These cards symbolize many different ideas in the memoir, Stealing Buddha's Dinner. At first glance they symbolize the feeling of the unknown which is present in both Bich's life as well as her father's. Playing cards can be all about gambling and not knowing which card you will end up with. This is similar to the way Bich feels in her own life. She isn't sure what is going to happen when her teacher asks them to come up on the stage, she isn't sure what it will feel like when somebody really punches her and not just a fake punch like her sisters, and mostly, she isn't sure what her future holds; if she will eventually find a way to fit in with the "White" kids or if she will have to suffer the "boring, abnormal" world her family lives in. Playing cards can also symbolize fun and entertainment. Bich's father escapes from his house and wife and family to play cards and to feel the fun and excitement that he needs in his life. He throws a party to become the "Person he preferred to be-young, as he had been in Vietnam, surrounded by laughter and friends, drinking and smoking away his 'troubles'" (Nguyen 108). This is a way for him to escape the feelings that Bich is feeling; the depression and shame and overall separated life in which they are trying to blend in with.
I like how the image of the cards is so diverse in meaning. It is interesting that the uncertainty of being dealt cards brings anxiety to Bich, but excitement to her father. It seems this difference between father and daughter runs deeper than just their age difference. Yes, Bich is a child, and therefore is attracted to order, but she is more attracted to it than her sisters. Through out the memoir, it is shown that Bich is concerned with ritualistic behavior. Her father turns towards gambling and drinking to escape the ritualistic behavior of his daily life. It is also ironic that the father is striving to return to a care free lifestyle, yet Bich's experience as a child isn't anything like what the father is striving for.
ReplyDelete^ Jenna C.
DeleteKarissa, I like the emphasis of the unknown in both Bich's and her father's life. It's also related to the unknown facts and whereabouts of her mother, at least for most of the novel. Bich's father's outlet through gambling and throwing parties can be assumed as a negative influence for Bich but somehow Bich isn't influenced to follow his steps. Instead, she relies on reading as an escape, the one thing that is certain and known for her.
ReplyDeleteStephanie K.
This is such an intriguing concept that depicts the novel very well. All immigrants coming to the United States, as Bich's family did, take a tremendous risk as they gamble all that they've made of their lives in hopes fate will deal them a better hand in the foreign land they migrate to. Just like a card game, the individual has no control over what this new life will grant them, leaving them only able to control the moves they make amidst the unknown.
ReplyDeleteAt seeing your drawing first glance, I initially thought you would be talking about a relationship to magic. Although you discuss another aspect of cards, I began delving into the idea of the memoir representing a magic act. Similar to a card trick, Bich must narrow down the stack of cards representing the various cultural influences in her life to the one card that belongs to her representing her individual identity. Doing so consists of a series of taking away what does not belong to her in hopes of finding her one card within an entire stack.
Happy reading!
Lorraine S.
This is a well thought out drawing. I am really interested on how the cards symbolize multiple meanings about the book. It is interesting how the cards themselves are not what represent the unknown but the gambling along with the cards. Just as Bich's father gambled with his life in leaving Vietnam to enter the unknown, he and his family continue to gamble with decisions that they are not sure of. Bich's father releases his anxiety and depression that he and Bich share through gambling, smoking and conversing with friends. Each member has their own way of dealing with their problems and this is what he chooses to partake in.
ReplyDeleteBy Mike M.
Like many have pointed out, I find it an interesting drawing and also well thought out. I also like the idea that life can be the same as gambling in the sense that you don't know what cards you will be dealt. I'm interested in the specific cards you have drawn. If we assume for a second that these are the cards Bich was handed we can see she was given a pretty bad hand, if we were to look at this hand from a Poker perspective or Texas Hold'em. You have: Five of Hearts, Ace of Clubs, Ten of Spades and finally a King of Hearts. The best you can hope for is a pair of Aces. You can either fold, forfeit your chance of winning with your current hand, or you can bluff that your hand is great. I think for most of Bich's childhood, she did not fold her hand. She kept trying to fit in and always wanted to assimilate to the culture. She would watch movies and listen to songs and would later pretend to be the artist singing or acting. Bich never showed her weakness to her peers and in this sense she was "bluffing" her hand. Just a random thought on observing your drawing.
ReplyDeleteBy: Richard R.