JADE PEONY (chptr 9) by Wayson Choy

This passage excerpted from the novel was originally a short story that Choy wrote in a writing course. How the novel The Jade Peony came from the colour pink written on a sheet of paper, is as mystical as the story itself.

The novel should be appreciated for the wonderful work Wayson put into making the story seem so real that you can almost touch it. Feeling like you're in the room with all of the Chan family comes from the authentic use of direct speech, sensory detail, and conflict.

Dialogue reveals the true nature of each of the characters, that is; their beliefs, fears, desires, and the person they really are. For example, the superstition of Poh-Poh is conveyed many times; "these are special pieces, because they come from a sacred place," "my spirit will hear its sounds and see its light and I will return to you." Also, the white cat with "pink eyes like sacred fire" shows her belief in the afterlife as well. Her spirituality is contrasted, the children are unsure of who they are- confused identity, which is revealed in their dialogue.

Dialogue is also an effective tool to create tension and drama, because different beliefs will often clash. "Our whole household held its breath, she had promised us a sign of her leaving." the drama here is; what is the sign going to be? Is there going to be a sign? There is also a beautiful drama in Poh-Poh's privacy, the jade peony which was a gift from a lover who she lost, she keeps until her death. And there is a good sense of tension created mid-chapter where the whole family is sitting in the parlor in "troubled air."

The best example of description is on pg. 168-169 "my eyes darted in panic...in the center of this semi translucent carving, no more than inch wide, was a pool of pink light, its veins swirling out into the petals of the flower." I feel these two paragraphs are beautifully written and an excellent of why Choy's writing is described as lyrical.