Category: English 9.7

The paper menagerie

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In Ken Liu’s short story “The Paper Menagerie,” Jack’s identity changes and develops through the use of conflict, characterization, and symbol.

In Ken Liu’s short story “The Paper Menagerie,” Jack’s significant characterization change was caused by the negative comments received from the outside society. Jack the main protagonist, with an American dad and a Chinese mom bought from his dad in a catalogue. When Jack was still young, he accepted both the Chinese and American cultures as he treated both his parents equally and played happily with his mom in the company of the collection of paper menageries, his mom would make paper animals into life and Jack enjoyed as he explored and played with them for hours. However, when Jack grew older, he went to school, meeting with other different races of students. He once got called a ‘chink face’ in school all because his mother was Chinese, giving Jack different physical features compared to the rest of his classmates. This made Jack feel ashamed of having a Chinese mom, so he started to prevent further conversation with his mom in Chinese, and started to detest the Chinese culture. After long, he fully stopped talking to his mother making the family separated and apart.

On the Sidewalk Bleeding Thesis

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The main character in Evan Hunter’s short story entitled “On the Sidewalk Bleeding” is a story focused on the theme of self-identity. As the main character, Andy initially takes pride in himself for being a member of the Royals (a popular gang in this story), but soon realizes that there was no one there to support him when he most needed help but himself. Throughout the course of the story, his changing understanding of his ‘true identity’ is revealed by using his own self-introspection and actions, plus symbolism used in text by the author.

Quotes:

Self-Introspection: At first, Andy did not notice he was dying; he thought it was only an ordinary wound. However, after seeing the couple’s kiss, Andy hungered for Laura’s mouth, resulting in him finally noticing that he was actually dying. “He wondered the meaning if he died; he wanted the world to notice he was alive, that he’s Andy, not a Royal. As he screamed wordlessly, Hey, I’m Andy! Look at me! I’m alive!

Actions: “As he struggled and fought to tore his jacket off, pain ripped fire across his body whenever he moved. He breathed heavily, listened to the sound of the rain and thinking: Rain is sweet, I’m Andy.” This action shows Andy’s desire to be recognized as an individual, as himself.

Symbolism: The purple jacket – “If it weren’t for the purple jacket, he wouldn’t have been stabbed. The knife had not been plunged in hatred of Andy. It only hated the purple jacket. The jacket was a stupid meaningless thing that was robbing him of his life.” The purple jacket symbolized for Andy’s decisions and pride. However, it is that jacket that stoled the life from the real Andy.