Sunday, September 14, 2008
In the Land of the Free
In " In the Land of the Free," Hom Hing is an established merchant in America. He was not present when his son was born. " I am a Chinese merchant and have been in business in San Francisco for many years. When my wife told me to one morning that she dreamed of a green tree with spreading branches and one beautiful red flower grwing thereon, I answered her tha tI wished my son to be born in our country, and for her to prepare to go to China." The amount of time Hom Hing was not with his wife and son would have meant that he did not have a relationship with the child just yet. And also his parents fell sick which meant that the amount of time lengthened. By the time the child arrived in America, a significant amount of time had passed. Lae Choo, the mother, had been always with the child since the day he was born. She bore the child and would naturally have a stronger bond with the child. Hom Hing would not.
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This is very true, and it is interesting to note the fact that Hom Hing admitted to the fact that he received letters about his son frequently and yet no action was taken. Additionally, it is Lae Choo who gives up her jewels in order to pay the lawyer, Hing just reassures the lawyer that they are just as good as cash. To add insult to injury, at the end of the story there is the quote "Go'way, go'way!" he bade his mother." It is almost as if Lae Choo, although more loving than her better half, is doomed to have a falling out with her child on a continuing basis. (Certainly beyond the final scene)
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