Literary Term: This part of the novel presents a simile. "I was like the wind (58)."
The use of a simile is effective because it is figurative language and is a unique comparison of two things which the reader can understand.
Quote from the novel: "I once sacrificed my life to keep my parents' promise. This means nothing to you, because to you promises mean nothing. A daughter can promise to come to dinner, but if she has a headache, if she has a traffic jam, if she wants to watch a favorite movie on TV, she no longer has a promise... But later, she will forget her promise (49)."
In the beginning of chapter 3, Lindo Jong observes people's carelessness to keep promises. Lindo holds true to her promise to not disgrace her parents. Also, she is obligated to obey her arranged husband's family. Even though she lived many years in unhappiness in her new home, she remained steadfast for the sake of her promise to family. Nearly everywhere she looks there are people who don't take promises as seriously as she, and this is a shame to her. "...To you promises mean nothing. A daughter can promise to come to dinner, but if she has a headache, if she has a traffic jam, if she wants to watch a favorite movie on TV, she no longer has a promise... But later, she will forget her promise." This section in the book reminded me of a song. The song is "Grandpa, Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days" by The Judds. There is a lyric, "Was a promise really something people kept? Not just something they would say and then forget." This lyric fits in perfectly with what Lindo was trying to get across. Promises should mean something a person can count on, and not just something that is said and then just as easily forgotten.
Music Video for "Grandpa, Tell me 'Bout the Good Old Days" by The Judds:
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