The Jade Peony

Novel cover

The Jade Peony: A Novel (ISBN 0312186924) is a novel by Chinese-Canadian author Wayson Choy, which covers the life of a Chinese family living in Vancouver during World War II.

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.

Symbolism

Template:Spoilers 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 Sekky, he begins 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.