response to prompt #2

In the book, Pearl and May experience a transformation from living relatively carefree lives to struggling in poverty and having to fight for their lives.  How do they cope with these changes brought upon by their father's debt and the war?  Have you had to overcome any obstacles in your own life?  Compare the way in which you coped with these experiences to the manner in which Pearl and May cope with their challenges

         In the book, Shanghai Girls, the main protagonists, Pearl and May, lived very carefree and comfortable lives as wealthy-classed Chinese.  They lived in Shanghai, the “Paris” of China, which was on the brink of starting a war with Japan.  They both shared many similar traits, but overall, were completely different in personalities.  Pearl was intelligent, reflective, and played a parental role for her younger sister May.  While on the other hand, May was naive, charming, and beautiful.  Even with so many differences, both of them knew very well how fortifying they were to one another.  They displayed this connection at various parts of the book when faced with adversities.  Their lives turned for the worst when their father, Baba, confessed to them that he had lost all his family’s wealth through gambling; He also admitted to having prearranged a marriage for them as a result of his loss.  Shortly thereafter, as war broke out, their problems only worsened as they faced the struggles of surviving on the streets now as evacuees.  In both situations, they found ways to console one another and hardened themselves to cope through tragic fracases. 

As pampered women, they had luxuries that sheathed them to the real world around them.  They were known as “beautiful girls” who were hired to model for paintings as advertisement adds for various products such as cigarettes.  They were considered to be “modern” and had freedoms that were just recently accepted in Chinese culture.  Pearl and May were educated and in many ways showed superiority even to their own parents.  After having discovered about her father’s debt, Pearl coped with her father’s presence by depreciating him, “Baba leaves the house every morning to look for work, but we don’t encourage him or ask him questions…”(See 41).  They always knew their father was a weak man with little influence over them, “ My father may have a public reputation as an important man, but I’ve always seen him as ineffectual and harmless.  The way he looks at me now… I see him stripped to his core.” (See 22).  Pearl redirected her father’s shame into her strength to safeguard her true family members.  Much like Pearl, I have also redirected negative energy to overcome obstacles.  In a very similar situation, my father would depreciate me for not being the son he wanted me to be.  Just like Pearl kept all her thoughts to herself, I also did.  I constantly reminded myself that I was useful to this world and to always get back up after a fall.

            Pearl’s older sibling love for May was the unwavering force that allowed them to beat the odds.  This was evident as soon as bombs were dropped on Nanking Road.  In the midst of the warzone, Pearl only thought of her sister’s safety, “ My immediate thought is for May. I have to find her…”(See 51).  This is reconfirmed when Pearl thinks to herself, “ All May and I have left is each other.  After everything we’ve been through, our tie is so strong that not even a sharp knife could sever it…” (See 85).  Seeing as how Pearl is the dragon zodiac and May the sheep, it is expected Pearl acts as a guardian for May.  Pearl is naturally invigorated when it comes to matters that involve her sister’s well being.  They see each other as unconditional support, which was their greatest mechanism for managing the hardships life threw at them, “As sisters, May and I share a particular kind of intimacy…”(See 37).  Like May, I too have an older sibling whom I also feel a particular unbreakable bond between.   In contrast though, I am only close to my brother in spirit because I rarely get to see him.  Nevertheless, my brother has imprinted upon me with a sense of permanent positive accompaniment to fuel me during my life’s most difficult moments. 

            Parental love is significant but this book displayed how sibling love can be more substantial.  Having been raised by a family with old-fashioned views, these girls found solace which each other, and with that, the willpower needed to endure even the hardest moments of life.  Having started as sheltered women who were only valued for their facade of a life, they successfully transformed into survivors by remaining together.