The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy

        A Symbol is an object, which effectively represents something abstract. “The Jade Peony” by Wayson Choy tells the story of Sek-lungs grandmother and her urge to build a wind chime. The wind chimes did not only bring Sek-lung and Grandma together but instead bought the whole family together.

        With attention to the parents, the wind chime symbolizes the conflict they have with their grandma. Even though they “loved grandmamma” and know “she is not a beggar” the parents are “perplexed and somewhat ashamed”.  Furthermore, the father “lifted the wind chimes” honoring grand mammas wishes yet found her “inconvenient [and] unsettling.” On the whole the wind chimes represent the struggle of trying to fit in with society, with grandmother still living in the past.

        Speaking of Grandma, the wind chime was a door to her past as a young woman. In fact, they would remind her of the time when she was a “village girl.” In addition, it’s about her friend who had given her a “wondrous gift” but it had “broke apart.” However it was so precious to her that she “kept the jade pendant” in her pocket. Therefor the creation of the wind chime would bring back old memories of her life as a village girl in China.

        With regards to Sek-lung, the wind chimes represented the connection he shared with his grandmother. For instance, during the time they spent going on “shopping trips” to collect pieces for the wind chime their connection grew stronger. In fact, Sek-lung and his grandmothers “greatest excitement” was “when the fire gutted the Chinese church,” and they found their most precious pieces. In addition, as grandmother would say, “come Sek-lung, we have our work,” they became closer and their bond grew larger. The time spent making the wind chime was also important to Sek-lung. During that he learned about his grandmothers childhood in China and also spent quality time with her. Due to the “short trips” the wind chimes symbolized his relationship with grandmother and also the countless stories and secrets she told him.