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
Normally, Astrid and Cassian stay at Tyersall Park when Ah Ma’s parties go this late. But tonight, Astrid is desperate to get home and check in on Michael. She can’t ignore his infidelity, and she won’t be a “victim” like Fiona; Eddie has had many mistresses. She’s certain he’s cheating, but then again, “all women find [him] irresistible.” Stepping back to 2004, Astrid recalls seeing Michael for the first time—he was modeling a camo-print speedo in a cheap, disappointing fashion show. Still, Astrid was entranced. She ran into him again a few weeks later at a friend’s birthday party and said that if he wanted to model professionally, she could find him an agent in Paris. When she walked away, Michael’s friends cackled and said that Astrid doesn’t date in their “stratosphere”—even Charlie Wu wasn’t rich enough for her—but she’s clearly into him.
Something in Astrid seems to have snapped as she tells herself she won’t be a “victim” like Fiona, who’s put up with Eddie’s infidelity for a long time. This suggests that Astrid has decided to be honest about her anger and finally speak to Michael about his infidelity. Still, Astrid seems to believe that it only makes sense that Michael is cheating, as he’s “irresistible” to women, including her. Taking this step back to their early days allows readers to see what forms the basis of their relationship: the fact that Michael is really attractive. Compare this to, for instance, Rachel’s early attraction to Nick being based on his charm and kindness—suggesting that their relationship is very different from Michael and Astrid’s.
Themes
Michael wasn’t sure what to make of Astrid on their first date—he mostly asked her out to impress his friends if they ended up having sex. They had nothing in common and nothing to talk about, but they were still drawn to each other. Back home in her own bed that night, Astrid thought it was a disastrous date despite the fact that she desperately wanted to have sex with him. She called him, and he invited her to his hotel room.
This passage continues to show that Michael and Astrid’s relationship isn’t built on much except physical attraction, something that’s now come back to bite Astrid, since she sees Michael’s attractiveness as the reason for his infidelity.
Themes
Now, back in the present driving home from the party, Astrid notes that she began her evening fantasizing about interrupting Michael and the “tramp” having sex. But after Oliver’s comment, she fears Michael fathered another child. She’s so preoccupied that she doesn’t notice a parked construction truck. The driver flings his door open, Astrid swerves, and she sees tree roots ahead before she blacks out.
While Astrid thought she could handle Michael just cheating on her sexually, his infidelity becomes way more upsetting when Astrid learns he might have another child. Astrid wants to protect her own son with Michael (Cassian), and another child in Michael’s life may compromise Michael’s willingness and ability to look out for or provide for Cassian.
Themes
