Explanation Of Chinese Culture In The “Spring Moon” By Bette Bao Lord
The uniqueness and originality of Chinese culture, traditions, and writings are well-known. Bette Bao LORD’s Spring Moon tells the story a Chinese girl called Spring Moon. She tells her family’s stories and explains how they live. The author explores everyday aspects of Chinese culture using various characters to express her beliefs. Bold Talent, Spring Moon’s eldest uncle and oldest son, shows throughout the first 12 chapters his obligation to Chinese tradition, even though he may be forced to break with rigid rules from time-to-time.
Bold Talent can be found in San Francisco enjoying his life. He was sent by his father for the sciences of West. Bold Talent felt his freedom wane once he returned home to his homeland, as he was forced to fulfill certain obligations. This behavior was not common among Bold Talent’s men, as many wouldn’t think of such thoughts. Bold Talent is influenced by America, especially his decision to get rid of the transgressive queue hairstyle. Bold Talent had shaved the queue to represent Chinese nationalism. Soochow’s citizens considered Bold Talent a disappointment. Chapter 1: The Foreigner! “Foreigner! The stares… Crowds Behind” (Lord. 1981. P. 50). The author uses powerful and descriptive adjectives to show the wonderment of the crowd. Lord portrays Bold Talent’s discomfort and awkwardness by his body language. Lord can be seen trying to make a laugh while also trying to remain strong and confident towards his residents. Bold Talent feels that he is obliged, forty-nine day after his death, to keep the Patriarch buried. Bold Talent accepts the decision of his Matriarch, his mom. Bold Talent follows tradition and accepts his mother’s commands. He does not challenge them. This shows that he was aware of the rules he had learned throughout his life. Chapter 2, “She winced…much thought?” (Lord 1981, p. 56). Bold Talent shows his respect for his mother through the formal way he speaks to her and accepts her wishes in polite fashion. Bold Talent is also shown how self-centered and dramatic the Matriarch is by her dramatic sighing for an unrelated cause.
Bold Talent is the actual patriarch and he rebels against tradition more radically weeks later. He teaches Spring Moon reading and writing, even though he knows the consequences. Education of women is dangerous because it can ruin marriages and cause chaos in the household. He doesn’t care what the Matriarch says, and he expresses his disapproval of tradition in a way that is unique in a Chinese family. Chapter 2, “Too Much… One Hope” (Lord, 1981), p.79, illustrates this idea. The author uses serious language and deep detail to highlight the dangers of reading and writing for women. Bold Talent shows compassion towards his niece through Lord’s loving and caring language. This makes it easy to see why he took such risk within his own society.
The first 12 chapters in Spring Moon are a good example of Lord’s use of diverse and varied vocabulary to communicate her thoughts and ideas to readers. It is possible to understand Bold Talent’s personality and psychology by studying Lord’s unique language. Bold Talent is not your typical patriarch. Lord’s portrayal of Bold Talent’s thoughts is clear. He tries his best to maintain the family’s culture while also expressing his thoughts. This can sometimes be contrary to what his other acquaintances see. Bold Talent is not only obligated to follow the home’s traditions and obligations, but he also enjoys the role. This Patriarch, however, is more likely to depart from the traditions he was raised to value. Bold Talent is rebellion against commonplaces and a desire to see modern ideas as a way to improve their mentality.
