Jasmine's Father

Analysis : Jasmine's Father

Brief summary of story
The story basically revolves around the flashbacks of the narrator, Jasmine’s father.

Plot
Introduction :
The story begins with a brief insight into how Jasmine’s father views marriage and children. This gives us an idea of what kind of person Jasmine’s father is. We are also introduced to Jasmine. It is important to note in the introduction that a point of contrast is immediately drawn between the father and daughter, where the daughter is noted to enjoy the finer things in life, where as the father is described as someone simple and contented with what he has.
Rising action :
We see conflicts between Jasmine and society, Jasmine and her boss and also Jasmine and Asian men. There is also conflict between Jasmine and her father in terms of values and opinions. (generation gap)
Climax :
Jasmine informs her father of her decision to migrate
Falling action :
Jasmine’s father tries to advise his daughter, focusing on the practical issues (eg : having a job) but his advice falls onto deaf ears.
Denouement:
Jasmine’s father finally learns to accept his daughter’s impending migration and his twilight years alone.

Setting
There is no definite setting. We see scene shifts from Jasmine’s father three bedroom flat, Vancouver and also the garden.
The story also starts with Jasmine already in Canada and then flashes back to what happened in the prior months leading up to her move

Symbols
The System represents a cold society that is described as bureaucratic, inept and prejudiced.
Jasmine’s nameless boss represents a society that is regimented and robotic.

Character
Protagonist/ Narrator : Jasmine’s father
Jasmine
Jasmine’s boss
Jasmine’ colleague

Point of view
First person as we are introduced only to the narrator’s thoughts and given only speculations to why Jasmine reacted the way she did.

Tone
Ironic when he looks at his current predicament at the beginning of the story.
Nostalgic when he looks back at Jasmine’s childhood and his past life. Sympathetic when he speaks of how his daughter was unjustly treated at work.
Shocked when he heard of his daughter’s decision to migrate.

Theme
Change is the only thing that is constant in life so one must be brave in facing change.
A generation gap may exist between people from different age groups.
There may sometimes be conflicts in opinion between the older and younger generations.