Depiction of a Strong Bond with Grandmother in The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy

In the short story, 'The Jade Peony' by Wayson Choy, Sek-Lung is devasted when his Grandmother dies at the age of 83 as he loved her immensely. Grandmama had a strong connection to her heritage and didn’t conform to the wishes of others. An innate motivation in individuals is the need to conserve one’s traditions and to associate with those they receive approval from, whom will help with personal development. Due to Sek-Lung’s open-minded nature his bond with his Grandmother was profoundly intimate, as she aided in his desire to preserve their culture and fully accepted him, which was his motivation behind constantly affiliating with her despite the family’s disapproval.

Due to one’s inherent need for affiliation, Sek-Lung was loyal to his grandma as she aided with his self-acceptance and progressed his personal development, accepting him whole heartedly. Being the youngest, Sek-Lung spent nearly all his time with his grandmother, developing a strong bond. He showed her no judgment, appreciating her company and the morals she taught him. They stayed by each other’s side as they felt accepted by one another and desired a connection, as all do. She conveyed her love for him stating that, “You know little Son, whatever happens I will never leave you.” He enjoyed spending time with his “spiritual playmate” as she built his character teaching him to not conform and implemented her strength within him. Grandmama was exceptionally strong, refusing to go to the hospital merely brushing it off as a cold. She was always able to remain calm and undisturbed which gave him reassurance.

The family was to heavily focused on their reputation that they displayed paradoxical behavior, in that they, “all loved Grandmama, but she was inconvenient, unsettling.” His older siblings were embarrassed by their grandmother for scrounging around alleys through the garbage to create a windchime, referring to her as a beggar. Sek-Lung kicks Liang who makes the comment, implementing the strength he learnt from his Grandma to defend her. His family was not supportive of Sek-Lung and his grandma as they were concentrated on what others thought, rather than their dying grandmother. The only approval Sek-Lung desired was from his Grandma, as she was his role-model, not being compliant to the wishes of others. Sek-Lung portrays his Grandma as his guardian, as she helped shape his identity and was a source of wisdom and strength. Grandmama never allowed the family’s embarrassment to change her morals and impede her from building the windchime. Sek-Lung continued to affiliate himself with Grandmama, motivated through his need to be accepted by those he cared deeply for.

Sek-Lung and his Grandma’s loving bond was further advanced due to his open-minded, curious nature, motivated by his desire to learn more about his Chinese heritage. Grandmama didn’t belong to modern society referring to it as “foreign devil’s land,” not conforming as she displayed her stoic connection to her heritage. She held a deep-rooted relationship to her Chinese culture and traditions. Sek-Lung’s frail health did not allow him to attend school instead, he spent his time with his Grandma learning more about Chinese traditions. She allowed Sek-Lung to connect to his heritage, teaching him about the riches of her past experience. He was always eager to learn more during his, “real education” with his Grandma, where he aided her in making astonishing windchimes out of discarded objects to symbolize her after her passing. She taught him through her traditions, stories, and herbal remedies. He learned practical life skills and customs and first-hand about his ancestry and the trades. She also taught him simple tricks like juggling, passing on her legacy through her stories and games. He was intrigued by her life, affiliating with her as he was truly fascinated by the “quick-witted” intricate skill and talent behind creating windchimes.

Sek-Lung was open-minded in that he was always eager to learn about his Chinese heritage, accepting that he was Chinese-Canadian unlike his parents. He accepted her, not seeing an issue with his Grandma looking like a beggar, opposed to the rest of the family. He was open to exploring and discovering new things, developing his personal connection to the past. His enduring bond with his Grandmother was evident as he always had her side, even when the family was ashamed of her, crying and falling asleep by her as she was taken to the hospital. He was very caring and understanding, taking the Jade Peony in his hands as thought about his Grandmother. He held her long, elegant, skilful hands and brushed hair away from her face, conveying to him “the quality of their love.” Sek-Lung was always caringly by his Grandma’s side, their deeply-intimate bond not hindered by their family and only strengthened by his desire to preserve their Chinese heritage.

Grandmama implemented her strong-willed nature in Sek-Lung and aided with his personal development and connection to his Chinese heritage. He was so gentle and considerate with his Grandma, not being able to imagine life without her. Sek-Lung associated with his Grandmother as he received approval from her, and they both shared similar characteristics in that they didn’t focus on their perception from others. Struggling to adapt to their life in Vancouver, the family wants to control their image and neglect their Chinese tradition. Interestingly, the youngest sibling with the least knowledge of China is adamant in maintaining his heritage.