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The ao dai, in
Stealing Buddha’s Dinner, becomes more than just a Vietnamese garment. The ao dai is
symbolic throughout the novel as a garment connecting Bich to her Vietnamese heritage, a symbol of
protection and comfort, and also of alienation from and distinction to her culture.
At the beginning of the novel, when Bich’s grandmother Noi
takes her to the park, she is wearing her green ao dai. Noi and her garment link Bich to her Vietnamese roots, the
garment reminds her where she and her grandmother came from. Noi wearing
the garment also signifies that she still is in touch with her homeland through a
tangible object such as a piece of clothing. Shortly after this memory, Bich
retells of Anh’s first birthday party ever. At the party, Bich’s father’s
friends arrive wearing "their best thrift store suits and ao dais" (24). In this scene, the ao dais become a communal link, displaying a visible common ground in the community.
Later in Stealing
Buddha’s Dinner, the ao dai
signifies security. When Bich is describing her grandmother’s life in Vietnam,
she says Noi was prosperous, with enough money for silk for her ao dai. The ao dai, then, implies comfort and security. Continuing this
meaning, on page 41, when Bich is stealing food, she hides among Noi’s ao dais. Again, the ao dais represent protection and security, in this case for Bich.
In the chapter titled “Green Sticky Rice Cakes”, the ao dais enwrap Bich and Anh publicly to
their foreign Vietnamese identities during the Tet celebration at their school.
“Because we were dressed in our ao dais
our teachers assumed we would be spending the morning preparing for the
assembly… The feeling of being set apart in our outfits had united us” (101).
While being alienated from their peers, they are united with other Vietnamese
students. The ao dais give Bich a
tangible connection to her roots while also separating her from her peers.
Though the book primarily deals with food as being a link to her culture, its nice to see that there are other things that Bich can connect her culture to. Focusing so much on the food connection, I actually didn't notice this connection so thanks for pointing it out along with providing a very thorough analysis. I agree, the ao dais serves a great purpose in the story because Bich mainly describes food as being a link to her culture. Had this been her only link, it would probably be very hard for her to try and hold on to that little bit that she has. The fact that she finds a strong protective connection to the ao dais gives her a little bit of hope of discovering more about her culture and actually maintaining it. By the way, the picture is really nice! Good choice!
ReplyDeleteBy: Krystal M.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa,
Your journal is so well thought out and very thought provoking. I feel like the Ao Dai’s significance was too easily missed. But, as I read your journal response, I couldn’t stop agreeing with you. I like how you mention that it was a “tangible object” connecting her to her Vietnamese culture. Thought the story Bich’s connections were limited to her Vietnam were limited to food and traditions. But, the Ao Dai is an object that is on display by choice and not by force like her skin or hair color. The Ao Dai is part of Bich’s choice to keep a hold of her culture. Your journal also made me remember the scene of Bich and Loan fighting about who had the better Ao Dai. It made me think about their connection of being the only two Vietnamese girls in their grade. It appeared like the girls were not fighting about who had the better Ao Dai but who was the best and most Vietnamese. The garment is interesting to examine and I believe it deserves more attention to its overall importance to Bich’s confusion with her Vietnamese culture. Great journal!
By: Clarrissa R.
Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to find that you found another perspective on Bich's feelings towards the Vietnam culture. Bich is obviously constantly pushing the Vietnam cutlure away to feel closer to the American culture. She has a difficult time assimilating in America, and there are many instances when it is clear that Bich daydreams of having the typical American life, having American parents, eating American food, etc. Your analysis takes on a different approach that highlights that although Bich does try to alienate herself to avoid criticism for not fitting in the way she wants, she subconsciously finds comfort in the Vietnam culture. I like that you point out the example of Bich and her sister eating Vietnam food, while celebrating Tet at their school. This was one of my favorite scenes in the book, and I feel that it ties in well with your perspective of the Ao Dai giving her a type of shelter and sense of safety.
By: Michele Garrett