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Chris Weldon

Professor Orta

English-123 - 5015

2 May 2020

Life And Experience Shape Us

In Fae Myenne Ng’s novel ​Steer Toward Rock​, which explores the life challenges of

chinese immigration in the 1950’s, we dive head first into the world and lense of Jack Moon

Szeto, also known as Yuo Seen Leung. As a Paper Son who bought his name to get into the

United States, Jack is an aspiring yet laid back man. Jack could be classified in many different

ways and specifically in many different archetypal motifs. An archetype motif is a type of

personality construct a person holds and while Jack certainly fits a few of the 12 common ones,

he best fits as “The Innocent.” The Innocent specifically is an easygoing person who simply

wants happiness and freedom to live how they feel. They “are free to be you and me.” The novel

displays Jack as the innocent through the element of fiction, characterization which “is a means

by which writers present and reveal characters – by direct description, by showing the character

in action, or by the presentation of other characters who help to define each other.” In this

instance, it is through Jack’s actions and relationships with the women in his life that we can see

Jack as The Innocent. Jack’s life was certainly not one of ease or fairness, and despite his

struggles he is still the innocent archetype and he still strives for happiness. The relationships

and actions with the three main women in Jack’s life have helped shape him into this archetypal

motif.

As The Innocent, Jack’s goal and desire is for happiness and joy and the woman he

almost loved plays a key role in defining Jack this way. It is through the element of fiction of

characterization that we can see this, specifically in his actions in the relationship he shared with
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Joice. He wants to do whatever it takes to achieve happiness and joy. The significant women in

his life shape this. Specifically with Joice, Jack chased romance with her. A marriage with

someone he really likes seems right to him. To achieve this happiness, Jack went to confession

because he thought that’s what it would take for Joice to marry him. These revelations

throughout this relationship are what help define him. This desire to be with her brought out the

dreamer in him. It is through his character's persistence that shows this. The dreamer is another

name and/or synonym for the innocent archetype. Even though his plan didn’t work and he

didn’t end up with Joice like he had wished, Jack kept it together. He may not have fully been

okay and content, it was still tough, but he let Joice live how she chose and he didn’t put up big

fights or do anything else. Jack’s response to this develops him as a character further and

further showcases him as The Innocent (or dreamer). He wanted Joice to be free to be who she

wanted and the same for him. If Joice hadn’t tested him, we might not have had enough insight

to see Jack as The Innocent. If Jack had gotten with Joice, not only would his life look different

but so would his personality. It is the actions in these relationships that further Jack’s

characterization. His relationship with Joice is one aspect that helped shape him.

The Innocent doesn’t sign up but also doesn’t deny, Jack’s relationship with his fake wife

furthers his laid back style. It is through the element of fiction of characterization that this is

displayed through, this time through his actions in the relationship he shared with Ilin. Jack’s

easygoing attitude and willingness to help in which form him as The Innocent and grow him as a

character. Another significant female figure in his life, Ilin is a great attest to this. Jack was there

to help Ilin when she needed his help and she returned the same in taking care of his daughter

Veda later on. Jack didn’t jump up and down to assist and accompany Ilin in her efforts against

her Uncle and for her mother, but he once again didn’t put up a fight. Jack came through and

helped. He wanted her to be happy and Ilin’s happiness results in happiness for Jack as well. It
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is through Jack’s willingness to help someone in need that further develop him as a character

and man and foreshadow him as The Innocent. When Ilin offered to take Veda in and thought it

would be good for her, Jack gave his blessing. If Jack hadn’t been presented these

opportunities, his archetype could have been much different, he as a character would be

different, he might have been more or less firm with things. Ilin made Jack into who he was, he

didn’t bounce up and down to help her but she got him to come around. Ilin helped define Jack’s

laid back attitude and outlook. His perspectives could have been a lot different if it weren’t for

their loyalty and kindness for each other. It is the actions and values Jack adopts in these

relationships that further Jack’s characterization. But it is his easygoing attitude and open mind

that contribute to him as The Innocent.

Jack’s relationship with his daughter further develops the argument for him as The

Innocent as he was a trying but supporting father. Jack’s actions and reactions in his

relationship with Veda furthers his characterization which directly correlates with many of The

Innocent’s values. His parenting actions and values do this. You have the third woman in his life

who shaped him, Veda, his only daughter. Jack aspired to be a good father and did everything

he could but he also knew his limitations. He knew his daughter needed female role models.

Jack supported his daughter as much as he could and wanted her to be free to do what she

wanted as she became older. He was relaxed and content if she was, and even when Veda

took off to work in air travel and live on the other side of the country, he was. It is Jack’s growth

as a character and man - his willingness and laid back support and actions that help display

Jack as The Innocent archetype. His pursuit of happiness for his daughter. It is the

characterization of his actions paired with the most important relationships in his life that do this.

Jack didn’t have the life that he had wished for but his actions to make the best of it and make

the best for his daughter show his change and strength and this further develops him as a
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character. If Jack had parented any differently, he probably would have fit a whole new

archetype. He might not have had as good of a relationship with his daughter. The mutual love

between each of them is what drove this out. It is the actions in these relationships that further

Jack’s characterization. Veda’s childhood and upbringing signify and help develop Jack into a

better person, someone close to The Innocent.

Jack is many things but Jack is definitely the archetype of the innocent. It is through

characterization of other characters and relationships that shape Jack, we can see this clearly

because of his actions and relationships with the women in his life. Jack is an easygoing, free to

be me, free to be you man. He is a dreamer, he is just trying to be happy. He just wants to do

things right. He shows this in his actions throughout the novel and others' view of him further

develops this as well. While Jack is this way, he’s had a hard life full of so many obstacles.

There are many themes in this novel but one of the most prevalent is that life brings many

challenges. It may not be fair, but it is how we respond and adapt to the trials in our

relationships that shapes us as people - and if we step back and do our best, that’s all that

matters. When life gets tough, and it will get tough, we must overcome it with our best effort

because we can only come out stronger if we do. The trials of being a Chinese immigrant during

this time were excruciating but despite them, Jack has turned out to be a very kind,

hardworking, and good man and father.

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Work Cited

Golden, Carl. “The 12 Common Archetypes.” The 12 Common Archetypes,

www.soulcraft.co/essays/the_12_common_archetypes.html.

Ng, F. M. (2008). Steer toward rock. New York: Hyperion.