Analysis of Chapters 8 and 9 in Paradise of the Blind
Paradise of the Blind – Chapters 8 and 9
Write an analysis of how Chapters 8 and 9 explore the connection between culture, food and community
The interdependent connection between culture, food and community is pivotal in the demonstration of the importance Vietnamese tradition in Paradise of the Blind. Chapters eight and nine focus on the importance of culture through family particularly evident in the way food acts as an expression of this culture. Food is also used to establish a sense of community, which is an important aspect in the Vietnamese culture.
Food is presented as a direct reflection of a person’s wealth in Vietnamese culture. Limited in other forms of power, women like Aunt Tam can rely on materialistic objects, such as food, in order to display their wealth and earn respect. This is evident as one of the guests at the feast exclaims, “What a pleasure this evening has been. A sumptuous meal followed by such spellbinding stories. This is a blessing from heaven.” The use of words with strongly positive connotations, such as “sumptuous” and “spellbinding” displays the great degree of appreciation and thus importance that food has on Vietnamese culture. This idea is further emphasised with the reference to the Gods and ancestral beings through the use of the word “heaven”. Another example of food reflecting the idea of wealth is when another guest says, “A sticky rice flavoured with rose-apple juice! Why, it’s exquisite.” Aunt Tam responds to the compliment, “Oh please, will you stop it?” The use of the word “exquisite” again highlights the importance of food and its inherent effectiveness in delivering praise. The way in which Aunt Tam replies, almost rehearsed and clichéd, suggests that there was an unspoken expectation of praise and therefore respect in the original intention of the feast. The undeniable connection between food and wealth reflects the material-focused culture of Vietnam.
Another idea that connects food to culture is the
Write an analysis of how Chapters 8 and 9 explore the connection between culture, food and community
The interdependent connection between culture, food and community is pivotal in the demonstration of the importance Vietnamese tradition in Paradise of the Blind. Chapters eight and nine focus on the importance of culture through family particularly evident in the way food acts as an expression of this culture. Food is also used to establish a sense of community, which is an important aspect in the Vietnamese culture.
Food is presented as a direct reflection of a person’s wealth in Vietnamese culture. Limited in other forms of power, women like Aunt Tam can rely on materialistic objects, such as food, in order to display their wealth and earn respect. This is evident as one of the guests at the feast exclaims, “What a pleasure this evening has been. A sumptuous meal followed by such spellbinding stories. This is a blessing from heaven.” The use of words with strongly positive connotations, such as “sumptuous” and “spellbinding” displays the great degree of appreciation and thus importance that food has on Vietnamese culture. This idea is further emphasised with the reference to the Gods and ancestral beings through the use of the word “heaven”. Another example of food reflecting the idea of wealth is when another guest says, “A sticky rice flavoured with rose-apple juice! Why, it’s exquisite.” Aunt Tam responds to the compliment, “Oh please, will you stop it?” The use of the word “exquisite” again highlights the importance of food and its inherent effectiveness in delivering praise. The way in which Aunt Tam replies, almost rehearsed and clichéd, suggests that there was an unspoken expectation of praise and therefore respect in the original intention of the feast. The undeniable connection between food and wealth reflects the material-focused culture of Vietnam.
Another idea that connects food to culture is the