Symbolism In Cathy Song's The Youngest Daughter
In Cathy Song’s “The Youngest Daughter” Song uses symbolism of 1000 cranes to represent the desire of the speaker to leave her mother, but also her resolve and patience to remain as her mother’s caretaker. In Chinese culture cranes are admired for their beauty and nobility. They are said to possess an impeccable sense of loyalty and patience, but this seems contrary to the image, which Song creates when she writes that she wants to escape.
The fact that she mentions 1000 cranes specifically flying up in a breeze creates the picture that she seeks to escape. From a newsletter from Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen, “according to Japanese tradition, anyone with the patience and commitment to fold 1,000 paper cranes will be granted their most desired wish,
The fact that she mentions 1000 cranes specifically flying up in a breeze creates the picture that she seeks to escape. From a newsletter from Mrs. Lin’s Kitchen, “according to Japanese tradition, anyone with the patience and commitment to fold 1,000 paper cranes will be granted their most desired wish,