2.
According to the zodiac signs in Chinese culture, Pearl is a dragon and May is
a sheep. Based on the descriptions of these signs contained within the
novel, do you think the two sisters are true to their respective zodiac signs
in Shanghai Girls? Up to this point in your life, do you think
that you have been true to your own Chinese zodiac sign? Here is a link
to a website which contains more information about the zodiac signs: http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
Throughout the novel, Shanghai Girls, Pearl and May are
constantly reminded of their Chinese zodiac signs to further stereotype them. Pearl is a destiny-changing dragon while May
is a naïve, sweet-hearted sheep. Toward
the beginning of the novel, both characters displayed characteristics of their
respective signs, but as the book progressed, their personalities changed
drastically as they now have faced life-changing events. Even though their characters changed, I
believe both girls still remained true to their signs, but where slightly changed
from all the chaos that the war brought them.
Pearl was
told by her mother to take care of her younger sister no matter what the
cost. Pearl held on to this last wish of
her mother’s and dedicated herself for the protection of May. When they moved to Los Angeles, Pearl was
made into a stay-at-home housewife while May was allowed to venture out and
live a life similar to that of postwar Shanghai. This fact made Pearl upset and envious of her
sister because she had freedoms Pearl was not granted. Pearl managed to accept these changes though,
and showed the type of resilience that only a dragon sign can exhibit. Perhaps
the words of her dying mother really influenced her selfless behavior with
regards to May. May on the other hand, continued
on living a similar lifestyle to the one she had in Shanghai, except, she did
not have her sister to accompany her everywhere she went. She even had hopes of becoming a movie star
in Los Angeles, which exemplified how unchanged she remained by still
constantly obsessing with attention and glamor.
Up to this
point in my life I definitely feel I have lived up the name of my Chinese
zodiac sign, the horse. Horses are extremely
energetic and sociable beings that love to be recognized and approved by
all. Horses are also believed to be
very healthy because they hold a positive attitude towards life. Also, we are rational, sentimental, and
straightforward and are best suited for careers in which we are own boss. People born on this Chinese zodiac sign
typically have a pleasant, amiable, down-to-earth disposition, which can
provide stress relief for others.
Lastly, horses are quick-witted and can perceived the thoughts of people
before they express them. Ultimately
though, I believe that zodiac signs do not offer anything better than a brief
piece of literature to read for amusement.
Overall,
Pearl and May definitely kept true to their Chinese zodiac signs though where
stricken by trauma from the events that occurred in Shanghai. Even though they displayed different personas
later in the book, they were still the same individuals just perhaps altered
from the war and death of their mother.
In the end, I am not one to really believe in zodiac signs. I ultimately
prefer the mental freedom that comes from removing all stereotypes attached to
everything in life. Even though the
Chinese zodiac is pretty accurate, I am a constantly changing being and am
never tied down to just one belief.
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