The Jade Peony
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| The Jade Peony | |
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| Author | Wayson Choy |
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| Cover artist | Jessica Sullivan |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Douglas & McIntyre Ltd. |
| Publication date | 1995 |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-1-55054-468-8 |
| Followed by | All That Matters |
The Jade Peony is a 1995 novel by Wayson Choy.
[edit] Plot
The story is told from the point of views of three different siblings: Jook Liang - Only Sister, Jung Sum - Second Brother, and Sek Lung - Third Brother. They all face different experiences as new Canadians and are often held back by their "cultural baggage". The grandmother, Poh Poh, is the heart of the family and plays a large influence on the three children, especially Sek Lung.
[edit] Symbolism
The major symbol in this novel is seen as the Jade Peony, a small amulet of pinkish jade carved in the shape of a peony. It is Poh Poh's most valued possession, which is passed onto Sek Lung after her death. The Jade Peony symbolized Old China's culture and traditions which stayed strong with Poh Poh in her new country. As it was passed on to Sek Lung, he began to develop more of Poh Poh's characteristics after her death. The Jade Peony was there for Sek Lung to keep his culture in Canada. The Peony was there to keep him from losing his culture like many other new immigrant children. As his whole family went through a series of changes to become more Canadian, he and the Peony were there to remind them of their cultural roots
[edit] Sequel
All That Matters is a sequel to The Jade Peony. It tells the story of the Jade Peony from the point of view of the three siblings' eldest brother, Kiam-Kim.
