a second chance to make money, be successful, and/or be a perfect family. Though it could also mean they are starting a new life with no strings attached and they can be new people without any unsatisfactory reputations, if they had any to begin with. However, Hom Hing family is broken apart and separated and his child is “imprisoned” at a foster care system which is not what a reader would have in mind when he/she is thinking about freedom. Freedom can sometimes mean sacrifice in which to gain freedom you must be willing to give something up sometimes and Hom Hing and Lea Choo was required to give up their child (unwilling) to gain the freedom America provides.
The author, Sui Sin Far, has given the title of the story for a reason could she have been saying it in a sarcastic way or in a spiteful way. After reading the story a reader knows that the title is misleading but could Sui Sin Far meant for the title to be read in a sarcastic voice. It would make sense to read in sarcastically due to Hom Hing and Lea Choo feel anything but free. They are waiting on papers from Washington to