By Jenna C.
On page 59, Bich wraps herself in a yellow cloth, which so far, the color yellow has been representative of the family's integration into American Society, as evidenced on pages 8,22,50, and 58. In its symbolic wrap, Bich has figuratively created her own cocoon in hopes to emerge as an "American" girl with "American" values to escape the "embarrassment and shame" that she always feels towards her heritage and family's lifestyle.
Bich wants so badly to transform and manifest into something, she sees, as more beautiful. In her eyes she will therefore have a better chance at succeeding in a society that has thus far persecuted her because of her ethnic or cultural identity. Bich standing by the window while she cocoons herself is symbolic of the fact that she can see the outside world but only at a distance and does not feel that she can actually participate in it because she has been so othered by her community.
I really like the idea of Bich encasing herself in a cocoon. I wonder if the narrator saw the color yellow as an ironic choice because it is often associated with blond hair, yet the actual word "yellow" is also used to describe Bich's skin tone. Maybe the yellow cocoon has a twofold meaning in this instance. Perhaps the narrator Bich is commenting on how her desire to force herself to transform into an American girl is always derivative of the fact that she cannot change the Vietnamese heritage that encases her right down to her skin color.
ReplyDeleteBy Brianna C.
I enjoyed your interpretation on the yellow cloth Bich wraps herself into near the beginning of the book. Although I agree with the interpretation and like the idea of the cloth representing her hope in emerging into this new American society, I looked at the yellow cloth as a symbol of Bich's heritage. I saw the cloth representing the idea that as much as she tries to change and as many different clothes she wears or food she eats, she will never be "white" as she wishes. I saw the cloth as a symbol for her Vietnamese culture and how it will always be with her no matter what she sees outside the window or what she wears on her skin
ReplyDeleteBy: Karissa H.
I found your analysis of the yellow cocoon fascinating. The use of yellow seems to me to show her asian side, and just like a butterfly she wants to transform into an all American woman. The use of the yellow cocoon is just like she mentions the Twinkie, by being yellow in the outside and white on the inside. Bich's determination to change into a white woman is remarkable, but I feel that the later portion of the memoir truly emphasizes the acceptance of her own Vietnamese culture. This scene shows me that she used this cocoon more as a transformation cocoon, and less like a safety blanket.
ReplyDeleteBy: Jonny D.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your analysis and completely agree with you. In Vietnamese culture, the color yellow is very significant as it represents prosperity and happiness. The fact that Bich associates this color with the cloth shows that she is hopeful to find happiness as an "American girl". I think the reason why she is has a yellow cloth represent a cocoon could be because she wants to break away from her Vietnamese culture (break out of her Vietnamese cocoon) and become a happy American girl. This could be her attempt to push away her Vietnamese culture, which she later attempts when she begins to refuse Vietnamese food in order to become more American.
ReplyDeleteBy: Krystal M.