Meeting Maung-Maung

The theme of "Meeting Maung-Maung" is that a person's financial situation doesn't determine their happiness and successfulness. Towards the end of the story, while Maung-Maung is reading an essay he wrote to Iyer, he comments on his financial situation: "He was a poor man, he went on, but he made more than his father. Most important, he made many friends. And through riding his Trashaw he had begun to learn English." One form of effective language that Iyer uses is her humorously cautious attitude towards Maung-Maung. Towards the beginning of the trishaw ride, Maung-Maung passes back a book full of pictures for Iyer to look at: "Reluctantly I opened it, bracing myself for porno postcards or other illicit souvenirs." Another form of effective language use in "Meeting Maung-Maung" is its use of simile. In response to Maung-Maung allowing her to look through his precious textbooks, Iyer says, "I was touched by his show of trust. But I also felt as uncertain as an actor walking through a play he hasn't read." Simile is used effectively in this line to give the reader the impression that Iyer doesn't know how to behave in this situation.