Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Crazy Rich Asians, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Wealth and Absurdity
Marriage and Money
Family vs. Individuality
Chinese vs. Western Culture
Summary
Analysis
It’s May 1, the annual Bal du Muguet, which the L’Herme-Pierre family throws every spring social season. Astrid barely has time to admire the display of miniature 18th-century hot-air balloons in the courtyard before Comtesse Nathalie de l’Herme-Pierre finds her and comments on her linen dress—which would be too informal if it weren’t a genuine vintage dress by Madame Grès. Nathalie is in awe. As she and Astrid discuss the seating arrangement and Astrid’s plans to return home to her son, Cassian, Nathalie’s mother-in-law, Isabelle, and another “grande dame” approach. Isabelle greets Astrid warmly; the other woman, Baronne Marie-Hélène de la Durée, nods curtly.
Astrid’s exchange with Nathalie implies that when it comes to fashion, Astrid can do no wrong. Anyone else wearing a linen dress to such a formal event would invite scandal—but because Astrid is wearing it, and because Astrid has the money to buy such a historically important dress, she can get away with it. The dress, in other words, symbolizes Astrid’s untouchable social standing and her wealth. However, Marie-Hélène’s cold reaction to Astrid suggests that not everyone thinks so highly of Astrid, reminding readers that even someone as wealthy as Astrid can experience racism.
Themes
Once Astrid has moved on, Marie-Hélène asks about Astrid, insinuating that Astrid is someone’s mistress and commenting that “the Chinese are getting quite rich these days” when Isabelle says Astrid’s family is wealthy. Isabelle explains that the Leongs have been wealthy for decades and are some of her husband, Laurent’s, biggest clients. Confused, Marie-Hélène says she thought the Chinese “were all penniless Communists in drab little Mao uniforms” until recently. Laurent appears and explains that there are the newly rich from Mainland China, and then there are the “Overseas Chinese.” They left China centuries ago and now control nearly all Asian commerce. Isabelle adds that families like Astrid’s live in such luxury that “[i]t makes the Arnaults look like peasants.”
Here, Laurent sets up a dichotomy that the novel returns to many times: the difference between the “Mainland Chinese” and the “Overseas Chinese.” The implication is that Astrid and her family are Overseas Chinese and that they are thus unbelievably wealthy. To make this point, Isabelle compares the Leongs to Bernard Arnault, the richest man in the world and owner of the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH (which oversees brands like Tiffany & Co. and Dior). If the Leongs live in such a lavish way that the Arnaults “look like peasants” in comparison, then the Leongs must be unfathomably wealthy.
Themes
Hearing this, Marie-Hélène admits that Astrid is well-dressed. Isabelle explains that Astrid buys couture dresses like they cost nothing. A few minutes later, Marie-Hélène approaches Astrid, compliments Astrid’s necklace, and then asks if Astrid will share travel tips for Asia. Astrid is amused and disappointed. Paris used to be her escape and she could blend in with the other Asian tourists, but then her parents alerted friends like the l’Herme-Pierres and now, frustratingly, everyone knows who she is. Astrid should be used to this, as she’s part of the “secretive, rarefied circle of families virtually unknown to outsiders who possessed immeasurably vast fortunes” in Singapore. She’s descended from palm oil industry tycoons and her mother is Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi’s daughter. Her pedigree, in other words, is “extraordinary.” Her life is about to get even more interesting.
Once again, money saves one of the novel’s Asian characters from suffering more racism: it’s implied that Marie-Hélène only approaches Astrid because Astrid suddenly seems like someone worth associating with. That is, Astrid’s worth, as far as someone like Marie-Hélène is concerned, is tied only to her money. However, the narration implies that Astrid is not actually used to this kind of treatment, or even to everyone knowing who she is. This develops Astrid as someone who might be rich, but who’s also down-to-earth and humble. Then, the book name-drops James and Su Yi like readers are supposed to know who they are. Readers, of course, don’t yet know who they are, but this gives the impression that they are wildly important.
Themes
