Would Smell as Sour Sweet By Any Other Name?
I believe that the title Sour Sweet has a double meaning. On the simpler side its refers to the Chinese restaurant that the Chens run. Lily complains when Chen says that they will be serving sweat and sour pork as their staple dish because that is what the english like, but Lily complains about its authenticity to real Chinese foods. I believe this is a metaphor for their lives in England. They are having to learn how to adapt themselves and their cultures to fit into the society a little more.
I believe the second meaning of this title goes a little deeper than the food and talks about the ups and downs of the immigrant experience. They have particular highs when their business takes off or when Man Kee is going through school. However they struggle with how they fit in, and the authorities that they look up to. In particular they struggle with the triad and their authority. Right now Chen is potentially in a life threatening situation because he borrowed money from the Hung Family awhile back. This stems from the fact that Chen did not take a tradition english route like a loan to getting this money but instead trusted the other group from Hong Kong having more in common with them than anyone english person.
~Sahale
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Chinese Food For Thought
In the past few chapters we have seen Lily and occasionally Chen disregard England's rules and regulations such as licenses, paying taxes and census. Do their irresponsible feelings of non commitment to these economic and social responsibilities stem from them feeling like "the other" and therefore have no self imposed duty to participate. Or are these actions derived from the fact that they truly do not understand these systems. When Lily proposes her plan to cheat on taxes, is this because she does not understand what the taxes truly do, or does she plan on cheating, not because she doesn't understand, but rather that she doesn't feel as if she belongs and therefore has no need to pay the fines that accompany that. Furthermore, does their refusal to fairly participate in taxes and driving regulations separate them farther than if they abided by British laws. We often find the Chen's living in their own personal bubble and are viewed from outsiders with many stereotypes. Are some of these assumptions self imposed by the Chens while they pretend to not speak English to the census director, plan on cheating their taxes and drive recklessly on the roads while being unlicensed.
~Sahale
In the past few chapters we have seen Lily and occasionally Chen disregard England's rules and regulations such as licenses, paying taxes and census. Do their irresponsible feelings of non commitment to these economic and social responsibilities stem from them feeling like "the other" and therefore have no self imposed duty to participate. Or are these actions derived from the fact that they truly do not understand these systems. When Lily proposes her plan to cheat on taxes, is this because she does not understand what the taxes truly do, or does she plan on cheating, not because she doesn't understand, but rather that she doesn't feel as if she belongs and therefore has no need to pay the fines that accompany that. Furthermore, does their refusal to fairly participate in taxes and driving regulations separate them farther than if they abided by British laws. We often find the Chen's living in their own personal bubble and are viewed from outsiders with many stereotypes. Are some of these assumptions self imposed by the Chens while they pretend to not speak English to the census director, plan on cheating their taxes and drive recklessly on the roads while being unlicensed.
~Sahale
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