More apparent than ever, the war has reached Chinatown's doorstep. Everywhere Kiam goes he is reminded of the war overseas. I am beginning to think Father will talk to him more seriously about going off to war soon, since he is First Son, he must look brave to his younger siblings. It won't be happening anytime soon since the people of Chinatown were told that the Chinese and Japanese were not wanted by the Canadian government; all of the Asian descents have been denied into the army. I'm surprised Kiam wasn't discouraged by this. He lived each day like he didn't even hear it. If I lived in a country and they didn't accept people of my origin into the army, I would be wondering what else they didn't accept us for. This definitely describes the extreme exclusion "outsiders" or foreigners received at this time.
Tension grows in Chinatown as the war wages on. It's hard for me to tell if Father's work is appreciated or looked down upon. An elder spat in a spittoon and said "This for your dog-shit writing!" But then another quickly praised him for his work. This made me think what he does is very controversial; many people have their own opinions on it. I would definitely understand if he came home extremely stressed every day. He usually doesn't show signs of stress though; he isn't a very emotional character. He kind of seems 'flat' (lack of a better word) compared to the other characters. He hasn't changed as much, if at all, like the others have. It was this chapter that he showed a significant amount of emotion ever since he was furious at Kiam for getting drunk (chapter 6). A little bit after Poh-Poh had a frightful cough attack at the dinner table, Kiam saw his father crying at his desk. If there is anything I know about Father it is that he looks at the realistic side of things all the time. This means Poh-Poh is definitely reaching the end of her life and he knows it.
I would have assumed this anyway since earlier, when I was reading a critical analysis, one of them mentioned Poh-Poh's death. Coming close to the end of the book I was wondering when it would be implied or mentioned. It was this chapter that I get the first hints of her diminishing health. She starts getting sick around the Easter holidays in 1940 with a chronic cough. At this time it is not contagious, but she is given medicine. She and Mrs. Lim call it "Westernized" medicine, thus she is reluctant to use it at first, then the coughs become such a nuisance she gives in and begins to take it.
The title of this entry is 'No guts, no glory". I chose to make it the title because it was said a couple times throughout the chapter and thought it was significant to the novel. No guts, no glory simply means no courage, no success. If you want to have achievements, you have to try and take risks and if you don't have the courage to do something, then you won't get the results from having done it. This popular saying can be connected to several parts of the book. Without courage, Kiam and his friends wouldn't have formed a relationship with Frank. Without trying or taking risks his relationship with Jenny wouldn't be getting as intimate as it has been.Without going out and looking foolish searching for pieces of shiny objects in garbage cans, Poh-Poh and Sekky would not be able to construct their lucky chimes. Jack said it too, when he mentioned all the young men who enlisted into the army and also when he told Kiam and Jenny that he was going to join, too.
Kiam compared Jack to Gary Cooper and Fred Astaire, which adds to his characterization. It must mean he has a great sense of style, according to the people of this time, and has a really easy way with girls. He tries to impress them, even if they have rejected him before; as he would say "no guts, no glory."
The chapter ends with the completion and presentation of all of the lucky chimes Sekky and Poh-Poh created. She always planned to do this to celebrate the life she lived. This is another sign that Poh-Poh knows she is going to die soon.
Words looked up from this chapter:
Pugnacious - eager or quick to argue
Amok - crazy, berserk
Vicarious - felt through imagined participation in the experience of others
Convivial - joyful, friendly
Fervent - enthusiastic, excited
Alcove - nook, secluded spot
Unrequited - not repaid or returned
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