By Sasha B.
I chose to draw different versions of an apple which I saw as a reoccurring theme throughout the first three chapters of the book. The first mention of apples on page 7 comes as a symbol of hope given to them from their grandmother as the matriarch of their family and only female contributing to the raising Bich. On page 19 the author describes the eating of fruit as a gift and that she "believed that the transformation from globe to glistening slices involved some kind of magic" (19), and then makes a point to say "it would be years before either my sister or I ever bit into a whole apple" (19). She observed her grandmother holding the special power to help something evolve. The ending of that chapter shares a change of that transformation process when the author describes how her step mother "cut them up carelessly" (29) when preparing an apple for her. This shows the addition of another matriarch and Bich learns that there are different ways to complete the same task. It is the multiple memories and emotions associated with the apple that inspired me to draw them.
The fruit in the novel is becoming more symbolic in itself. As I read more of these journals, I have noticed that fruit is also indicative of the fruitfulness in Bich discovering her own identity. You make a good point in noting how the introduction of a new matriarchal head in the family was made more concrete when Rosa disarranges the apple ritual right before a young Bich's eye. This moment of Bich being fed an apple that still has its skin somewhat contradicts the turning point of the novel when Bich leaves the plum pit on the Buddha altar. At a young age, Bich ate the fruit with the skin, with the fruit still covered, but when Bich leaves the bare pit, she is no longer stuck under her skin. She is free from the coverage of being an "outsider".
ReplyDeleteBy Alyssa B.
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DeleteI very much appreciate this astute observation of the significance of the symbolism in apples throughout the memoir. Reading this post about the maternal implications of the apples made me wonder: does the passing on of apples apply to the maternity of the Nguyen's "mother country?" In other words, I am thinking that the metaphor extends further than literal maternity, perhaps to cultural maternity. I believe that Noi's giving of the apple to Bich represents a conveyance of a vestige of Vietnamese culture, and thereby a vestige of the Vietnamese mother country, to Bich, the recipient of her family's cultural legacy. Thus, food again serves to symbolize the continuation of Vietnamese culture in the journey to America. By Ryan B.
DeleteI love how you noticed the apple! I didn’t even really pay too much mind to it, but now that you point it out the apple is such an important theme. The apple as a representation of the differences between Bich’s grandmother as the matriarch and then Rosa as the matriarch is so significant. However, it also helps to point out that the apple can also represent the knowledge Rosa lacks about Bich and Noi’s culture, and also their connection. To Bich and Anh, Noi is not just any grandmother, but the woman who has raised them thus far, and in this way Rosa’s treatment of the apple can represent the Bich the way she might treat raising them. Whether she does this or not is a different thing, and it also highlights Rosa’s lack of understanding of the culture beliefs behind this act. What the apple represents in a cultural sphere is something Rosa doesn’t seem to be aware of, which might not be her fault, but definitely is significant to Bich. Your awesome picture and analysis have definitely brought me to a deeper understanding of the novel, thanks!
ReplyDeleteBy Raylene M
I love how you noticed the apple! I didn’t even really pay too much mind to it, but now that you point it out the apple is such an important theme. The apple as a representation of the differences between Bich’s grandmother as the matriarch and then Rosa as the matriarch is so significant. However, it also helps to point out that the apple can also represent the knowledge Rosa lacks about Bich and Noi’s culture, and also their connection. To Bich and Anh, Noi is not just any grandmother, but the woman who has raised them thus far, and in this way Rosa’s treatment of the apple can represent the Bich the way she might treat raising them. Whether she does this or not is a different thing, and it also highlights Rosa’s lack of understanding of the culture beliefs behind this act. What the apple represents in a cultural sphere is something Rosa doesn’t seem to be aware of, which might not be her fault, but definitely is significant to Bich. Your awesome picture and analysis have definitely brought me to a deeper understanding of the novel, thanks!
ReplyDeleteBy Raylene M
Sasha,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how one person’s analysis of a certain theme or object within the same novel can influence a deeper understanding in another. Your journal has made me think of the symbolic apple in a whole new way. It is interesting because it is obvious that the apple is truly significant within the novel but your analysis helped further my understanding. I truly enjoy how you make the clear connection between Noi and Rosa as the two matriarchal figures and how they differ greatly in their treatment of apples. Apples symbolize knowledge and temptation. Knowing what an apple symbolizes truly changes the analysis of its function within the novel. Therefore, the apple shows Rosa’s lack of knowledge about the Vietnamese culture and its practices. On the other hand, the apple always tempted Bich as it was placed in front of the Buddha statue as an offering. But, it is also important to note that the offer in reverence to Buddha is also an object of temptation. Thank you for helping me understand the significance of the apple in a different way.
By: Clarrissa R.
I found your interpretation of the fruit interesting. Your statement on matriarch change is great, and I never would have thought about. The fruit is an impressive analogy, but I feel that the use of the food here is mostly about change. Bich's coming of age is noted by not eating a whole apple until later into her life. Through this memoir I read as food as yearning for acceptance. The difference between the two forms of cutting the apple seemed to show me that food is manipulable. This was a early sign for me to find acceptance in one's self. Our understand of the fruit so early on in the memoir we could learn the changes that Bich experiences throughout her life.
ReplyDeleteBy Jonny D