|
|
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 Café 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 1940’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. 31) 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 1995 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. 35). 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).
|
