The novel is set in Vancouver's Chinatown during the early 20th century. The story follows a Chinese immigrant family as they struggle to integrate into a new country. It is told from the perspective of the three children. The book has 3 sections, each narrated by a different child.
The first section is told by Jook-Liang, the only daughter. The second section is told by the middle brother, Jung-Sum. The final third of the novel is narrated by Sek-Lung, who is the youngest brother.
The Jade Peony is a wonderful tale of a family adjusting to a new country. It investigates themes of adaptation and compares the old and the new.
The Jade Peony characters are very important for the novel. The most powerful character is Poh-Poh, the grandmother and matriarch of the family. She is strong in her ways, and constantly reminds the children to respect the Old China ways and to remember they are always Chinese.
While the parents do not play an enormous role in the story, they do provide the guidance and support for the children. Stepmother is the father's second wife, and her power struggles with Poh-Poh display cultural and family differences. The father works hard and does everything he can to help his children adapt to Canadian life.
It is the children who drive the story. Kiam is the oldest, and has adapted to Canadian life the fastest and most easily.
The next oldest is Jung-Sum . Jung was adopted at an early age. In the second section of the novel, Jung is the narrator, and we learn of his struggles with the death of his family.
The next child is Liang , who is the only girl in the family. In her section, we learn about the difficulties of being a girl in China. Her constant battles with the grandmother display key elements to the story.
The youngest child is Sek-Lung , or Sekky. He brings the comedic element to the novel, as his youth provides a fresh perspective. His antics and trouble-making are also interesting. Through his relationship with Meiying and her Japanese boyfriend, we learn more about the difficulties for the Japanese in Canada during World War II.
The Jade Peony had many literary devices. Throughout the story, there are a number of historical allusions in the story, all of which provide great background for the setting. The story also has many important symbols. The key themes of the story give a better insight into the depth of the characters and situations. The Jade Peony is also full of quotations that shed light on the characters, setting, and themes.
For more information on the Jade Peony, try these links below:
Jade Peony Essay Questions
Jade Peony Characters
Jade Peony Themes
Jade Peony Quotations
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The Jade Peony
