Fate?

Several external factors certainly greatly impacted Pearl’s life. Her being sold off by her father, a war involving China, and a horrible married life superficially appear to dictate her life. I believe that these incidents may appear fated, but ultimately they are a result of Pearl’s decisions and her resilience as these problems arise. When Pearl first learns about her arranged marriage she angrily disagrees with her father and vows to not marry her future husband. She remains vigilant in not going through the marriage including destroying her paperwork needed to go to the United States. As the war erupts in Shanghai and her father’s gambling addiction causes more problems, she decides to flee. This was a conscious decision to leave China. She decides to go to the United States and reunite with her husband because it seemed like the most logical choice. Despite seeking out her husband, she still had a plan to try to leave after acquiring enough funds. Their journey did not go as planned, this forced May to make many difficult decisions. When they are attacked by the gang she protects her sister and gives up her bourgeois trappings to go to the United States. When she learns of her sisters pregnancy May begs her to take the child as her own. This was an act which would protect her sister as well as secure a child for herself. When they arrive to the United States they are faced with very poor living conditions and many of their personal freedoms are restricted as a result. This was the most overt external factor that aimed to dictate Pearls life. Despite the situation, she makes a clear choice to stay and slowly gain more personal freedom and acquire some money. As she learns more about the family she decides to stay. When Joy grows up the family is struck with news that Sam is being investigated. This factor causes strife within the family, we learn that May was indeed the one who orchestrated the whole situation. The conflict reveals to Joy the true nature of her birth and life. When Joy flees to China to seek comfort in her father and homeland Pearl goes after her. This demonstrates her ultimate decision in accepting Joy as her daughter. Despite the many obstacles placed to Pearl by the war and her family, she developed a close relationship with Joy. Although the external forces pressured Pearl, ultimately they only shaped the way Pearl chose to live her life. In our lives we face similar forces that may limit or expand her choices. These incidents, however do not dictate how one lives. Even within one day of our lives we are faced with many choices that can have a dramatic impact in our future circumstances. We can choose to adhere to the schedule or plan for the day or forgo the plan and do something spontaneously. Either of our choices could have similar consequences or dramatically reshape our lives. You can meet new people by simply adhering to your daily life or trying something new. In addition by choosing either of the situations we lose the opportunity cost of whatever other activity we could choose to do.