Jade Peony and the Dissapearing Moon Cafe

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Each and every day, migrants from around the world flock to seek refuge in the so-called 'western society.' Life in countries such as the United States and Canada are seen to be a dream; the 'immigrant dream.' It is the pre-notion that life within these countries is one that is driven by happiness, employment and financial security. Once a migrant arrives in the new land, he is automatically faced with the 'immigrant experience.' This being defined as one's encounter with the new land, whether it is prosperous or fruitless. Both novels, The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy and Disappearing Moon Caf by Sky Lee, explore the Chinese immigrant experience in Canada and its effect on individual identity throughout each generation.

Taking a nostalgic look back at Vancouver during the early 140's, life of a Chinese immigrant was characterized by many social, economic and personal hardships, which can be seen in the novel, The Jade Peony. Government legislation and racism prevented the Chinese from achieving economic prosperity while cultural politics and social pressures caused generational conflicts and ultimately a division among generations, between the Chinese immigrant and the Canadian born. Perhaps the greatest challenge faced by Chinese immigrants was that of preserving their native language and culture

Jook Liang, if you want a place in this world,' Grandmother's voice had that exasperating let-me-remind-you tone, 'do not be born a girls-child.'

'This is Canada,' I wanted to snap back, 'not old China.' (Choy Pg. 1)

Often time, due to the constant clash between cultures, many Chinese immigrants attempted to assimilate into Canadian society. Yet, their culture was the confirmation of their individuality. Similarly, in a 15 referendum speech, Party Quebecois leader Lucien Bouchard stated that language and culture represented a single being and for this reason cannot be removed. He continued that if Quebec were to sacrifice its language to English, their unique culture would soon follow. In The Jade Peony, the ideology of assimilating was the primary cause for the struggle for identity among the characters. The elderly people in the novel resisted changing, fearing a loss of culture and identity. The younger children, growing up and attending school accepted toward the larger social Canadian culture. The old people, Poh Poh and Wong Bak, never integrated into the Canadian Society, and were unable to accept the Canadian culture. They were deeply devoted to their native country and had to go back to China to die, as indicated by Wong Bak's parting words, bone must come to rest where they most belong(Choy Pg. 5). Adults such as Father and Stepmother were trying to fit into the new society and were ready to give up their Chinese ways. At the same time, adults like Stepmother easily became a prisoner who was trapped between two cultures. 'What does this White Demon want?' said Stepmother, I could see she wished Suling were here, with her perfect English(Choy Pg. 140). The younger generations born in Vancouver, like Juk-Liang and Sekky, were willing to become real Canadians. They hoped to be treated equally as the Canadian children, but even though they were born in Vancouver, they were still considered to be Chinese by other Canadians. The youths were distressed under the pressure of the older adults. The older generation said, you do not know Chinese, you are mo yung-useless or mo nos-no brain(Choy Pg. 15). Smart English not Smart Chinese(Choy Pg. 141) was another derogatory comment young Chinese Canadians had to endure. It was very hard to balance between their original identities and their chosen identities. For example Mrs. Lim asks Sek-Lung

'Who are you Sek-Lung?… Are you tohng yahn?'

'Canada!' I said, thinking of the ten days of school I had attended before the doctor sent me home, remembering how each of those mornings I had saluted the Union Jack, had my hands inspected for cleanliness, and prayed to Father-Art-in-Heaven. But even if I was born in Vancouver, even if I should salute the Union Jack a hundred million times, even if I had the cleanest hands in all the Dominion of Canada and prayed forever, I would still be Chinese. (Choy Pg. 15)

Wayson Choy treats the different outcomes of adaptation within the family from the perspective of the second generation (the children). Thus, the problems of the family often influence the choices made by the second generation. Each of the children embodies different choices and compromises, negotiated not just on their individuality but also on a number of aspects that shape ones identity.

Choy created a life filled with poverty and racism, which ultimately portrays the early Chinese immigrant experience full of unfulfilled promises and everyday struggles. The promise of wealth and prosperity lured many Chinese to Canada during the late 1800s. In The Jade Peony, Old Golden Mountain(Choy Pg. 65) symbolizes the 'immigrant dream', which is similar to the theory of the American Dream. Yet, in both cases, the dream and actually achieving it was extremely far-fetched. It was indeed the opposite that immigrants attained. Throughout the course of the novel, one can see that the economic conditions of the Chinese in Vancouver were extremely poor. Chinese children had to wear old clothing and had to feel proud of it. For example, when Jung-Sum received a second-hand jacket from his uncle Old Yuen as his birthday present, he felt proud of it. At that time Chinese people were unable to afford new jackets. The second-hand coat from Old Yuen, falling on my twelve-year-old shoulders, felt like armour(Choy Pg. ). Children over six, like Kiam and Jung, had to help out the family, either on finance or housework; otherwise, they will be considered mo yung-useless. For many children residing in Vancouver's poverty-stricken China Town, childhood meant nothing but work.

Similar to The Jade Peony, Sky Lee's Disappearing Moon Caf also focuses on the idea of the immigrant experience and the search for personal identity. Through the use of fiction and fact, Lee examines the situation of immigrant women and their daughters. In particular, Lee gives much more attention to the issues of racism embedded in the Chinese-Canadian historical experience. This ranges from government bills that were past to the historic event of the building of the CP railroad. At the same time, what are at the centre of the story are a clash between gender patriotism and the changing, more open possibilities for women in the new world. All women have suffered, restricted lives, at the hands of men and are unable to move in the larger world. In this case, the idea of family and society become focused in the mother-daughter relationship and in the struggle for identity. Resulting from a in depth analysis of their immigrant experiences, a new way of flourishing their personal identities is created. In a sense, the independence of the women is realized.

Emigrating from old china (Lee Pg. 0) in the late 1800's, Lee Mui Lan, wife of Gwei Chang represents the wave of first generation immigrants to come to Vancouver. In pursuit of the 'immigrant dream she becomes the Wong family matriarch. Also know as great Poh-Poh (grandmother) to Kae-Ying Woo. Kae being the omniscient narrator gives a first-hand look at the struggles that are incorporated into the whole idea of the immigrant experience and one's search for identity. Lee presents this idea through four generations of Chinese women whose struggle not only deals with identity, but also are highlighted by the battle of the sexes. Mui Lan, for example depicts a women's struggle to compete in a male dominated world as well as keep her native culture rich and pure. The Disappearing Moon Caf, the biggest Chinese restaurant in the 10's(Lee Pg. 85) justifies her role as the family matriarch and guardian of the rich native culture. The next three generations of the Wong family women all face a rather tedious search for their identity. The older women such as Poh-Poh and Fong Mei found the Canadian society to be one of the demon (Lee Pg. 10). In this case, the demons being the Caucasian-Canadian culture. Beatrice and Kae, mother and daughter, may differ in terms of age, but share an ever-common life. Being one of confusion and bitterness. Both women, born in to a vast new land with its environment being completely different, raise many questions What am I?(Lee Pg. 0). Beatrice faces her struggle with her husband. He is sent of to fight in the war and she is left to either practice old Chinese methods, or to adapt and begin to work. Her long time struggle with the experience of immigration, allowed her to over-come her fear and become independent. Beatrice began to work at the restaurant, which allowed to preserve her culture while coping with the pressure from the western society. As a schoolgirl, Kae was convinced that assimilation was the best route to follow. Her confused perception about herself, followed her through the years as she grew old

Now at thirty-six, I'm still waiting. In fact, the feeling is even stronger. I am obsessed by it. 'It' makes me feel restless. I roam around my house and peer out of windows. I am quite uncertain as to what I need to see between the blind slats, which hide and hold me in. Obviously not a visitation! I know that, but why is it so hard to get answers to questions I've been asking all my life? (Lee Pg. 11)

In light of the news that Kae's husband Keeman is her brother, sheds new light on the identity crisis. This due to the fact that her father impregnated the waitress, because her mother was deemed infertile. Instead Beatrice did have a baby who ended up marrying her husband's bastard son(Lee Pg. 14). Taking into consideration that the marriage of Beatrice to Choy Fuk can be credited to their families immigration to Canada, then an assumption can be made that the immigrant experience is what caused Kae's marriage and the whole upraise of the identity crisis in the Wong family.

The Jade Peony illustrates and focuses on the potentially destructive impact of racism and poverty on individual identity. The characters in Wayson Choy's novel see both as a result of their culture. By adopting Canadian values, perhaps they could achieve the prosperity and acceptance that has eluded them. Choy takes an, in depth look at the immigrant experience through the eyes of three young kids. With racism and poverty being major factors in their lives, the child forms a certain mind-set, one of anti-China. Being socially accepted is a top priority and this is the best way of achieving it. Taking a total different route is Sky Lee, she approaches the subject thorough the eyes of women. Rather than being surrounded by poverty, the women are of a successful background. Both books worked in unison, to present the idea of the immigrant experience of two families throughout four generations. Past sins and strengths are passed on from generation to generation, each confronting it, in its own way. The rich Chinese culture being protected by the family matriarch or otherwise known as Poh-Poh (grandmother). Ultimately, the idea of the immigrant experience is shown through two different perspectives, one through poverty and one through success, each of which proves to be a long time struggle with identity.

In The Jade Peony and Disappearing Moon Caf the focus is on identity change through the generations as a result of immigration. Throughout the novels, it is the oldest generation, the grandmother, who is the keeper of Chinese cultural identity, an identity the middle generation has rejected and lost. Regardless of whether or not the search for an identity is fulfilled, one fact remains one's personal identity is created through a universal voice. This is the voice that belongs to one race, the human race.

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