Analysis of The Paper Menagerie ( by Cherry Salvo)

    Beginning with the narrator's youth, we can identify situations in which he embraced his heritage—or, more precisely, was too young to appreciate its significance in society. We observe the effects that one's surroundings and the behavior of others can have on an innocent perspective. The narrator's mother doesn't speak English, thus everything she says is translated and italicized at the same time. This serves as a subtle prelude to the action that will follow and sets the scene. The origami creatures, a major theme of this tale, are also depicted. The narrator has been involved with them ever since he was a little boy. Along with showing the mother-son bond, it also shows how much love the mother has for Jack.

    They were unable to understand the origami creatures' language. It's interesting to observe how Laohu, the paper tiger, was specifically given animalistic traits. Jack claims that it purrs, leaps, and pounces much like a real tiger, however, this may just be a product of his imagination or some motherly influence. Jack was born in the year of the tiger, hence he is symbolized by this paper animal. Like Jack, it starts off screaming, playful, and uninhibited. However, when Mark arrives, Jack hears an insult directed at his family for the first time. For him, this is a moment that sticks out, as he now understands that he is "different."Of course, the event when the local ladies make offensive remarks sets up the moment, but the high point is hearing it from someone his own age. Laohu being torn in two by Mark represents how Jack's pride in his Chinese heritage has been destroyed; it's as if a part of him has stopped working as a result of that event. He no longer desires any contact with his mother or his Chinese ancestry.

    Liu creates a tragic back-and-forth conversation between the three family members as Jack begins to ignore his mother. He effectively summarizes issues of identity, prejudice, and cultural diversity in this. Jack is a prime example of prejudice since, as a person of mixed race and Chinese descent, he endures taunts and racial epithets from his peers. This makes him want to entirely forget that aspect of himself and become a typical American. His father is an example of cultural diversity. Being an American himself, he is aware of how difficult it will be for Jack to integrate because of his Chinese heritage. Because she "knew this would happen one day," he asks the mother to take English lessons. The mother is the last symbol of identification. She complies with their request because she has a close bond with her kid and is grateful to his father and because she is aware that she must adapt to life in America. But before doing so, she says something really moving: she tells them that she feels the emotion of identification on her lips when she repeats the word "fondness" in English. Nevertheless, she senses it in her heart when she says "ai" in Chinese. She speaks in broken English, which emphasizes the significance of one's original language and the significance it has for one's identity.

    When Jack seals his origami into a shoebox, it is like he is sealing away a part of himself- those paper animals had life breathed into them by his mother, and Jack is blocking away that aspect of his life. It is
heartbreaking to read about the lengths he goes to avoid her, even looking down on her and refusing to speak to her, thinking of her with contempt. Readers may feel that he is cruel and unjust, and while his actions are painful, it speaks volumes about how facing racism can affect one’s mindset. Racism and discriminatory bullying is very, very harmful and it completely altered the way Jack looked at his family and even himself. His main aim in life is to live the typical “American dream”, no doubt stemming from the need to become like everyone else around him. It is almost as though he wants to prove to himself that there is nothing different about him at all, and the best way to do so is to live a model American lifestyle.

    Two years later, he is reminded of his mother by a shark documentary. The old recollections seem to be forcing their way out of the back of his memory. Laohu bursting back to life and Jack embracing him serve as symbols of his identity's rebirth at this time. With the letter found within Laohu, the significance of this occasion is increased. This is very important since Laohu stands in for Jack. Therefore, the fact that the mother's message is inscribed within Laohu symbolizes the reality that she, as well as her culture and identity, will always remain inside of him and a part of him—as will her love for him—regardless of what happens. Reading the letter on Qingming, Jack comes to understand the struggles faced by his mother and the joy his birth brought her. He is hit by several emotions at once as he processes everything- guilt, sadness, pain, and most prominently: love for his mother, as can be seen in the way he writes “ai” as many times as he can.

    He silently transforms Laohu into a tiger in the end. Laohu snores as they proceed to their shared house. This tender, heartbreaking end suggests a fresh start in terms of identification and a sense of ethnic pride. Jack now has the opportunity to "speak" to his mother and fully comprehend her because Laohu is back by his side after a long absence. He can now fully embrace every aspect of his identity and be who he truly is.

    The narrator narrates the events that lead to his current set of ideas and feelings, which is why the majority of this tale is written in the past tense. Additionally, the narrator's name is not immediately apparent; a character refers to him as Jack before we learn his name. This gives the impression that we are also gradually learning more about his history as a result of his trip down memory lane.