ENG4U

Student name: Dao Duy Khanh

Teacher: Mr.Nicholas

SUBJECT NAME: One of the unique aspects of the Jade peony is its three different

narrators. How do three different perspectives impact the overall story? What similarities

and differences do you see between the narrations?

1
"The Jade Peony," Wayson Choy's significant work in Canadian literature, creatively

depicts the experiences of a Chinese-Canadian family in Vancouver's Chinatown during

the 1930s and 1940s via the stories of three siblings: Jook-Liang, Jung-Sum, and Sek-

Lung. This multidimensional story is more than just a portrait of an immigrant family's

ups and downs; it is also a serious examination of questions of cultural identity,

generational conflict, and integration difficulties. The diverse points of view of the three

narrators, each coping with their distinct difficulties and experiences, provide a rich and

layered peek into the complexities of living between two cultures. The purpose of this

study is to investigate how the novel's use of three separate narrators enriches the

discussion of topics such as identity, family, and the immigrant experience, while also

reflecting broader sociological and historical settings of the period.

The three-part narrative structure of "The Jade Peony" is crucial in presenting a

complete picture of the immigrant experience in Canada. Jook-Liang's story, which is

infused with a little girl's dreams in a world that oscillates between the pull of Western

popular culture and the limits of traditional Chinese standards, shows the cultural

dichotomies that first-generation immigrants endure. “This useless only-granddaughter

wants to be Shirley Tempolah: the useless Second Grandson wants to be cowboy lah.

The first Grandson wants to be Charlie Chan, all stupid foolish"(p.40) Her desire to

emulate legends such as Shirley Temple stands in stark contrast to the backdrop of a

2
conservative, patriarchal Chinese community, highlighting the difficulties that young

women confront in balancing cultural legacy with modern aspirations. Jung-Sum, the

middle child and adopted son, navigates a complicated emotional landscape defined by

his traumatic past and his quest to discover his sexual identity. ”Jung-Sum is the

moon”(p.82) “You have a family again”(p.85) His story is a moving depiction of the

psychological difficulties and identity crises that frequently accompany the immigrant

experience, particularly for those who are marginalized within their own communities.

Sek-Lung, who was born and raised in Canada, exemplifies the dual identity typical of

second-generation immigrants. His experiences, which serve as a bridge between his

elders' traditional Chinese world and the developing Canadian terrain, show

generational transformations and the changing nature of immigrant identities “But father,

those languages (Latin, French, German) are scientific, We are now in a scientific,

logical world.”(p.147). These three separate yet intertwined experiences offer a

comprehensive view of the difficulties and intricacies of the Chinese-Canadian

experience, spanning from cultural adaptation and identity creation to the complexity of

generational disparities within immigrant families.

The novel's use of many narrators also provides an in-depth look at the dynamics of an

immigrant family, with each sibling's story bringing a new perspective to the family's

story. “It’s a boy! Poh-Poh half-Whispered when Kiam first pushed his way out of First

Wife”(p.98) Jook-Liang's family issues with traditional gender norms underscore the

frequently hidden but harsh expectations imposed on women in many immigrant

communities. Her story highlights the dichotomy between personal objectives and

cultural obligations, a typical issue in first-generation immigrant stories. Jung-Sum's tale

3
adds to the family dynamics by demonstrating how adopted children in immigrant

households frequently struggle with problems of belonging and identity. His internal

struggles for acceptance and understanding within the family, as well as his secret

conflicts, highlight the emotional intricacies inherent in immigrant family arrangements

“As the years went by, they became part of the darkness at night or, on the brightest

day, merely shadows”(p.68). Sek-Lung's connections with his family, particularly with his

grandmother, Poh-Poh, are representative of generational shifts and shifting dynamics

within immigrant households. His narrative depicts the progressive alteration of

conventional ideals as they collide with the realities of a new cultural context. The three

siblings' diverse experiences, from Jook-Liang's gendered issues to Jung-Sum's search

for identity and Sek-Lung's cultural balancing act, offer a vivid and nuanced portrait of

family life in an immigrant milieu.

The narratives of each sister in "The Jade Peony" are delicately intertwined against the

backdrop of key historical and cultural events, bringing depth and context to their

particular journeys. Jook-Liang's experiences during the Great Depression emphasize

not only the economic difficulties but also the tenacity of the Chinese-Canadian

community during a time of universal adversity. Her story sheds light on how global

economic downturns disproportionately affect immigrant populations. Set against the

tumultuous backdrop of World War II, Jung-Sum's novel offers insight into the era's

political and social upheavals, as well as their impact on individual lives. His story

delves into the worries and uncertainties that immigrants endure during times of global

strife, echoing the greater political tensions of the time. Sek-Lung's post-war tale reflects

Canada's altering cultural and social landscape, reflecting the slow shifts in societal

4
attitudes toward immigrants and minority communities following the war. His

experiences shed light on the changing nature of cultural identity and integration in the

postwar era. The novel not only develops the personal stories of each character but

also gives a broader reflection on how key historical events impact the realities of

immigrant groups through these historically informed narratives.

Finally, Wayson Choy's "The Jade Peony" exemplifies the power of storytelling in

expressing the complexities of the immigrant experience. The novel's use of three

unique narrators deepens the story, allowing for a nuanced examination of subjects

such as cultural identity, family dynamics, and the difficulties of assimilation in a new

area. The distinct points of view of Jook-Liang, Jung-Sum, and Sek-Lung, each

anchored in their own personal and historical settings, present a comprehensive picture

of the Chinese-Canadian experience. Their stories, intertwined with themes of cultural

conflict, adaptability, and the search for self, provide a nuanced picture of the difficulties

that immigrant families encounter. "The Jade Peony," with its layered storytelling and

strong character development, not only reveals a specific family's hardships and

successes but also serves as a mirror reflecting the broader experiences of immigrant

communities in Canada and abroad. It is an important work in the canon of Canadian

literature and an important study in understanding the complexities of multicultural

identity and history.

Citation:

5
-Second source: https://www.gradesaver.com/the-

jade-peony/study-guide/quotes

-“As the years went by, they became part of the darkness at night or, on the brightest
day, merely shadows”(p.68)

-. “This useless only-granddaughter wants to be Shirley Tempolah: the useless Second

Grandson wants to be cowboy lah. The first Grandson wants to be Charlie Chan, all

stupid foolish"(p.40)

-. ”Jung-Sum is the moon”(p.82)

-“You have a family again”(p.85)

-“But father, those languages (Latin, French, German) are scientific, We are now in a

scientific, logical world.”(p.147)

-. “It’s a boy! Poh-Poh half-Whispered when Kiam first pushed his way out of First

Wife”(p.98)